On Friday 3 December a group of Northumbria Backpackers meet at the Moorcock Inn, Waskerley, which is about five miles from Consett, County Durham. Here we were treated to a supper of mince lamb followed by sponge pudding and custard. The pub was very busy despite being isolated and is highly recommended as a venue for a pre or post walk drink.
The following day the route took us from the Moorcock, via the café on the coast to coast at Parkhead Station, to Blanchland.
Here we pitched on the recreation ground by arrangement with the community association and had supper in the Lord Crewe Arms and a beer in the community centre bar.
The following day the route took us to Edmundbyers which is a large village with a caravan park and a Youth Hostel and currently a pub that is not able to sell alcohol. It cannot sell alcohol until Thursday 29 April due to a dispute with a pub on the A68 within five miles. However we did have some much needed coffee. This too will be a good starting point for a walk when the pub gets going again, as the owners have plans to go offer meals; there are also camping facilities in Edmundbyers.
This was a new approach to backpacking for the Northumbria Group as we walked between pubs. The weather was quite good and the scenery is superb.