Date: 31st January 2017

Route: Barnard Castle - Whorlton - Barnard Castle

Distance: - 9.1 miles

Weather: - Misty

So our first walk of the new year and despite the poor weather forecast (rain!) I made my way to Barnard Castle and Bob's gaff. After a couple of hours work related stuff we looked out the window and decided to chance a walk.
So at 12pm with a light drizzle we left Bob's and walked through the town and onto the Demenses. The ground wasn't as bad as we expected other than where dog walkers or sheep had churned it up and we headed along the river Tees towards Abbey Bridge.

Tees in full flow

Lime Kiln

Footbridge

It wasn't long before the drizzle stopped but the mist was hanging around as we crossed the road and continued along the river towards Whorlton. The Tees was in full flow and the roar of the river was a continual background noise.

Misty Sheep

As with most of our walks the conversation started with a preview of the latest Hull FC team and their chances of success for the coming season. It wasn't long before talk turned to the soap opera that is Donald Trump and that quickly put a smile on our faces - thank god we aren't American!

We mad good time and by 1.50pm we had reached Whorlton. We stopped en-route to the bridge for lunch with a great view over the river with the suspension bridge below us.

Lunch break

Whorlton suspension bridge

Whorlton suspension bridge

Feeling suitably refreshed we descended down to the bridge and crossed the Tees. I have to say if you haven't seen it then Whorlton suspension bridge is quite impressive.

Tees from Barney

Tees towards Darlo

We entered a series of fields and headed back along the other side of the river bank heading towards Mortham Towers. 

Mortham Towers

It wasn't long before we entered their grounds and followed the road out to a bridge over the river Greta at a point known as the Meeting of the Waters - where the Greta joins the Tees.

Greta joining the Tees

River Greta

After stopping for a few photos we followed the road out and then headed into the woods and along the riverbank towards Abbey Bridge.

Stepping Stones

Wind damage

Abbey Bridge

A slippy climb up the muddy path and we then had a short walk along the road, past Egglestone Abbey and then into another field heading towards the caravan park. A short walk amongst the caravans and we were back along the riverside. We had seen a bit of wildlife this time around - Heron's, Dippers, a tree-creeper and Goosander.

Egglestone Abbey

River Tees

Green Bridge

Crossing the Green Bridge, we walked back up through Barnard Castle arriving back at Bob's at 4pm. A great walk out, with plenty of sights - beats sitting in the house!

Silence isn't Golden

Date: 25th November 2016

Route: Mickleton - Romaldkirk - Cotherstone - Lartington - Barnard Castle

Distance: - 8.2 miles

Weather: - Bright, sunny day

Who would have believed that at the end of November the sun would be out in a blue sky with an absence of wind, rain and clouds!

So this walk we decided to get the bus to Mickleton and walk back so I headed up to Bob's to catch the 10.55am bus from Barnard Castle to Mickleton. A short ride and we were walking by 11.15am, after a short walk up the road to join the railway track.

Dusting of snow on the tops

Fabulous views

Sunglasses in November!

The weather was glorious and we both commented on how lucky we are to have this scenery on our doorstep.

By 12..00pm we had covered 2 miles and hit Romaldkirk. As always we had the obligatory talk covering Hull FC's new kit, their squad numbers and the introduction of Toronto Wolfpack, a team from Canada playing in the lower leagues!!

Seat with a view

.... and what a view of Egglestone

Frosty in the shade

In between our conversations we both commented on how quiet it was, there was no noise, no sounds of wildlife, nothing. It was a bit surreal and initially I thought it was my hearing which was suffering from attending a Limehouse Lizzy concert the night before!!

At 12.30pm we found a bench and stopped for lunch, again straining to catch a sound of something, anything!

Tea up

At 1pm we set off along the railway track, noticing that even the sheep were quiet. We passed through Cotherstone, our only deviation off the railway track. I regained Bob with my tales of my visit to see Sunderland thrash Hull City at the Stadium of Light (ironically plunged into darkness due to a power cut!).

We hit Lartington next, crossing the road to rejoin the railway track to Barney. The only muddy bit of the walk, everywhere else being firm underfoot with frost.

View down from the viaduct

The viaduct

Back on the track

As we arrived at the edge of Barney we followed the river along up to the castle - I never tire of this view. There was even some colour still left in the trees and great reflections in the river.

Last Autumn colours

The Tees

The only noise we had heard all day was a solitary motorbike passing by and the river Tees itself.

The weather had been so nice we even forgot about our usual Victor Meldrew moan about the state of the country!

Almost home

What a view!

Barnard Castle

A great day out and beautiful 3 hours walking in fantastic weather with gorgeous scenery.

Back in the Groove!

Date: 3rd November 2016

Route: 11 Arches - Hunwick -  Willington - Brancepeth - Willington - Hunwick - 11 Arches

Distance: - ~13.2 miles

Weather: - Dry & overcast

Well with work commitments and various other excuses it's been a while since we did an "official walk" but here we are back on track again.

So as usual for this time of year we decided on a walk along the old railway track as it's always easy going underfoot after rain. Bob drove up to pick me and the Hell Hounds and we drove over to 11 Arches to park up. Strictly speaking we didn't actually park at 11 Arches as the car park now belongs to the Kynren event organisation (Google it, well worth a visit!) but a couple of hundred yards further up the road. Loaded up with our gear and the Hell Hounds in tow we set off at 9.45am for an 8 mile walk, taking things easy after such a long absence (if only we had known!!).

Autumn leaves

It was good walking weather, dry, overcast and not too cold and the Autumnal colours were still in evidence making for pleasant scenery. We very quickly reached Willington and decided we would keep walking until lunchtime before turning round and heading back. As usual our conversation started with a review of the latest rumours concerning Hull FC who had just had their greatest season in years finishing 3rd in the league and finally  winning the Challenge Cup at Wembley. It was also a busy period for us on the work front so as we headed to Brancepeth the we discussed lesson plans for our upcoming workshops (thus allowing me to claim the mileage as a business expense!!).

Bang on 12pm we stopped for lunch to realise we had already walked nearly 7 miles so our "take it easy, 8 mile walk" was out the window. Surprisingly for Bob he allowed me a good 30+ minutes for lunch (reckon his legs were feeling it!) which was fraught with the battle to keep the Hell Hounds away from our butties!

Bob the dog whisperer

Suitably refreshed and beginning to stiffen up we set off for the return leg back to the car. A short 20 minute shower did nothing to dampen our spirits as we put the world to rights, particularly on the political and religious front!

We arrived back at the car at 2.45pm suitably tired but feeling surprisingly fit considering the distance we had covered.  Commitments have now been made to ensure we keep our walking regime up and build back up to the 20 milers we used to do.

The Jolly Boyz do Teesdale - part II

Date: Day 1 - 14th May 2015
Route: Hury reservoir - Goldborough - Cotherstone Moor - Cotherstone - Romaldkirk - Hury reservoir
Distance: - ~12.5 miles
Weather: - Overcast and breezy

Date: Day 2 - 15th May 2015
Route: Langthwaite - Fremmington Edge - Reeth - Arkle beck - Langthwaite
Distance: - ~8.5 miles
Weather: - Bright and sunny, cool breeze

So for the second year the FAC boyz travelled from the South (OK, Hull in East Yorkshire but everything is relative!) to sunny Barney for their spring jaunt around Teesdale. This year Bob had picked a route around Cotherstone in Teesdale followed by a short trip over to Arkengarthdale for the second day.

Unbeknowst to me on the Wednesday a few of the FAC boyz had been fooled into a "short walk" from Barney to Whorlton and back so when I picked up Bob and met them on the Thursday for my first walk there where a few aching limbs already!

We drove from Barnard Castle in convoy through Cotherstone and turned off the main road to park up by Hurey reservoir. No Dudley this year, my favourite Hull KR fan deciding a wedding anniversary was more important than trading abuse with me! The rest of the regulars where there: Bob snr, John, Colin, Holmesy, Chris, Ray, Stuart, Keith and of course Gadget-man!

Leaving the cars at 9.30am we set off away from the view of Hury and Blackton reservoirs, along a track, through a field and began to head for the short climb upto Goldsborough, 1300 feet above sea level. The wildlife count already included stoats, rabbits, goldfinches, lapwings and curlews and I hadn't even got my pen out to record anything yet!

By 10.10am we had "bagged" Goldborough. The views of the reservoirs in one direction and Cotherstone moor in the other where pretty impressive. Having purchased a new phone and not downloading the relevant maps, Gadget man was suffering withdrawal symptoms without his SatNav in his hands.

The descent down led us across the moor, skirting Battle Hill firing range which was providing a constant background noise as first bullets then shells rained down not too far from us. At this point we deided to send Ray ahead waving a white flag, just in case.........!

Continuing across Cotherstone moor we stopped for the obligatory pre-lunch pint bait stop in the shelter of a wall close to Booze Wood farm as it was 11.20am and stomachs were rumbling. I had now added swallows, grouse, wheatear and snipe to the list of wildlife. With the continuing sound of gunfire and shells we finished our 30 minute bait stop and headed back across the moor to meet the main road. Here we lost a couple of our intrepid walkers to the effects of aforementioned "short walk", though it could have been that John and Holmsey were keener for a pint than the rest of us!

The reduced group waded through Naby Farm and it's 6 inches of cow crap on every available surface - the general consensus from all concerned was that if there was an award for shittiest (excuse my french), run down farm then Naby farm would win hands down! The field we came to offered the welcome opportunity to clean boots! We continued through the fields taking care around the cows with calves and crossed over to join the disused railway track.

The railway track led us into Cotherstone, the Fox & Hounds pub and a welcome sit-down and pint.

Refreshed, reenergised and another member down (Colin taking the bus back with the other two) we exited the pub at the front and with SatNav Garton leading the way we did a short circular walk to end up at the rear of the same pub - why use the backdoor when you can add some extra yardage to the route!

Heading across another field we again hit the disused railway track and as it was now 2.30pm the second bait stop was called.

20 mins later, refuelled, we struck out across another field towards West End farm which was at the other end of the spectrum to Naby farm!

Our route took us back towards Hurey reservoir and the opportunity to cross it and look down its length. A beautiful walk in reasonable weather conditions ended back at the cars at 3.30pm.

The day was rounded off with a cracking curry in Barnard Castle and a few pints in the local hostelry.

Day 2 again kicked off with picking up Bob jnr and Bob snr at 9.00am and meeting the rest of the FAC in Barney. We drove out of Barney, across the A66 and headed into Richmondshire to arrive in Langthwaite at 9.40am.

John decided to stay with the cars, though I personally think he had his eye on the somewhat elderly eye candy in the village!

The rest of the group walked into the village, crossed a bridge and walked along Arkle beck for a short distance. We then headed off into the woods, beginning our climb up to Fremmington Edge. It was slow going but the views were spectacular. By 10.45am we had reached the summit, passing a solitary Raven on the path up.

By 11.10am, after the group photo, we found a suitable hollow on the ridge to drop into and tuck into our bait. Poor old Paul was having to cut tiny slivers of apple with a knife, presumably because of difficulties chewing his food. Despite my offers to chew his apple for him he continued his laborious peeling, stopping only to empty the weevil from his crisp packet!

At 11.40am we set off along the top of the ridge with a fairly gusty breeze playing havoc with hair (I wish!). Once again SatNav Garton was on form and began our descent a little premature - rather than a gentle climb down a track we ended up picking a route through shale and rocks, clamouring along steep slopes to eventually pick up the aforementioned track!

From here we headed out of the wind and into civilisation to arrive in Reeth at 1pm, albeit via a slightly longer route than planned due to the removal of a bridge over the river! The Kings Arms provided the refreshment and wifi (my how things have changed!) and a well earned rest after our perilous descent of what felt like the North face of the Eiger!

By 2pm we were back on our feet and ice-creamed up we headed along the road out of Reeth and then joined a network of fields running along the opposite side of the Arkle beck. We eventually hit the rivers edge and crossed over a footbridge to retrace our steps back to Langthwaite and the cars.

We found John awaiting us with tales of graveyard visits, deep & meaningful discussions with locals over a pint and having his lunch with some birds he met (only chickens and not the eye-candy he had spotted in the morning!).

It might only have been 8.5 miles but with a climb to 1500 feet and a descent we all knew we had done a walk!