Peel Fell, G/SB-004 - 602m ASL - NY 625 997 - OS Explorer OL42 - 4 SOTA points            

Friday 29th July 2011 was the day we had arranged to meet with MT colleague and SB Region Manager Jim G0CQK for a joint expedition.  Morning cabaret was provided by two ducks scavanging around the next tent's breakfast pots!  Jimmy advised driving from Wooler to the border fence parking spot (a distance of about 60 miles) to the north of the hills, and therefore mainly through Scotland. In Jedburgh, we paused to buy packed lunch stuff from the local Co-op.

The journey took longer than anticipated, so we were about 30 minutes late in meeting Jim at the parking spot at NY608964. After kitting up, we were walking along the forest tracks, which seemed to extend a very long way as they curved around the fells. After a good 90 minutes walking, this brought us to the border fence/wall between England and Scotland. We crossed this and began the ascent up the fell on the Scottish side of the border.

   

On the final approach to the summit, the fence turned towards the right, and towards the summit, but apparently the national border continues in a straight line at this point, so the rest of the walking, and the summit itself, were entirely within England, although the activation zone does extend back into Scotland.

       

Although Liam had again done very well, him and I were last to arrive on summit. Jimmy was already set up, but not yet QRV, and had been having his lunch with Jim and Craig. Jim G0CQK/P was QRV on 5MHz SSB, and Jimmy M3EYP/P was soon into his swing on 2m FM. I got myself set up for 40m CW and ended up making 14 contacts in between mouthfuls of sandwich and Scotch egg, including a S2S with HB9AFI/P on Schwedndelberg HB/BE-156. Jimmy made 8 QSOs on 2m, including S2S with Bobby G7GAX/P on Dale Head G/LD-020.

   

On the first part of the descent, the handhelds were unleashed to chase Richard G1JTD/P on Burnhope Seat G/NP-003. Thereafter, the descent was a very pleasant walk through the forest, with Jimmy and Craig leading the way, way ahead, and Liam following behind but keeping up a decent pace. In between, Jim G0CQK and I enjoyed an interesting conversation that made the long walk fly by for me.

Afterwards, we adjourned down the road to the Anglers Arms in Kielder village for a couple of welcome pints of ale in the beer garden. After we bid farewell to Jim, we took a rather "interesting" route back north-east by initially taking the toll road directly over to the A68. This was probably not the wisest move I have ever made, having already noticed that the drop links needed replacing in my suspension, but I got away with it.  Take-away fish & chips from Wooler were enjoyed with a good view on Wooler Common (Jim's recommendation) before heading down to the pub for beer, quiz machine and pool.