Lent Walk 6: Cuddy's Corse (Chester le Street to Durham)

I woke u on Sunday morning to a glorious day and decided that now was the time to walk Cuddy's Corse.  I'd been putting it off since the start of Lent, to be honest I'd become scared to do it.  It wasn't familiar territory, what would I meet on the way? could I do this?  I've got some of my confidence back by doing Bede's Way, but I had tentatively asked a friend about doing Cuddy's Corse with me.  In the event, the day and time seemed right, so I just set off to do it by myself, reasoning that there might be more people around at the weekend.
So, I drove to Chester le Street and parked opposite the church (free on Sunday).  It actually took me some time to work out the route from the leaflet but after a quick canter round the church (what were the girl in the orange bikini and her young man hoping to find under the yew trees?) I found my way and was soon heading through the riverside park, and then crossing the roadbridge and following the footpath on the opposite side of the river.  It was a lovely walk up to Great Lumley, along field edges, great views, bright sunshine.

At Great Lumley, I missed my way again, and followed the road instead of the field path headed towards Finchale Abbey.  In fact the prescribed route then follows the road until the footpath drops down to the Wear and Finchale via a flight of steps.  Finchale was as lovely and peaceful as ever.  I stopped for a drink and a short sit down, mindful of how tired I'd become on the Durham walk.  Then it was on up the hill following the roadway until the footpath resumed between the two prisons at Frankland.  Bit of a weird atmosphere there, and I began to feel unsettled again.  I'd gone past the prisons and was just approached some cottages and becoming apprehensive about dogs, when my phone went, a text from a friend, nice to know I was still in touch with civilisation!
The path ran on nicely here and down to Frankland farm - here there was a dog, but it ignored me completely.  From here Durham cathedral and castle came into view and I could also spot landmarks from the Kepier walk on the far bank.  Almost home.  And indeed I was not far from Crook Hall and the Durham riverside.  Very little water in the river.  Due to time constraints, I didn't walk up the the cathedral but headed for the bus station and a bus back to Chester le Street where the car was waiting for me unscathed.