Jo’s Monday walk : Nesbitt Dene

Thorpe Bulmer Farm

Thorpe Bulmer Farm

This week I’m going to take you for a simple little stroll from Hart Village, through Nesbitt Dene and back again.  Hart is only 2km north of Hartlepool, and if I’m not walking on a beach, the chances are I’ll be somewhere near this village.  It’s not very big, but has 2 pubs, a village hall (where I do t’ai chi on Wednesday mornings) and a lovely little church.  More of this later.  Time to put on the walking shoes.

From the main street, a public footpath sign directs you through a gap in the housing, down to a little stream and round to St. Mary Magdalene’s Church.  Sometimes it’s open and you can take a look inside, but if the sky is blue we’ll keep on striding.  A right turn onto Butts Lane will lead you out of the village, towards farm land.  You’ll usually pass a nosy sheep or two on the way.

Today they look like teddy bears and are busy 'tucking in'.

These two look like teddy bears, busy ‘tucking in’.

There's an old barn, of course

There’s an old barn, of course

And maybe some hay rolls in the fields.

And sometimes hay ‘rolls’ in the fields.

The sea is over on your right, across the fields

The sea is over on your right,in the distance

The road heads gently up an incline, and you should carry on until you see Thorpe Bulmer Farm ahead of you.  It’s a large white building and not easy to miss.  When you reach the farm a path splits off to the left, taking you around the side of the farm to the lovely view in the top picture.

I was surprised by the bright yellow of the seats by the duck pond.  Last year they were a more soothing duck egg blue.  Either way, the ducks don’t seem to mind, and wouldn’t it be a nice spot to recline?  But not for us!  We’re going to the woods.

The leaves are unfurling nicely and there are hens in the farmyard

The leaves are unfurling nicely, and soon there will be a canopy of green

But the woods are still breathing quietly

But the woods are still a little sparse, and breathing quietly

Wood anemones flourish

Wood anemones flourish

Pine cones litter the path

Pine cones litter the path

And a twinkling or two might catch your eye

And celandines sparkle amid the green

Following the path to the side of the farm, you very soon come to the woods, on your right.  There are a number of paths leading through them, crossing a little stream, and back out again.  Take the steps down and over the bridge, then continue straight ahead.

Emerging from the dene you will see Nesbitt Hall across the fields ahead of you.  It is a Grade ll listed building, dating from 1697. Keep it on your left hand side and follow the edge of the field.

Nesbitt Hall and a lot of clouds!

Nesbitt Hall, and a lot of clouds!

The fields are full of rape seed at the minute

The fields are full of rape seed at the minute

And great heaps of rolled hay

And great heaps of rolled hay

And rusty old bits of farming equipment

With rusty old bits of farming equipment

Not good for pollen sufferers, I’m afraid!  Take the path to your right, away from the Hall, and continue downhill, back into Nesbitt Dene and the woods.

I cannot resist a blossom shot along the way

I cannot resist a blossom shot along the way

Or even two!

Or even two!

Then back under the feathery leaves

And then you’re back beneath the feathery trees

Beside a stream, primulas thrive, liking the mossy surround

Beside a stream, primulas thrive, liking their mossy surroundings

The trees reflecting in the shallow water

The trees, reflecting in the shallow water

Then you are climbing back out of the dene and retracing your steps to Hart Village.  Here you might want to linger in the churchyard.  Or try one of the village pubs.  I can personally recommend ‘The White Hart’.  If you have driven to the village there is a car park conveniently beside the church, signed Butts Lane.

St. Mary's and the churchyard

St. Mary Magdalene’s and the churchyard

A peaceful scene inside the church

Inside the church, a peaceful scene

I can guarantee you peace for a week or so, because I’m heading off to Poland tomorrow.  I hope to have time to respond to your comments before I go, but if I miss anyone, my apologies in advance.  I’m hoping you’ll join in and share a favourite walk with me.  If not this week, then maybe when I return?  You have a little extra ‘think time’.

As usual, you can leave a link to your walk post in my comments, or you can link back to me from the post.  I really don’t mind, and any day of the week will do.  It would be lovely to have some walks to cheer me up when I return.  I’ll try to entertain you with a Polish walk in exchange.  Seem fair?  Great!  I’ll see you then.  Take care in the meantime!

Just got time for some shares before I go.  Don’t miss Amy’s lovely River Walk :

https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/jos-monday-walk-river-walk/

And Yvette, being zany 🙂

http://priorhouse.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/monday-walk-with-jo-street-shots-bread-and-jim-gaffigan-clip/

And you simply can’t miss Sonel taking a Mantis for a walk, in her own inimitable style!

http://sonelcorner.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/jos-monday-walk-a-walk-with-mantis/

Bluebell woods, anyone?  Thanks, Elaine!

http://elainemcnulty.wordpress.com/2014/04/29/tiptoe-through-the-bluebells-with-me/

 

 

135 comments

  3. Pingback: Six word Saturday | restlessjo

    1. Ooh, I like the sound of that, Ad 🙂 I just got back from Poland last night and am running round in circles right now, not even convinced I’m speaking the right language! I’ll add this walk to the bottom of my next Monday’s walk so everyone gets the chance to see it. Many thanks for joining in 🙂

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  5. Pingback: Sand Between the Toes for Jo’s Monday Walk Challenge. | anotherdayinparadise

  6. LOVELY being with you on this walk, Jo! 🙂 The two yellow chairs in the first photos are looking very smart and I envy your great cloudscapes.
    Greetings from Norway, Dina

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  7. Ah! What a FABULOUS stroll, Jo! What a quaint and lovely place. I think I too would enjoy rolling in the fields with some of that hay 😉

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  9. Lovely walk, Jo. Your country side is just beautiful and wow…the clouds are perfect. I know you are excited about Poland and you are there now with your dancing shoes on. Have a great time.

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  11. Jo, I hope you have a fantastic time in Poland. I visited this post 2 days ago, but didn’t have time to write my comment. This is you and your camera. Stunningly beautiful .. I have never seen any wood anemones in UK. Didn’t think you had them, but you have your forest carpet of blue bells instead, not fair that you have them both. *smile
    Here is the rape seed blooming too, my county is famous for all their rape seed fields, you remember it from BBC’s Wallander. So stunning, but it smells terrible.
    Thanks again for a wonderful walk … with you, I truly enjoy the company. *smile

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    1. Another Spam! Thank you so much, Vivi. I don’t know what I have done but I was up in dreadful pain at 3.30 this morning, throbbing from the knee to the ankle. Lay on the bathroom floor feeling sick with it. When I managed to get downstairs and take Ibuprofen I started tomorrow’s Monday walk to take my mind off things. I have so much catching up, it’s unreal, Vivi, but I know that most of my friends will understand and be patient. Love you, hon 🙂

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      1. Jo, don’t bother with catching up with lost posts – at least not mine, too hard work and there will be new ones everyday coming up.
        It’s a catch-22.
        So sorry to read about you leg pain, rest today now .. and go easy on yourself. Love you too. *smile

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