Barnard Castle

Founded in the 12th. Century by Bernard de Balliol it later passed into the ownership of Richard III.
It is now in the centre of the County Durham town of Barnard Castle. Built on a hill overlookingthe River Tees.
The town was in political news not too long ago and UK blippers will understand if I tell you that three new Opticians have recently opened.
We spent the morning in the wild moorlands of upper Teesdale near Cow Green Reservoir.
Here is a National Nature Reserve which attracts many botanists. In an unlikely area a sudden change in the underlying geology has led to the growing of a very special flora. Many Alpine plants can unexpecterly be found here including Teesdale Violet, Gentians, Mountain Pansies,Scottish Asphodel, Harebells, Yellow Mountain Saxifrage and several more.
My extra shows the reservoir outflow which was opened this morning. It helps to regulare the flow level of the River Tees.