Last week I left you on a glorious late December day, in the heart of Teesdale, on the North Pennines. If you remember, I recommended you to the Bowlees Visitor Centre. It looked very attractive from the outside but, as it is closed till half term, I can’t testify to the food. The website does mention homemade cakes and scones and local produce, so you can’t go far wrong.
Who would have expected such a day, in the midst of all that rain? No wonder High Force was looking thunderous and beautiful. We can move on now, to it’s little, but no less lovely sister, Low Force.
A lane leads down from the Visitor Centre and access to the falls is across a field. (a bit swampy, on this occasion) Through a stone gate, there’s a drop down to Wynch Bridge, suspended across the River Tees. The rush of water below is dramatic. Better yet, off to your right, you catch a glimpse of the tumbling falls. Cross over the bridge and you can follow the footpath all the way back to High Force.
And we’re back to that idyllic scenery. Look closely at the next photo and see if you can spot what’s happening there, at the falls.
Get ready for an action shot!
Whoo-hoo! Much braver than me! There were two youngsters in the canoes, and an older gentleman taking photographs. It seems they had to keep running the falls till he got a photo he was satisfied with. What a task master!
Climbing out again didn’t look all that easy! And nobody stayed dry- not even the photographer! But at least they all survived to tell the tale.
Well! That was exciting, wasn’t it? And I have to say, completely unexpected. Let’s have a more tranquil look around now, before we carry on back to High Force. Note the fungi beneath the trees, and a ‘fossil’ on the wall.
And what could be more calming than sheep? Can you read the message in stone? I couldn’t really argue. Could you?
A wonderful place to be a walker! I think so, too. Let’s wander slowly, back along the river, to our start point at High Force.
I didn’t get great shots of High Force so I’ll obviously have to go back again. I think the best vantage point would be from the path above the falls- on the Pennine Way, as you’ll see from the map.
Time to put the kettle on now, I think, and settle in for a read. Many thanks to you all for the shares and the appreciation. If you would like to join in with a walk of your own, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above. You’ll be very welcome.
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I have a scoop for you this week! A world first! And you get to see lovely Sue Slaught on video, too…
Walking with the Penguins in Calgary- a Royal Ramble
The Glasgow Gallivanter! Doesn’t that sound gay? It’s Anabel! New Year, new name, same quality :
Would you believe, Jackie’s STILL in Mexico?
And Amy wasn’t too far away from there, in Sarasota, Florida :
Monday Walk: Marina Jack Trail
A year-round park to use up some calories? Sounds useful! Thanks, Corey :
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation : Westchester’s Largest Park
And what could be more lovely than a lavender farm?
Drake isn’t a bit selfish with the snow. He has lots to spare!
There could be a few wet feet about this week!
And while we’re being exotic, Cathy still has some tales to tell from Myanmar :
A day at Mount Popa & the Popa Taung Kalat Monastery
That’s it for now! Hope you enjoyed it. I think this might be a good time to mention, for any of you thinking of sharing a walk, that I have one more walk to share next week, and then I will be missing for two weeks. The Algarve is calling- you know how it is! While I’m gone you can check out those lovely ladies at Monday Escapes.
restlessjo 
Looks like a great place for an adventure! Postcard perfect scenery and waterfall for an exhilarating ride downstream in a canoe. What more could you ask for? I hope you will enjoy a walk with me this week through the beautifully restored Bunratty Castle and surrounding folk village in County Clare. http://www.justmeplease.com/obrien-bunratty-castle-ireland/
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Good morning Lee Ann 🙂 I’m just finishing off my walk for this week, so I’ll be with you very soon.
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Thanks Jo. I am enjoying your walks and look forward to seeing where you go this week.
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Lovely pictures Jo, that rafting looks like a lot of fun, here my entry for next week http://studentinsnowdonia.com/2016/01/20/the-peak/ 🙂
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Thanks very much! I’m a lot safer on the towpath but I did enjoy watching 🙂
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Teesdale looks lovely but bit chilly, Jo (especially for the kayakers!). How about I take you to the warmer climes of Panama?… https://jaspasjourney.wordpress.com/2016/01/23/the-real-san-blas-islands-panama/
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I could be persuaded, Jaspa! It does get wearisome wearing a fleece 🙂 Thanks a lot!
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It’ll be summer before you know it, Jo!
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What beautiful scenery to take a walk in. My boys would love to have a go at that waterfall in a canoe!
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It is, Rosie! 🙂 I’m much better on foot!
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I’d love to give this a try one of thes days! Love the stone sheep, and your photos and writing as always beautiful. Still think that one of the waterfall looks like a painting 🙂
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Hi Sherri 🙂 You’d love the area. Who knows- someday, maybe? 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin’.
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Maybe…never say never Jo 😀
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Wonderful account of your walk with some gorgeous shots Jo! I would never be game to go rafting but it makes for some good action shots and the falls are beautiful – definitely a “wonderful place to be a walker”! Enjoy your sojourn in the Algarve and hopefully plenty of sunshine 🙂
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Sunshine would be good, Rosemay. 🙂 I have another week and a half of English grey first. Could be worse 🙂 Thanks for your lovely company!
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You’ll be counting the days Jo! Not long until you get away to the sunshine 🙂
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Magnificent !
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They are! Thanks 🙂 Hope you’re having a great week.
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For some reason, many of your photographs here reminded me of paintings from The Hudson River School. Just marvelous. And I loved the contrasts of the crazy canoeists and the ever relaxed sheep that followed later. Good stuff as always Jo.
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Thanks, Lisa 🙂 All going well for you and the Captain?
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Thank you Jo! Treatment started Tuesday. So far, so good
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The rafting photo is outstanding!
Thank you so much for the share!
To enjoying life!
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I admired their dedication! It didn’t look awfully safe to me 🙂 Thank you!
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Ha!
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Ohh my, I could never go down the waterfall with a canoe! I’m so afraid of heights!
But what a stunning place, must be beautiful hiking there! 😀
Thank you for linking up with #MondayEscapes and have a great week!!
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It’s a really lovely area, but I much prefer to view it from the footpath 🙂 Many thanks for sharing!
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Hullo! I’ve been directed over to your blog by a comment from mine – what a lovely walk. I’m looking forward to having a read of the other walks.
This weekend we visited the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens (here is my post http://www.lovefromscotland.co.uk/Edinburgh-Botanic-Garden) but I walk every weekend, my favourite Edinburgh walks are published on my blog.
http://www.lovefromscotland.co.uk/walks-in-edinburgh/
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Hi Smidge 🙂 Lovely to meet you! I think I visited the botanic gardens in Edinburgh a long while ago, but have no recollection of them so I’ll pop over and have a look. If you’re into gardens, Jude at Travel Words would probably like your blog too. 🙂
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Enjoyed the nature walk and wow – seriously brave kayakers
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Slightly crazy, in all probability 🙂 I hate cold water 🙂
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Yes – agree – have to be a little crazy for that
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A beautiful walk today Jo, the kayakers looked like they were having a great time.
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They must have been exhausted, Mary. I was tired just watching them! 🙂
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I wasn’t expecting the kayakers. That was exciting. The place is gorgeous. I can be next to the water all day.
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It really is a superb spot, Ruth. Thank you very much for your company 🙂
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You’re so lucky (or we’re so lucky) you were at that spot at the right time to get pictures of those kayaks, Jo. What fantastic action shots! I love the caption below the sheep – that would make a great image for the top of your ‘Jo’s Monday Walk” page 😀
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I’ll have to try the sheep for a header, Dianne. Baa! No good- I can’t smile this morning. Rafa’s out of the Aussie Open. 😦
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After all the rain is the very best time to see waterfalls Jo and these are magnificent photos. You did very well capturing such a sharp image of the kayak just going over the lip. My heart would be in my mouth for their safety, ah the impetuousness of youth… Loved the sheep and very appropriate caption. Now was that fossil a real one? It looked a bit contrived… Now to put on the jug and visit the other walkers now I am home I have the time to wander through cyber space. Be careful my friend on those slippery walks.
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No, not a real one, Pauline. Just a touch of whimsy 🙂 Shell shocked this morning because I was up at 5, watching Rafa in the Open, and it’s all over! Still struggling to believe it. 😦
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Such dedication Jo. Have you heard of the tennis fixing scandal over here at the moment?
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Yes- waiting for the names to be revealed 😦
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Yes so sad.
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Having looked a your pics I’ve decided that kayaking in rapids isn’t for me! Fab captures and I bet the photographer was surprised to have a bit of competition! Love those sheep…
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Nor me, Suze! It has to be flat calm- not a ripple 🙂 Thanks, hon. It was a great day out.
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