We had planned to head over to Swaledale for our first walk of 2011. However, the overnight sleet and rain had frozen to leave the roads and paths in the village coated in a thin layer of ice. This wasn't good for driving up the Dales so we changed our planned and decided to walk over the fields to Low Coniscliffe and then walk back along the river to home. Even though this walk is right on our doorstep we don't do that often, especially during the winter months as parts of it can be very very wet. It was a case of wearing our 'microspikes' from the word go today, even the paths over the fields were icy and those along the river were lethal in places. Regardless of where we ended up walking or what the underfoot conditions where like it was still nice to be out and enjoying the winter sunshine!
Heading out of the village along the lane towards The Mill House
Looking back towards the village
Horses in the fields behind Glebe Farm
This is what I meant when some parts of the walk can be very wet, really glad it was so icy today!
Another view back towards the village
There are plenty of stiles to climb on the first part of the walk, Sheena made this one look easy despite the coating of ice on it
Heading across the fields
Coniscliffe Grange Farm
The quite village of Low Coniscliffe
Down the lane towards the river
The River Tees, we would follow the river upstream back to home at High Coniscliffe
We were surprised to see all these blocks of ice on the banks
In places the piles were several feet high, it was a very odd sight and not one I've seen before
It still didn't stop Tim going in for a dip!
Manfield Scar
The ford across the river, one of Tim's favourite paddling spots, today was no exception
More frozen waterlogged fields
Sheena checking out some recent flood damage
Same spot just a different angle
Some more flood damage about a mile further upstream, this has only started to happen in the last few months
Home eventually comes into view
St. Edwin's Church
I hope that you have enjoyed looking at the photograph's from this walk? If you have any questions or comments regarding them or the walk in general, please either leave a message below, or send me an email, and I will get back to you asap. Thanks Gary ...
Go to the mywainwrights home page
Return to the top of this page 
Our last walk was an ascent of Gowbarrow Fell from Aria Force
Our next walk was an ascent of Black Crag via Tarn Hows
Other County Durham walks 2011 walks journalAll of the photograph's from this walk were taken using my Canon 5D MkII camera and 24-105mm L series lens
© www.mywainwrights.co.uk (This page was last updated - 12 January 2011)
