New Years Eve hike around Stanhope Common

Todays hike was from Stanhope, our normal loop in some of the best conditions so far this winter. The sun was blazing away and the temperature was hovering around minus 1 to 2 degrees. Most of the route was frozen apart from a few sections deep into the woods. There was not much snow left and what was left, there was plenty of traction for my boots. It was lovely and quiet and I only seen another two people until I got beck down and into Stanhope. I covered just over 5 miles in 1 hour 44 minutes with 550ft of climbing. The chippy was open in the market place so had sausage and chips for my dinner sat on the bench watching the world go by. Below are a few snaps from the hike, enjoy and hopefully more soon - . 

 

Walk around Durham before we go into Tier 4 lockdown!

 

It has been a long time since me and Jane Jane have had a walk around Durham City Centre and by god it is miserable. The council have managed to put up the plastic tree in the market place and five decorations up the lamp posts and that is it. Loads of empty shops and shops in the process of closing down. One good thing is Yorkshire trading is fully stocked on the ground floor of the old M&S shop in Silver street. We bought some stuff before going into Tier 4 lockdown at midnight then went for a walk around the river banks. The sun was out but it was very icy on the paths etc. On the way back to the van we called in past the Cathedral and light a couple of candles and had five minutes peace and quiet. All in just over 3 miles.