A surprise visit

Day 34 - Thursday 8th May:
After a day walking in warm sunshine along the Penine Way, the boys reached Bellingham early this evening. They made contact with the local vicar (Rev, Susan Ramsaran) who invited them to camp in the vicarage garden. When I phoned at my usual time for an update, I was delighted to hear that they were only about an hour's drive away, and I didn't need asking twice when John suggested that Dan and I should drive to meet them at the Cheviot hotel for dinner. By 7.30 p.m. the four of us were enjoyihng a cool drink and a hearty meal. The Cheviot Hotel do excellent bar meals and have very pleasant staff and customers. While I was there I was able to see the 'walk' weaving its magic first hand. A nice couple visiting the area from Middlesborough got into conversation with the boys about their walk and soon they were asking for web addresses and pledging to make a donation to Adventure Holidays. Minutes later, Noreen, a very nice lady who lives in Bellingham, tracked the boys to the pub. She had engaged them in conversation earlier in the day and now wanted to invited them for a cooked breakfast tomorrow morning. They boys certainly didn't refuse such kindness and in the morning have a date at eight! Onwards tomorrow along the Penine Way again. Amanda, one of St Michael's (Newburn) church wardens hopes to join the two Johns tomorrow for a day's walking with them. I know they'll be glad of the encouragement.