Ron

Car Park (A694) by Derwentcote Ironworks - Byerside Wood - Low Westwood – Ebchester - Broad Oak Farm - Blackhall Mill - Chopwell Wood - Almonside Car Park.

Bright and reasonably warm for the time of year.

Ron, Sandy, Hazel.

Ashley, Lance, George and Evelyn - skiing

Bernie - work commitments.

Carol - bad back.

Ken - away for the weekend.

Michael and Michelle - both forgot their socks.

Comments

Michael and Michelle turned up at the car park and then realised that they had forgotten their socks, so they had to go home. However, they joined us for the meal afterwards.

The ground was very wet and boggy in stretches. Points of interest included the Vindomora Roman fort at Ebchester, which was built on Dere Street (York to Firth of Forth). Lunch was taken near Blackhall Mill in the sunshine and with good views across to Hamsterley. At Blackhall Mill we saw a workshop of eight ladies sewing in the window of a patchwork shop next to the yarn shop. There was a well-preserved steel furnace at Derwentcote. We also walked passed two riding schools. We finished up at Carol’s for afternoon tea.

Wildlife/Flora/Animals:

Birds: two red kites (one quite close) on separate occasions, dipper, siskins.

Mammals/others: many fields of horses, sheep, a donkey and a Shetland pony. A pack of working collies trying to herd a group of ramblers past their farm.

Moorings at Pelton Fell, joined by Carol, Michael and Michelle. Very good meal, nice music and a pleasant ambience.

On the Road

Pig

Carts

Chopwell Iron Works