26-28 September 2022

This week we had several visitors from my old walking group in Cheshire and Shropshire (ex-MMU colleagues). We were thrilled to hear that they wanted to visit us in our new home in the Eden Valley, and very excited when they finally arrived. Some stayed in the village and others found accommodation in Penrith.

On the first day we walked with Avril and Robin, across the fields behind our house, overlooked by the Pennines and Cross Fell. A visit to the local National Trust property, Acorn Bank, was most enjoyable. Inside, there was an exhibition of a huge variety of apples (including tasting) and outside we were amazed by the huge quantities of apples laden on the trees. From there we walked through the woods and fields, following the marvellously named Crowdundle Beck (stream) as far as the Settle to Carlisle railway viaduct built from local sandstone.

By the next day we had a full complement of MMUmblers –Avril and Robin, Brian and Sue, Di Selby, Paul (the group leader), Rosie and Tony, and Steve and Mim. Our objective was to walk to High Cup Nick, an impressive geological feature in the Pennines. After buying sandwiches in the café in Dufton, we set off along the road, then turned onto the Pennine Way for the next few miles. The path was easy to follow and we gained height steadily with few steeper sections.

There were hills to the left of us and a deep valley to the right, formed by the High Cup Gill (stream/river). The scenery became ever more impressive as we gained height with great walls of rock and even a pillar. We talked as we walked, and I managed to have a chat with everyone in the group, as did Annabel (what a surprise!). After stopping for lunch we continued along the rim of the rock wall until we reached High Cup Plain.

We retraced our footsteps on the return journey – unfortunately there was no footpath on the other side of the valley.

In the evening we ate an excellent meal at a local pub and wished everyone a good journey home. People had so much enjoyed their day that there was talk of making it an annual event. They thought us very lucky living in such beautiful surroundings.

Rosie and Tony visited us in the morning and we walked along the River Eden for a few miles.

Now there are just the two of us left. Looking forward to their next visit.