Looking out at the quay, from the National Glass Centre
You might remember, before I started my regular Monday walks feature, the post A Promenade to Roker? It started from the National Glass Centre and followed the River Wear out to the beach at Roker, north of Sunderland. I always intended to try a walk in the opposite direction, following the river through the city. Since I promised you a level walk last week, I thought this might be a good one to try.
It’s an industrial area and the National Glass Centre is like a jewel at its centre. I’m like a kid with a new toy if I get to visit, so we’ll be popping in later, but right now it’s time to start walking.
We’ll start on the quayside, outside the Glass Centre
A number of boats are casually moored, waiting for an owner
This gently blue one’s a favourite
But I took my eye off the boats for long enough to look at this!
We’re walking alongside the University of Sunderland, and in term time the grass is strewn with students. This morning the sun was glinting prettily on the medieval book, outside the university library. There’s a wry sense of humour in the placement of giant nuts and bolts on the quay.
And the inevitable graffiti, of course!
Compensated for by this willowy creation
We’re walking towards the road and rail bridges over the River Wear
And then beneath them
To a short, pretty stretch of the river
Where barely a ripple disturbs the surface
There are many reminders of the pitheads and the harsh life that miners and their families lived.
Today a ‘crane building’ factory decorates the far shore
Looking back at the wall plaques (and at Sunderland FC )
Soon after this the riverside path runs out, and we have the choice whether to retrace our steps or to see a little more. Curiosity always takes me onto unfamiliar ground so I followed the curve of the path. It loops up to join the Coast to Coast cycle route, which runs from the east coast all the way across to Whitehaven in Cumbria.
This results in a closer look at the ‘Stadium of Light’
I head towards the bridges, cross at the busy traffic lights by St. Peter’s Metro stop, and drop back down to the river path within sight of my start point.
A couple of tugboats are just completing their business
For you and me, a treat awaits
Inside the Glass Centre
A crab sandwich? Don’t mind if I do
And a bit of a browse
Aren’t these simply gorgeous?
Linger as long as you want. There’s always something going on. I noticed on my table a leaflet for ‘Hen Night Heaven!’ Only in the north east! You can learn to blow a glass bauble followed by a delicious afternoon tea, with champagne. Details of all events, and how to get here, are on this link to the National Glass Centre.
Before you leave, take a look up! You’ll probably see people wandering across the roof.
Hello! Can you see me down here?
Don’t worry! It’s reinforced glass.
And that’s the way we walked. Good, wasn’t it?
Phew! Hope you enjoyed our walk today. It’s time to look at some more, then click on my Jo’s Monday walk logo to see how you can join in. You’d better get yourself a cuppa first!
Jude took me back to Grasmere last week. I haven’t been for the longest time :
Circumnavigating Grasmere Lake
I had such fun riding around in the panier on Drake’s bike, but I really should get off and walk! :
Bird lovers among you will absolutely delight in this. Welcome to my walks, Jo! Please go and say ‘hi’ to Jo everybody :
Laura’s had back surgery, but has put together a wonderful historical ramble in London :
Walkabout 2- the Fleet by foot
If I were to find myself in Amy’s Lan Su, I would think I’d died and gone to heaven :
And finally, Kathryn has brought me the most beautiful light on the Dutch canals :
Please go and give Kathryn a hug. Things aren’t going so well. See you all next week, I hope?
restlessjo 
Jo, I absolutely love the Glass Centre – what an amazing and highly intruiging walk 😀
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It’s an excellent place, Dianne, and it deserves to do well because it tries to be innovative in getting people to visit. I love it too 🙂
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Thank you, Jo, for another fascinating walk! Another destination added to the list for when I am back in the Uk next.
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Give me a shout and I’ll meet you at the Glass Centre 🙂 No pressure! 🙂
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Hi Jo, Here is my entry. Fyi, it’s not a garden walk 🙂
https://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/jos-monday-walk-spanish-tiles/ Hope you like it.
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How can I not like Spanish tiles? Thank you so much, Amy. What a lovely lady you are 🙂
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That’s a great walk Jo! Though I’d be careful not to wear a skirt or a dress on that reinforced glass roof 🙂
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Rommel is full of great tips, Kan 🙂 I never wear a skirt if I’m out walking.
Many thanks!
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Very glassy and metal-ly area. The steel tree looks so awesome. That woman shouldn’t be wearing that skirt walking there. 😀
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Being a little short sighted, I’d never have noticed, Rommel 🙂
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Such lovely photos, though the graffiti makes me very sad.
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Thanks, L 🙂 I was actually surprised at how little graffiti there was. It used to be quite a depressed area, and graffiti has become almost trendy, hasn’t it?
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You share the most interesting places Jo! This was a great walk and I think that the glass displays are beautiful… 🙂
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The Glass Centre’s a great favourite of mine, Meg, and I enjoyed seeing what was along the riverside. Thank you 🙂
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I love all the little detail shots you’ve packed in here Jo!
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I have to admit, it was a more interesting walk than I was expecting, Gilly 🙂 Thanks!
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… That was a different kind of walk before breakfast for me Jo … set me up for the day !
I wanna tree like that in my garden *wail … no pruning and a lot more easy on the eye than an old cherry tree which should be done away with 😉
What is that roulette/ fan highly decorated piece of work I wonder …
I don’t blame you on the crab sandwich front . Not one bit . Mmmm one of my favourites .
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I must admit, I didn’t stop to read about that exhibit, Poppy. The glass wheel was huge. There might be something on the website. Mick already had his nose in the restaurant and I was duty bound to follow him 🙂
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Oh I don’t expect you to have all the answers Jo 😉 .. it just looked fascinating that’s all …
ANOTHER sunny day .Do you know it feels like Summer 😀
Enjoy your day !
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Phew Jo! You sure know how to make me walk hon! Not that I mind. There’s so much beauty and too many interesting sights to see! Gorgeous captures and thanks for the lovely walk. I truly enjoyed. 😀 ♥ Hugs ♥
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We just sauntered along, Sonel. No hurry, is there? 🙂 I know you wouldn’t want to miss anything 🙂 Glad of your company, as always.
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Absolutely Jo! hahahaha! Yep, you know me too well. Thank you for your lovely company as well. 😀 ♥ Hugs ♥
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I can’t believe we both posted on glass art today! You had a very full walk with so many varied things to look at. What are the metal circles with the lovely imprints (look like some kind of plaster)? Are they part of a walkway? Really pretty designs.
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I was surprised at how much there was to see along the way, Sammy. The metal tree sculpture sits on a pedestal, quite high up, and round the concrete base are those designs that you like. I took a shot of the whole, but didn’t like it much 🙂 I’ll be over to see your glass art later.
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I’m coming back to look at the sculpture again – that was my favorite, but I didn’t connect it
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Ah, now I see – one of the designs IS the sculpture (duh). I was focused on two other designs that looked “nautical” and trying to figure out what they were.
Enjoyed this walk with you 🙂
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🙂
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I always love your walks!
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Thanks, Nicole 🙂 Isn’t the company nice?
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You can even make graffiti look good, Jo! How ever do you do that? Great walk and wonderful photos!
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Thanks, Jill 🙂 I was going to zoom that graffiti out, but decided to go for a bit of realism. (not too much!) 🙂
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I’m out of breath after that, Jo. I did go to Sunderland once to see a mate at uni there and remember it being very cold and very cheap!
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It’s still pretty cheap, Rich, but we’re having our share of the heatwave up here in the north east too! 🙂 Long may it last!
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Wonderful “level” water walkway w/views of the city – beautiful scenes of history, interesting objects leading the pathway to the next point. Have a lovely week!
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Thanks, Mary 🙂 I really enjoyed ‘leading’ this walk. You’re all great company.
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So many fascinating finds on this week’s walk. I love the willow tree and would really like to see the mining pieces close up (my hubster is from a Yorkshire mining town). I have a walk for you this week Jo – probably somewhere you’ve visited before http://wp.me/p4pG7H-1KX
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Wow! That’s fabulous, Suze 🙂 I know what a busy lady you are so I really appreciate this. Thank you! Big hug 🙂
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Have you ever tried glass blowing? It is a fascinating art form and the examples at the National Glass Center are mesmerizing!
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I haven’t but I’d love to have a go! I had my impatient husband with me or I could have been very tempted 🙂
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I love your Monday walks and the variety that you unearth. Your bridge shots are always stunning.
It’s so good to have Internet connection back after three days cold turkey, even if it took all day to load cash onto three SIM cards in Polish.
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Ahh- I wondered! I thought the terrible two were keeping you extra busy 🙂
Enjoy your visit to the lake and Poznan. I shall be playing close attention 🙂
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Poznań is spectacular! Post coming when I clear a backlog: I’m anal about chronology.
You can see the lake on posts from last year
http://55daysinwarsaw.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/walking-at-gryzyna-into-the-forest/
http://55daysinwarsaw.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/walking-at-gryzyna-by-the-lake/
http://55daysinwarsaw.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/digging-up-the-past-at-gryzyna/
http://55daysinwarsaw.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/walking-at-gryzyna-along-the-surfaced-road/
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Thank you 🙂
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