March
Route
Walk leader | Michelle |
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Route | Rowlands Gill – Lintzford – Chopwell Woods – Low Spen – Thornley Woods - return to Rowlands Gill by railway line. |
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Weather | Beautiful spring day. |
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Walkers | Michelle, Michael, Ron, Sandy, Ashley, Ken. |
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Excuses | Diane and Richard - busy elsewhere George - injured knee |
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Comments |
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The walk turned out to be longer than predicted – 10.5 miles rather than 8.5 miles. It was Michael’s first walk post-op. Ken arrived in his new car and new walking boots, which he managed to keep clean. He left sharp at the end of the walk to go to wood carving classes. A friendly man took the group photo. We got lost only once, when the footpath disappeared. There was a ruined medieval chapel below the viaduct at Rowlands Gill. We saw lots of carved bird statues in the woods including sculptured owls. We passed some mining Cottages with stunning views. There was a bronze statue of Bobby Shaftoe in a garden. Ruby took exception to a dog with a red toy in its mouth. There was a vicious pit bull chained at gypsy encampment. We also saw eight or nine trotting carts in a row. We were attacked by a Jack Russell. There was a nice tea room at Thornley Visitor Centre, which had tasty ginger cake. Birds, flora and fauna: we had close up views of several kites, and spotted a lot of yellowhammers feeding on the ground. Other birds: blue tits, great tits, a robin, a mallard and a wagtail. Also Indian running ducks, who walk very upright – “producing happy eggs from happy ducks”. Three grey squirrels, some ants walking up a slope, friendly horses, lambs. Wood anemones. |
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Meal | ||||
The Badger – joined by Evelyn and George – a pleasant evening together.
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Photo Gallery |
Walkers
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The Owl |
Red Kite |
Waterway |
Derwent at Lintzford |
Three |
Red Kite Trail
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Horse
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Highland Cattle
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Lunch
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Derwent View
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Red Kites
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View to Gibside
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Garden Statue
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Derwent from Butterfly Bridge
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Nearly Back
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Cake
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