A magical secret wood

This beautiful bluebell wood is not far from the village of Gilsland on a little trodden footpath. As we walked through today we disturbed a young stag who paused before moving off quietly (just out of sight behind the trees).

This was part of the Gilsland Historical Walk which I led today. There were 20 of us on the 7 mile walk, visiting a variety of historical sites in and around the village. We went to the Popping Stone, where Walter Scott (before he was knighted) proposed to his beloved. I read two short poems by Scott there. Sadly my camera played up and no photos were recorded from that place.

We spent time beside some of the best stretches of Hadrian's Wall and saw the diverse broad leaved trees in the woods by the Irthing Gorge.

30 walkers were on the War Babies walk and a total of 95 attended the War Babies tea, including 5 mothers who gave birth at the Gilsland Spa Hotel during the War. They were sent to Gilsland to deliver in safety. Look out for press coverage tomorrow.