Sunderland Unitary Authority

Walk Details:
Date: 8/7/2006
Total ascent: 25m/ 82ft
Total distance walked: 0.85 miles
Walk difficulty: 1.5/10
Enjoyment rating: 2/10
Best bits: Reasonable views, easier access than expected
Worst bits: Rain, big pile of poo
Walkers: Anth, Jim
Car Parking: We pulled up on the wide (but rough) grass verge on the westbound side of a minor road at NZ 362 513

Top details:
Name: The Moors
County top number: 134 of 205
Grid reference: NZ 36314 50865
Height above sea level: 170m/ 558ft
How nice was the top? 2/10
Views: 3.5/10
Description/Notes: The highest point in the Sunderland unitary authority is an indeterminate point in the western part of a field.

The Walk:

I may have given the impression on the previous report (Dere Street) that the county tops of north-east England were feeling something of a chore. As we pulled up at what looked to be another uninspiring unitary top it started to rain, just to add to our woes. Nevertheless, we pulled on our waterproofs, stepped through one of the many holes in the hedge and started to trudge round the edge of a huge and bizarrely shaped field. We first had to circumnavigate a rectangular extrusion from the field which had been filled with worryingly pale manure. It had just been dumped on top of the crops growing there, and had wiped out all life for a good few metres around its circumference. We tiptoed around nervously, feeling like we should be wearing full biohazard suits.

The field edge tacked its way up the gentle slopes, making us wonder what odd apportionment of medieval land had resulted in a field like this. The highest point was came soon after the field edge levelled out and turned half left. There were moderate views of rolling agricultural land; nothing particularly inspiring, but it was at least another top ticked off the list.