The forecast for 7th Jan was for rain all day and from leaving home until arriving back home more than 11 hours later, it never stopped raining.  We left the coach on the A167 at Merryoaks and headed east on a decent track towards some of the Durham colleges.  Reaching a minor road we made our way northwards past the colleges.  Crossing another minor road we joined a slippery muddy footpath heading downhill towards the R Wear.  Crossing a soggy field and another minor road we passed the Prebends Bridge and arrived at one of the college boathouses.  Peter C, our leader asked a young guy minding the sculls whether we could sit inside for our coffee break.  The guy was very helpful, moving some of the gear to provide 3 seats, the other two had to stand. 

Leaving the boathouse, despite the rain, most of us took photos of the adjacent weir with the cathedral in the background.   We then walked NNE on a good tarmac path to Silver St bridge opposite the castle, crossed the river and headed SSW on the east side of the river.  This scenic part of the river was unfortunately spoilt by the weather.  Passing the weir again we headed to the left bend in the river bringing us northwards around the peninsula.  Continuing to follow the north bank of the river we passed below Pelaw Wood eventually arriving at Old Durham Farm which had an interesting flight of steps leading to an ornamental garden.  I suspect this could be quite attractive in the summer but on a wet December day it was anything but.  Crossing the Old Durham Beck we headed back to the river and followed the path southwards with Maiden Castle playing fields (former training ground of Newcastle United under Kevin Keegan) on the opposite side of the river.  This brought us to Shincliffe Bridge which fortunately had a path running under the road bridge, a dry spot, if not the most attractive, for our lunch stop.

After lunch we made our way south to Shincliffe Hall, a substantial and attractive building, and continued through Shincliffe Wood which even in the rain had some attractive trees for Peter C’s camera.  Reaching the Siddings we arrived at the worst part of the walk, having to climb about 45 m via what must have been almost a couple of hundred steps with wet mud between each vertical wooden plank forming the step.  While my recent hip replacement was OK, my dodgy right knee certainly suffered.  Arriving at High Butterby Farm, we headed SE along the top of Butterby Wood to arrive at Croxdale Wood.  Peter C had planned to take a path off to the left, but looking at the lack of a distinct path across a very wet field, he decided to stay on the good gravel path we were on.   The track brought us to Croxdale Hall, a very imposing stone built building together with it’s own large chapel.  Passing the hall we then descended towards the river and made our way SW to Sunderland Bridge, an old stone built bridge over the Wear.  After crossing the bridge it was a short distance north to the pub.

Thanks Peter C, what could have been a good walk was unfortunately spoilt by the rain which was becoming heavier by the end.