England Coast path Seaham to Hartlepool Part 59

 Thursday10th October 2024

Miles16.79

Elevation Gain 1126 feet

Total days walking 70 (excluding the swcp)

Total mileage 1549.99 (including the swcp)

It's an early start as we are on a time critical day with the train booked for 15.54 from Hartlepool to London. It's about 07.45 damp and gloomy when we leave the apartment.

we are soon in our stride continuing along the promenade with a strong wind blowing us along but no rain although looking back we can see rainbows arching across the sky.

We pass more war memorials before rising up onto the cliff tops, the terrain has changed & is becoming more hilly, We look down to the sea watching the waves crash in on the cliffs below. The clouds have thinned allowing the sun to shine through as we drop down to a beautiful  valley the sun lighting the autumnal leaves hanging on the trees with the river water rushing to the sea.  Climbing up out of the valley into the sun looking back along the clifftops seeing the sea receding as the tide drops.

We are now into mining areas, the mines long gone now quiet empty tunnels beneath our feet stretching out under the north sea the heavy iron carvings the only memories of this once giant industry are all that remain.

Another steep valley comes into our path & we have to navigate down & through it, some very kind people have placed rocks to make a nice path but they are so slippery we are unable to use them & have to come down next to the path. At the bottom the valley is flooded there is a board walk some of it has collapsed making it interesting & some of it under water the water running off the hills from the rain we had encountered, we have to walk carefully through it hoping that it doesn't breach our boots! One last bit before the path rises up out of the valley is just water, diverted bypassing a blocked pipe drainage pipe thankfully we managed to make our way through it now rising up from the valley to higher ground.

At last Hartlepool is coming into view with some nice grass to walk along, Yes it's the cliff top statutory golf course! Last few steps as we pass through a new housing estate, the path becomes a bit sketchy as the houses are built over the mapped path.

Arriving at Hartlepool our trip is at an end another 62.59 Miles of the ECP completed.

England Coast path south shields to Seaham Part 58

Wednesday 9th October 2024

Miles17.43

Elevation Gain 626 feet

Total days walking 69 (excluding the swcp)

Total mileage 1533.20 (including the swcp)

What will the weather do today? After getting a good drowning on the previous section it's windy but not raining yet!

We did manage to get everything that was damp dry as the accommodation had really good drying facilities.

Leaving the River Tyne behind us we carryon on along the promenade, the wind is really strong with spray coming in from the waves & a strong smell of the sea & the mist in the air. Passing a couple of light houses we continue. Arriving in bright sunshine at Roker Marina we navigate our way round it admiring some of the boats in the harbour & carry on down the banks of the river Wear coming to the Glass yard where we can see them working blowing glass. A nice café lures us in with a jacket potato each for our lunch, we are cautious that the weather can change so are soon on our way again out into the now cloudy day.

Unfortunately it's not long before it starts to rain again. Crossing the river via the road bridge continuing back along the river wear (avoiding a very slippery downhill path) to the sea & along the coast path to Seaham & the end of the days walk.

17.43 Miles

England Coast path Blyth to south shields (Via Ferry) Part 57

 Tuesday 8th October 2024

Miles15.58 Miles

Elevation Gain 371 feet

Total days walking 68 (excluding the swcp)

Total mileage 1515.77 (including the swcp)

We had a good night in the miners cottage but woke to a wet day, heavy rain forecast for the whole day!

We opt for a late start as the rain is forecast to get lighter as the day goes, So back at Lidl we start our day along the river Blyth through the docks & out along the coast. Passing the Williams Expedition rediscovering Antarctica the expedition was lead by Captain William Smith.

After a reasonably dry start we are walking down flooded roads trying to avoid splashing from the passing cars before turning off the road into the sand dunes Finding the replica memorial guns at Blyth Battery & the search light placements.

On to Seaton Sluice via the beach & around the harbour with the little boats resting on the mud at low tide. It's now that the rain starts to make it's presence, we drop down onto a small beach where the path is green & extremely slippery. Walking up out from the bay the rain is steadily getting heavier hoods up & heads down we continue along the path. Rain pounding down we spy a warm looking cafe & take a break from the downpour!

Wet coats off we settle in to b a bit of tea & cake while watching the rain drops bouncing off the ground BUT we know that we must continue our journey onwards so it's time to put on our damp coats back onto the path heading south towards the ferry across the Tyne.

Arriving at the ferry  we are somewhat damp! The ferry is just coming in but Lesley thinks its's leaving & speeds up her stride!

Safely on board we settle in to the ride across the Tyne, Safely across we are now in south Shields following the coast back to the sea & closer to our bed for the night. Stopping our strava we have a quick stop at Morrisons for food before finding our room for the night.

15.58 Miles

England Coast path Lynmouth to Blyth Part 56

 Monday 7th October 2024

Miles12.78

Elevation Gain 337 feet

Total days walking 68 (excluding the swcp)

Total mileage 1500.19 (including the swcp)

On Sunday 6th October 2024 we took the train up to Newcastle staying in a Travel lodge  having dinner with Joseph in his apartment. 

Joseph is a really good cook & had prepared us a really tasty chilie, we spent the evening with him chatting & catching up. 

On the Monday Morning our journey starts with a walk from the travel lodge to the bus station where we catch the 0800 bus to Ashington changing  busses we continue traveling to Lynmouth arriving at about 0930 & a short walk to the coast path where we stopped on our last trip.

While we were on the bus the rain had been hammering on the windows but luck was on our side & by the time we left the bus the rain had stopped.

The path around the power station was of a new construction black sand & soil but the rather dubious colour water in the stream was a little concerning!

 Of course as always on these costal paths we encounter a golf course Newbiggin-by-the-sea the club house invites walkers to use the facilities, we did go in but only to use the toilet which was just as well as a short distance later we pass the last pub before Norway &  the Newbiggin Maritime Centre. After the biggest slice of butterscotch cake, a scone & Coffee we continue along the sea wall, the sun has arrived with a pleasant breeze helping us along the promenade. 

We are now into mining country & pass some miners cottages before coming to the mouth of the river Wansbeck.

The first part was along the road, leaving the road the path goes through some lovely woodland close to the river bank where there is a small weir & 7 swans a swimming!

A pedestrian bridge keeps us low away from the main road  turning  back along the banks to the river mouth.

Finishing our day at Lidl we stock up with supplies for dinner & make our way to our accommodation.

 12.78 miles around the coast of England