It's an Away Day in County Durham for the Cambridges!

In a welcome return to 'away days', the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled to County Durham for a very enjoyable visit to a fifth-generation farm near Darlington.

It marked the Cambridges' first joint trip outside of the capital this year - hopefully the first of many as the UK continues to lift restrictions and we look optimistically to a much brighter summer.

A shot of the couple arriving, which was taken by Teesside airport who were "delighted" to welcome the Cambridges.

At Manor Farm, William and Kate were taken on a tour with owners Stewart Chapman and Clare Wise.

The duo spoke about their shared passion for protecting the health and welfare of livestock. They showed the royals tools they are utilizing, including grass monitors, feed samples and land rotation in addition to measures they are implementing to improve sustainability.

Four-year-old Wren Chapman presented Kate with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and wheat bound with British wool.

Speaking to the National Farmer's Union, Clare Wise said, "We were absolutely delighted to host The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today. We’re thrilled that they wanted to shine a light on the importance of a mixed farming system and a family farm, as we believe we’re the backbone of the industry. We showed them how we’re using affordable technology on farm to push our business forward, to hopefully be able to meet our net zero goals and have a really bright and optimistic future."

Kensington Palace said, "Their Royal Highnesses then joined a discussion with local farmers who are supported by the National Farmers Union about their experiences of the last year, including the mental health impact of COVID-19 for farmers and the challenges of balancing home-schooling with farm work. Ahead of the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow later this year, the group also spoke about the work that is being carried out across the industry to improve environmental impact and help deliver the UK’s commitment to ‘net zero’ carbon emissions." I believe this would be called a "round-bale" discussion :)

More from the Evening Standard:

"William said: “Home schooling must be difficult. Home schooling and farming is another level.”

He added: “The pandemic takes away your coping mechanisms we all have ways getting through the days when you strip that away and at home all the time it starts to wear on people."

As always, Kate loved every minute of the outdoors visit and was excited to get behind the wheel of a tractor. After William had a go, Kate said to him, "Ready to swap?"

The Duchess stepping off.

William and Kate joined Clover and Penelope Chapman to meet lambs Dumbledore and Heather.

Here’s Kate rounding up the 🐑 pic.twitter.com/vfxdyuzanm

— Russell Myers (@rjmyers) April 27, 2021

According to the Northern Echo, the children were incredibly excited as they only discovered the Cambridges were visiting this morning during breakfast. Clover described the experience as "exciting" and "nerve-wracking". She revealed Kate asked her if her friends are surprised by how well trained the lambs are when they come over for a visit.

More from the Northern Echo:

'Clare said that the children were beyond surprised that Kate and William were visiting the farm. She said: "They didn't believe us at first, they thought we were playing a joke on them! 

"Certainly for the children, the Duchess, who they just think is beautiful and wonderful, it is a real life princess come to visit - it does't get much better for little girls does it."

She added: "I think being the younger royals it has been lovely for our children because they are role models for our children and it has been a really special moment.

"And for them to actually be so knowledgeable about farming and for us to be able to have what's felt like a really beneficial discussion on both sides, I hope they've gone away perhaps having learnt something and we have come away having learnt some new things too, so that's great."

NFU North East regional director Adam Bedford participated in the discussion. Afterwards he said:

"It was an incredibly proud day for the region’s farmers, who were given a wonderful opportunity to sit down with Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and talk openly about their farming passions – everything from sheep welfare to soil improvement – and how they have coped over the past year.

I would like to thank Clare and Stewart for their wonderful welcome. They really did us all proud and their family farm provided the perfect backdrop for a truly memorable day.

I know we were all delighted to experience the genuine interest showed by The Duke and Duchess about the farm, the challenges of the pandemic and the contribution that farming can make to the nation. British farmers not only provide a fantastic menu of delicious, nutritious, sustainable food, but also a superb farmed environment that has contributed so much to people’s mental health and welfare over the past year."

From there, the couple visited the Cheesy Waffles Project, a charity supporting young people and adults with additional needs in County Durham. The charity strives to empower its members with skills to enable them to live an independent and happy life.

The charity "encourages members to engage in community work making gifts for others, working with local trusts, fundraising for chosen charities and supporting local community projects...this encourages self-esteem and confidence and raises their profile in the local community". They rely on funding from grants and donations and fundraising to subsidize activities. They were given a boost of support in 2011 from the Royal Wedding Gift Fund which raised over £1 million for 26 charities.

The Palace added: "During their visit to the Cheesy Waffles Project, Their Royal Highnesses met a group taking part in a project currently going through The Key Framework, and heard how they have found the process of working to deliver a wellbeing and mindfulness project. The Duke and Duchess also heard more about the other initiatives that are delivered by the CWP."

The Duchess spoke to a group of members about their experiences.

In addition to the connection to their wedding, another reason for the visit are the charities' close links to the Duke of Edinburgh award. The couple spoke to Evan and Lee who recently completed their DofE gold awards. William said, "He would have been so pleased that you got your awards."

William spoke to Evan and Lee, who have both completed their @DofE gold awards and told them: “Do you know he was my grandfather? Sadly he died a few weeks ago. He would have been so pleased that you got your awards.” @thekeytweets #dukeofedinburgh pic.twitter.com/xYw5mvKpbP

— Emily Nash (@emynash) April 27, 2021

Next, it was time for outdoor activities and a spot of golf.

Kate missed the ball on her first go, much to her amusement.

More from People:

'Kate threw her head back in laughter before taking another swing and connecting, which was rewarded with cheers from the crowd.'

The video below from the engagement is filled with sporting moments.

Kate was in several familiar pieces for today's look.

The Duchess wore the £189 Seeland Woodcock Advanced Jacket (with thanks to Em Collins).

The piece is described:

'Although featuring a traditional and stylish outer, the Woodcock Advanced jacket for Women is a modern garment with its windproof and waterproof membrane to protect you from wind and rain. The jacket is made from a stretch fabric for optimum freedom of movement. It has large cartridge pockets with QuickLoad function and drain holes for those rainy shooting days.'

The Duchess brought back her Brora/Troy sweater from the Royal Train Tour. "Made in the north of Scotland on a whole garment machine meaning absolutely zero waste, these very special knits feature beautiful colour combinations, a flattering shape and lovely cuff detail.

Underneath, Kate wore her Sézane Marguerite blouse.

Kate accessorised with her £15 Orelia London Chain Huggie Hoop earrings. The Duchess also wore them for a Mentally Healthy Schools engagement last month.

And Kate's trusty Penelope Chilvers tassel boots.

For the second engagement, Kate changed into her See by Chloe Leather-trimmed suede ankle boots.

And her Barbour Longshore jacket.

Before signing off, I want to share news of two splendid fundraisers by supporters of the Cambridges celebrating their anniversary. A lady named Grace is fundraising for causes close to the couple's heart -- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Action for Children, East Anglia's Children's Hospices and Place2Be. Grace has already raised over £1,000. Grace's reason for creating the effort? She revealed: "As we reach the 10 year anniversary of their wedding day, what better way is there to say thank you, than to help make a difference, even in a small way? For me, the reason I'm doing this is far more personal. Without realising it, the Duchess of Cambridge saved my life -- twice. This is my way of giving something back." If you would like to donate please click here.

The Kate Ranger's team have been working closely with Baby Basics to encourage donations for families and children in need. The Duchess worked with the charity last summer when she brought a range of British retailers together to donate items with demand at critically high levels due to the pandemic. For this initiative, in lieu of monetary donations, you can choose an item directly from a specially created Amazon wishlist to be delivered to the team at Baby Basics. Below, a look at the much appreciated items ordered already.

It's a wonderful way to mark the happy occasion and a more important time than ever to donate to worthy causes.

I expect there's a solid chance we might see a photo or two to mark the Cambridges' wedding anniversary. Perhaps unseen images from the big day?