Sheena had a day of work today, and we had hoped to go over to the Lakes. But the weather forecast was predicting cloud and rain moving in during the morning. So we decided to stay nearer home as the rain wasn't supposed to reach us until later in the afternoon. We ended up doing the walk over the fields to Low Coniscliffe and then back along the River Tees to home. It's a lovely walk but I was shocked to realised that the last time we had done this exact same walk was last year on the 9th January, when the conditions were very much different! While I was making our first coffee of the morning I noticed a lovely orange glow in the sky. Sign of the approaching weather front, but also that of a stunning sunrise. I took Sheena her coffee, and I grabbed the camera and headed off to get some sunrise photos. By the time I got back to the house Sheena had made some very tasty bacon buns for breakfast. After we polished these off with another coffee we got ourselves ready and headed out for our walk. The section across the fields can be very wet and muddy in places. Today was no exception, but the overnight frost helped as most of it was frozen. We were also pleasantly surprised to find new duck boards had been installed across the very wet sections close to Hall Moor Farm. By the time we reached Low Coniscliffe the blanket of cloud that had been slowly drifting in from the west eventually blotted out the sun. So the walk back along the river was under grey skies, the sun tried a few times to break through without a lot of success. At least the rain didn't arrive before we got back home though.
Red skies behind St Edwin's our village church
There was a lovely purple glow in the sky as I walked down to the riverside path
Trees silhouetted against the colourful morning sky
Orange skies
Heading off for our walk after breakfast
St Edwin's Church again
Heading out of the village along Mill Lane
and out into the woods behind the village
A view back at the old Mill House
Badger is getting a big lad, and is getting his proper 'collie' looks now
Frozen puddles in the fields
Watch out here come the crazy hounds!
Along the lane towards Hall Moor Farm
I love this old and twisted oak tree
Across the fields towards Low Coniscliffe
Badger + Cleo waiting for us to cross the stile
Approaching Coniscliffe Grange
and the view back it as we followed the lane to Low Coniscliffe
The skies had turned grey by the time we reached Low Coniscliffe
Under the A1 motorway bridge as we walked along the riverside path
Which we would follow all the way back to High Coniscliffe, about 3 miles in total
Sheena and the puppies, notice the flood debris in the tree beside her
The Willow Grove at Manfield Scar
There was lots of flood debris along the river banks, this pile shows how high/powerful the river can get
The ford across the river
a view downstream from the ford
brief breaks in the clouds give long shadows as we walk through the fields behind Merrybent village
We were surprised to find so many Snowdrops coming into flower along this part of the riverbank, probably a good month early compared to last year?
Brookside House through the trees
Badger and Cleo were really interested in something here?
Ah it was play time in the river!
Come on dad throw another stone for me!
Sheena and Badger investigating the hole that's reappeared in the embankment along the river
Holme house Farm on the otherside of the river
The village comes back into view, not far now, and then a nice big mug of tea and a piece of cake!
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The previous journal entry was a visit to Egglestone Abbey near to Barnard Castle
The next journal entry is coming soon ... 
See my other walks in this area My other 2012 journal entriesAll of the photograph's from this walk were taken using my
Canon 5D MkII camera
© www.mywainwrights.co.uk (This page was last updated - 12 January 2012)
