Mallerstang Valley Walk - 13th June 2017

Wilf & Janet's walk starting from Nateby just South of Kirkby Stephen and going down the West side of the river Eden and coming back up on the East side of the river - about 7.1 miles according to Pete's GPS thingy.  We were exactly 20 in number and the weather was somewhat overcast but thankfully the rain held-off for us - more like occasional bursts of damp air.  It's a great walk taking in as it does a magnificent 14th century fortified tower house (Wharton House) and two 12th century ruined castles ( Lammerside Castle & Pendragon Castle) and the walk follows the river Even closely on the outward leg - then comes back up to Nateby in something of an elevated position on the hillside above the river.  The walk finishes by descending a lovely little wooded gully and beck above Nateby.  Tea and cake at the Nateby Inn where the very helpful lady serving us seemed to be all on her own and hence a bit rushed off her feet - hopefully she'll have more help in place as the summer wears on?

Lammerside Castle (remains of)

Pendragon Castle - seriously remodeled by the Scots in 1541

Wonderful "information heavy" road side by Pendragon Castle.  One presumes that over the years a number of oversize lorries have become stuck on the small road down to the river that then becomes a narrow farm track as it heads West?  Just for the record we didn't see a single red squirrel - sadly.