The Parks Walk, South Shields

It would have been a reasonable day for another crack at Hadrian's Wall, but did I mention that my walking boots expired in the mud last week?  I went straight into Go Outdoors at West Denton and bought another pair using my discount card, but I felt I should walk them in gently this week.  So I decided on a Parks Walk. 

In reality this is just an excuse to walk round town and do my chores at the same time.  So, a quick walk down the road, eyeing up the neighbours' gardens and noting that the roses look very nice.  Then along Stanhope Road to the St Francis charity shop where I spotted a rather nice East dress for only £2, but did I really need  it?  I dithered and when I went back later having decided I could make an outfit of it, someone else had pounced and it was gone - obviously I didn't need it then!  Next stop the Post Office then on to West Park.  It was so lovely and green - why don't I walk here more often?  Just half an hour a day, I could do it!  I walked to Chichester along Ravensworth Road and then up Dean Road to Westoe Fountain and past the college to Readhead Park.  The flower beds were lovely - why don't I walk here more often?

By now it was quite warm.  The boots were behaving well - no problems at all - but I was very hot.  Funny old summer weather we're having.  I had planned to go on to Harton Nook, but I diverted down Moor Lane and home to a T shirt.  So, the boots pass, and they'll have their first serious walk down the Durham coast this weekend.

Hadrians Wall Path 2: Chollerford to Heddon on the Wall

Yes, I know I'm supposed to be walking east to west, so this should be Heddon to Chollerford.  Let me explain.  I set off on the AD122 bus bright and early.  When we arrived at Heddon I waited for the bus to stop so that I could get off.  Bad move: you have to ring the bell I realised as the bus sailed on out of the village.  What to do?  Stay on the bus and walk from Chollerford was the answer, but then it started to rain. 

Now, much as I quietly smile at walkers in all th right gear, I do accept that you must be properly equipped to go walking - and I didn't have a waterproof of any kind with me.  Give up on the day?  That seemed a waste of a bus ticket, plus the embarrassment of explaining to friends, so I decided on a middle course.  I stayed on the bus to Hexham and then went in search of the cheapest waterproof I could find.  Suffice it to say that I arrived at Chollerford at midday with a £2 emergency rain poncho from Edinburgh Woollen Mills and the rest of the day there was bright sunshine.  I had six hours to get back to Heddon for the last AD122 bus.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the walk.  Out of Chollerford I walked along a lane under a gorgeous canopy of green and then through woodland and fields past a section of wall to Heavenfield.  I felt I couldn't pause long here, but I have been before with the Northumbria Community.  So it was just a quick icecream at the Oswald Tearooms before entering what was probably the nicest part of the walk.

The military road and a ditch (vallum?) were to the right and the path followed the field edge with truly magnificent views over the Borders.  I hummed 'Jerusalem' to myself and even croaked half a verse out loud until I spotted people coming the other way.  Truly a green and pleasant land.  I won't attempt to describe the walk in detail, in my mind now it is impressions of green, sun, gentle breeze, sheep and fleece attached to every gorse bush (I would have stopped to collect for felting but didn't have time or bag).  There were stiles, waving fields of wheat and barley, wild flowers including white campion, skylarks galore singing their hearts out.  The path was clearly marked and it was good to greet other walkers.  I think I was in company of Americans, Dutch and Germans as well as locals.

I reached the Robin Hood pub, stopped for my sandwiches and stamped my wall passport.  And then the time trial began.  I had two hours to get to the bus.  I made it just in time, having squelched through the muddier sections of the walk and with a flapping boot sole that had become detached in a particularly gooey bit.

So that's another 15 mile section under my belt, but it will be a new pair of walking boots for the next section!

Ged's Way, Castle Eden Dene

The start of the walk

A mass of tree roots, now supported by concrete pillars

Magic bridge

One of the waymarkers

A day off that turned out to be fine (in June, fancy!) was the perfect excuse to walk Ged's Way again.  I found it years ago when I first walked in Castle Eden Dene and had wanted to walk it during Lent, but that didn't work out.  All the information I can find out about the walk is that it was set up in memory of Ged Traynor who was tragically killed in a rail accident.  It's a mile long contemplative walk through the dene with waymarkers sculpted by Michael Johnson containing words written by Linda France.  According to the Memorial at the start of the walk, this forms part of a 25 mile walk through Easington District, all to be known at Ged's Way.  I haven't been able to find any information at all about the longer walk but I'll keep trying.

As soon as I got into the dene I started to relax (rumours of big cat sightings notwithstanding).  The greenery was fresh and beautiful, the bird song wonderful and because it was mid-week I had the place virtually to myself.   I soon spotted the first waymarker and as I walked I let the words guide my thoughts.  Gradually my arms went from folded tightly across my chest to swinging by my sides.  I hope you people of Durham know how lucky you are to have the denes.  Further down came the trickling of the stream, flattened grass alongside of it evidence of the heavy rain that we have had.  Then the bridge, to the Celts crossings like this were 'thin' places where earth and heaven might meet, there's certainly something special about pausing to watch the water and the stones of the stream bed and look up at the tree canopy.

I don't feel I've done the place justice at all.  There are lovely trees, magical-looking root systems, limestone cliffs, the stream, the wildlife.  It really is a healing place, one to relax into.  I didn't continue across the road to the sea, but turned back at what I took to be the last marker on the way.  Here are the words written on the markers.

No wind or rain can wash away the good you do

Each leaf on every tree says live each day as if it were your last

Every night listen to the light of the moon.  Follow your own star

We are the love we leave behind

In the shade of the yew trees
don't think you have time
life is short
regretting is long
listen for the sound of the sea
the pulse of your own heart
live every single day
as if it were your last

The Diamond Jubilee Walks

A whole weekend off!  But how to celebrate?  With friends is the best way, I'm sure, so Sunday I strolled round the wonderful Newcastle Community Green Festival, ate nice food, heard lovely music,  enjoyed my friend's company and bumped into one or two others.
Monday it was off to Herrington Country Park on a sunny but cold morning to admire the cygnets, and the trees and the scenery generally and then off to the garden centre nearby for lunch. I should say at this point that food features at least as prominently as walking in this weekend!  I'd like to say that later on I walked all the way from home to the Lawe Top to watch the lighting of the Jubilee beacon, but I chickened out and took the car, but I did walk from Arbeia so that must count for something!
Tuesday it was off to Whitburn for coffee followed by a walk along Roker seafront and back including a lunch stop.  The friend on this occasion is always so smartly dressed it puts me to shame, and I salute her for walking the whole way, including a section of sand, in court shoes.  It just goes to underline that we can and should all walk at all times.  Especially when the sun is out and the coast looks fantastic.