Day 6 - Monday 13 May 2019
Bowes to Middleton-in-Teesdale (12.6 miles)
Lovely stay at the Ancient Unicorn – nice breakfast and excellent value for money. Other guests – 6 x Home Countries Posh Boys and 1 x lone walker (PW), who were also off to Middleton. Weather just superb today, transit over lonely moorland to Blackton Bridge. Sad to see so many dead rabbits. At the Bridge we stopped for lunch and were passed by our fellow walker from Bowes. Boggy from Birk Hatt to Grassholme Resvr. Hannah’s Meadow not in flower yet – too early. Crossed bridge over Grassholme Resvr – passed our fellow walkers who were lunching. Great tuck shop at Collin Hill Farm (check) near Wytles. Lovely descent into Middleton and washed Fudge off in the River Tees before walking into the town – sat outside ‘The Forresters’ for a few ciders – the 6 HCPB joined us as they were staying there. Checked in – basic room but adequate. Very good meal – talking to the solo walker from Shropshire. Pub busy – nowhere else open for food on a Mon evening, except for a takeaway around the corner. Popped to the shops to top up with snacks – bumped into LMU walker in the Co-op. She returned to see us with her husband at the pub later – bringing her lovely flapjack for us.
From Bowes the route crosses the A66
Whilst there is a bit of road walking out of Bowes it is on a very quiet lane
As in 2015 when we passed by here, the ordnance or toxic material didn't seem to be bothering the grazing sheep!
Levy Pool Farm - looks like they are having the roof re-thatched
The bridge over Deepdale Beck near Levy Pool Farm
Goldsborough
Descending into Baldersdale with Blackton Reservoir ahead
You would think they would use the facilities in their house instead of simply chucking it out of the window
With Fudge near Blackton Bridge
North West of Clove Lodge the Bowes Lopp rejoins the main Pennine Way
Blackton Bridge
There is nothing like getting your boots off and having a Cocker Cuddle before lunch
Looking back to Blackton Bridge from near Low Birk Hatt
Good signage near Low Birk Hatt
Low Birk Hatt, the former home of Hannah Hauxwell
Hannah was the subject of several television documentaries. She first came to public attention after being covered in an ITV documentary, "Too Long A Winter" which chronicled the almost unendurable conditions of farmers in the HighPennines. The award winning documentary, first aired in 1973 was an instant success and was followed up in 1989 with "A Winter too Many". A link to the first documentary is here - it is endearing and well worth a watch.
Hannah was the subject of several television documentaries. She first came to public attention after being covered in an ITV documentary, "Too Long A Winter" which chronicled the almost unendurable conditions of farmers in the HighPennines. The award winning documentary, first aired in 1973 was an instant success and was followed up in 1989 with "A Winter too Many". A link to the first documentary is here - it is endearing and well worth a watch.
2015
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2019
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We don't think he has changed much in 4 years
Inqusitive locals near High Birk Hatt
To take advantage of the rainfall there are plenty of reservoirs around here - we were off to another one next - Grassholme.............
............. and here it is
Feed storage barn above Grassholme Farm
It was at this point I had a strange feeling something nice was about to happen.......................
.......... looking good so far................
Get in!! I just love farming diversity - Wythes Hill Farm, you are the best!
A cairn guides the way over Crossthwaite Common
Kirkcarrion
Kirkcarrion is a copse of pine trees, surrounded by a stone wall, on a hilltop near Middleton-in-Teesdale. The trees cover a tumulus which is said to be the burial place of a Bronze Age chieftain. The trees were planted by Elija Foster and his son Alan Foster of Lowside Farm in 1936.
Kirkcarrion is a copse of pine trees, surrounded by a stone wall, on a hilltop near Middleton-in-Teesdale. The trees cover a tumulus which is said to be the burial place of a Bronze Age chieftain. The trees were planted by Elija Foster and his son Alan Foster of Lowside Farm in 1936.
Middleton-in-Teesdale ahead
The "Country Bridge" over the River Tees which leads to Middleton-in-Teesdale
"Is that it?" Fudge clearly not impressed with the pre dinner snack on offer as we arrived in Middleton
The Home Counties Posh Boys arrived in /middleton shortly after us and clearly had the same idea - beer!
It was too early to check in (it wasn't really) therefore we had a quick snifter before heading over the road to The Teesdale Hotel
The war memorial in Middleton-in-Teesdale
Day 6 Data
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Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Total Ascent |
12.6 miles
71.8 miles 5hrs 40mins 1371ft (418m) |
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