Cow green reservoir

The day announced itself dull and misty with rain in the air. The planned walk went ahead however and we crossed moorland around the edge of the reservoir before arriving at Cauldron Snout waterfall (see extra). There were lots of birds, golden plover, lapwings, grouse and possibly a merlin. In the afternoon a bit of research took us to Bowes, the castle and the site of Charles Dickens' Dotheboys Hall, now private flats. A search of the church graveyard revealed the grave of the real Wackford Squeers, William Shaw. There is some debate as to whether William Shaw was as cruel as depicted in Nicholas Nickleby.