Hauxley

 

I reached Hauxley again today, but this time I started from Alnwick and used the cycle path along the Aln Valley Railay to connect with NCN1 at Hipsburn. Parts of this route were on main roads. but traffic on a Sunday was fairly light, so didn't cause much of a problem.

 

Along the coast there was a bit of a tailwind on the way out, and a headwind on the way back. Otherwise it was calm, dry, and mostly sunny. There were several walkers and cyclists enjoying the weather, and Amble was busy with the Sunday market on the quayside. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood.

  

We regularly walk the path along the Aln Valley Railway, but it's a long time since I've cycled it, so that was a bit of novelty. To reach the railway on the return journey I had to climb the gradient from Hipsburn, past Alnmouth Station to Bilton. I anticipated that this would be too difficult for me to ride up. and expected a walk. But in the event I managed it. So that was a pleasant surprise. Also, hedges have now burst into life but they've been trimming them on the road to Warkworth Beach. As a result a wartime pillbox has been exposed. I've passed this numerous times, without noticing it. There are surprises even on familiar parts of a route.

 

Seahouses, Spindelstone, Lucker, Ellingham, Beadnell

 

My book of suggested rides rates today's loop as "Easy". 

The Easter weekend is coming up and there was quite a bit of traffic near the coast, but almost all of the ride was on very quiet back roads. Indeed one section is hardly a road at all - more of a farm track. I thought I must have had drifted off my intended route, and double checked. I don't think I had made a mistake though.

As far as gradients go, it was mostly gently rolling countryside. Rolling enough to give the impression that I was practicing some gentle climbs without becoming much of a challenge. The only exception was between Ellingham and Chathill. Near Preston there's a drop to cross Long Nanny, then a climb back up again. But that was just a quirk. 

At Spindlestone the bridge across Waren Burn is currently closed to traffic. For a moment I thought I'd made a mistake when I ignored the Diversion signs. But there's a temporary footbridge, so it wasn't a problem on a bike. 

It would be perverse not to mention that the route passes Bamburgh Castle. But a series of less famous landmarks also deserve a mention. It's worth looking out for Spindlestone Ducket (pictured), St Hilda's Church at Lucker, St John the Baptist at Ellingham and the Corrugated Iron building at Chatton (which I think was a Reading Room). I deviated from the recommended route for a coffee stop at Beadnell. So I can also include St Ebba's Church and the old AA box on the B1340. There's probably more.

The day was dry and sunny. The wind was cold, and quite strong near the coast, but inland it was never much of a problem. 

"Easy" really doesn't do justice to this route. I'd be doing it again. And I don't object to paying for a Car Park. But the charges for a few hours at Seahouses are pretty steep. Next  time I will try to find an alternative starting point.