The Millers Walk: Whitburn, Cleadon, Fulwell

This was a free guided walk organised by South Tyneside council and led by a (presumably) volunteer who works for Groundwork.  It had poured with rain overnight and I was in two minds about even going, but I did turn up at Whitburn Bents car park only slightly late and managed to catch up with the group as they headed back to Whitburn along the coast path.  Whitburn windmill looks fab and apparently it is open at certain times - I'll keep my eyes open for that.

We then made our way to the farm entrance and path that forms part of Bedes Way to Cleadon Hills.  It never ceases to amaze me how much things change in a few short weeks.  Now the oilseed rape is yellow in the fields, all the trees are greener, even heard a skylark singing.  It was all very wet underfoot but the whole group was suitably equipped with waterproofs and boots, gaiters making an appearance too along with walking poles.  I'd debated in Aldi yesterday whether to invest in gaiters and pole - jury still out though they seem very good value.

We stopped at Cleadon windmill for a break and it was lovely to look all around.  Then it was on to The Britannia at Cleadon for another break with toilets.  Shame we had to have two breaks so close together but that's the way it goes.

The next part of the walk was all new territory to me.  We cut through a housing estate and then followed a field path under the metro and across the main road onto Carley Hill nature reserve.  This brought us back on the main road and Fulwell windmill which was closed until further notice.  The leaders weren't expecting this so despite lobbying for a visit to a nearby pub, we agreed to press on to Morrisons before the next toilet stop.  We walked back along the main road, and then turned down Seaburn Dene and Cut throat Dene (don't ask which is which).  There was an intriguing chapel and cemetery to our right - might be worth exploring one day. 

Whitburn mill

on Cleadon hills

Cleadon mill

path at Carley Hill

Fulwell mill

So, to Morrisons, then along the seafront back to the cars and home by 3pm and all without getting rained on, in fact I think we were all too warm at one point!  A good day!

Fenwicks, Northumberland Street, Newcastle upon Tyne

This was something I've had in mind to do for a while and today seemed like the perfect opportunity as I needed to go into town anyway for the evening but had nothing planned before that.  I wanted to walk all of Fenwicks!  I decided to take the lift to the top floor and walk round each floor and down the stairs to the next.  What would I see?  What would I still remember when I came to write up the blog?  Here goes...

I entered the shop from Blackett Street, through menswear, toyed briefly with the idea of doing the lower ground floor first, but decided to stick with the original plan and headed for the lifts.  The top floor was floor 3, I didn't even know how many floors Fenwicks had.

Third floor: children's everything - books courtesy of WH Smith, toys, clothes in abundance and all labels, children's bedroom furniture dept, a cafe (the first of many) done out like an American diner.  I decided the best plan was to step out of the lift/stairs and turn left, walk round the outside of each floor and then back down the stairs.

Second floor:  Felt right at home here, furniture - a definite hush in the bedding dept; haberdashery, rugs (and some at knockdown prices); lighting, TVs, doorway to Eldon Square shops, cushions, artwork.

First floor: Cafes!  Numerous and well hidden, so well hidden that I actually had to complete the walk and then go back up in the lift to find them.  They're down a little side alley and a secret staircase leads down to meanswear and Blackett Street.  And ladieswear, lots and lots.  A fab mix of colours and styles all at prices a charity shop addict like me wouldn't dream of paying.  I'd like to find the styles of £1 though (sigh).

Ground floor:  I'd become adept at finding the stairs by now, although they aren't well signed.  In fact they are a bit of a nomansland, a little bit forgotten and neglected, a cinderella part of the store left behind while all the other departments prepare to go to the ball.  GF was shiny,glitzy perfume and makeup, and a sushi bar, and a sandwich shop and a delicatessen (I bought a fondant fancy).

Lower ground floor:  Patio cafe and a cafe nerro - never be thirsty in Fenwicks! and all the household gadgets you could want or need, and Diamond Jubilee souvenirs. 

A quick wander like this took me about an hour, with time to drool over the rugs.  I don't think I have done the place justice - it's a proper little rabbit warren of entrances and exits, cafes great and small.  Sorry there are no pics, but I didn't want anyone calling security.

Walk of the Week: Souter lighthouse

On a fairly blustery Easter Monday, but not as rainy as had been forecast, I met Hamster and Wombat for a walk.  They had suggested walking from Whitburn round the Leas at Souter and back to Whitburn for tea and cake, and who was I to refuse? 
It was slightly sad because they are moving out of the area, so it was almost but not quite goodbye.  We talked about the move as we walked along the pavement to Souter Lighthouse.  There we walked across the Leas, dodging the golf balls, to the cliffside path.  We do like near wonderful scenery.  We remarked on the colours in the cliffs, the variety of seabirds and then I was shown the very bench where Hamster proposed to Wombat, or was it the other way round?  Plenty of activity at Souter, including a bouncy castle, but we headed on towards the firing range and then turned inland and walked through the nature reserve. H&W noted that the paths had been improved here and a hide for birdwatching had been added.  It was all new territory to me.  Soon we were walking back along the roadside, and in no time at all enjoying tea and a rather scrumptious oat slice (Delia's recipe). 
Walking with friends is great, and I'll miss H&W but I do have an invite to visit them in their new home and no doubt more walks will follow there.

Good Friday March, South Shields

I marched to the market place today following the People's Mission band, for the Good Friday service.  Memories of my aunt were strong, she told of 200 children in the Sunday School, all marching.  Those days are gone but somehow it felt good to be walking spiritually if not physically where my forebears had walked.

Lent Walk 7: Bede's Way Boldon to St Pauls Jarrow

Blackthorn Bridge at the start

Tunnel with graffiti

a bank of violets

And some cowslips

the path by the River Don

the River Don

Entrance to the Tyne Tunnels

Graffiti bridges

walking under the A19

lovely mosaic on the path

St Pauls, Jarrow

I knew I had to do this walk today (Good Friday) to complete the course during Lent.  So, having put it off for a day or two and despite the not so good weather, I caught the bus to Boldon and set off.  Once I get out there walking, it's great.  I could see how the trees are greener than they were two weeks ago - the leaves are really coming through now.  I'd almost completely forgotten this part of the walk and was pleasantly surprised by the path along the river Don.  It may not be the most scenic and I certainly wouldn't like to be down there of an evening, but it has got something about it, a definite little treasure in this urban environment.  I also had the distinction of walking over and then under the A19.  There were violets and cowslips along the way too.  I finished the walk in St Paul's church - atmospheric as ever - and there was just time for tea and scone at Jarrow Hall before walking back home in the now persistent rain.