Dog Tired!

Date: 12th September 2013
Route: Stanley Crook - Waterhouses - Esh Winning - Ushaw Moor - Broom Park - Brandon -  Brancepeth - Willington - Stanley Crook
Distance: - ~17 miles
Weather: - Bright & sunny, cool breeze

After the issues with buses on our last walk Bob decided to come up to my neck of the woods for a walk. Still wanting to keep the distance element we decided on a walk along the old railway tracks to and from Durham. So at 9.30am Bob rolled up and we loaded my car with our walking gear and my 2 dogs (Cass the Westie and Jess the Springer) before heading to Willington to park up.
It was a cracking day (how lucky have we been this year with the weather) as we walked just over a mile along the road from Willington to Stanley Crook. From here we were able to pick up the Deerness valley Way, a disused railway track, that would eventually take us to Durham. The bushes and trees were awash with berries and fruit and provided a fantastic colour contrast to the green foliage.

Deerness Valley Way

Berry abundance!

Old Railway Bridge

As usual our conversation turned to rugby and a long review of Hull FC's season. Without the Wembley appearance you would have to say it had been a poor one. The only real progress, the blooding of some of our youngsters - Crooks, Lineham (selected in the Dream Team!) and Shaul. Having witnessed the awful last home game against St's I'd spat my dummy out and refused to go down for the play-off game (which Hull subsequently bloody won!).
Anyway having vented our spleens we were able to take in the scenery as we headed towards Waterhouses through a beautiful woodland walk and then on to Esh Winning & Ushaw Moor, picking up the river. At one point we just had to stop and utilise the dog poop-a-scoop bags to collect Brambles as the track was abundant with the fruits. After 20 or so minutes filling our bags we decided we had better continue - though there were still plenty left to pick.

Meandering river

Cass & Jess

Bob filling his poop bag!

Brambles - what its all about!

At 12.40pm we came across our usual lunch stop by the river and sat for a well earned rest and our lunch. The vegetation and flora were fantastic, a combination of sun & showers over the last few months.

We got to the halfway point at Broom Park about 1.50pm with the dogs beginning to tire - I was beginning to ponder the wisdom of a 17m walk with two 11 year old dogs!

River at Broom Park

Half way girls!

As we began a short climb (the last between here and the end of the walk, hooray) we were overtaken by a senior rambler much to Mr Garton's disgust; still bet he hadn't already done 9 miles!

Got a feeling we're being watched!

She may have found a ball but doesn't have the energy to chase it!

The remainder of the route was straight forward, along the railway track, through woodland heading through Brandon & Brancepeth on the way back to Willington. We needed another couple of short pit stops to allow the dogs to get their breath back, otherwise I'm sure I'd have ended up carrying them back!

 As we hit Willington we stopped for an ice cream, after all it was a scorcher, and walked through the town back to the car. Another 100 yards and I'm certain Jess would have given up.
Another beautiful day and scenic walk and we managed 17 miles without blisters :-)

Buses and Blisters!

Date: 29th August 2013
Route: Barnard Castle - Whorlton - Winston - Gainford - Merrybent - Darlington
Distance: - ~21 miles
Weather: - Bright & sunny, cool breeze

So with a long break for the Summer holidays this was our first walk out since the Jolly boys trip in July, and what a route to pick. Although Barney to Darlo is only around 16 miles by road, our route followed the river Tees which with all it's meandering and turns added another 5 miles! To sweeten the deal we decided to have a beer (Hoegaarden in No 22's!) and a curry once we arrived in Darlington - an incentive was certainly required.
So it was at 8 am I left the house for the 20 minute walk to Bishop bus station to catch a bus to Bob's. First I got the times wrong so had an extra 30 minute wait and then when my bus did finally turn up he drove right past the bus stop I wa standing at! Having wasted an hour and feeling somewhat peeved I walked back home to drive to Bob's - thanks Arriva!
Arriving at Bob's at 10am somewhat calmer than 30 minutes previous, we headed off down to the Demenses and picked up the Tees. No map was required for this part of the route as we'd walked it too many times to recall. As we passed Egglestone Abbey heading towards Whorlton we vented our spleens on FC's woeful performance at Wembley. Although a great weekend was had the rugby left a lot to be desired and once again the Hull FC Wembley hoodoo continues. To add to our mood of despair we were then treat to a brief downpoor and so took shelter in amongst the trees just as we were leaving Whorlton. We took the opportunity for a quick brew and very soon the sun was back out. However, the rain had left the vegetation wet and our boots, socks, feet and trouseres soon became sodden.

Boardwalk through dense vegetation

Green Teesdale

We squelched our way to the holiday lodges at Winston and on towards Gainford.
As it was now very sunny and we happened to spot a couple of seats by the river, we stopped for a lunch break - it was afterall 1.25pm and stomachs were rumbling.

Rain stopped, time to move on

I see no ships!

River Tees

Bridge at Gainford

Refuelled we set off for Gainford were our route took us briefly away from the river, along the road and through the village of Gainford. As we left Gainford we cut across a field of horses back towards the river, stopping to chat to an ex GSK colleague mucking out the horses.
By now our trousers and boots were drying out but alas my socks and feet were still damp and I was beginning to feel a couple of blisters form.

 By 3.10pm we had reached the old roman village of Piercebridge where we once again stopped for a brew. The legs were beginning to feel like they had done a walk and we still had a fair distance left to go. This was the worst part of the walk as the river takes a real winding path through the countryside and although Darlo was close our route still had some distance left.

Pimk house at Piercebridge

Roman Piercebridge

We followed the river into some woods and under the A1 at Merrybent - the blisters were making themselves known!

Farmers at work

The meandering Tees

Ford on the Tees

Hay bales

As we cut across a field and hit Conniscliffe Road near the Baydale Beck pub the end was in sight. However, the blisters decided that now was the time to "pop" and it was a surreal experience which very quickly became unpleasant. I was now considering a letter of complaint to Arriva and also asking the makers of 1000miler socks (no blisters, gauranteed!) for a full refund. This last part of the journey along the road to rendezvous with Mrs Garton in the car park took forever as the pace was slow, due to me walking like John Wayne with hemaerhoids! It was with great satisfaction that we finally arrived at the car. A quick change of footwear and a couple of Hoegaarden's later I was feeling slightly better. Note to self - always carry a spare pair of socks!

The Jolly Boys do Teesdale

Date: 11th July 2013
Route: Middleton-in-Teesdale - Huddeshope Mine - Newbiggin - Newbiggin Bridge - Holwick - Low Force - Newbiggin Bridge - Middleton-in-Teesdale
Distance: - ~12 miles
Weather: - Very hot & sunny!

So a jaunt up North for the FAC (Ferensway Adventure Club) boys and Bob had picked one of our favourite routes over Teesdale. Meeting the FAC guys in Morrisons car park in Barnard Castle we drove the short distance to Middleton-in-Teesdale to park up and get kited out. The sun was shining and it was looking to be a glorious day.

Woodland walk

Glimpse of the Dales

We walked through the village and into the forest heading along the river towards the old lime kilns. The peace and tranquility of the walk was disturbed by the sound of gun shots and we shortly came across a bunch of guys out for a days rabbit shooting. After waving a white flag and stopping for a parlez we headed along the river before stopping for a brew up - the Jolly boys had been up early travelling from Hull so where ready for a brew.

The FAC surrender to the gunman!

Track to the river

Farm houses

Riverbed walk

Mining heritage

Asking about our route Bob pointed up the hill to Huddeshope mines which prompted a question as to what was mined around these Dales. The quick response was Oyster Catchers - based on the large numbers we had seen thus far!

Brew up time

Dales walls

Looking back from whence we came

"Rambo" refuels

View up to the mines

The mines

Fully refreshed we began the climb up towards the mines and then even higher up the hill to cross over and down into Newbiggin. The views and scenery were superb as we crossed the hill and headed down into Newbiggin itself.

Bridge over the river

Heading towards the mines

Local Flora

Mining outbuildings

Gadgetman - "What to do with my hands?"!!

Stunning views

"Rambo" on look-out!

Outbuildings

Left behind taking photos!

So was Ray!

Over the top

A scene from "The Sound of Music"?

Meadow fields

At last its downhill

From here we crossed the freshly cut fields to Newbiggin Bridge and then rather than follow the river Tees we carried on across a couple of other fields towards Holwick and the welcoming sight of the Strathmore Arms pub. Bang on 1pm we were seated in the shade having a well deserved pint.

Impressive rock formations

Water feature

Mown fields

Bridge

Newbiggin Bridge

River Tees

Senior or Junior?

Farmer Garton

Strathmore Arms

Kit check!

Concern was expressed for Gadget Man (aka Paul) as he didnt have a relevant map downloaded onto his SatNav phone. Thus he had no need to hold it in his hand as it was redundant, instead he took solice in holding a strap from his ruck sack as a substitute comforter - aww bless!
We left the pub at 1.45pm along the road heading back towards the river Tees. Some of the rock formations were impressive.

Rock Formations

More rock formations

From the Tees we headed up river to Low Force for a group photo before returning back down the river to Newbiggin Bridge were we stopped for a lunch break.

House with a face!

Low Force

Yours Truly

Here Bob senior realised he had left his flask back at the pub. After searching his rucksack for the umpteenth time Bob juniour said he would return to the pub later that week to retrieve it. We sat munching and watching the wagtails and dippers before preparing for the final leg back to Middleton. As Bob senior arose from his rock throne he found the missing flask - it had been hidden among the crevasses of his nether regions!

Sherlock pollutes the Tees with his feet!

Garton's Snr & Jnr ponder the lost flask!

The final leg back home

Crossing back across the bridge we followed the Tees all the way back to Middleton, arriving in the car park at 4.20pm. Throughout the walk something had been puzzling me - why did I feel that Keith looked familiar? Who did he remind me of? As I shed my walking boots it finally dawned on me - he was the spitting image of Tommy Lee doing an impersonation of Rambo! Cool, I can sleep tonight now.