Walk Report

Parking was at the Floaters's Mill Pub in Fencehouses. Organised by leader there is plenty of parking. We of course enjoyed drinks there at the conclusion of the walk. An interesting linking part of the walk. South bank of the Wear, area on 1:25,000 map called Black Wood. We approached along the South bank of the river from Durham City along public rights of way. At NZ302457 the public footpath terminates. The next 1/2km or so downstream along the riverbank is not either a right of way or a permissive path. There are signs saying stick to the River so the landowner obviously knows that walkers use the riverbank here. At NZ306458 a public footpath is rejoined. When the river is in spate this linking route would be impassable and there are a couple of awkward fences to climb over. Quite muddy. The intention was to do a small loop around Leamside, but the footpath alongside the A1(M) at NZ308473 was completely unpassable due to waist high vegetation of a stinging nature, forcing us to turn back and pass through Leamside on the main road. Our third stop was at the Farmhouse Kitchen, Low House Farm, Leamside, which our leader had pre-organised. Very civilised coffee and sandwiches. (Paul Nellist)

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