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

  1. Pingback: the state arboretum of virginia | nomad, interrupted

  2. What a gorgeous walk to enjoy! There’s so much to see and something wonderful to “drink up” from every direction. I do love those wonderful hay rolls. They are beautiful in their own way, aren’t they?

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  4. G’day Jo I have been meaning to join you for a while now. I enjoy coming with you on your strolls through the beautiful English country side. All most left my run, or should I say walk, to late. I love that first photo the reflections and bright yellow seats make a stunning composition.
    Enjoy your stay in Poland I’m sure you will have hundreds of photos to share with us when you get back. I’ll look forward to them.
    So here is my first Monday walk, http://pommepal.wordpress.com/2014/04/29/geraldton-foreshore-walk
    Now I will go walking with some of the other bloggers.

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  11. Pingback: Jo’s Monday Walk: River Walk | The World Is a Book...

  12. Lovely walk Jo. Jealous of the blooming Rape (Canola here as some politician deemed the term offensive). Ours won’t be out until July. OK, I’m jealous of the blooms in general. It will be another 4-6 weeks before the apple/crabapple/lilac blossoms start appearing here too. As much as I love Calgary as a great city to raise kids and live, it certainly has gardening challenges!

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    1. I could not cope with Calgary! An English winter seems long enough. I was out walking again this morning and even though the skies were grey the whole world was lit up by the ‘canola’ 🙂

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  14. What a delightful spring walk in the countryside with you Jo. I love the reflections in the pond, but think I’d prefer the seats to be duck-egg blue (my favourite colour) though the yellow does look very cheerful 🙂 Haven’t time to write up any of my Cornish walks as leaving for London in half an hour and I have spent most of the morning catching up with comments made over the last week! Have a fab time in Poland and I look forward to the walks and photos on your return 🙂
    Jude xx

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    1. This blogging business is a nightmare, isn’t it, Jude 🙂 🙂 I doubt you’ll see this but I hope you have a good time in London. We’ll have a proper catch up when we’re both back 🙂

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  15. What a peaceful, beautiful walk Jo. I can hardly believe how far along the fields are there. I love the variety of your photographs. Wonderful. Have a great trip!

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    1. The skies were very grey this morning, Sue, but everywhere was that wash of yellow rapeseed, lifting the whole place. Take care. Hope to check in with you before I go 🙂

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  16. What a lovely walk, Jo. I love the photo of the field of rape seed, and your blossoms are fabulous. Your stream picture reminds me a bit of my walk up White Oak Canyon, which now I realize I should have linked to you! I love your primulas and feathery trees. Have a wonderful time in Poland. 🙂 xxx

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    1. Thanks, Cathy 🙂 It’s ok- you can link one to cheer me up on my return. And I’ll hope for some job news too. And maybe I’ll get to read a first draft of that book of yours 🙂 Take care, hon.

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      1. Thanks Jo. I’ve finally finished the book. My friend is reading the last 10 chapters and I want to make sure I don’t need to make more changes before I start sending it out. I’m also reworking the first chapter in case an agent wants to see those first pages…. Keeping fingers crossed. I hope your time in Poland is going well! 🙂

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    2. That sounds so exciting, Cathy! Imagine me having a published authoress for a friend! 🙂
      It’s my last day and as usual I’m awake ultra early. Back in Krakow now so using the internet connection for a quick catch up. Fabulous time 🙂

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      1. Thanks, Jo, for your encouragement! It would be nice to be a published author, but so far the novel is done, with no title and no query letter completed. My friend finished the book and said she loved it, so I’m feeling encouraged, but I still can’t come up with a title. Need to do some brainstorming this week.

        I’m so happy you had a fabulous time in Poland. It’s been fun catching up and coming along on your walks. Still have more catching up to do! Hugs xxx

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  17. NESBITT DENE is beautiful and peaceful. Enjoyed so much of the Monday morning walk with you. I will be back later.
    Have a wonderful trip to Poland!

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  20. What a gorgeous and idyllic Monday walk around this delightful village Jo, your photos are just beautiful. We had plans to take a nice walk through the bluebell woods yesterday but it rained so hard that it was just too muddy to get very far. Will try again this weekend…!
    Have a wonderful time away in Poland, look forward to your walks when you return 🙂

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    2. Hi Sherri 🙂 There were some lovely bluebells in the woods where I was walking this morning too. They’ll have to keep till I’m back. It was dreadful weather here all weekend. Thank heavens for Mondays. Thank you- I’ll certainly hope to 🙂

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