First of all I need to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all of the people who joined in on my Monday walk last week. I was so happy with the response I got that I really can’t wait to do it again. Let’s take the walk first, shall we, and I’ll explain a little more later.
Crimdon Beach
This is another local walk, and probably comes in the ‘ugly’ category. I can’t just show you pretty pictures can I? It wouldn’t be truthful, or fair to the area. Crimdon lies just north of Hartlepool, on the north east coast of England. It is one of my childhood beaches. A day trip to Crimdon was exciting in those days! To this day, a caravan park sits atop the beach, and you can wander through it playing the ‘I’d like this one’ game. Front facing the sea, naturally.
How about this one? A few tubs on the deck and it would be perfect!
But I’m getting away from the subject. This is a circular walk which includes the beach and Crimdon Dene. Our start point is the cliff top car park.
Here you have it!
As you can see, it’s part of the Durham Coastal footpath, very easily accessible and with some excellent cliff top walking. Hartlepool was once a part of Durham County, but that is history.
First drop down the stepped boardwalk and onto the beach
- Today there’s a watery sun, glinting in the rock pools
You might just recognise this view from a previous post where I got wet!
There go the walkers, striding up the beach!
- In places, the sea gets trapped at low tide
The patterns formed in the dune, a mystery
And looking back, tiny walkers in outline, near the top
With the tide out, you can walk right along this beach to Hartlepool. In the distance you can still see the disused pier that is all that is left of a former magnesium works. In Summer you might observe protective fencing along the dunes, where a nesting colony of Little Terns make their home for 4 months every year. They spend Winter in West Africa, lucky things!
But today we are going into Crimdon Dene. A wooded valley cutting through cliffs of magnesium limestone, it forms the boundary with County Durham. The Dene’s dominant landmark is the lofty railway viaduct, completed in 1905, over which the north coast railway service periodically rattles. I remember being hugely excited by it when I was small.
Hartlepool Headland just visible in the distance
Safeguarding the Little Terns
Crimdon or Hartlepool?
Underneath the arches of Crimdon railway viaduct
- Leaving the Dene from beneath the viaduct
A steepish climb will bring you back up to the cliff top car park. The distance is little more than 2 miles but you can extend it as far along the beach as you wish. There are no facilities as the club house on the caravan park is ‘members only’. Hard to believe that back in the 50s this was a thriving resort. A Six word Saturday post from about this time last year will show you the area from a slightly different (and sunnier) aspect.
And now it’s your turn! Last week I suggested that I would love to hear about walks in your area. I can never cover as much ground as I’d like to, so I would really appreciate sitting back in my armchair for a virtual walk around your neighbourhood. If you have a post about a favourite walk that you’d like to share, please leave a link in my comments box. You can do this any day of the week, and it can be a full walk or just a few photos- I’ll be delighted either way.
In return I will tweet or post it on Facebook for those of you who use social media. I usually share when I like a post anyway, but sometimes I forget. Age, you know! I don’t know if you’ve found my Restlessjo page on Facebook, but I’d love to see you there. Happy walking!
restlessjo 
That was a lovely and refreshing walk – thanks Jo! Sometime soon I’ll be able to start taking walks in my new area in Virginia… 🙂
LikeLike
Ooh, I’ve never been to Virginia, Meg. It would be a treat if you could join me sometime. 🙂
LikeLike
I love that last shot! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! I took quite a few viaduct shots, but wasn’t especially happy with any of them, Paula. It’s such a striking feature and has real presence but it was a dull day and… excuses, excuses! I need to play with them but you know me, Paula. It’s not going to happen. 🙂
LikeLike
I loved this walk Jo, along the beach and then through the wooded area too! I can see why you were so excited about it as a girl. It’s great to see your photos and get some exercise at the same time 😉
Regarding sharing a walk, I’m not sure if this is what you had in mind but I wrote a post about a walk that Hubby and I took around Stourhead, a National Trust house and gardens in Wiltshire a few months ago. Here’s the link if you want to take a look and see what you think! http://sherrimatthewsblog.com/2013/10/21/a-storm-stourhead-and-a-faraday-cage/
Thanks so much Jo 🙂
LikeLike
Your walk sounds absolutely ideal, Sherri! I really don’t mind where you take me, but gardens are a treat. I’ll just make a cuppa and I’ll be there. 🙂
LikeLike
Lovely walk. Must be too cool to swim yet?
LikeLike
Swim??? In the North Sea??? Are you mad, woman? 🙂 I distinctly remember paddling. Once! 🙂
LikeLike
The beach looks lovely, of course, and I always enjoy those old beach houses, and the memories they bring of mucking about in the sand while elder members of the party probably wished they were in a pub somewhere having some fun
LikeLike
My bucket and spade days seem a long time ago, Peter, but I’m always game to draw a few pictures in the sand. 🙂
LikeLike
how nice it was to travel laterally- half way ’round the world and walk the beach with you! i apologize for dashing away at times to explore the tide pools, especially that one that snaked around like a little stream! internet is way too slow here at teh house – i’ve not been able to get the ‘add media’ to budge, and reaching comments or sending comments has taken about 24 hours! your post loaded fairly well – yahoo! – and i hope that this comment reaches you.
in spirit, there’s a companion post perculating, though i won’t be able to write it until i’m in town!
i love this theme and look forward to when there are faster internet options!
z
LikeLike
I feel like I’m reading your comments in slowmo, Zee! 🙂 I thought a felt a spirit with me when I was down on that beach. This explains a lot! Happy to have you along any way you care to join me 🙂
LikeLike
What a wonderful stroll, Jo. I can’t wait to get back to the beach and do the same. I’m not big on Facebook, so I’ll stick to taking theses trips with you right here. Maybe I can even dig up a few pix. Be well…:-)
LikeLike
You must have some pics of you and Rusty (or is that somebody else’s dog? memory lapse 😦 ) on a walk, but no worries, hon. I just enjoy your company, in any shape or form. 🙂
LikeLike
Ha ha. Maybe someone else or maybe you mean Rocky. Either way, I’ll be looking through the – what do people call them? Archives? 😉
LikeLike
I got two letters right! My memory’s better than I thought 🙂
LikeLike
LOL
LikeLike
Loved coming along on your Monday walk, Jo. It doesn’t look ugly to me! I’m not lucky enough to be right on a beach, so it’s nice I get to come along virtually with you. My walks are pretty nondescript, simply boring suburban neighborhood walks, but I did take an interesting walk in Baltimore on Saturday I’ll post about soon.
LikeLike
I’ve seen some of the lovely walks you do, Cathy Dutchak, so don’t give me that! 🙂 I love you, honey, and you can share, or not share anything you like. I know your time is earmarked. I’m wrecked today after too much walking!
LikeLike
You’re funny, Jo. I’m not sure you’ll find my Baltimore walk “pretty” but it is certainly interesting. I love your walks and you’ve inspired me to do the same. I wish my time wasn’t earmarked, as I’m really hating this job search. I feel like I spend so many hours and all for nothing! I’d rather be walking, and taking pictures, and just enjoying the fresh air. We had more snow today, can you believe it??
LikeLike
SNOW? No! It must have been almond blossom 🙂
LikeLike
How I WISH!!!! I never thought I’d say I’m ready to go back to Oman, but…..
LikeLike
Jo those beach shots are fabulous. I appreciate your offer to share a post of our own neighborhood. Mine is a run training for the marathon last December but also shows the pathway by my house in autumn.
http://traveltalesoflife.com/2013/11/12/mother-nature-kicks-my-tires/
LikeLike
Fabulous, Sue! I’ll come and jog with you as soon as my spag bol has settled 🙂
LikeLike
You crack me up 🙂
LikeLike
Such a fabulous walk, Jo! These beautiful photos make me feel like to to go a beach now 🙂 My walk post will be on later today.
LikeLike
Glad you enjoyed it, Amy! Looking forward to walking along with you, even though I’m worn out today 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for the walk, Jo! Just what I needed on this cold Monday morning. Lovely photos!
LikeLike
It was crisp, Jill, but very nice once the sun got into its stride 🙂
LikeLike
What a great experience you have there Jo … Nice post 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Jake. I’ll come and see what your theme is a bit later. I’ve been walking most of the day and badly need a sit down 🙂
LikeLike
I can see how it gets its name. Beautiful photos!
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
LikeLike
Thanks, Francine. It’s a bit pebbly and not your ideal Florida beach but I love being by the sea, almost anywhere 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for the monday morning walk – liked the up shots and down shots – 🙂
🙂
~y.
LikeLike
You’re welcome 🙂 I seem to spend a lot of time looking up or down.
LikeLike
Stepping down the boardwalk to the beach is a lovely way to start this walk Jo , makes it so much easier than all that sand in your shoes from the dunes Lol before you’ve got anywhere .
I’m so envious of your location close to the sea I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before ..
Wow .. all those patterns in the sand and rocks …. oh you must try some under the pier shots @ sunrise !!! Would be fantastic 🙂
I’ll be along later today with my walk 🙂
LikeLike
I love the idea of the sunrise shots, Poppy, but I don’t think I’m dedicated enough for the 45-50 mins walk to this point, with bleary eyes. 🙂 Maybe in high Summer when I’m feeling restless. It’s only 10-12 mins in the car but I don’t drive and getting Mick out of bed for a sunrise is beyond my capabilities. Shame! See you later 🙂
LikeLike
uh oh visitors ;-/ Lol ….need more time …will link as soon as ….
LikeLike
No worries, Pops! 🙂
LikeLike
What a fantastic post and what a walk you took me on here – wow … just wonderful, Wouldn’t mind that little “cottage” for a couple of days per year … both in rain and sunshine … what a wonderful to watch the time go by. There is some fantastic viaducts in UK – what an amazing engineering. Durham, never been but it seems very familiar to me – could it be from a TV-series or something???
That for all the ocean air and sore feet.
LikeLike
Hi Vivi! Been out all day so just getting back to my replies. Definitely got sore feet but FULL of fresh air 🙂 This afternoon I was in Durham again! Not sure about TV but the Cathedral is quite famous and you’ll have seen Durham lots of times on this blog. Tired hugs!
LikeLike
Looks enticing Jo, you will persuade me to travel south yet 🙂
LikeLike
I will! I will, Robin! It’s not one of the better beaches, as I said. It’s a little ‘ugly’, but maybe has character. Depends what you compare with. Northumberland, now…. no contest! 🙂
LikeLike
What a lovely watery walk Jo….and it all looks so familiar…..so like the East Lothian coastline. Even the viaduct looks like one we have here 🙂
LikeLike
You’d be right at home, Seonaid! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for my virtual walk, Jo! I always like it best when, as well as good views of land or sea, there are interesting structures in the landscape. Here you have the viaduct, but also the old pier….is it possible to get closers the pier?
LikeLike
If you look at the Six word Saturday link near the bottom of the post, Sue, it will show you the pier in close up. 🙂
LikeLike
The six word Saturday link?
LikeLike
Been out walking, Sue, so sorry for my late reply. In the final paragraph of this post I’ve included a link to a Six word Saturday from last April, when I was at that end of the beach. This is it https://restlessjo.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/six-word-saturday-61/
LikeLike
Aah, dozy me! Thanks 🙂
LikeLike
This brings back memories Jo. Memories of camping in the Dene when I was a young teenager and how it used to be packed on a weekend in the summer. Coach parties and organised games for the kids…… wonderful days 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, it’s a bit sad now, David! My kid sister was into drum majorettes and all the marching bands from the collieries. There’s a memory!
Not so good at this time of year when there’s no greenery, but I love the cliff tops. Lovely morning again! Going to Guisborough forest with the walkers. Just missed the ‘Mud Run’ in Sedgefield yesterday but the set up looked ‘inviting’- not! Have a nice day! 🙂
LikeLike