In the evening, the low sun shows up beautifully the old lead mining remnants on the far side of Harwood.

These are marked on the map as disused quarries, shafts, levels and shake holes. No mention of 'hushes' which are what I think are the long scars in the land. Water was dammed up and released to scour off topsoil and loose rock.

A mining method so environmentally destructive that it was discontinued even hundreds of years ago. #NPennines #Teesdale

It's a lovely day here at Beck Foot near where the Harwood beck meets Langdon Beck then into the Tees. I have three gaps to repair here.

The road up to Cow Green reservoir at the top of the hill is very busy with bank holiday visitors.
#Teesdale #MayTheFourth

Went to Middleton-in-Teesdale Farmers Market and got rye sourdough bread from Warwick Bridge mill; kippers, sole and samphire from Collin of Eyemouth; some delicious Bahjis and samosas.

On way back, came round the back road by Coldberry to Newbiggin. There was extensive mining here by the London Lead company and it's very post industrial, spoil heaps everywhere.

Apart from two walkers, there was no one else around. #Teesdale #NPennines

I'm back by the B6277 fixing gaps in the roadside wall. Two cyclists passed today. That one there and, in blue, the masked cyclist, who stopped for a chat this time.

He goes from Middleton-in-Teesdale to the Cumbria border at top of the fell there and back every day in all weather. That's 15 miles each way, 30 miles a day, 10,000 miles in a year. Never cycles anywhere else, never gets bored. I'm glad he introduced himself, really nice fellow. #Cycling #Teesdale

It's a lovely sunny day here and Eve suggested going to Low Force for a walk. That would mean driving 6 miles to a car park that is probably full already and walking among hordes of people.

I've persuaded her to walk about a mile, maybe a little more, to a south facing slope on Neville's farm above the Harwood Beck. Nobody around.

There may be Spring Gentians (Gentiana Verna L.) blooming as the sun is so strong. And no fossil fuel used. #Teesdale #Flora

I had planned to go to my new friend at Nenthead today to continue teaching dry stone walling. However, he's not feeling well and anyway, it's snowing.

Last night, I thought I would go over the other side of the dale and do some work for Neville instead but not in this weather.

Even in my usual rubbish photo through a window, you can see the flakes. Most of it is horizontal as the wind is so strong. #Teesdale #Snow #SemiAlpine

I've been working for Neville again at Lingy Hill, fixed up the wall in the second photo.

In the first photo, the view is up to the watershed between County Durham and Cumbria. The house in that photo, top right, called Rough Rigg, is the second highest house in England.

The highest house accolade is a contest between two properties on the Cumbria side of the fell. One household says its chimney is a few inches taller. Size matters! #Cumbria #Teesdale #NPennines

This is just a short distance from my house but it's in a dip, so no phone signal. Why I'm posting it now.

Another day, another gap in a wall to fix for Neville. He stopped by while feeding sheep and pointed out my next job.

Anyway, it was a beautiful day, warm and sunny. Down to 2 layers, t shirt and old polo shirt. Another neighbour that I had not met stopped to chat for a while. He's a private tenant, so no walls to fix. #Teesdale #NPennines

I'm just back from my first visit to Holwick to do bird surveys for the RSPB. Glorious day for it.

There were many wading birds, saw all the target species, including black grouse. The real highlight was a pair of Ring Ouzel among the rocks of Holwick Scar. #Birds #NPennines #Teesdale