… down forestry roads, deep into Wark Forest. I am no off-road hero but, some loose gravel I can cope with at sensible speeds. The attraction is that it takes you places you would never otherwise go and mostly, you are completely alone. This route starts at Whygate, a place already far from anywhere, at which point narrow tarmac with passing places turns to unmade forestry roads. Three miles in a sign advises that the already rough track is unsuitable for motorised vehicles. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is designed to deter through traffic – apart from a ford, Google Earth seems to show a cycle route which at worst has grass growing down the middle. I was suitably deterred but intend going back to attack it from the southern end. With echoes of the Northwest Passage I have a burning ambition to break through from Once Brewed on the Military Road to complete a fabulous circular route.
As it was, I turned back and headed over Shitlington Common (I kid you not) to Bellingham, down the North Tyne Valley to Wark and then along the eastern side of the Tyne to Barrasford, Chollerton and home.
It was wonderful to be out and I make no pretence about it being an ‘essential journey’ other than for the sake of my sanity.
The off-road section in Wark Forest
Almost a selfie
Beyond Whygate
End of the road at Grindon Green – or is it?
Turning around
One of two fords at Whygate
Shitlington Common
…and again.
northumbrian : light 
Beautiful
Great to see some countryside
Regards Tony
Thanks Tony – good to hear from you. Trust all is well with you and yours. All the best, R.
Doesn’t look any worse on that gravel track than tracks I have rallied on in past times…..
A very astute observation, Sue. They used to use forestry roads in this area for the Pirelli and Roger Albert Clark rallies. The surface is mostly ok but then you come across stretches of deep gravel where they have repaired water damage – they can be quite alarming 😉 What did you used to drive?
Hope you are keeping ok – all the best, R.
I used to do some Clubmans Classic rallying in my little A H Sprite…all very mundane but huge fun!
I’d say that trip is as essential as any other. 🙂 I hope you do see where that road goes.
Thanks Julie – definitely on the ‘to-do” list now. Hope you are keeping ok and enjoying life in your new home. All the best, R.
The selfie made me smile back at you, Robin 🙂 🙂 It’s a fairly lightweight bike? It poses well, and was that a hint of blue sky I detected? No excuses needed. It’s all wearing a bit thin now, isn’t it? Today we drove to a shop on the edge of our municipality and walked from there to a favourite place, just because we wanted to. We passed maybe half a dozen people, mostly cycling, in a 2 and a half hour walk.
Always pleased to make you smile, Jo 🙂 At 206 kg dry, it is a middleweight – I could probably lift it if necessary but something like the Honda CR250 at under 100 kg would be the much more sensible option if I was to make a habit of this.
I am sure the thinking majority have quietly had enough – we know what we need to do to protect ourselves. Hope you are keeping ok and you can resume your travels before too long. I have a motorcycle tour of Scotland booked for May with a group of like-minded buddies. At the moment it looks to be on. All the best, R
🤗💕
Bloody lovely patch of the countryside and a great bike to travel through it too!
Many thanks – you can lose yourself on a motorcycle in Northumberland. It is a fantastic, mostly empty, county.
Three cheers for your break-out, Robin. Essential. Absolutely. Sanity is in short supply, so those of us who still have a few shreds left need to nurture them.
Thanks Tish – I am not sure you can rebel against the rules when you don’t know what they are 🙂 As you know, I stopped listening a long time ago, again, for the sake of my sanity. I hope you are both keeping ok. All the best, R.
We’re fine, thanks, Robin. KBO as Churchill was wont to say.
Hey, good to see you back out in the wild light.
It’s been a year (or more) since I was in Chollerton or near Bardon Mill.
Excellent photos!
Many thanks Nick – hope you can return before too long.
Sanity is the perfect excuse for escaping, Robin. I’ve driven on worse roads in Wyoming, so I don’t blame you for going there. I’m looking forward to some longer trips soon. Stay sane!
janet
Hi Janet – hope you are keeping ok and that your longer trips materialise before soon. Not sure if I am sane or not but, I am happy 😀
All the best, R
Just waiting to get all our tax things done so I’m free to travel…with care, of course. I’ll drive, not fly. Good to know you’re happy and sane? Who is, right? 🙂
It’s a gorgeous part of the world and looks like an ideal place to lose yourself in. I think most people gave up ages ago judging by the roads. I’ve been stuck in a classroom with 30 kids so I know I did!
Well done – even under normal circumstances, that sounds like a health-hazardous occupation. We depend on good people like yourself to keep going.
Thank you!