Blizzard on the North Pennines

Thought I would head South instead of Kielder for a change. Down towards the Derwent Reservoir and towards the North Pennines. The wind was f-in ridiculous yet again, (and it was gonna get worse the higher I got). Some stunning scenery, as usual in that neck of the woods. I got to a couple of reservoirs – Smiddy Shaw and Waskerley but decided to carry on a bit further West. Note: I haven’t been in this area since I was in the Army. Got to a junction*(see below) where there was a beautiful view across the valley. That’s where I saw the snow topped hills in the distance, and well, it had to be done. So off I headed further to the South West. At the top of the snow capped hills there was a place I could pull in and take in some of the views, the bloody wind was up to about 70mph, difficult and very cold but worth it. Got some decent shots all along the route and at the top. But once I got down to Cow Green Reservoir the blizzard kicked in. Horizontal sleet and snow, biting wind. (try having a leak in this weather – remember no toilets). Decided to head back up, just keeping in front of the weather front most of the way back up the hills, I managed to get some really nice footage. If you check out the video on YouTube you will get a better idea.

Flask of tea and homemade ham, peas pudding and beetroot sarnies taste much nicer when your out and about - a Northern thing lol.

Directions – you can use Consett for a start point, if your up North ‘like’. Where the A692 and the A68 meet, there is a crossroads. Head West, first down Church St, which then turns into Healyfield Lane, keep heading West (across some nice moorland), until you reach a junction* of Goldhill Lane, turn left, SSW, along an un-named road. You will pass ‘Smiddy Shaw’ Res on the right and a little further down, Waskerley Res on the left.

You will come to a junction of the B6278 head South (left turn), to Stanhope. In Stanhope you will come to a ‘T’ junction, turn right onto the A698 follow this road West through ‘East Gate’ and then ‘West Gate’ until you come to a small village called ‘St Johns Chapel’ turn left (South) onto an un-named road which takes you across the moors, (this is where I got the landscape shots in the snow), then down to a ‘T’ junction, turn left then right at a place called Langdon Beck Hotel, this will take you to the reservoir.

Got this one on the way back, just caught the light out of my wing mirror so stopped and took a shot

Enjoy, but be careful, these are windy steep roads with live-stock often wandering across. Hopefully you will get a nicer day at the reservoir. Check out the video.