Oremsby Hall

Last night, when I was studying the map, I noticed two notable barriers to progress on today's walk: a railway line running northwest to southeast, and the A174 dual carriage, running southwest to northeast. I joined a muddy footpath that ran alongside the top of the embankment to the A174. In a nearby brook I disturbed a Little Egret and it flew up into a tree. There wasn't much water running through the brook and it seemed an odd place for the Egret to fish. I even found an old tyre that had somehow found its way into the brook. Fortunately, the footpath took me under the railway line and so my first barrier on my walk had been avoided. The muddy footpath continued along the A174 until the large mansion of Ormesby Hall came into view. I decided to leave my investigation of the hall and its park until the return part of my walk. Instead, I walked across a footbridge over the busy A174. The second barrier on today's walk had been successfully hurdled.

Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park

A bit more suburban walking and then I entered Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park. I'd actually gained a lot of height now, but any views were obscured by the trees. It was pleasant walking though and it soon delivered me to an open area containing a Visitor Centre. A narrow, busy road splits the park from Eston moor and I had to cross this to pick up a path on the other side. I was still in thick woodland and it was difficult to see what progress I was making towards Eston Nab. A short while later I came across a sign saying 'Footpath to Eston Nab' and pointing to a wide track heading off uphill. At least I knew I was on the right route.

Eston Nab

The track levelled off and the woodland became less dense. I even caught a glimpse of a snowy Roseberry Topping to the south. It looked like a mini Eiger...well that 80 metre cliff does look a little like the 1,800 metre north face of the Eiger, if you use your imagination. The top of Eston Moor was a mix of gorse and sparse woodland. The masts at the summit came into view and it wasn't long before I reached them. Up until this point I'd only had tantalising glimpses of the view northwards. As soon as I reached the summit the stunning view revealed itself. I could see right across Middlesbrough and beyond. It was a mixture of industry, suburbia and cityscape. I could see the route of the river Tees and make out its path to the coast. A plaque on a brick monument informed me that the summit was a lookout spot for an enemy invasion during the Napoleonic and word wars. Today, I could only see some wind turbines and a few cargo ships out at sea. An England flag on a high pole attached to a crag, rattled in the wind. Writing on the flag appeared to indicate that it was commemorating the death of a 'Gangster'. Somebody had kindly left a car's exhaust near the trig point. Looking at the map, there didn't seem to be a road up here, although given the size of the masts, there must have been one somewhere. After the sensory deprivation of the woodland, it was hard to drag myself away from the view, but the strong wind was making me chilly and I retreated to the shelter of the trees, and started making my way back across the moor.

The Return

I followed the same route back over Elston Moor and through Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park. At least I think I did. One can never by 100% sure in woodland. On reaching Ormesby Hall I picked up a woodland path that went around the edge of the Park. It gave views across a large grassland area that led up to the hall. Rather than go back through Stewart's Park I walked along a cycleway that followed Ormesby Beck and the railway line, towards the centre of Middlesbrough. A housing estate backed on to the path and the route was marked by the scorched earth of past bonfires. At one point an oil drum had been deposited to contain a fire. I'm not sure I'd have fancied walking along here after sundown. A footbridge took me over the beck and railway line and I walked back along the perimeter of the James Cook hospital. Four people in their thirties walked towards me with a small dog. The pooch had a shite and they all laughed without any attempt to clear it up. One of the women smiled at me as they walked past. This was another footpath I wouldn't walk along after sundown.

After the frosty, snowy start it had turned out into a wonderfully sunny day. Although a lot of the walk had been in woodland, this only made the open views from Elston Nab appear more astounding. It was indeed fab.