11-Jun-2004 -- On June 7th I attempted to visit this confluence on a fine summer's day. The poppies were red and the leaves on the trees still fresh. Unfortunately there was a standing grass crop being harvested, tractors and standing grass everywhere. Had I arrived the day before, I would not have been able to visit, damaging crops is a big no no, but once cut its fair game, so I decided to pop in on the return journey to Edinburgh.

While I was away a very high powered team visited, so its been a busy piece of Northumberland indeed.

On 11th June I made the return visit. Long tedious afternoon journey north, thank goodness for the Test Match on the radio. This time went in from the A69, past Aydon Castle, now closed up for the night and parked in the same place. No tractors and silage safely in, no stock yet in the field, ideal conditions for a visit. The remains of the spring's manure was visible in the cut grass and a few birds were about picking off insects. No need to do the dance. My GPS stuck nicely on zeroes for quite a while.

The scene is very pastoral, There are two castles in view and some attractive houses. A low hill to the north carries the site of Hadrians Wall, which was visited on the first trip. A burn runs close by and beyond this stream is a new woodland plantation. Just out of sight beyond some mature trees is that poppy field, a non too common sight in chemical soaked England.

Evening drawing on, I enjoyed an easy journey home, passing a new road sign "Welcome to Scotland - Twinned with France, Switzerland and Croatia." Why those countries? England's opponents in Euro 2004.