Lost in your own backyard!

Date: 11th June 2013
Route: Barnard Castle - Deepdale - Cragg Pond - Cotherstone Moor - Booze Wood - Balder Bridge - Cotherstone - Towler Hill - Pecknell Wood - Barnard Castle
Distance: - ~14 miles
Weather: - Cloudy, overcast but humid with sunny spells


It was 10am and I was once again at Bob's for another of our jaunts around Teesdale. We set off from his house, through Barney towards the Castle to cross the Silver Bridge and head off up Depdale. However, my local guide was unaware of footpath closures in his own back yard (!) and we spent 20 mins farting about trying to find a route down to the Silver Bridge due to building works which had closed all of our paths. In the end we headed off over the County Bridge and up Deepdale. The woodland walk was a mass of colour with Bluebells, Wild Garlic, Orchids and a host of other fantastic flora.

Wild Garlic

Mushrooms

Orchid

Bluebell meadow

We very soon came across our first wildlife, a hedgehog sitting in the path. It didnt look too well so Bob gently (!) side-footed it into the undergrowth so it wouldn't get hurt!! (No animals were hurt during the writing of this blog)

Bob lining up his free kick!

More bluebells

As usual we discussed Hull FC's recent performances. A good run ended with a poor performance at Catalan. C'est la vie! However on a more positive note I was able to relate my story of winning hard cash at Beverley races.
The path through Deepdale was difficult to pass in places due to fallen trees and also boggy patches - both Bob & I sinking shin deep in a couple of places!

Mud slide

Arriving at Cragg Pond at 11.45am we stoped to admire the tranquil view and get a drink.

Cragg Pond

Funghi

Cragg Pond from Cragg Farm

We continued through Cragg farm, Low Hill & High Hill and onto the road to Cotherstone. Heading past Battle Hill firing range, passing my 2nd Adder and again a roadkill!

One day I'll see a living Adder!

Quick drink & Map check

Cotherstone Moor - spot the path!

Cotton Grass

Swallows were out on the telephone lines and as we headed onto Cotherstone Moor with no discernable path, the going got tougher walking through the heather. Lots of birds about - Skylarks, loads of Snipes as well as Black Grouse & their chicks as we approached the Grouse shooting bunkers.
 

Bob eying his next target

Bunkers

With no obvious path we headed in a general direction until we sighted some farmhouses at Booze Wood. We were now into Lapwing territory as they buzzed around us presumably protecting their young hidden among the grass somewhere. Walking around the farmhouses we headed along the river Balder, across a bridge where we sat on a stile for lunch at 1.30pm. Luxury - a whole 30 mins for lunch!

If only.........

Buttercup Meadow Field

Bridge over the river Balder

The river Balder

Seat for two.

 A steep climb up a field and we reached the railway track but instead of following it through Cotherstone & back to Barney we crossed over it heading to Balder Bridge. This gave us a good view of the viaduct which we normally cross over.

It's behind you Bob!

On through Cotherstone towards Cooper House Farm and then up to Towler Hill. We were now following the Tee's and saw both a heron and also a deer.

Spot the deer

There it is!

Through a pine forest at Towler Hill plantation we then hit out onto a field where we did our usual right to roam (or trespass!) and cut across the field to climb the embankment up to join the railway line. Bob fell of the fence as he climbed over but luckily his rucksack prevented any major injury. Methinks too many pies & beers may have something to do with the fence collapsing rather than any structural weaknesses!
We followed the railway to Pecknell wood and then down towards the Tee's heading towards the Silver Bridge and back into Barney at 4pm.
We knew we'd had a walk, our legs told us that. The most impressive thing was the variety of scenery we had encountered - woodland, meadowfields, pine forests, moorland and riverside - awesome!