Although we left the accommodation early enough the next morning, we had trouble arranging three-day’s parking for the car in Middlesbrough and this meant we missed our early train to Hartlepool, putting us behind schedule before we had taken a step. Early on in the project we would have been disappointed and upset at this outcome but now we just accept that things happen when you go adventuring.
While the path was very closed in by the railway on one side and heavy shrub growth on the other and was some distance from the coast, it was certainly better that walking a main road.
Consisting of about one hundred and thirty four acres the reserve includes a substantial area of ancient marshland as well as lime-rich grassland and man-made lakes. We entered the marshes just as the gloaming was setting in; the sun setting to the front of us. The colours of the reeds and grasses were magical, swans swimming serenely on still pools and, a gentle cacophony of bird song floating gently over the waters and marshes to settle the day’s end. It was a beautiful and pleasant end to finish the day after the labour of walking busy roads.