Alston

I went to Hexham Hospital today for an appointment (incidentally a very good hospital. All my experiences there have been very positive) On the way back we decided to take the scenic route past Langley Castle, Whitfield and Alston. Anyone who has not been on this road should try it. It's wild - particularly with very strong winds as today was. Full of hairpin bends and dramatic moorland scenery it is still topped with snow after the somewhat extended winter. We stopped at Alston and I took this picture. The wind was so strong I could barely stand up never mind see what I was aiming at. All in all it didn't turn out too badly (I had to use Marks i phone as I had been swopping batteries around and had forgotten to put them back in my camera. I'm always doing that)

Alston is generally known for its discerning visitors, the narrow gauge railway that has a terminus there and its beautiful wild surrounding countryside. However for many centuries beginning with the Romans, if not before, it was noted for its mineral production, mainly lead and silver. The name Alston is Viking but little is known of their tenure here. Alston is in England but the Kings of Scotland owned the land from the 10th Century. The mineral rights, however, belonged to the English crown. Many problems were caused with English law for Miners and Scots law for others. Edward the first however solved this problem in typically direct fashion by confiscating the lands from John Balliol in 1269. (stealing) Really this was a political move but it resulted in increased economic activity - the mines producing large quantities of silver that was used in minting coins in Carlisle. By the 19th Century the workings had become less viable with the last metal mine closing in the mid - 2oth century. In 1965 the Pennine Way, which passes through the town was opened bringing a tourist boost to the area.

Beats the A69 and some of the pubs look very welcoming (as does the Elks Head at Whitfield) The shops however are always shut when we decide to pay a visit.