Even at its lowest point in the sky the sun was still able to play with a distant shower and create a rainbow for us as we set off. The forecast had been dire – heavy rain, strong winds – but we were determined to mark the turning of the year with a walk and a party.
Dotty the dog had already put on her party outfit.
When three of us had carried out a recce of the walk route five days previously the scenery was white and wintery. Today it was the muted greens and browns of a landscape conserving its resources until the new cycle of the seasons begins.
Defying the weather apps, the sun shone for the start of our walk, although a very cold wind meant that one walker declared it a ‘two hat day’. We had chosen a low-level walk in the Mohope Valley at Ninebanks in case of bad weather and, although it’s a short route, it is always full of interest. Part of the route is on tarmac which increased our chances of dry socks for our Solstice party later.
Walking in a group of 10 meant a shifting series of lovely conversations, and a sharing of so much knowledge about the countryside around us.
After enjoying the open views of the West Allen Valley we dropped into much more intimate scenery. A steep path took us down through hazel woods with catkins already on the twigs until we were enclosed between the high banks of the Mohope Burn. This is always an atmospheric spot, made more so by the ruins of a Methodist Chapel.
It is impossible to hurry through this valley. Something makes you linger and ponder. It calms the mind in a magical way.
Eventually we had to move on and tackle the steep hill up to the hamlet of Mohope. Now the wind was behind us which helped keep our anaorak hoods on our heads as a few showers blew through. It was never the drenching we had feared though, and we managed to get across the Blind Burn without incident.
Soon we were back at our cars and heading to Carrshield where we had booked the Barney Craig camping barn for the afternoon. A two-hat day turned into a two coffees day as we wrapped our hands around hot mugs and began to warm up. Soup, mince pies and flapjack hit the spot, followed by a toast to friendship and the cycle of the seasons.
Details of Carrshield Camping Barn are at https://www.carrshieldcampingbarn.co.uk/ and https://independenthostels.co.uk/members/carrshieldcampingbarn/
There’s more information about Isaac’s Tea Trail at https://isaacs-tea-trail.co.uk/
and https://www.northpennines.org.uk/location/isaacs-tea-trail/
You can follow me on Twitter @isaacsfootsteps
walkingisaacsteatrail 
Hello – is it possibly to join your group for walks? Thank you Mike
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Well we’re just a bunch of five friends who walk together, usually at short notice – but we do organise more formal groups for walks to mark World Curlew Day, for example, and we were considering offering a voucher for a Tailor Made Tea Ladies Walk at a charity auction which then didn’t happen. We can’t promise soup and mince pies every time though1! Advance notice of any ‘official’ walks will be on @isaacsfootsteps on Twitter and it would be great if you could join us.
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It was indeed a wonderful way to spend the shortest day of the year.
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