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April 7, 2014

Early 2014

What’s been in the news recently about the Northumberland National Park that has got everyone talking? The recently bestowed Dark Sky status of course, awarded on December 9th 2013, Gold Tier to the combined areas of the Northumberland National Park and Keilder Water and Forest Park (the Northumberland Dark Sky Park). It is the largest Dark Sky Park in Europe covering nearly 1,500 square kilometres of breathtaking scenery between Hadrian’s Wall and the Scottish border – including Firwood. We always knew we had magnificent skies above us, something our guests comment on a lot, but now it’s official!

Milky Way Ingram

The photo (thanks to Couquet Valley Images)above was taken in January in the Breamish Valley a few miles away from Firwood on a star gazing event we went to put on by NASTRO and shows the Milky Way, which over 80% of people have never seen. It was a great night ( a bit chilly but we were well covered) and this gives you a good idea of what you can see from the carpark of the B&B!

Ingram stargazing enh small

There is a very lovely video taken in the NNP, well worth a look. Why not come and take your own though? We have at Firwood a selection of equipment to help you star gaze, including binoculars, tripod ( good for watching the birds on the feeders and the Red Squirrels in the trees during the day as well) and a Dobsonian telescope! We are very beginners ourselves but we have star guides and a very good book to help to identify what you are seeing. Sometimes I think, just looking is enough.. Mike will have to be a bit quicker though, putting out the telescope a few nights ago, a shooting star whizzed across the sky behind him. ‘Where? Where?’ He said. Too late, long gone!! Mike has plans of his own. He has identified a part of the garden that should be ideal for watching the night sky, or indeed the birds during the day and is devising an observation platform. I’ll keep you informed!

I am always proud of Northumberland. Where else is there such diversity of landscapes and the possibilities for whatever it is you want to do in one county? Star gazing, wildlife, castles, museums, magnificent beaches, wild hills and mountains, quiet lanes for cycling and the lack of population for chilling. Oh yes, Northumberland National Park is officially England’s most tranquil location.

Beth

07 Apr 14
By : admin
Comments : Off

Cycling

If you like your cycling, Northumberland is the place to come to. Wonderful scenery, diverse terrain and – very important, the roads are quiet as regards 4 wheeled traffic. If you are looking to add a bit of focus to your cycling, there is the Wooler Wheel Cycle Challenges The May 2013 event was a great success, despite challenging weather! The October 100N (with a 50km on the same day) was ran in the most superlative weather! Perfect conditions for some 500 cyclists.

Bar Moor road 2012 July 21st (3) (Large)

Following on from the sportive, every month the Wooler Cycle Hub has a programme of FREE guided leisure rides for you to try. Places on these are limited but as one of the main sponsors of the Hub, Firwood B&B has guaranteed places for anyone wanting to cycle. And if you don’t want to bring your bikes, we can arrange for hire bikes.

An example of a guided ride is Saturday 31 May “The Ford and Etal Explorer”. A free guided leisure ride along one of the waymarked WCH routes. This ride will take a meandering route from Wooler to Ford and then to Etal, crossing the River Glen at the ford at Yeavering, and climbing up to Slainsfield and Hay Farm for spectacular views of the Cheviots erupting out of the Milfield Plain. Returning to Wooler via Fenton and Doddington (ice-cream!). Distance 29 miles. There will be a stop for lunch at Heatherslaw Mill or Etal Village where there are cafes and a pub. All on road, apart from the short good quality farm tracks leading to the ford at Yeavering.

If you are interested in any of the cycle events, more details can be found on the Wooler Wheel web site (you can sign up for the news letter there as well) or you can e-mail me at welcome@firwoodhouse.co.uk

Mallard

I managed to catch a couple of our Red Squirrel visitors on video, squabbling over the feeder- it’s on Youtube (Aren’t I getting adventurous!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhJ2UijXeuQ

We have a very nice little write up on the Northumberland National Park web site about the National Park Bumblebee Awards of which we were a winner. If you are interested, take a look on Bumblebee Awards

Geoff Holland, hill walker, fell runner, mountain biker and walk book writer, has very kindly let me link to his site Cheviot Walks Here you will find walks in the Cheviot Hills to tickle the most jaded of palates and they are downloadable for your own use. His book ‘Walks from Wooler’ re-creates the walks of W. Ford Roberston from a book published in 1926. I don’t think the essence of them has changed. His latest book is called ‘Walks on the Wild Side – the Cheviot Hills’ and is a collection for the more adventurous amongst you. Geoff has also a wonderful slide show on his site , a fantastic way to see the majesty of the Cheviot Hills.

Mike and Beth

07 Apr 14
By : admin
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