I had a peaceful night at the Alston YHA - definitely recommended. After a good breakfast I left around 9 and headed for the South Tyne Trail walking with my German friends for a bit who had arrived late last night after discovering the Alston “campsite” was a caravan site. They headed up to Cobbles Cafe for breakfast whilst I set off along the Trail. They were catching the train to Slaggyford so they were going to look out for me! As I walked through the station and dropped down to the river I was pleased to see sand-martins nesting in the sandbank and fish below in the water. There were men getting the steam engine called the Green Dragon out ready for the 10:30 train with the carriage waiting further along. I would listen out for the whistle to take photos. As I walked along there were lots of Green veined butterflies which I had also seen yesterday feeding on daisies and red campion. Following the railway line was obviously straightforward but there was still beautiful scenery...