December

Ashley

Ponteland – Coat Hill – Benacres Plantation – Dissington Bridge – Medburn – Donkin’s House Farm – old railway line - Ponteland

Bright but cold. Low temperature due to wintry conditions.

Ashley, George B, Evelyn, Sandy and Ron.

Michelle - injured ankle.

Michael - looking after Michelle.

Carol - due to go to Lincoln.

Bernie - Family commitments.

Comments

A very friendly man took the group photo in the car park. He said that it was something that he had always wanted to do.

The snow was deep all the way round. Fortunately much of it had been trampled by dog walkers or by tractors – the one relatively short stretch across a field with virgin snow proved to be hard work. Some snow cornices had formed over the river bank, so footwork required care. We met a cross-country skier in Ponteland Park, who warned us of a fallen tree ahead. Lots of icicles hanging from buildings, and some over the river resembled hanging bats.

We cleared a sheep feeder of about 8 inches of snow to provide a suitable seat to eat lunch – during which we were watched by the sheep.

We met a couple walking two black labradors twice, first at the start of the public footpath to Dissington Bridge and then as we came back into Ponteland. They asked if we had enjoyed our tramp through the fields. We also met another couple with two small black dogs twice, near to Dissington Bridge. We indulged in some snowball practice from Dissington Bridge, trying to dislodge the snow from a rock in the middle of the river. Only Evelyn had a 100% success rate – she only threw one snowball!

There were views of expensive mansions in and around Medburn and Darras Hall. Sandy lost Ron momentarily at Donkin’s house Farm and we lost Ron when he went to look for Sandy. We were nearly taken out by demon sledgers behind Waitrose.

Afterwards we had afternoon tea and cakes at Dobbies. All the scones had gone.

Wildlife/Flora/Animals:

Birds: blackbirds, bluetits, chaffinch, crows, heron, robin, seagulls, sparrows, thrush, wagtails, woodpecker, wood pidgeons, wren, heard a bird of prey.

Butterflies/insects: far too cold for any.

Mammals/others: sheep, ponies. Deer tracks spotted.

Border Minstrel, Gosforth Park – joined by Beth. Tasty meal served piping hot. Friendly service.

December walkers

Icicles

Ponteland Park

Skier

Snowy riverbank

White

Route debate

Bat icicles

Following footprints

Lunch