The original plan was to travel to Augill Nature Reserve near Brough, just off the A66, to look for butterfly orchids. However, the recce showed that the path was closed due to the steps being broken. It was possible to use an out and back route and this showed that there were 6 butterfly orchids seen in the meadow at Augill on the 27th June https://teesdale.u3asite.uk/u3a_groups/wildflower/26, these would have gone over by the planned walk date.
The revised plan was to walk along Harwood Beck from Widdybank Gate which is between the Langdon Beck Hotel and Cow Green Reservoir. The BBC weather forecast was for a heatwave for most of the UK but for this location a more moderate 23 degrees. On the day of the walk 8th July we found on arrival that it was already 28 degrees. We set off with hats, sunscreen and water.
It was a delight to find 77 plants in flower on the day with a full list being provided to group members.
We cut the walk short due to the intense heat and drove the short distance back to the Langdon Beck Hotel where we could cool down a little with iced drinks.
Kate Keen
Walk leader