Pennine Perfection

I had a walk along part of the Pennine Way last weekend from Alston to Garrigill. The scenery follows the South Tyne. It was tranquil and beautiful. The curlews and oyster catchers were calling and their song floated across the hills without any other man made noise to compete with.

The water in the South Tyne river is very peaty.

Fast flowing

In places there are large banks of shingle and the river diverts into small channels.

Rivulets in the South Tyne

The air quality is very good as there is lichen on the tree branches.

A tree smothered with lichen

Beautiful

Ferns are growing in the branches of this tree.

So many ferns

Moss covers the dry stone walls.

Green walls

The roots of this tree grow down the bank.

It is amazing how far down the bank the roots grow

Can you see a teddy bear in the tree trunk?

Bear with me

A view of the rolling hills with only a few isolated farms.

Rolling hills

An old farm gate.

How many people and animals have passed through this gate

Watercress in a stream.

The water needs to be flowing to make the watercress safe to eat

 A limestone enscarpement.

Giant pillars

Clouds over the moor.

How many rays can you count?

Snow on Cross Fell

I have made a wreath from small plant pots for the Artful Garden gate.

Jelly plate papers decorate the plant pots

The robin now has a nest made from what was pruned from the grape vines.

The nest is decorated with sheep's wool and willowherb seed heads