I had never done any fell walking until I came across Dave in the Protection Office in Carliol House in the 1960’s.  One of our earliest trips out was after it had snowed in the Cheviots and we somehow persuaded Ralph Hunter to let the pair of us have a day off together.  The intention was to head up to the Alwinton area but we came to a halt at Rothbury when the roads beyond were blocked by snow.  We decided to leave the car in Rothbury and go up Simonside.  I don’t remember anything about the walking  itself other than we came across a clearing in the forest below Simonside.  There were some logs to sit on and we decided to have a coffee, at which point Dave produced a Navy Rum miniature.  We sat quietly drinking our ‘coffee’ out of the wind and with great big snowflakes silently drifting down.  It was one of those magical moments of peace and stillness that remain with you all of your life.
 
Not all of our walks were peaceful as we found when we got caught up in a Hunt to the west of Fontburn. We could hear that the hounds were very excited, then we came across them alongside a forestry enclosure.  Half the pack was trapped behind a very high and strong deer fence.  They were pawing the fence trying to get out while the rest of the pack was pawing the fence on the other side trying to get in.  We arrived at the same time as two horsemen in their red jackets and we offered our help.  Between the four of us we managed to loosen one of the very large fence posts so that Dave and I could lift the link fencing away from the ground.  One of the huntsmen then pulled the dogs through one at a time while the other held the rest of the pack back.  It was one of those situations where half an hour later in the peace and quiet you wondered whether it had actually happened.
Not all our involvement with animals was quite so successful.  On one occasion two stray dogs attached themselves to us and followed us across the moors all the way from Lords Lot to Allendale.  We tried everything to get rid of them and by the time we arrived in Allendale it was getting embarrassing.  Fortunately the dogs were distracted for a few moments by another dog and we beat a hasty retreat in the car.
 
We enjoyed many Youth Hostelling trips to the Lakes, Yorkshire and a couple of trips to Scotland including a helicopter rescue.  More latterly we enjoyed days out in Northumberland. There were times when you never came across another person all day.  We could simply enjoy the exercise, the fresh air the countryside around us and each others company.
 
Many, many thanks for so many memories.