Walking backwards

Date: 19th November 2014

Route: Stanley Crook - Waterhouses - Ushermoor - Bear Park - Ushermoor - Waterhouses - Stanley Crook

Distance: - 16 miles

Weather: - Overcast, showers, sun

Another 10am start and drive (with the hounds) to Stanley Crook to start our walk where we normally end it. It felt a bit odd walking the route backwards and daft as it sounds you see the same sights differently - it certainly messed with my OCD mind!!

The conversation as always began with rugby and our hopes for a new season, the good thing being the announcement of the Magic Weekend in Newcastle.
We also had a gig at a business conference in Newcastle where we had agreed to do a talk on Business Improvement. Unfortunately in some fit of madness we had decided to make it an interactive session and do some role play / acting so our minds were working overtime trying to sort out how that would work!

What was surprising was the lack of wildlife observed on this walk, normally we see the usual birds and the odd surprise but we struggled this time to see anything.

We stopped for lunch for half an hour at the picnic tables at Bear Park before beginning the walk back, conversation must have been good as I never actually got round to taking any photo's on this walk!

We arrived back at the car for 3.30pm, a most pleasant if what uneventful walk.

Butterflies and caterpillars

Date: 16th July 2014

Route: Bishop Auckland - Hunwick - Willington - Brancepeth - River Wear - Hunwick - Bishop Auckland

Distance: - 15 miles

Weather: - Warm, Humid & Sunny

What a glorious Summer we have been having and yet another fantastic day for a walk. Bob drove over to mine and we loaded the dogs into my car and drove the short distance to the viaduct car park. From here we headed along the railway track to Hunwick and eventually Willington, dogs in tow. 

The main topic of conversation as always was Hull FC’s performances. Another season the had promised sooooo much and again failed to deliver. Still, being the optimists we FC fans are we focused on the excellent development of our young players and convinced ourselves that next season would be “The One”!

Bob was also happy as his daughter had fixed a date for her wedding so I took great delight in reminding old Ebineezer of the extortionate costs of weddings!

Despite my winding him up I still had an invite to his brother-in-laws BBQ which was billed as “The not-to-be-missed Event of the Year”. Beer was free so I was sold from that point onwards!

We soon found ourselves at Brancepeth and Bob graciously allowed us a 10 minute pitstop to water the dogs and grab a banana. Then it was back up along the railway track before branching off towards the river Wear.

With all the good weather, sprinkled with a bit of rain, the local flora had really benefitted. We were blessed with a plethora of gorgeous flowers which in turn attracted the butterflies. We hit one field where the thistles had really took off and the surrounding air was alive with numerous species of butterflies - I’d never seen so many.

We found a nice spot by the river and stopped for lunch. The dogs were well knackered by now, little knowing how much further we still had left to go!

After a pleasant 30 minute break we resumed our walk along the river noticing how some particular plants were alive with caterpillars - that explained all the butterflies!

As the riverside path ran out we climbed up and away and re-joined the railway track at Hunwick and 20 minutes later arrived back at the car.

This was without doubt the best walk we’d had this year.

(NOTE: Once home the dogs never moved all afternoon / evening and had to be forced to go out for their evening walk!)

Unleash the Hell Hounds

Date: 20th June 2014

Route: Barnard castle - Cotherstone circular

Distance: - 8 miles

Weather: - Hot & Sunny

The timing of this walk was based around the two latest additions to the Dennis household. I’d lost my Springer Spaniel, Jess, to cancer at the beginning of the year but after a couple of months of mourning (and not just us but Cass the Westie also) had decided to get another puppy. So welcome to Amber my German Short-haired Pointer and her pal, Ella, the Floodle! I know what the hell is a Floodle? - A Poodle crossed with a Flat-haired Retriever (my wife loves to be different).

So this was their first walk out with us and I’d brought Cass along as well as even at 12 years old she was fit and I thought might show the other two how to behave!

So after driving to Bob’s and unloaded the dogs we walked through Barney down to the river to begin our walk through the forest and along the river. Once again we were blessed with a glorious sunny day and there is no better place to be when everyone else is working than in the great outdoors! We gained some height, climbing up above the river and heading towards the couple of farms that lay on our route. 

An interesting experience man-handling the dogs over a style, particularly given Bob had recently undergone surgery on his arm and wasn’t supposed to do any heavy lifting! Then through a field of cows which again posed a challenge for the hounds and us! 

Having negotiated our way through farmland we hit the river trail again and began our descent towards the Cragg and a well earned rest. we found a seat and broke out our lunch while the dogs collapsed in the shade.

The regulation Garton 15 minute lunch break was back but little did I expect the surprise he sprung on me. As we packed up our bait and began the walk into Cotherstone, Bob suggested a stop for a pint - didst mine ears deceive me! Was this the medication affecting his judgement? Not one to miss an opportunity we hit the beer garden at the back of the pub and partook of a well earned drink. This also allowed us some time to review FC’s season (which could be summed up as “pants!”) as again the dogs had collapsed in a heap.

All too soon it was time to leave and begin the walk back. We headed through Cotherstone and picked up the railway track. Some coaxing of the dogs was required as they had passed their previous best for distance (though Cass was still going strong!).

We followed the railway track back to Barney - another cracking walk and a good run out for the dogs who got to experience cows, styles, sheep & beer gardens!

Teesdale Jaunt

Date: 15th May 2014

Route: Langdon Beck -High Force

Distance: - 9 miles

Weather: - Hot & Sunny

So breaking with tradition the Jolly Boys (FAC) decided to swap their Summer camp at Kettlewell and spend a couple of days in Teesdale. Due to work commitments (bad planning on my part) I was only able to make the first days walk and even then only the afternoon part.

However, I duly arrived at Langdon Beck at 12.30pm, grabbed a pint from the bar and sat to await the arrival of the Hull lads. It wasn't long before the first of them appeared around a corner with the rest of the gang snaked out behind them.

Suitably knackered after a mornings walking they hit the bar for liquid refreshment and a tirade of abuse for the youngest person there who could only manage half a walk! After a couple of beers, some dubious exchanging of money (for what favours I shudder to think) they were ready to leave. Their high spirits had been slightly dampened by the Victor Meldrew attitude of the bar man reluctant to top up flasks with hot water!

So off we set heading to High Force, following the lovely river Tees and drinking in the beautiful Teesdale countryside. We soon arrived at Whatgarth Bridge, and began the short but tiring climb up to the tops where we settled for lunch. This has to be one of my favourite views around here and the weather was superb. So out came the plastic bags to sit on, various butties and cakes and another opportunity to abuse the half-dayer! 

From here it was a sort walk back to High Force, which was as impressive as always followed by the descent down to the bridge. Then the killer steps up to the High Force Hotel which had chosen to close its doors - so no refreshment for us then!

To scupper our evening plans there had been a serious accident on the road to Barney and the police had shut it off. The only route back to Barney, and in my case Bishop, was a long detour through Alston. The upshot of this meant I was unable to join the gents for their evening meal (which they had to put back to allow for the drive time back).

So after hitching a lift back to Langdon Beck to collect my car I began my scenic extended ride home. Despite the end to the day it had been another spectacular and beautiful day.

Breaking in the Boots!

Date: 21st March 2014
Route: Willington - Brancepeth - Brandon - Broom Park - Brandon - Brancepeth - Willington
Distance: - 13 miles
Weather: - Dry and bright

Was it really nearly 6 months since we were last out for a walk? The great British weather had produced a seriously wet Winter and as such had not really availed itself to us fair weather walkers! So eager to try out my newly purchased walking boots (bought in Ambleside during a 3 day walking break during Feb half term with the missus) Bob picked me up and drove the short distance to Willington to park near the Co Op where we picked up the old railway line.

We set off from Willington at 10am and must have looked a sight hobbling away, kitted up with rucksacks & waterproofs -  Bob was carrying a leg injury and I had pulled my calf muscle the day before so this was going to be a long walk!

On the rugby front we once again had the highs of a Bradford victory followed by a poor performance against Cas where FC did a great job of losing the game! Who'd be an FC fan........oh us!
With the good weather I thought I would get a few snaps but as this was our first jaunt in a while I had forgotten the full kit list and left the camera at home - muppet!

Despite only having 2 good legs between us we made good time and practically ran on auto-pilot having done this walk so often.

On the work front we had a pending Training course in Cardiff which was actually a good gig as we were getting paid for 2 days but actually only delivering for a couple of hours each day - result! We were also doing our bit for the local community and were working with Penny's tea room in Barney - the result of them winning a raffle prize of a day with the Lean Team.

With our usual non-stop review of rugby and work we were surprised at how quickly we arrived at Broom Park. A decent stop for lunch, Bob obviously forgetting his reputation for 15 minute breaks!, and we were on our way back.

Everywhere was starting to look greener and Spring was definitely here. It always surprises me how a bit of sunshine and some greenery around you can make you feel so much better.

Anyway our non-stop talking and putting the world to rights not only made us feel better (and believe  me we would make great Prime ministers!) but meant we were back at the car before we knew it. So at 3pm we gratefully sat in the car, massaged our sore legs and headed back home - a good run out.