Durham hillwalking

Saturday 14 February

Plans have collapsed so now walking locally from Allensford on the Consett heritage trail. 11am start (or 10.30 if you fancy breakfast at the cafe first!)

About 6 miles on easy paths mostly…interesting sculptures and bits. Weather forecast sunny and dry - it’s a miracle…ha ha.

Dog friendly…anyone fancy joining me?

Saturday walks are back,,,whoop whoop! Gentle start and I was Billy no mates, but I did have the company of a kestrel and a buzzard. Only out the back but covered 6k which is the longest walk I’ve done for two months. Asymmetry at 24% which is the lowest for 5 months, no pain killers and 3k an hour. Even got a hill…Beacon hill with a view of the cathedral. Pleased to rest with a flask of soup part way and knackered now but happy.
Onwards and upwards and hopefully people will start to join me on future walks. I am here all of February working on fitness and rehab so there will be a walk every Saturday of some sort.

Saturday 7th September
Meet 10am below Crook bridge, Bishop Auckland
Anyone fancy in joining me on a 7 mile circular walk around Bishop Auckland including river bank, woods and fields. Dog friendly and finishing at the fifties cafe. Gentle pace so should take around 3 hours.

Wednesday 25 June
Evening walk from Witton Gilbert along the Browney to Beaupierre, returning via rail and field tracks. Takes about 80 minutes.
Everyone welcome, so does anyone fancy it?

No takers for the original planned walk today, so with rain forecast a quick change of plan and early start saw me at the top of Killhope Law by 10.30am! Easier than I remembered with superb moorland views all around. Various purple flowers which google identified as Heal-all, Bugle and Breckland thyme.
Clouds already gathering so dropped down to circle Burnhope reservoir next. Incredibly low. Heard a strange bird calling so set the Merlin app away and it was a redstart. Had my binoculars and a bit of time so was able to track it down and actually see it. A nice couple of willow warblers as well.
Made it back to the car just as the rain started so pleased I got an early start this morning.

Midweek Wednesday walks.
I’m changing things around a bit and now offering easy 3 mileish walks locally on a Wednesday evening (instead of Tuesday)
Dogs and any new people welcome.
So for Wednesday 14th May meet at the green in Shadforth for a circular walk on track and across fields. Should take 1-1 1/2 hours.
Please confirm if coming.

Back up at Hudeshope Beck, but this time with a friend who is an inveterate wandering explorer! Ventured properly into the gorge with dripping primordial sides and rock walls. We met the only people of the day in the gorge…two climbers aiming to climb those rock walls which was unexpected.
From there and back onto the moors where we deviated slightly to explore coldberry ruins and the spoil heaps. It was forecast rain but that never happened…actually warm and some sunshine, so good views and pleasant for hands in pocket exploring.
Back down along the valley where we became absorbed in wild flowers and birds….violets, wood sorrel, curlews, lapwing and a willow warbler.
Lovely day out finished off in the Teespot of course where both dogs totally crashed out!

First evening walk of the season with a riverside walk through Kepier woods. Loads of birds came up on the merlin app including a tree creeper and even a lapwing just off the A690. Small herd of deer to watch and a lovely sunset. Amazingly some work has been done on the quagmire at the end of the field and a new gate to replace the knackered old stile - a vast improvement. Nice to get out after a day of greenhouse sorting and bridge.
Finished up in the newly opened Gate pub for a bar meal and drink. It was very good and will go again if it actually stays open!

Only two of us for the Saturday walk today so it was easy to change venue given the summer like weather! Rather than stay in a wooded valley as planned, we headed for the classic waterfall walk from Low force to High force including Gibson cave at the start…. Mitch had never done this walk.
It was absolutely glorious and fairly quiet until everyone came out for the afternoon. Played with the Merlin app for bird song and as ever kayakers to watch on low force. They’d come all the way from Gloucester and South Wales, so nice to see them being tourists up at High force. Kids tubing on dog leg rapid…you’d think it was the middle of July.
Finished at the Teespot before driving the long way back over the tops just because the scenery was beautiful.

Amazing light and skies for today’s 8 mile circular walk from Broken Scar weir. Great variety of terrain as we followed the Tees to High Coniscliffe returning to Broken scar weir via track and field paths. We had a brilliant sighting of an otter. At first we thought it was a dog but then we watched it catch a fish. It was a big otter catching a big fish…exciting stuff!
Jesse enjoyed the dog pack and galloping about.

Saturday 14th December
The Coniscliffe walks….meet Broken Scar top car park 10am
This is a 7 miles circular walk starting along the River Tees and then passing round the back of Coniscliffe in a mix of field paths and tracks. There is a pub half way or bring a picnic lunch or both…ha ha! Should take 3-4 hours depending on chat and stops.

Cracking walk up on the North York moors taking in Roseberry Topping and the Captain cook monument. Better weather than forecast and 3 of us with a very lively fun dog pack….my two had a field day. Busy on the top but the moorland path was quiet and really clear views. The clouds threatened for a bit but then went away!
Tea and cake after at the Velveteen rabbit to end a perfect day.