Fond memories of the Pennine Way (1994)

Gosh, was it really 19 years ago? A lucky gap between jobs provided the opportunity to spend 19 days walking from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm, just over the Scottish border.

A trip to visit family in Weardale took me through Bowes, an overnight stop on the route. I had forgotten the wide open spaces of County Durham, one of the quietest stretches, where the relative rarity of other walkers offers a real sense of wilderness.

There's even a village called Wideopen near Newcastle upon Tyne.

One day, I'd like to do it again, but for now I can savour the memories.