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Classic example of getting it wrong!

The river bank at Yarm, North Yorkshire

The river bank at Yarm, North Yorkshire

A sultry Summer’s day seemed like an excellent time for a stroll by the River Tees, in search of a tempering breeze.  Yes, this is north east England I’m talking about.  Don’t fall out of your seat in surprise!  It happens.

We headed for Preston Park, knowing that we had access to the river there, and should be able to walk along the banks as far as the village of Yarm.  You’ll note that I said “should”.  It being an impromptu little outing, neither of us had consulted a map.

The park itself was heaving with picnics and families having a good time, so it was a relief to drop down onto the riverbank.  It felt wonderfully idyllic as we ambled through shoulder-high wild flowers, extravagant in their pink frocks.  The sunshine bounced and shimmered on the water.  All was right with the Bradley world.

Innocently following signs for The Cleveland Way, suddenly we found ourselves in the midst of a housing development.  The river was there somewhere, but we couldn’t find it!  Nothing to do but keep following our noses (and the signs) in the direction of Yarm.  It was a long walk beside a busy road!  I wished I’d had my bus pass with me.

Undeterred, but hot, we reached Yarm, and with relief descended again to the riverbank, alongside of the superbly positioned pub “The Blue Bells”.  Why it did not occur to us to seek refreshment at this point, I do not know, but good spirits were restored anyway.  Yarm is a pretty place, and peaceful, viewed from the opposite bank of the river.  Swans mingled with ducks and the bridge was in harmony too.

Again we were swathed in wild flowers, mainly whites this time, and meadows opened out behind us.  I was amazed at the form and variety of some of the plants, which seemed to have grown to a mighty height.  The sun beat hotly down as we followed the meandering riverbank.  Beautiful though it was, I was starting to wonder how much further, when catastrophe befell.

We had arrived at Eaglescliffe Golf Course, with its privileged riverside location, and there was no access beyond that point.  If it hadn’t been for substantial hedges I would have been a willing trespasser.  Irritatingly we could hear the golfers calling to each other, yon side of the hedge, but we had to head wearily inland to complete our walk.

We never regained the riverbank, but collapsed into “The Sportsman” for a reviving Guinness, then limped back to the car.  Fortunately the rest of the week’s walking was better planned.   Another lesson learned (till next time!)

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Hope you enjoyed our very English walk this week.  Have a great weekend, and don’t forget to take your map with you!   Do make time for Six word Saturday, with  Cate at Show My Face.

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65 comments

  3. Well, for someone who was “getting it wrong,” it still turned out beautifully, Jo! It was a lovely walk and your photos are perfect. Good thing for the Guinness at “The Sportsman!” Cheers to you and Mick! 🙂

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    1. Hiya Cathy! I was just wondering how the “sorting” was going. I’ll come and say hi on yours later.
      This was just me ranting against golfers. 🙂
      We did a walk yesterday you would have loved. The sky was blue but with a fresh breeze and we were on the coast north of us, at a place called Seaham. I expect it’ll make it on here sometime. 🙂

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      1. Hi there, Jo! The sorting is going fine, but I took a 3 day hiatus to visit Sarah and my father in southern Virginia. Now I’m back to work! I thought the post was very cute; and I would rant against the golfers too! Your walk sounds lovely; I would have loved to come along! Can’t wait to experience it through your eyes. I hope the weather is behaving for you! Miss you. xxx

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  5. Lovely very British post 🙂
    We are just back from a week in Northumberland, and I was very aware of the difference in the access law for walkers…and dogs seemingly being less welcome off the lead. In Scotland we have the right to roam, as long as no damage is caused to crops, animals or property. It’s such a shame that large tracts of land can be fenced off for golf 😦

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    1. It was just so unexpected, Seonaid, because we have 2 golf courses in my hometown, both of which follow the coast and allow access to walkers (I’m not saying they like it, but they allow it 🙂 ) If I’d had a pair of secateurs I might have done some damage.

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    1. Thanks, Lynne. We found a variation of the walk we could have done, and if we’d walked in the opposite direction along the River Tees we could have walked for miles, so still plenty to see. 🙂

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  8. Hello Johanna,

    What an adventure, well I enjoyed reading your very English walk, thanks for sharing those flowers, I don’t know half of those names but who need to know when you can watch ?

    Happy SWS to you.

    Grace

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    1. There is a shorter route. I was just cross at the Golf Course for not allowing right of way, Judy. Our 2 local ones do, and they are right on the coast. No worries- there are plenty more local walks. 🙂

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  12. Perhaps next time put some secateurs in your bag……rather useful for creating a hole in the hedge…. 🙂
    Sorry the walk got so frustrating and tiring, but I am sure you will eventually laugh about it.

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    1. North Yorkshire’s not so bad, Tilly. We have a highly industrial pocket around us on Teesside, but beyond that there’s some wonderful green space. Not wild about posh golfers, though. It would do no harm to allow the right of way. (except the odd bonk on the head, and I probably need that 🙂 ) We have 2 local courses right on the coast and both allow access to walkers. Rant over.

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    1. The son’s just headed back to Leeds so the house is peaceful again, Lorna. Wondering if I can be bothered to wander this afternoon, or if I should just slump in the garden. 🙂

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  17. 🙂 Hi Jo ~~ Looks like a very pleasant place to walk. “Wish ‘I’ were there.” We walked over three miles yesterday, most of it beside the River Thames. (I.e. still in London).
    ..

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    1. I love riverside walks, and there’s nowhere better than the Thames with all those rivercraft, Jim.
      You must be due to go home soon? Please don’t take our lovely sunshine away 🙂

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    1. This was the ice cold variety that I’m not usually a fan of, Richard, but I would’ve drank pretty well anything at that stage. It was just wonderful to sit down (you know the feeling- reminds me, I haven’t donated yet, but I meant to) 🙂

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    1. I was out walking loads this week and was going to do a hodge podge of photos, but I needed to get the grouse about the golf club off my chest! Phew 🙂
      Have a good weekend, Sonel.

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