Ambash one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Ambash here.

I set off this morning just before 11am from Stand F (the x20 service) from beside the Rohan Khanai pub ( ///copes.oval.occupations ) named after the great West Indian who played for Ashington CC, in the 60s. Heading straight down past the new Leisure Centre to enter Ashington Community Woodlands. Keeping to right hand path , eventually emerging on the A1068. Not ideal as it is a relatively busy road and there is precious little verge for some 400 metres and a blind summit to boot. (If one follows the old railway lines through the woodland, to Linton and then bear right following the dismantled trackway to Ellington it is possible to avoid this road stretch but footing can be tricky especially on icy days).After Linton cross roads the verge is much better until you can turn off into Ellington Village. At the top of the hill is the Bank Top village store for last minute energy before turning left and walking toward the roundabout. I chose the 2nd of the two footpath/bridleways which take us to the beach north of cresswell. This 2nd route runs past Ellington caravan park and it is necessary to keep to the left hand in order to stick to the bridleway (it’s somewhat obscured by an old caravan so be careful to avoid an unnecessary detour round the caravan park). The path is ‘sticky’ in the winter and windfall needs to be negotiated. It winds downwards towards the dunes and eventually emerges at Cresswell Pond on the other side from Blakemoor Farm. Absolutely lovely today. Turning left along the National route 1 cycle way there is a short climb up Hemscott Hill. Care needs to be taken here as again there is little verge and a blind summit at the top. If it were not for the chance to commune with the Alpacca’ kept on the farm there and to pause alongside the disguised ‘Pillbox’ at the summit where there is a great view, I would probably recommend the ‘safer’ step across to the dunes and the Northumberland Coastal path. Indeed the route follows the cycle way and if you are not on two wheels there is no reason not to jump back and forth between the gorgeous expanse of Druridge and the rural hinterland where fields full of Greylag geese and other more discrete wildlife abound. I followed the route with no difficulty and past Hadstone Scaurs before turning inland slightly at Low Hauxley. The only reason to do this, rather than follow the coastal path on the last stretch into Amble, Is possibly to hurry on in time to catch the x20 as it leaves Amble from the Fourways at 16.04. This is how it worked for me and after a 12.5 miles I was happy to sit upstairs on my way back to Ash8ngton as the sun finally went in. I’m spoilt I think because , with the exception of the short stretch of A1068 to Linton, this is a fantastic path , with tremendous scenery. However if you have a little more time - say 6 instead of 5 hours it is possibly better to first walk east to Newbiggin and then North along the coastal path.

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