WHAT WE SAW OR WHAT YOU MISSED SUMMER OUTINGS 2017

Transcription

1 WHAT WE SAW OR WHAT YOU MISSED SUMMER OUTINGS /03/17 Bolam Lake Circular 'A' Ken Nevin 'B' Janet Heckels For the first time in many a year the first outing wasn't with a full or nearly full coach. 45 people (including 4 new) travelled directly to Bolam Lake on a damp overcast day. Coffee had been arranged at Bolam's cafe giving priority to the 'A' walkers. Brian, our coach driver did a magnificent job in manoeuvring a 57 seater coach through the car park because space was tight due to other vehicles parked on the bends leaving little room for him to negotiate. 19 members left on the 'A' walk while the 'B' party, 26 in number, set away on the first part of the 'A' walk but in reverse. The 'B' walk followed a lakeside path to the overflow car park then after a short stretch of road walking crossed soggy fields (caused by overnight rain) and negotiated extremely muddy sections to reach the edge of woodland where some of us spotted 4 deer. As we ascended a track between fields leading to East Shaftoe Hall we passed the 'A' party coming in the opposite direction. Once on higher ground we stopped for lunch admiring the distant views but feeling the chilly breeze. We walked through a gate onto Shaftoe Crags then passed through Salter's Nick, a craggy outcrop of rocks and zig zagged through the oozy peaty mud to reach a field containing cattle. Fortunately they were so used to people that they just ignored us. We followed a track to the main road where in one of the fields, 5 lambs were spotted: 2 sets of twins and a single lamb. The night before, Look North News showed a picture of lambs at Bolam, perhaps these were the same ones as these were the first I'd seen this year. After walking alongside the road we deviated into woodland on the Bolam Lake estate and meandered on well defined paths to return to the car park and cafe. We arrived back at 3pm just in time to enjoy refreshments before the cafe closed at 3.30pm. While in the cafe, there was a heavy shower of rain but it didn't last long. The 'A' party arrived just after 4pm and we travelled directly home. Flowers: gorse, opposite leaved golden saxifrage, snowdrop. Other: 4 deer, frogspawn, lambs, tadpoles /04/17 Twice Brewed (Roman Wall) 'A' David Palmer 'B' Margaret Palmer With a dreadful weather forecast of heavy rain and possible thunder 45 members travelled to Northumberland. The further west we travelled the darker the sky became. There was drizzly rain while we stopped for coffee in Haltwhistle where our party seemed to inundate all the small cafes in the main street. However, although the service was slow everyone was served eventually. We travelled to Twice Brewed but the new National Parks Centre was still under construction with a timescale of opening in late summer Arrangements had been made for the coach to park in the public house car park adjacent to the centre and we could use their toilet facilities. 10 members set out on the 'A' walk while after lunch, 35 members went on the 'B' walk along the road towards Steele Rigg's car park but deviating onto the Roman Wall footpath at a bend in the road next to a National Trust holiday cottage. Immediately we were greeted with clarty tracks,

2 not helped by the herd of cattle (including a bull) in the field. Fortunately they weren't interested in us. Instead of climbing the steep slippery rocks we skirted in front of the Wall on grassy tracks eventually reaching the famous sycamore gap tree. As we posed for a group photograph a ewe and her twin lambs passed behind us on the hillside. We descended towards Crag Lough then immediately ascended a steep path to a farm where we left the Wall. More squelchy mud was negotiated then sodden grassy fields to reach a descent farm track that was covered in large puddles in some places. Good views of Crag Lough and sycamore gap could be seen. We reached the road and retraced by steps back to the pub. No rain for the 'B' party but while we were enjoying refreshments there was a heavy shower of rain so the 'A' party wasn't as lucky. After a prolonged stay we travelled directly home. Flowers: coltsfoot, lesser celandine. Other: 7 skylarks, 2 white calves, lambs. 3.15/04/17 Allendale Town Circular 'A' Jennifer Bell 'B' Ken Nevin On Easter Saturday with another forecast of heavy rain showers 31 members travelled to Allendale Town after stopping for coffee in Hexham. Both parties, 'A' 13 members and 'B' 18 members set out on their respective walks almost immediately upon arrival in Allendale Town. The 'B' walk crossed the town square and descended into woodland for a pleasant riverside walk adjacent to the River East Allen. Lots of wild flowers were spotted in this wood. We crossed the road at Cattonlea Haughs and continued along the riverside. After lunch on a grassy clearing we continued on but the path became more difficult as it had been washed away in places by last year's floods. This was followed by a very steep ascent to reach open fields and a blustery cold wind. Lots of ladder stiles were crossed and at one point the leader had to ring a bell once before we crossed a particular field which had a golf driving range above our heads and then he rang another bell twice to indicate that we had crossed the field. A couple of stray golf balls were collected from this field. We reached Colliery Lane, a narrow minor road with high walls on both sides. We descended to a remote house called Oakpool and rejoined the river to head back to Allendale Town. However, due to more footpath erosion we had to endure a really steep climb through woodland where we spotted a deer. After a steep descent and field tracks we eventually reached a main road. A short stretch of road walking brought us back to Cattonlea Haughs where we retraced our route back to Allendale. Fortunately no rain today, only a very blustery wind. After an extended stop the coach travelled directly home. Flowers: blackthorn blossom, bluebell, coltsfoot, cowslip, cuckoo flower, dog violet, dogs mercury, early purple orchid, forget-me-not, gorse, greater stitchwort, lesser celandine, marsh marigold, opposite leaved golden saxifrage, primrose, ramson, red campion, wild strawberry, wood anemone, wood sorrel. Other curlew, dead moles on fence, 3 deer, dipper, grouse, hare, heard cuckoo, heron, pied wagtail, rabbits /04/17 Leyburn Circular 'A' Jack Armstrong 'B' Joan Armstrong A full coach of 58 members set out on an overcast and cool day. After coffee in Richmond we travelled the short distance to Leyburn where the 'A' party, 18 in number, set out from the mart. After a prolonged stay, the coach then travelled to

3 Middleham to drop off the 'B' party, 38 in total. This walk set out past the remains of Middleham Castle. Building began on the castle sometime in the late 12 th century and it was developed under the powerful Nevilles into a residence worthy of a family which dominated English affairs for over 2 centuries. Richard, Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III) spent his youth at Middleham and it became one of his royal homes. The walk followed a sandy track alongside the castle and ascended grassy fields and followed field edges high above the River Cover. We descended to Hullo Bridge and enjoyed a lunch stop by the river. Pleasant field tracks led us towards East Witton but we deviated into fileds before reaching this hamlet. We descended once more to the river and crossed via huge stepping stones. Some found it quite difficult due to the spacing of the stones. We rested on the far bank and were entertained by one of our junior members (Finn) who kept crossing and recrossing the stepping stones, trying to get faster at each crossing. Suddenly we spotted a stoat running along fallen tree trunks on the opposite river bank. We watched it for quite a while before it disappeared in the undergrowth. The walk continued through lovely woodland carpeted with bluebells and wood anemones. We arrived at Hullo Bridge again and retraced our steps back to Middleham to await the coach from Leyburn as there wasn't any coach parking in the town. The 'A' party duly arrived back in Leyburn and we travelled to Richmond for the evening stop. Flowers: blackthorn, bluebell, bugle, cowslip, crosswort, dog violet, dogs mercury, early purple orchid, forget-me-not, garlic mustard, greater stitchwort, ground ivy, holly flowers, ivy leaved toadflax, lesser celandine, marsh marigold, milkwort, primrose, ramson, red campion, sweet woodruff, welsh poppy, wild strawberry, wood anemone, wood sorrel, wych elm. Other: dipper, robin, rabbits, stoat /05/17 Rothbury Circular 'A' Bill Sillitoe 'B' Eddie Ashburner 55 members set out on a cool and overcast morning. The coffee stop was at Heighley Gate Garden Centre. 20 members set out on the 'A' walk and about 5 minutes later the 'B' party set away with 31 members leaving the car park and crossing the main road for a gentle uphill walk to reach a track behind the houses called Mill Lane. We then walked along a disused railway track which was festooned with primroses all along its edges. We deviated into a field and stopped for lunch. Luckily the sheep and lambs kept their distance. We crossed fields passing Craghead, a disused dwelling, and eventually reached West Raw Farm where an automated message told us we were being watched. After an uphill climb on a minor road we followed a bridle way over a flank of Garleigh Moor. Tremendous views of the surrounding hills and Cragside House could be seen. The gorse was glorious with its bright yellow flowers. There was a very light shower of rain as we descended to a main road where we walked in single file to reach the local primary school. Here we deviated along a minor road to Whitton where we encountered a farmer moving a flock of sheep and lambs. We all stood back and watched them walk by. We entered a field high above Rothbury and admired the views once again. There was a steep descent back into Rothbury. The 'A' party arrived back quite early so after a prolonged stop we travelled directly home. Flowers: bluebell, broom, bugle, crosswort, dog violet, eyebright, forget-me-not, germander speedwell, gorse, greater stitchwort, green

4 alkanet, herb bennet, ladys smock, marsh marigold, milkwort, primrose, ramson, silverweed, tormentil, tufted vetch, welsh poppy, white campion, white dead nettle, wild strawberry, wood sorrel. Other: curlew, dipper, jackdaws, mallads, mute swans, pied wagtail /05/17 Grasmere Circular 'A' David Palmer 'B' Margaret Palmer A typical weather forecast for a bank holiday weekend heavy rain all day with thunder storms. However, 50 members weren't deterred by the weather. We tried to stop in Barnard Castle for morning coffee but the shows were on the coach park so we continued on to Kirkby Stephen where the party seemed to overwhelm the cafes but eventually everyone got served. To reach Grasmere we travelled via Bowness and Windermere and the roads were surprisingly quiet, no queues anywhere on our journey. There had been only a few drops of rain by the time we arrived in Grasmere although it was looking rather gloomy. 8 hardy souls left on the 'A' walk then 31 left shortly afterwards on the 'B' walk. We walked through the village, passing the garden centre and followed a minor road to the Loughrigg Terraces. All of the gardens along this stretch were ablaze with the bright colours of rhododendrons and azaleas, although not looking their best against a grey clouded sky. We left the road to ascend on a stony track and passed through woodland to reach the Terraces. We sat on the grass for lunch but the views of Grasmere Lake were obscured by mature trees. However, we were entertained by a beautiful dragonfly flying among the grass. Just after we started walking again there was a heavy shower of rain. We managed to find shelter in Moss Side Wood and after a toilet stop at the facilities the rain stopped. We crossed the main road and ascended a steep incline to reach the old Coffin Road, so called as it was the route used to take the dead of Rydal to the church in Grasmere for burial. There were limited views as the surrounding hills were shrouded in mist. We descended to Grasmere passing Dove Cottage, the home of William Wordsworth, an English poet. Shortly after arriving back to the coach the heavens opened. The rain was torrential so it was no surprise when the 'A' party returned completely soaked though. They had endured hailstones as well as thunder and lightning on the fell tops. Not an ideal situation to be in. The evening stop was spent in Hexham. Flowers: birdsfoot trefoil, bluebell, crosswort, dog violet, eyebright, foxglove, greater stitchwort, heath bedstraw, herb bennet, herb robert, marsh marigold, rhododendron, strawberry flower, tormentil, welsh poppy, wood sorrel, yellow flag, yellow pimpernel. Other: Canada geese & goslings, dragonfly. 7.10/06/17 Kippford 'A' Ken Armstrong 'B' Pat Gardner & Janet Heckels After another horrendous weather forecast for this Saturday our numbers fell from 56 to 48. The forecast was for a prolonged period of heavy rain and high winds. However, undeterred we travelled towards Dumfries stopping for coffee at the Haughton Hall Garden Centre. As we continued our journey to Kippford, there was a short rain shower and at Colvend 11 members alighted for the 'A' walk. The coach travelled on to Kippford and after Brian our driver endured a difficult manoeuvre to park the coach in a very tight car park we had lunch on the coach due to the high winds outside. The sky was covered in grey clouds and the

5 tide was in so the estuary was full. The small boats and yachts were bobbing in the water quite erratically with the wind. 32 members set out on the 'B' walk following the coastal path through the delightful village of Kippford. We admired the various sculptures made from driftwood scattered along the route. We deviated into woodland around the Mote of Mark and emerged at the seashore in Rockcliffe. The high tide and wind brought good scenes of white water when the waves hit the rocks. After a toilet stop we continued along the coastal path admiring exclusive houses and their gardens. We left the seashore path and ascended on a path passing a smuggler's grave. Joseph Nelson was a crew member of The Ann, a boat based in Whitehaven. It sank with all hands on 2 nd January 1791 but his body wasn't washed ashore until 20 th July He was buried where he was found and his widow Ann arranged for the stone to be erected. We decided not to climb Castlehill because it was shrouded in mist so we followed the path leading past a caravan site and reached the main road back into Rockcliffe. We walked through woodland and eventually descended through a steep street to the sea front in Kippford. After time for refreshments we travelled to Sandy Hills for the 'A' party. Once again the weather forecast did not materialise although at home heavy showers prevailed until mid afternoon. Flowers: birdsfoot trefoil, blackberry flower, bloody cranesbill, dyers greenweed, foxglove, greater stitchwort, herb bennet, herb robert, ragged robin, red campion, scurvy grass, sea kale, sea thrift, silverweed, tormentil, yellow flag. Other: gooseberries, oyster catchers, pied wagtail, sloes /06/17 Abbey St Bathans Duns 'A' Peter Gilliland 'B' Kathleen Gilliland On an overcast but very windy day 48 members set out for the Scottish Borders stopping for coffee at Heighley Gate Garden Centre. We continued on the A1 to Grantshouse then followed the A6112 to drop off the 'A' party on a side road near Elba swing bridge. While the party was getting ready, everyone else on the coach was watching a huge bull in an adjacent field. It was a pleasant journey to Duns as we enjoyed lovely sunny weather and glorious rural scenery. We parked in the primary school car park for the rest of the afternoon. 28 members set out on the 'B' walk, stopping for toilets at the library before going into Duns Nature Reserve. Lunch was next to Hen Poo Lake where ducks and swans were very interested in our sandwiches. There was also a herd of cattle in the unfenced field and a couple of young bullocks became very inquisitive and got a bit frisky so it wasn't long before we were on our way again. At the far end of the lake, we stood and admired the wonderful display of yellow water lilies. Stony tracks were followed through the woodland giving us shelter from the wind. Several trees had blown over and we also saw the top half of one tree lying adjacent to its upright trunk. As we walked through a glade where trees had previously been felled the area was covered in the bright purple flowers of foxgloves with a sprinkling of white foxgloves. Wide forest tracks were followed back to Duns. Hugo's cafe did a roaring trade as well as the gift shop No. 18. Even the 'A' party had time for refreshments when they returned. The evening stop was in Morpeth. Flowers: birdsfoot trefoil, eyebright, foxglove, white foxglove,

6 green alkanet, heath bedstraw, herb bennet, herb robert, ling, lousewort, milkwort, orange hawkweed, pyramidal orchid, rosebay willowherb, tormentil, white waterlily, yellow waterlily. Other: buzzard, mallards, mute swans & 4 cygnets, pied wagtails. 9. 8/07/17 Blubberhouses Circular 'A' Adam Bent 'B' Peter Gilliland A cool start to the day as 51 members travelled to Ripon for coffee. After a short journey to reach Blubberhouses where the coach parked in a lay by close to Fewston Reservoir. 21 members set out on the 'A' walk including 3 members who had arrived by car. 2 other members chose to do 'their own thing' while 31 members set away on the 'B' walk which started with a particularly high stile at the side of the lay by. There was a steep descent through woodland on a stony track to reach the track adjacent to the reservoir. We followed the track in a clockwise direction for a pleasant walk on a sunny afternoon. The lunch stop was at Swinsty Reservoir picnic site where lots of ducks waddled around the grass hoping to be fed. After a short stretch of road walking we crossed the dam head to walk on the opposite bank of the reservoirs. At the Fewston Reservoir dam head we has a toilet and ice-cream stop in the lovely warm sunny weather. Tree lined paths offered some shade as we returned to the coach. Not long after, the 'A' party returned from the shorter than usual 'A' walk. An early finish due to the club's annual meal at the Millstones, 10 minutes along the road. Everyone seemed to enjoy the lovely food from the carvery and delicious desserts before travelling directly home. Flowers: betony, birdsfoot trefoil, herb bennet, foxglove, greater stitchwort, meadow cranesbill, meadowsweet, orchid, quaking grass, red campion, rosebay willowherb, st johns wort, tufted vetch, woundwort, Other: Canada geese, mallards, pink footed geese /07/17 Annual Outing Saltaire On a very wet morning 54 members set out for Saltaire, stopping for coffee in Ripon. While in Ripon, the heavens opened and there was torrential rain for a time. However, when we reached East Riddlesden, where 21 members opted for a linear walk along the tow path on the Leeds-Liverpool canal with Peter Gilliland, it was a beautiful sunny day and it remained so for the rest of the afternoon. The coach continued on to Saltaire and parked for the rest of the day. There was plenty to keep everyone occupied such as shopping in Salts Mill, following a self guided walk through the village with its magnificent stone buildings, Roberts Park with its beautiful colourful flower beds, short walks along the tow path and even a ride on a narrow boat. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a great day after the awful wet start. One of our members spotted a jumping fish in the canal with 'a red belly'. I think it could have been a minnow as the male's belly and fins redden before spawning in summer. Flowers: arrowhead, broadleaved willowherb, meadow cranesbill, meadowsweet, ragwort, red campion, spearwort, yellow waterlily. Other: brambles, Canada geese, ducks, minnow fish /08/17 Patterdale - Glenridding 'A' David Palmer 'B' Ken Armstrong It was cool and overcast as 52 members set out for the Lakes stopping for coffee in Barnard Castle. Upon arrival in Patterdale, 9 members set out on the 'A' walk

7 and at a given point 5 continued on the 'A' walk climbing to 2,800 feet while the other 2 did a 'A-' walk. The coach back tracked to Glenridding where all the coach bays were occupied by cars so Brian our driver had to park across them but stayed with the coach in order to move it when required. After lunch, 34 members set out on the 'B' walk with a climb through the back streets and then a stony track to reach the youth hostel and a former quarry. Shortly afterwards we stopped on the grassy fells and admired the distant views across Ullswater while sitting in glorious sunshine. A level track was followed until we encountered a large drop and then an immediate climb over a huge rock. The party turned around and opted for another path with a diagonal descent to a lower level track. We passed through a camping site and descended back into Glenridding. There was ample time to enjoy the pleasant surroundings especially at the lakeside, watching the ferries come and go. The evening stop was in Barnard Castle. Flowers: convolvulus, eyebright, foxglove, greater burnet, harebell, hawkweed, ling, rock rose, tormentil, tufted vetch, welsh poppy, white campion, yarrow /08/17 Branxton Coldstream 'A' Peter Gilliland 'B' Kathleen Gilliland 49 members set out on a cold and overcast day with rain showers and winds forecast. The coffee stop was at Heighley Gate Garden Centre. At Branxton, 18 members alighted for the 'A' walk which included following the Flodden trail and onwards to Coldstream. The coach travelled to the far end of Coldstream to the Hirsel, the home of the Douglas Home family. After lunch 27 members set out on the 'B' walk while 4 members did 'their own thing'. The walk followed grassy tracks and a quick trek over the golf course to reach a tree lined path. There were a few ups and downs with mud in places due to heavy rain the day before. Glimpses of the huge family home could be spied through the trees. We left this track and followed an uphill climb into woodland. The track became very clarty and water logged in places but we took our time and managed to negotiate the mud. It was lovely and calm and peaceful as we trekked through the wood. Instead of flowers, there was plenty of fungi to spot especially fairy rings around some of the trees. There was also a number of broken white egg shells lying on the ground. We descended to reach an old pack horse bridge across the Leet Water and entered a grassy field. As we climbed through the field we encountered a herd of highland cattle, all youngsters and lying down under the canopy of a large tree. However, they some jumped to their feet when our party passed by and watched us intently. We followed a level track and stopped for a fruit stop but the cows had decided to follow us and kept inching further along the track so we decided to move on. The final stretch of the walk was around the lake in front of the main buildings. There was a lovely tea room, information room with great photographs, a few gift shops and a museum of artefacts from estate life in the past. The coach then travelled to Coldstream to pick up the 'A' party and we had an evening stop in Morpeth. Flowers: broadleaved willowherb, convolvulus, enchanters nightshade, greater knapweed, harebell, honeysuckle, oxeye daisy, ragwort, silverweed, tufted vetch, white campion, wild aster, yellow vetchling. Other: brambles, mallard ducks, mute swans, owl, parasol fungi.

8 13. 2/09/17 Ravenstonedale Circular 'A' Ken Armstrong 'B' Janet Heckels 46 members set out on a dry cool day. After a coffee stop in Barnard Castle we travelled the short distance to the small village of Ravenstonedale. 20 members set out on the 'A' walk then 30 minutes later 24 members set out on the 'B' walk following the initial route of the 'A' party. We admired the quaint stone built houses and pretty gardens as we passed through the village then our way became blocked by a flock of sheep penned in across the public footpath. However, we got permission to walk through the farm yard and cross a field containing cows to return to the original path. We crossed grassy fields most of which contained either cows or sheep and climbed over various stiles and eventually reached Newbiggin-on-Lune. After crossing the busy A685 we followed a stony track to a bridge where we ascended a short steep path onto a disused railway track. The railway was built in 1857 to transport coke from the coalfields of Durham to furnaces in Barrow for the production of iron. The track now forms part of the Smardale Gill National Nature Reserve. It was a level walk along the track with a feast of wild flowers on both sides. The purple hues of field scabious and devilsbit scabious were prominent. There were also lots of butterflies, mainly red admirals and peacocks. Lunch was spent on a grassy bank in the warm afternoon sunshine. We carried on then descened to Smardale Bridge, originally built for the pack horses of the 15 th century carrying wool/goods from Kirkby Stephen. We didn't cross the bridge but turned left where we spotted quite a rare flower grass of parnassus not a grass, instead getting its common name from the translucent green stripes that adorn the white petals of the cup-shaped flower. Once widely distributed, it is now confined to the damp pastures, moors and marshes mainly in the north of the UK. As we climbed a stone stile a hare darted beneath the feet of Ken Nevin as he stood waiting his turn. There was a steep climb across the fields but the views of the surrounding rolling hills were superb. We admired the distant view of Smardale Gill viaduct then continued on. At Park House farm we watched the farmer using his sheep dog to round up the sheep in the field we were about to cross. After a couple of fields and going under the underpass we arrived back in Ravenstonedale. Plenty of time to enjoy refreshments and visit the local church of St Oswald's which unusually for a church in Cumbria, follows the 'collegiate' plan where rows of pews face into the central aisle. The 'A' party had time for refreshments before we travelled to Barnard Castle for the evening stop. Flowers: betony, bloody cranesbill, devilsbit scabious, eyebright, field scabious, grass of parnassus, greater burnet, greater knapweed, harebell, heath bedstraw, meadowsweet, oxeye daisy, ragwort, red clover, rosebay willowherb, silverweed, st johns wort, tormentil, tufted vetch, water forget me not, yarrow. Other: brambles, hare, haws, owl pellets, peacock butterflies, red admiral butterflies, sloes. The best walk this year for the flora and fauna /09/17 Belford to Wooler 'A' Jennifer Bell 'B' Ken Nevin On a cool showery day 40 members travelled into Northumberland stopping for coffee at the Heighley Gate Garden Centre. The start of both walks was at the tiny hamlet of Detchant just off the A1 road. Both parties walked together

9 following a minor road to its end at Greymare Farm. There followed a steady climb on moorland tracks and the 'A' party continued on at a faster pace to get ahead of the 'B' party. St Cuthbert's Way was followed to a rickety stile into woodland and St Cuthbert's Cave where the 'A' party were having lunch. Everyone snuggled down to avoid the cool breeze with some finding shelter in the overhanging rocks of the so called 'cave'. Shortly afterwards, the 'A' party were on their way to Wooler. Meanwhile, the 'B' party had a much more leisurely walk to Belford. They followed woodland tracks through Cockenhaugh Woods then tracks to Swinhoe Farm. While meandering on muddy paths through a wood, one of our party took ill and we eventually managed to reach a dwelling where a lift was arranged for the sick person. The rest of the party continued on a farm track to Belford. The coach then travelled to Wooler to collect the 'A' party and we had an evening stop in Morpeth. Flowers: harebell, heather, honeysuckle, meadowsweet, tormentil and yarrow. Other: brambles, 2 buzzards, haws, heron and sweet chestnuts /09/17 Eston Nab & Roseberry Topping 'A' Gary O'Hagan 'B' Eddie Ashburner After leaving from Stanley we had a coffee stop at Guisborough before arriiving at the start point of both walks Flatts Lane Country Park in Normanby. This park is a very nice place to spend some time, having signed walks and an arboretum, but the walks beckoned. 12 'A' party members set off out of the park heading for the local high spot of Eston Nab with 25 members of the 'B' party following soon after, the first few miles being common to both. The 'B' party took a leisurely pace through the muddy woods and then carefully climbed the steep path via Eston Moor to the Nab. The path itself gave us great views to the North through to the West across Teesside and County Durham. There was much discussion of what we could actually see from the rest stops. Reaching the top after two miles or so we took lunch seated in the lee of the hill, avoiding the breeze, looking over the North Sea. The Nab is the site of Bronze Age burial mounds and an Iron Age fort. It was also a lookout at the time of the Napoleonic wars, commemorated by the large sandstone monument on site. Modern communication antennae also adorn the hilltop. After lunch we descended via a cinder track and then via field edge footpaths. Evidence of the many old ironstone mines was visible on the way. Huge toadstools were also seen in the wooded sections, photos being taken. No wildlife was spotted despite both a stoat and a weasel being seen on the recce. At the 4 mile point, the 'A' and 'B' routes split, the 'A' party continuing south towards Roseberry Topping. The 'B' party turned west through a wooded area on a footpath which we had arranged to be cleared of the dense overgrowth. A refreshment stop gave us a lovely view of the Topping. Continuing in convoy via a field of cows, we entered the muddy woodlands and returned to the start at the 5.5 mile point. Luckily we got back just before the rain shower that had been threatening started. The coach then took us to pick up a slightly soggy 'A' party from Newton Under Roseberry. We then returned home via the evening stop at Guisborough. Many thanks to Eddie Ashburner for this report.

10 16. 14/10/17 Middleton-in-Teesdale Circular 'A' Geoff Palmer 'B' Margaret Palmer On a very foggy morning 36 members set out to Middleton-in-Teesdale via Barnard Castle for coffee. The weather didn't improve as the day went on. The 'A' party was shrouded in damp, misty fog for most of their walk. The 'B' party endured lots of muddy tracks and their walk was cut short due to one of our members being poorly. They returned to Middleton-in-Teesdale on a minor road and managed to arrange a lift in a local's car for the sick member. The evening stop was in Barnard Castle. A wet day to end the season but hopefully a cheaper bus fare today cheered everyone up.