Carol

Romaldkirk - Low Garth – Cotherstone – Cooper House – Tees Railway Path - Romaldkirk.

Sunny with occasional cloudy spells. Warm out of the wind, but still cool in it.

Carol, Ashley, Sandy, Ron, George, Hazel, Ken.

Bernie - attending her nephew’s birthday party.

Evelyn - still recuperating.

Michael and Michelle - celebrating Michael's birthday.

Olwen - in Wales.

Comments

There were good views of the river Tees, which was very full after the recent rains. It was muddy in places such as field gates, but not as bad as expected. We met lots of other walkers including a friendly young man, possibly German, who offered to help Carol with her map reading and a large group of ramblers from Barnard Castle, who made us feel young.

We had to negotiate stepping stones over a burn. Ron, Sandy and Carol got lost after missing the path and went to investigate a rare breed of sheep initially mistaken for deer. All three were recovered successfully using the walkie talkies.

The lunch spot was very pleasant, out of the wind with a good view of the river and the trees on the opposite bank with their various shades of green. We deviated from the public footpath just before joining the old railway. Hazel redeemed us by tracking back and following the correct route. We crossed a high viaduct.

Ashley was embarrassed when the girl and dog in front of him unexpectedly turned back and caught him having a pee in the bushes.

We admired a cottage converted from the former Romaldkirk railway station. The platform was still extant. We passed Jesmond House and Inglenook Cottage in Romaldkirk, which led to a discussion about the meaning of Inglenook (chimney corner).

Afternoon tea was taken outside the Rose and Crown Hotel in Romaldkirk. The pub had an enormous fire in the bar and saucy postcards in the gents' toilet. Unfortunately the timer switched off the lights before George could examine them all.

Wildlife/Flora/Animals:

Birds: swallows, crows, sparrows, robin, ducks, pied wagtail, chaffinch, pheasant and free range chickens.

Butterflies/insects: ladybird on a stile.

Plants/Trees: bluebells, wild primroses, wild garlic, cowslips, helliborus and allium.

Mammals/others: very small pony and cart horses, rare breed of sheep, lots of dogs including a friendly black labrador puppy. Baby calves and cattle. Slow worm.

South Causey Inn: joined by Evelyn. Nice meal, but the portions were huge, on vast plates (estimated 40cm diameter) so everyone passed on dessert.

May Walkers

Walkers and leader

Greenery

Tees

In spate

River view

Slow worm

Viaduct Shadow

River and Trees