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!

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!