Eight determined (or foolish) walkers set off in drizzle from Bowlees Visitor Centre, fuelled by coffee, to walk up and over fields and tracks towards high Force. Passing through more fields where a variety of birds were nesting and feeding amongst the livestock, the rain continued. From the High Force Hotel we crossed the road… ¹

Todays walk of 7.2 miles started in a very civilised fashion with a coffee in the cafe in Eggleston Hall Gardens. Leaving the gardens, we passed Eggleston Hall and proceeded south down the road to Eggleston Bridge and turned East onto the Teesdale Way. We continued on the North side of the River Tees, climbing… ¹

Following the cancellation of the February and March walks due to bad weather it was lovely to finally meet up and walk. We met at the Derwent Waterside car park and set off uphill towards the dam in a cold breeze with overcast skies. Then we walked along the east side of the reservoir on… ¹

On a cold bright frosty morning the 5.7 mile walk started by going down Wear Chare towards the Batts, then along Dial Stobb Hill, passing views of the Bishops’ Palace Chapel on our right, the River Wear and the back of Kynren on our left.  After crossing Jock’s Bridge we walked 400 yards to turn… ¹

5 group members turned out to do the walk. The previous 24 hours had been very wet and windy, but the forecast was for dry and sunny periods from 10.00am until 1.00pm., perfect for the walk. This forecast was wrong, the dry period was actually from 6.00am until 9.30am, so while travelling to Barnard Castle… ¹

On a breezy, slightly overcast day, we started the walk at Tanfield Railway Car Park, the route taking us down the Bowes Railway path through the fields to Causey Woods. A beautiful walk through the woods along Causey burn, passing partially hidden historical markers relating to the rich local mining heritage, easily missed if it… ¹

The weather forcast for the 11th September was uncertain, and proved to be accurate, because we had  blue skies and sunshine, heavy rain and some light rain showers at different times during the walk. All the options in the space of the time it took us to do our 7 mile walk.  We set off… ¹

On Thursday, 14th August, an enthusiastic group of 10 of us gathered in the Bowlees Visitor Centre car park to start our walk with yours truly, leading. Resisting the temptation for coffee at the start of the day, I promised we would stop on our return.  The incentive!  I had them captivated already.  After the formalities/briefing… ¹

We met in the Old Pay Office Café before commencing on a hot summers day towalk to Seaham. Initially walking through Easington local nature reserve towards thecoast, we crossed the rail lines and turned North parallel to the railway. The paths weredry and dusty, yet wildflowers were blooming and blackberries were ready for eating. After… ¹

We set off walking over Balderhead Reservoir dam, the  was shining but mist was visible on the hill tops and in the distance. The reservoir water levels were showing signs of the dry Spring. The route took us east along the Pennine Way and past the old youth hostel, now a wedding venue and reception… ¹

Six group members set off from the village walking through the Muker meadows, a sight worth seeing in late Spring but, unfortunately, we were a couple of weeks early for the wildflowers. We crossed the River Swale with its low water levels due to the dry Spring and walked north on the Pennine Way/Coast to… ¹

On a glorious Spring morning we set off for a walk with a bit of everything; farm tracks, woodland, open fields, a river, a viaduct, a park and even a pub! We left Whitworth car park to walk down a farm track until we entered Tudhoe woods, listening to birdsong, admiring blue bells that were… ¹