Posted:  Friday 23 May 2008

It was a departure from normal practice in that for this walk, instead of having the good weather for the duration of the walk and the rain not reaching us until we are on our way home, the opposite was the case.  At least this meant that we could don our waterproofs in the car park in an orderly manner and so we all set off properly equipped for whatever the day might bring.  In fact it was damp rather than wet and quite refreshing, though it was pretty muddy underfoot in places.  Of course, the rain ceased as we re-entered the car park at the end of the walk and the sun shone all the way home!

There were only 31 of us on the walk, which is quite a drop from recent walks.  This seemed to be for a combination of reasons.  The weather forecast had not been good, but a number of people were on holiday or child minding and the location was rather further from Tyneside than usual. 

We started our walk along the high street of the very attractive small country town of Yarm.  The first point of interest was a large sign that informed us that Yarm was twinned with Schwalbach, where some of us had spent part our P&G careers.  Most of the walk was along the banks of the River Tees.  The going was therefore pretty flat and easy but picturesque throughout.

We had, as usual, done a recce of the route just a couple of weeks before so we were shocked to find that access to a key section of the route was barred by a sign saying “Footpath Closed”.  It seems it had been decided to resurface this just as we were planning to walk along it, though we had seen no prior warning of this.  However, it did not take us long to make a detour around this section.  

We divided into two groups as usual and the longer walk took a turn round an extra bend  of the river and passed through the delightful village of Egglescliffe, which lies just outside Yarm.  One feature of the walk altogether was the number and quality of buildings along the route.  Some were very old and many appeared to have flood barriers to protect them from the river.  Some were recently built and no less grand.  We decided we would not like the job of gardener on many of them with their extensive sloping lawns. 

When we returned to the Blue Bell Inn we were all delighted not only by the quality and quantity of the food but also by the excellent deal whereby two meals could be purchased for £9.  And very good they were too!

Lindsay Perks

P.S.   No photographs this time, I am afraid, because both our regular photographers were away.

P.P.S.   One of these folks is back now and has entered the article.

Yarm – Some information you don't really need to know.

It is a small town close to Darlington, Middlesborough and Stockton, centred on a quaint but busy High Street.  Nestling in a loop of the River Tees, Yarm suffers from regular flooding from the river and the Town Hall of 1710 bears marks on its walls recording past flood levels.

From the 12th century it was the major port on the River Tees until Stockton took over about 600 years later.  Difficult to navigate up-river to here, but vessels of up to 60 tons used the port facilities.  Wow!  The Tees Barrage is the limit for shipping now.

The railway came in the form of a 750-yard long, 65-feet high, 43-arch viaduct, built in 1852 through the middle of the town.  It is now protected by conservation status, dominating the town and overshadowing one of the widest cobbled streets in England.

Eight pubs are featured on the Yarm web site.  B&B is available in a converted windmill.

Fin.

(ph  23/05/2008)

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