TS20 Norton bloggers

Snow Scenes near Swainby (2012-02-05)

2012-02-10T10:27:31Z

Even though our coach was cancelled last Sunday (2012-02-05), some individual groups managed to get out for a trek under their own steam! We (JT and PB) undertook a circular walk from Swainby that took in Swainby Shooting House.

Our route took us from Swainby to the Shooting house via Scarth Wood Farm, Shepherd Hill, Limekiln Bank and Stoney Ridge. Because the sunshine was so warm we sat outside the hut and had our morning coffee and a breakfast bar!

From the shooting house we headed south along a good track towards Faber's Stone where we turned right onto a westerly bearing to cross the moorland terrain near Leystone Ridge. We made our way to Solomon's Lane and its junction with High Lane. Turning right, we progressed along the edge of the woods near Pamperdale Moor - where we stopped for a short lunch break at {SE 472 983}.

Leaving our lunch-stop location, we continued on a northerly bearing to reach the cattle grid at Scarth Nick. The road here was in a treacherous state - in terms of the snow and ice that we experienced. I slipped over - even though I was wearing my MICROspikes! We also came across two abondoned vehicles - one of them a 4x4 which had skidded full-circle off the road!

Continuing our cautious descent we arrived at Scarth Nick Farm and followed Back Lane until we reached a footpath at {NZ 473 016}. Turning right onto this, we trekked across a snow-laden field in order to arrive back at Swainby at 14.58 pm.

We set off from Swainby at 10:34 am and took 4 hrs 24 mins to cover our 8.2 miles circuit. Our moving average was 3.1 mph and our overall average (which includes stop time for photos) was 1.8 mph.

The 'snow scene' photos that we took can be seen by clicking on the yellow button:

The photos that were taken during a similar expedition last year can be viewed using the pink button:

Mid-February Mid-Week Walking (2012-02-15)

2012-02-08T10:48:44Z

On Wednesday, 15th February, Stockton Rambling Club have a mid-week walk in the Sadberge area of County Durham. Please meet in the village at 10.30 am - see the following map.

The walk will not be longer than 5 miles (D-pace).
For further details ring 01325-266803.

214 Wainwrights Completed

2012-02-07T00:14:57Z

On the weekend of the 3rd February, 2012, Jeff Hunt had a double celebration. Not only did he have a 'special' birthday but he also completed the last of his 214 Wainwright climbs in the Lake District.

Bearing in mind these two great achievements, some of Jeff's friends and family gathered in the Buttermere area to join him for a walk and a birthday celebration.

Jeff's final Wainwright ascent took him (and his guest walkers) from the village of Buttermere up onto Rannerdale Knotts (1165 feet) where they had a picnic lunch - and some outstanding views of the surrounding terrain.

Well done Jeff!
Congratulations on your two successes.

Anyone wanting to know more about the Wainwrights should click on the following button:

The following link will provide more information about:

Finally, some of the photos that we took can be seen by clicking on the pink button:

Credits:
Many thanks to Jane Thompson and Phil Barker for taking the photographs.

Sunday Walking to Bishop Auckland

2012-02-06T13:26:34Z

On Sunday, 12th February, the Stockton Rambling Club will have three walks in the Croxdale area of County Durham. All walks will finish in Bishop Auckland {NZ 210 300} - see the following map.

Crown Copyright (2012). All rights reserved. Licence No. 100046831.
Produced using Anquet Maps.

The A-walk will start near Durham and will take in Houghall, Shincliffe, Croxdale Hall, Hett and Byers Green.

The B-walk will also commence near Durham and will visit Shincliffe, Croxdale Hall, Hett and Binchester Crag.

The C-walk will set off from Sunderland Bridge {NE 266 376} and will proceed along the Weardale Way.

This is a Route 3 coach pick up and is also an early start (Acklam: 9.00 am, Stockton: 9.15 am and Billingham: 9.30 am).

A-Walk: Lazenby to Guisborough

2012-02-06T12:57:37Z

On Sunday, 29th January 2012, SRC member Jill Johnson (pictured below) led a group of seven energetic A-walkers on an exciting trek from Lazenby to Guisborough.

Our route took us from Lazenby across Eston Moor and The Flatts in order to reach Newton-under-Roseberry. From here, we went along the Cleveland Way (CW) in an easterly direction to Slapewath where we joined the Cleveland Street (CS) footpath. We followed this in a north-easterly direction to {NZ 648 164} where we took a northerly path that led us up to Airey Hill Lane {NZ 649 173}. We now re-joined the CW (again) which took us back towards Slapewath. At {NZ 640 164} we left the CW and made our way to Waterfall Farm and then Low Waterfall Farm. We now rejoined the CS footpath (again) which took us into the centre of Guisborough.

We set off at 9.42 am and finished our trek at 16.10 - giving us an overall elapsed time of 6 hours 27 minutes. During this time we covered a distance of 17.6 miles and had three good climbs - Eston Nab, Roseberry Topping and Hutton Gate. We had a single refreshment stop at 13.15 in the disused quarry at Highcliff Nab {NZ 609 139}.

Thanks to Jill for an exciting walk and a wonderful day out.

Credits:
Many thanks to Jane Thompson and Phil Barker for taking the photographs.

Early-February Mid-Week Walking (2012-02-09)

2012-02-02T10:51:45Z

On Thursday, 9th February, Stockton Rambling Club have a mid-week walk in the Piercebridge area of County Durham. Please meet at 10.30 am in Piercebridge {NZ 211 159} - see the following map.

Crown Copyright (2009). All rights reserved. Licence No. 100046831.
Produced using Anquet Maps.

The walk will not be longer than 9 miles (B-pace).
For further details ring 01642-805701.

SPECIAL EVENT: Slide Evening (2012-02-08)

2012-02-01T14:47:05Z

On Wednesday, 8th February, Stockton Rambling Club has a special event organised. This will take the form of a slide show and talk entitled 'Walking on the North York Moors' which will be given by David Rodway. The venue for this event is Stockton Library commencing at 7.30 pm

For further details on this event please contact Bill McTimoney on 01740-644347.

Sunday Walking to Great Ayton

2012-01-30T17:06:27Z

On Sunday, 5th February, the Stockton Rambling Club will have three walks in the North-Eastern region of the North York Moors. All walks will finish in Great Ayton {NZ 562 106} - see the following map.

Crown Copyright (2010). All rights reserved. Licence No. 100046831.
Produced using Anquet Maps.

The A-walk will start at Clitherbeck {NZ 711 100} and will take in Danby Park, North Ings, Hutton Moor and Captain Cook's Monument.

The B-walk will commence at Danby {NZ 707 084} and will visit Castleton, Commondale, North Ings and Roseberry Common.

The C-walk will set off from Birk Brow {NZ 658 148} and will pass through Wentworth Wood, Cleveland Way, Roseberry Common and Airyholme Farm.

This is a Route 1 coach pick up and is also an early start (Billingham: 9.00 am, Stockton: 9.15 am and Acklam: 9.30 am).

Early-February Mid-Week Walking (2012-02-02)

2012-01-27T10:58:43Z

On Thursday, 2nd February, Stockton Rambling Club have a mid-week walk in the New Marske area of Redcar and Cleveland. Please meet at 10.30 am at Errington Wood {NZ 617 202} - see the following map.

Crown Copyright (2009). All rights reserved. Licence No. 100046831.
Produced using Anquet Maps.

The walk will not be longer than 8 miles (C-pace).
For further details ring 01642-299312.

A-Walk: Eggleston Abbey to Cleasby

2012-01-25T18:10:33Z

On Sunday, 22nd January, 2012, Bill McTimoney (featured in the picture below) led an enthusiastic group of SRC A-walkers on a 15 mile trek from Eggleston Abbey to Cleasby.

The group left Abbey Bridge {NZ 066 148} at 10:25 am and followed the Teesdale Way along the route of the River Tees as far as Winston Bridge. After crossing the river using the road bridge, their route then took them towards Barforth Hall, Chapel Bridge,Chapel House, Piercebridge, Holme House, and Manfield Scar - before arriving at their destination in Cleasby at 16:05.

There were two refreshment stops: the first was at Highcliffe Waters (lunch at 12:16) {NZ 136 156} and the second was at Kathleen Wood near Piercebridge (tea at 14:45) {NZ 066 148}.

There were 13 members in the group and they covered the distance in 5 hours 40 minutes.

Thanks to Bill for a great walk and a wonderful day out.

Credits:
Many thanks to Jane Thompson and Phil Barker for taking the photographs.

Chief executive steps up as recession hits Daisy Chain

2012-01-24T09:14:11Z

With only three weeks to go a planned charity trek has failed to raise much-needed funds for the renovation of the Farm House at Norton-based charity Daisy Chain so the Chief Executive has decided to put on his walking boots.

Daisy Chain's income is down dramatically, around 30% from this time last year, and treks bring in a significant proportion of income. The planned trek to Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa, raises much needed funds for Daisy Chain, which works with families across the Tees Valley who have children affected with Autism.

Matt Simpson, Chief Executive of Daisy Chain, said: "Every single penny counts in this difficult economic climate and we need our treks throughout the year to raise as much money as possible. Unfortunately, due to last minute injuries and changes of circumstance, the trek has fallen below the minimum number of participants needed to make this trip financially viable and we now stand to lose a significant amount of money. This means that renovations on the Farm House will have to come to a complete halt and we may have to look at cutting our provision."

Matt has made the decision to take part in the trek himself, and aims to raise as much money as possible for Daisy Chain in the next few weeks.

Matt continued: "I have never taken on a physical challenge of this magnitude. I haven't taken part in any training and as yet don't even have a kit! But I know that it is critical that this trek raises as much money as possible and I just hope that people will get behind me and Daisy Chain."

Matt now needs your support as he attempts not only to climb the highest mountain in Africa but also raise much needed income for Daisy Chain.

Daisy Chain is a unique charity that addresses the needs of children on the autistic spectrum and their families. The charity provides a range of services, including support and activity groups for the whole family from our 5.5 acre farm in Norton. Daisy Chain receives no formal funding and relies on the support of business, the community and individuals.

To sponsor Matt please visit his Just Giving page - http://www.justgiving.com/Matt-Simpson2

For more information on Matt's Challenge and about taking part in the next trek for Daisy Chain or how else you can raise money and get involved visit the website at http://www.daisychainproject.co.uk or contact us on 01642 531248.

Sunday Walking to Guisborough

2012-01-23T13:13:31Z

On Sunday, 29th January, the Stockton Rambling Club will have three walks in the Lazenby Bank area of the North York Moors. All walks will start at Lazenby {NZ 571 197} and finish in Guisborough {NZ 614 158} - see the following map.

The A-walk will take in Eston Nab, Newton-under-Roseberry, Highcliffe Nab and Cleveland Street.

The B-walk will visit Eston Nab, Spite Farm, West Banks and Cleveland Street.

The C-walk will pass through Eston Nab, Grove Hill, Reeds Wood and Kemplar Wood.

This is a Route 1 coach pick up and is also an early start (Billingham: 9.00 am, Stockton: 9.15 am and Acklam: 9.30 am).

Weardale Walkabout (2012-01-15)

2012-01-19T13:05:54Z

On Sunday, 15th January, we had a great day taking photographs and checking out Jane'sforthcoming A-walk - which is scheduled for 25th March, 2012.

We used the Manor House Hotel in West Auckland as our 'base camp'. From here we motored to Frosterley and did the circular walk in lovely frosty conditions.

We covered a distance of 16.3 miles with four major climbs that totalled about 2700 feet of ascent. Our moving average was 3.1 mph and our overall average was 2.4 mph.

The walk took us a total of 6 hours and 43 minutes (our moving time was 5.25 hrs and our stop time was 1.5 hrs). I guess we will have to 'speed up' on the day! We had just one refreshment stop near Sharnberry Gill {NZ 016 307}.

Credits:
Many thanks to Jane Thompson and Phil Barker for taking the photographs.

Late-January Mid-Week Walking (2012-01-26)

2012-01-18T22:58:49Z

On Thursday, 26th January, Stockton Rambling Club have a mid-week walk in the Osmotherley area of the North York Moors. Please meet at 10.30 am at the village cross {SE 456 972} - see the following map.

The walk will not be longer than 9 miles (B-pace).
For further details ring 01642-678534.

Sunday Walking to Cleasby

2012-01-16T20:21:54Z

On Sunday, 22nd January, the Stockton Rambling Club will have three walks in the Barnard Castle area of County Durham. All walks will finish in Cleasby {NZ 250 130} - see the following map.

The A-walk will start at Eggleston Abbey {NZ 062 152} and will take in Mortham Tower, Barforth Hall, Chapel House and Manfield Scar.

The B-walk will commence at Whorlton {NZ 105 148} and will visit Winston, Barforth Hall, Chapel House and Manfield Scar.

The C-walk will set off from the Baysdale Inn (on the A67) {NZ 252 141} and will pass through Low Conniscliffe, High Conniscliffe, Piercebridge and Manfield Scar.

This is a Route 2 coach pick up and is also an early start (Billingham: 9.00 am, Acklam: 9.15 am and Stockton: 9.30 am).