Tuesday

Alan dropped me back in Baldersdale around 9.15.  The route goes down to Blackton Reservoir before climbing up past Hannah’s Meadow, species-rich hay meadows, named after Hannah Hauxwell who lived nearby at Low Birk Hart.   As they had recently been cut there was little to see.  The climb over Hazelgarth Rigg was followed by the descent to Grassholme Reservoir and yet another ascent to Harter Fell before going down into the Tees valley at Middleton-in-Teesdale.

Tea was called for and provided by a very nice tea shop just over the bridge.

During the 8 miles walk to Langdon Beck the trail follows the course of the Tees. The highlights are Low and High Force.  Some kayakers had just run Low Force when I got there.

High Force is England’s most powerful waterfall and it must be spectacular when the river is in spate.

Langdon Beck Hostel was very comfortable and provided an excellent evening meal and a good breakfast. The worrying thing was that it was very quiet with few walkers.

I probably should mention that there were showers off and on during the day but overall the weather was reasonable.