Jarrow and Monkton March

I thought I'd try to clever and write this entry on my phone, upload some photos too.

Well it seems I have more learning to do.

So let's just say for now that I walked on a beautiful autumn day. Everywhere looked and felt fruitful. The day practically screamed 'enjoy me'. And believe me I did. The expected companion was unable to join me, that pleasure awaits another walk.

Jarrow and Monkton March

I did this one on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The company I'd hoped to have wasn't able to make it - hopefully another time! So, under the benign and watchful eye of Charles Mark Palmer, I left Jarrow Town Hall and struck out for the river. Soon the pavements were left behind and I was on a pedestrian/cycle path that took me down behind Bede's World and St Pauls church and along the river Don. Nature was in its best autumn glory. There were huge glossy rosehips, blackberries, nuts. The trees have started to turn and there were crisp, dry leaves to rustle through along the sides of the paths. The whole scene just seemed to say 'enjoy me now!'. The River Don path was familiar to me from the Bede's Way walk I did last year but once out onto the main road, I got well and truly lost! Either, the walk leaflet is wrong and I needed to walk much further than 100 metres before turning off, or the new looking secondary school has been built since the leaflet was published and the path no longer exists, or I can't read simple instructions. Any of these is possible. So I missed the tennis courts and rose garden of the park I was supposed to walk through but managed to find the trail again after a detour via a housing estate. Then it was through Monkton and a couple more green spaces. The heritage board mentioned a healing well - but I didn't manage to find this. There was another moment of lostness, and then there I was, back at the Town Hall. I enjoyed my march, but I dread to think where I would have ended up if I'd had to try and walk from Jarrow to London. I would just like to add that I took photos. They're on my phone. One day I will work out how to get them on here - along with the original post I made on blogger mobile. It seems I haven't kept pace with technology either.

Victoria Tunnel, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne

Just imagine! Not only have I walked along part of Hadrian's Wall, today I walked under it! Oh yes, the Victoria Tunnel runs under the line of the Wall. I must admit when I was at the mouth of the tunnel donning my hard hat and grabbing a torch that worked it did cross my mind that this was not a good idea. What if I get halfway along and can't cope? However, I was with a friend so pride demanded that I go ahead with it. In the event it was OK, and the guides said from the outset they would be happy to take back anyone who didn't feel comfortable. We walked down the slope and into the tunnel. The guides took us through the tunnel's wartime history and the story of how it was originally built. How scary it must have been to crowd down there after the air raid siren had sounded and not know quite what was going on above you. If you are of average height you can stand comfortably in the tunnel and although the ground is wet in places I never found it slippery. The final slope up (and down on the way back) was very steep though. What did we see? A Roman spring Clay pipes embedded in the wall Wartime blast walls A wartime toilet bucket A signalling system used to let the pit at Spital Tongues know when a waggon was readey to go on its way back up the tunnel. Patches of paint(?) which would change colour in the event of a gaa attack No doubt I've missed out loads. This is a unique walk. As we strolled back to Ouseburn Farm it was amazing to think that minues before we had been strolling right underneath. And under Hadrian's Wall too - I'm going to remember that.

Prayer walking

Here's one I wasn't sure I would ever write about - prayer walking. Something I didn't envisage being involved with again, but when I'e been curious to see how the little mission church I know went about these things and as I had a spare Saturday I decided to join in. And then worried about how I would feel if we clustered on street corners to pray aloud. In the event, I was late on the day and hurried round the corner to see one of our number walking slowly along the street alone and not looking at all out of place. So, it was silent prayer, I could manage that. After a quick discussion about where I should go, I began zigzagging along the streets. At the end of each 'zig' I was rewarded with a glorious view of the mouth of the Tyne. And each 'zag; took me along another row of fine brick built houses. By now I was in my stride. The rhythmn of the Jesus prayer (Lord have mercy) was in my feet and my intention was carried with them. This left my mind free to take in and appreciate the well-tended flowers, the new curtains, sparkling brass, garden ornaments, children's toys. The men working to repair roofs and to repaint while the weather held. The people talking on the front step. The whole multicultural feel to the area, the ancient history on our doorstep. No wonder the north east is known as God's Own Country. Did it make a difference? Reasearch has shown that transcendental meditation can make a difference to the crime rate in an area. Buddhists 'earth walk' to connect with the natural world. Maybe if we all just walked for walking's sake and appreciated what and who is around us things might just be that little bit better.

Enforced walking

I've done a bit more walking than usual lately because I've damaged my elbow and been unable to drive. It's taught me over again that a lot of things we feel we have to do by car can be done on foot. Example: I wanted to visit Whitburn Windmill at Heritage Open Days so I had to make an afternoon of it, approximately an hour's walk each way but perfectly do-able. Ok it helps that I'm not working either, so I have a bit more time to spend walking to the shops etc etc but in the great scheme of things I could walk more in my daily life. Other life lessons? 1) Thank goodness Asda delivers cat food - I can walk for miles but can't carry! 2) I stopped driving when I needed two hands to get the car into first and to put on the handbrake. It seems that not everyone else did. Be careful who you accept lifts from! On a medical note: elbow improving, so the walking idyll will end soon.

North Shields Heritage Trail

We spotted this new (to us) trail at the ferry landing and followed it along the fish quay, past Clifford fort, up to uncharted territory (to us) above the fish quay where there is a statue of Stan Laurel who lived here as a boy.  From here we had fab views over the river estuary across to South Shields.

Then it was on into the town, which was apparently designed by John Dobson before he got on to Newcastle.  It's a nice place and we saw it on a nice day which makes all the difference.

The interpretation boards seems very new and gave us lots of information about North Shields that we didn't know.  And without them we would probably never have taken this walk.  Long live the heritage trail!

So, satisfied that we had done our walking bit for the day, we headed home again on the ferry

South Shields circular via the riverside

Yes it was a nice day today!  No one's had one of those for a good long while!  Here's hoping this is the end of the long dark winter.  So, which to walk beside - river or sea?  Somehow it just had to be a river day.

I set off through West Park and along Commercial Road heading for the Customs House when I noticed a banner announcing the Readheads Landing was here and open and has an action group apparently.  I had read an article about it in the Gazette but wasn't absolutely sure where it was.  It seemed too good an opportunity to miss, so having checked with a passer-by, I walked through the gate, down the cobbles and into an unexpectedly serene and tranquil space.  You stand at the water's edge, in an industrial area, yet the place was so peaceful.  The Tyne looked like a lake, and on a day like this the water had a lovely silvery sheen (not oil!).  Another bit of old Shields to revisit and enjoy!

I continued along West Holborn and then detoured to East Holborn and then back along Commercial Road to the Mill Dam and the Customs House where work continues to beautify the riverside.  The market place too is being beautified with the removal of Wouldhave House.  Transformation all round.

I walked along River Drive and followed the path overlooking Wapping Street and the river, trying to get my bearings as to where Readheads Landing had actually been.

And then it was home along Greens Place and beside the Marine Parks.  Nearly two hours of walking and looking, but a great way to spend a lovely Sunday afternoon.

Down to cobbles to the river

The lake of the Tyne

peace and quiet