Category: Northeast England

Afternoon in Whitley Bay

This is one over-the-top fish and chip restaurant at the seaside in Whitley Bay’s Spanish City. I met my brother for a late lunch, followed by a bracing walk along the seafront to the Rendezvous Cafe, which is sometimes featured in the Vera TV series. There was no Vera sighting, but we did enjoy some cups of tea and cake.

Child’s play

It took all five adults, two wedges, and a rubber mallet to remove one panel so other panels could be slotted in to complete this Little Tikes slide. The little tike was happy, though.

Start ’em young

I’m now in Newcastle upon Tyne, my hometown. Much of the city center is still recognizable from my childhood, just more spiffed up. At Fenwick department store’s toy department I picked up a DUPLO set for the almost two-year-old grandchild of the friends I’m staying with.

The End of the Trail

At Warkworth, we reached the end of our five-day trail, which had passed all too quickly. We waved off our Guildford friend at Newcastle Central and headed to our Newcastle friends’ home for the night. There, Dwight made sure the soles of our hiking boots will pass muster with Customs at MSP.

Cobblestones on the Sea

On our way to Alnmouth for the night, we reached Marden Rocks where we walked on an unusual limestone formation. From a distance, vertical fractures create the illusion of cobblestones.

Hiking to the Capital of Kippers

Our trail included more beautiful beaches, a pub lunch, and dramatic views of Dunstanburgh Castle, on our way to the fishing village of Craster. Local curing sheds and smokehouses transform North Sea herring into kippers, my choice for breakfast tomorrow.

South to Seahouses

Continued walking towards the North Sea, catching glimpses of Lindisfarne (Holy Island) in the distance. We’re now heading south on the Northumberland Coast Path for four days. Here, we chose to walk the beach for the last mile to Seahouses, where we’re spending tonight.

Towards the North Sea

Much of our route today followed St. Cuthbert’s Way, a trail named after the 7th-century monk, bishop, and hermit who is revered as the patron saint of Northumberland. We’re standing in front of a cave where legend says his coffin was temporarily hidden from Danish raiders in the 9th century.