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.
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| Boardwalk through dense vegetation |
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| 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.
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| Rain stopped, time to move on |
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| I see no ships! |
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| River Tees |
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| 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.
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| Pimk house at Piercebridge |
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| Roman Piercebridge |
We followed the river into some woods and under the A1 at Merrybent - the blisters were making themselves known!
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| Farmers at work |
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| The meandering Tees |
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| Ford on the Tees |
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| 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!
