Day 12: Amble to Alnwick

Peter writes "This is a the best of every world. A beautiful walk through a fascinating landscape and delightful Northumbrian small towns. Not too demanding. No great hills. Lots of river and sea, with easy grass, sand and paths underfoot. A reasonable pace and not too far. The gold medal day, so long as the wind is not blowing!!"

The day started with the usual kerfuffle of packing bags, eating breakfast and sorting ourselves out for walking after a relaxing rest day in Amble.

100 yards away we gathered in St Cuthbert's Church for a joint Eucharist

The vicar, Diane, who we met on the way into Amble at Low Hauxley, welcomed us and presided with Fr David.

Geoff read the lesson.

Diane sends us on our way - into the rain :(

Round the harbour...

Along the side of the River Coquet we saw a curlew - who didn't seem to mind the rain.

Approaching Warkworth Castle - so dull in the drizzle, after glowing so warmly in yesterday's sunshine.

All dressed up for the weather

The castle from close quarters.

Monica and Rosemary brave the weather to ply us with drinks.

Around the side of the church (note the new buttreses to support the wall which is leaning because of limited foundations).

In St Lawrence's we were welcomed with hot tea...

...which was appreciated.

The vicar welcomed us...

...then a local historian told us the history of the church, before Roger led the reflection.

We looped through the village...

...down the street...

...and through an arch before crossing the old bridge over the Coquet.

Roger and Lois lead the way up towards the coast.

Over the dunes: what goes up...

...must go down.

We're still getting wet.

They caught me on my own camera (but forgot to wipe the lens first).

A prayer stop was planned on a small hill overlooking the Aln estuary, but the weather was against us.

Good view across to Alnmouth - our lunch stop, but a few miles walk unless (like Patrick) you wade across the river.

Monica and Rosemary getting even wetter to give us food and drink.

Maureen, Jean and Helen pop into the tea shop next to the nominated pub.

Patrick and Lauren share a pint.

Lucinda has a doze in the pub - not a good move, but she's a light sleeper and escaped humiliation.

Pilgrims in the tea shop.

John braves the pub garden - in fact, there was a good drying breeze up here.

Pilgrims inside the pub.

The vicar welcomes us to St John the Baptist's church.

Lois gave a reflection on silence and contemplation, based on her reasons for being in England at this time.

Pilgrims filled the church.

Windows of St Aidan and St Oswald.

Peter talks to a local lady.

Maurice seems happy to be walking again.

Ceri and Francis as we walk through the outskirts of Alnmouth.

Another train for Julian as we approach the East Coast Main Line again.

The leaders went off track and we ended up on an old railway - at least that meant there was a bridge to shelter under.

David leads the pack along the trackbed.

Annie and Carolyn battle the elements - it's raining again.

Arriving at the URC Church centre in Alnwick...

...where our luggage awaits.