When we started we didn't know what test will come
Let's see the journey
The Old Gaol, not the best start
Hexham Cathedral
In the shop of the Abbey
Halgut burn
Wydon Water
We had a wee rest
Deepdale, West Dipton Wood
Arriving to our great challenge and purification
Mass of moisture brings big variety of mushrooms
In the jungle of West Deepdale
I didn't take photos as it was very wet.
Even the waterproof camera got water in,
it was so steamy there. Fallen trees everywhere.
we had to cross the burn min 12 times.
On stones or without stones. Walking 3 kms for 2 hours.
Up and down along the burn risking
to fall in as not proper footpath.
After walking in the mass of fallen leaves
for long in the dark jungle, jumping over fallen trees,
crossing the burn many times on slimy stones,
we arrive to this attractive waterfall
This id how dark was here
... So, how many more crossing will come ... ?
Above there is the Queen's cave
Higher up the West Dipton burn is a cave, known as the Queen’s cave,
associated by local tradition with Margaret of Anjou, the queen of Henry VI.
As usually narrated, the story runs that after the battle of Hexham,1 Queen
Margaret and her son, Edward, fell into the hands of a band of Yorkists,
but while they were disputing over her jewels and other treasure, she
succeeded in persuading an esquire to aid her escape, and the three rode
away unperceived by their captors, who were still engrossed in their quarrel
over the booty. Hard by the scene of this adventure was a wood which was
the resort of freebooters, who were the terror of the surrounding district.
The queen and prince had not proceeded far when they were confronted by
a member of the band. The situation was a critical one, but it was saved by
the courage and presence of mind of Queen Margaret. Calling the man to
her, she told him that he had been born in a fortunate hour. A chance was
given to him of redeeming by a single act a life of vice and crime. The son
of his king was at his feet for him to save. The unhappy queen besought
him to protect his prince, and endeavour to convey him to a place of safety.
Overcome by Margaret’s entreaties and prayers, the bandit agreed to
become the protector of the fugitives, swore he would suffer a thousand
torments ere he would abandon the prince, implored the queen’s pardon
for his misdeeds, and vowed he would devote the remainder of his life
to acts of mercy. Convinced of his fidelity, the queen left her son in the
hands of the robber, while she went in search of her husband.2 The cave
on the West Dipton burn is said to be the place where Margaret and Prince
Edward were temporarily lodged by their protector. It is 31 feet long
and 14 feet broad, but scarcely high enough to allow of a person standing
upright. In the middle is a massive pillar of rude masonry which is said
to mark the line of a wall which formerly divided the cave into two parts.3
The chief authority is Chastellain, who says that he had it from the queen
herself, and gives a very circumstantial account of the affair.
The "path"
Finally out on the sunlight
We thought we won't make it before sunset
We managed to arrive in Hexham in daylight
Back to the Abbey
