Day 2/6 Northumberland 151km Circular Walk - Elyhaugh to Embleton (via Felton, Alnwick, Craster) - 16 Mar 2008

It was an unproductive day. Morale was low from yesterday's walk. Blisters were starting to develop due to walking WITHOUT SOCKS!!! (lol...can't believe how stupid I was..but at least I know that my experience has grown since the first walk I embarked on) I continued the walk to the next town, Felton, after unpitching my tent and stuffing the sleeping bag back after much effort. Took about an hour to arrive. Got a refill of water from a small cafe.





The thought of walking further without socks was not going to work!! Hence, took a bus to Alnwick (just to BUY SOCKS!!! HAHAA!!!) Got the necessities topped up and then the bus to Craster - another town I would pass in Day 2. I felt uncomfortable 'cheating' by skipping part of the route, but I've no choice otherwise I would be behind schedule...So I told myself: "I am going to come back on another day to complete the missing part of the route." (which I did on my next day walk :) )


From Craster, I started to enjoy the thrill of walking. It was the coastal walk! North Sea on my right...Well built footpaths for public use....Passing Dunstanburgh castle...Splendid day - sunny, temperature just right, nice sea breeze..... If you are reading this, I highly recommend you to visit the Northumberland coast at least once in your life...It's BEAUTIFUL on a bright sunny day.

The walk up North along the coast took around 2 hours to the next destination for the night - Embleton. Was so glad that the day was so smooth-sailing....until I got a bit lost when searching for the campsite in Embleton. Realised the campsite was not as near as expected. Lack of experience again! Had not done sufficient research on the exact location of accommodation..lol...

So stayed at an Inn (Sportsman Hotel) which overlooked the sea. Beautiful. Supposed to cost 35 pounds, but the owner gave me a twin room for just 30 pounds - just because this was the low peak season and I had arrived quite late. Very thankful that I had found a good resting place for the night (a great contrast to last night's wild camping). Dinner at the Inn was good, but expensive...but it's ok cos this is a holiday!!! Thorough washing up of clothes, shoes, ... before bedtime :) Couldn't wait for more coastal walk tomorrow!