|
|
|
|
As ever, the mountain bike takes the risky, direct route, whilst the sensible touring bike takes to the footbridge.
Fittingly, this is feuding country, and the next few villages of Ford, Etal and Norham have seen many battles and skirmishes - the fighting Reiver families of the 14th to 16th centuries and the many clashes between Scotland and England. The Battle of Flodden Field, the last and the bloodiest battles between the two countries, occurred here in 1513 - King James IV of Scotland stayed at Ford the night before the battle where he was to lose his life.
The route is now on the edge of the Cheviot hills, and this is part of the Breamish Valley (watch out for quicksand), one of the three main Cheviot valleys.
