Barnard Castle Ramblers – Walk Report

Friday 28th December - Egglestone Abbey

Due to the illness of the leader Ian and I took over the leadership at short notice for the walk from the Bowes Museum. It was another of the “Welcome to winter walks” and we were met at the museum gates by one of our regulars, also an RA member who lives in Essex and a lady from Sadberge who hasn’t walked with us before. On a drizzly morning we set off down Parsons Lonnen and across the Demesnes. There were lots of dog walkers around as we headed towards the river, which was still very full after all the r ecent rain. We stood for a while watching a tree creeper going up and down the trunk and branches of a small tree. This is a sight we don’t see very often our walks.

Someone mentioned the wires across the river and the leaders explained that they were for the canoeists. At times poles were hung from them making a slalom course. After crossing Abbey Bridge we headed for Egglestone Abbey. None of the ladies had been ther e before so were interested in the history of the place. Thankfully there is a good information plaque which they could all read. Three of us decided to have a quick coffee break while the other two took time looking round the ruins.

It was then along the minor road and we crossed the old packhorse bridge. We looked at the Parish boundary markers in the shape of half a milk churn. These are made of cast iron and were made several years ago as an art project. They can be found all over Teesdale at parish bou ndaries. It was then through fields which were sodden and muddy like most fields at the moment. Two members moved a rabbit off the track which had been recently shot. Walking through the caravan site we then walked alongside the river to the green bridge. The ducks started to come up the river bank in anticipation of food but we didn’t have any. Still I suppose someone would come along with some bread eventually.

After crossing the bridge the leaders discussed the history of Thorngate and pointed out the we avers cottages and where the factories had been It was then along Grey Lane and more history of where various schools had been. There was then the climb up the Demesnes back to Parsons Lonnen and the Museum after a pleasant morning walk and we just beat th e rain.

Joan Martin.