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.

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!