Seven ramblers met outside the Bowes museum in Barnard Castle for the start of Sarah and Brian's 5.5 mile walk. We took a walled track left to emerge onto a area of open grassland where we took a path right.  After a few yards we descended quite steeply to reach a road which we followed to a "T" junction. After crossing the main road we walked towards the castle and climbed a footpath beneath the walls . A good path led us down to a riverside path which we followed past an impressive weir. After a quick inspection of the "Roman Way" picnic site,We followed a muddy woodland path following the line of the Tees to eventually emerge into a field beside the river.

We had a refreshment stop then crossed the field to a gate before climbing a steep muddy bank through woods to emerge in another field. We turned right to head back to Barnard Castle on a path following a series of field boundries. Eventually we descended through the trees to return to the riverside path and retrace our steps back into the town. The group split up at the church to make use of the various options available in Barnard Castle. Afternoon tea was in the Bowes museum café.