Michelle - in absentia

Brancepeth Station – eastwards along the Brandon-Bishop Auckland Railway Path -  Scripton – down to River Wear and westwards to Page Bank, then northwards just before Lowfield Farm to the old railway and back to Brancepeth Station

Bright and sunny. Generally cold but warm in sheltered spots. Very clear visibility but some cloud came in later.

Michael, George, Ron, Sandy, Bernie, Diane.

Michelle - bad cold

Ashley - in hospital

Richard - bad knee

Comments

It was a very good walk for the time of year. Michael led the walk in Michelle’s absence. Michelle was able to follow our progress on “Find me”. We started off along the old railway line then dropped down to the River Wear. We found a sheltered spot on the riverside for lunch in the sunshine. The large rocks forming the embankment made ideal seats.

There was some confusion with navigation when we mistook a burn for the river. Progress was hindered by several blocked public footpaths, but we eventually found a way back up to the old railway over a couple of metal stiles and did a long gradual climb through some very muddy fields. We had a coffee stop at the top. There were good views of upper Weardale.

The old railway line back to the cars was tree-lined, making a long archway with a variety of autumnal colours.

Wildlife: Several herons, ducks, greylag geese, gulls, kittiwake and a rabbit. Two fields with ponies and horses in them.

Flora: Catkins on the trees. Also lots of berries and a crab apple tree.

The White Swan, Dinnington

November walkers minus one

Muddy road

Lunch stop

Open skies

Sandy and Ruby

Horses