Our October walk started from the Shepherd and Shepherdess at Beamish on a sunny morning, proceeding straight into the woods at the top of the bank. The tree canopy obliterating most of the sunshine but still very pleasant and importantly dry underfoot, after descending the quite steep steps we passed the old paper mill and proceeded to enter Ousbrough woods which in earlier times was very industrial, with Flint, Fulling and Blacking Mills as well as an opencast mine. Very little evidence remains of this industrious past but it is a very pleasant area. After leaving the woods we negotiated the passport control on the boundry between County Durham and Gateshead without any problems and continued on skirting Beamish Museum, passing a quantity of redundant gear wheels lying by an old building. Then a steady climb began culminating at the start of our walk the Shepherd and Shepherdess which we entered for some well deserved refreshment. A good walk enjoyed by all.

Bob Crabb