A KEEN trekker and cyclist from the Netherlands battled through storms to complete a four-day walk in the North Pennines.

Marjorie Ouwehand had been planning a trip to Patagonia, but when it was cancelled she seized the chance to cross the North Sea for a winter walk over the North Pennines along Isaac’s Tea Trail.

But by the final day of the 36-mile circular walk she found herself caught in the full brunt of Storm Ciara.

Marjorie (48) discovered the trail, close to the Coast to Coast cycle route over the North of England through Alston, Nenthead and Allenheads, in 2018.

She was fascinated by the life of the itinerant 19th century tea seller Isaac Holden, which the trail is named after.

A community nurse with the Salvation Army, Marjorie cycled to Allendale from North Shields and set of on foot the next day for Nenthead.

There were other few walkers to be seen – just a chance encounter with a marshal checking the ground for Haltwhistle Walking Festival, which takes place in May.

Up to final stage between Ninebanks and Allendale the weather had posed no difficulties –until the arrival of Storm Ciara when up to six inches of water fell, turning the West Allen’s innocent burns into raging torrents.

Nevertheless, in waterproofs and the good sense to avoid perilous water courses, Marjorie completed the trail back in Allendale, in time to discover her holiday in England had been extended a further two days due to the cancellation of ferry services to Amsterdam.