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January

 

Foal

Foal

Walk leader

George

Route

Langley Park – along old Lanchester railway path to Broompark picnic area – then along Deerness Valley railway path to Flass Hall – Esh – Blackburn Farm – Langley Park.

Weather

Fair, mild with occasional sunny periods. Altogether much better conditions than on the original scheduled Saturday (9th January) -good decision to put back the walk.

Walkers

George, Michelle, Ron, Sandy, Bernie, Diane, Richard.

Excuses

Michael - injured

Ashley - injured

Comments

There was a conspicuous lack of mud considering the persistent rain of the preceding weeks. The route was mainly on an old railway track, which was easy going and allowed us to keep up a good speed – a good choice of walk for the ground conditions. There were lots of people out and about. We saw two thoroughbred horses, which were a bit tetchy at a biker with a flashing light. There were lots of dogs, labradors, Staffordshire bull terriers and pugs. We also met lots of cyclists. We passed the remnants of a railway viaduct beside the East Coast main line. Lunch was taken at Broompark picnic area – tables and seats were provided although it was a bit cold and breezy.

We saw several horses and ponies in a muddy field, although they did have some hay to eat. A mare and lovely brown foal in the adjacent field were fed by Sandy. We also saw some pigs in a field and some Jacob’s sheep. Bernie tresspassed. We went by some clean farms, and saw a man succeeding in jumpstarting a car. There were good views over Durham. There was a cross marking the site of a medieval church coming into Esh. Our second stop for tea and coffee was at the Cross Keys Inn at Esh. We spied a big “owl” on top of the pidgeon lofts beside Diggerland.

Wildlife/Flora/Animals:

Kestrel, stoat, flock of Guinea fowl at Hodden Esh Hall, magpies, chaffinches.

Meal

Badger at Ponteland – joined by Ashley, Evelyn and Michael. Nice meal – good quality crumble – pity about the piper (Burn’s night - although he was good, it was a bit much in an enclosed space!).


Photo Gallery

Walkers

January walkers minus one

Bleak

Guinea fowl

Him

Hen

 

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