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Last broadcast on Thu, 24 Sep 2009, 15:00 on BBC Radio 4 (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
Clare Balding walks the length of St Oswald's Way in Northumberland.
The first section of the route takes Clare from Holy Island to St Cuthbert's Cave. She is joined by local clergyman Michael Mountney, the creator of the route, who conceived the idea as a millenium project for his parish. They are joined by long-distance walking expert Jenny Walters, who offers Clare advice on how to keep her feet in shape for the miles ahead and the kit she needs to keep on track.
St Oswald's Way is a 97-mile route, running from Holy Island in the north, along the stunning Northumberland coast before heading inland to Heavensfield and Hadrian's Wall. The path links some of the places associated with St Oswald, the King of Northumbria in the early seventh century, who played a major part in bringing Christianity to his people.
Clare Balding, Michael Mountney and Jenny Walters
Walk Details
Distance: 11 miles
Landscape: Across the causeway from Lindisfarne, soft rolling hills with stiles suitable for moderate fitness.
Start Point: Lindisfarne Priory.
End Point: St Cuthbert's Cave.
How to get there: All details for transport with maps, can be found on St Oswalds Way website www.stoswaldsway.com .
Points of interest: Lindisfarne Priory, the Pilgrms Way across Holy Island Sands and the village of Fenwick.
Map: Holy Island and Bamburgh OS Explorer 340).
POINTS OF WARNING: CHECK TIDE TIME TIDES BEFORE CROSSING TO THE MAINLAND. THE ROUTE ALSO CROSSES A HIGH SPEED RAILWAY LINE. FOLLOW INTRUCTIONS AT CROSSING.
Walk in brief: The first section of St Oswalds Way is also the longest. From the start at Lindisfarne Priory on the historic and beautiful Holy Island, the Way heads towards the mainland via the causeway. The route then heads south through Fenwick towards Kyloe Woods with it's surviving population of red squirrels. Clare ended her walk at St Cuthbert's Cave, but if you're feeling fit enough, it's suggested that the first section of the walk should be 19 miles, ending at Bamburgh.
Clare, Michael and Jenny get their feet wet.
Best always to remove your boots before attempting to follow the Pilgrims Way across the causeway. Clare liked the sand between her toes and her boots were saved from the salt water.
Clare Balding checks the map.
It's approximately three and a half miles across the causeway. The team stopped for lunch once on the mainland, using the World War II tank traps to lean against.
Broadcasts
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Sat 19 Sep 200906:07
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Thu 24 Sep 200915:00
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