Jo’s Monday walk : Back on the beach

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Whenever we go walking on our north east England coastline, we keep an idle eye open for sea glass.  Usually it’s in milky soft hues, but bottle green and turquoise are not unknown . The little chap above had us well fooled.  He’d obviously swum out of a child’s bucket, to twinkle up at us from the beach.

I won’t be walking with you next week, so I’m determined to leave you with some sunny images.  Last week was a little glum, wasn’t it?

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The other half wanders through the shot, distracting me from getting a level horizon.  The one below is better. (and minus my shadow!)

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The tide was advancing rapidly that day, and I had to do my famous teetering on rocks act, camera stowed safely in my pocket.  Why is it that he has so much better a sense of balance?  He kindly came back to hold my hand, or we might never have got there.

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It’s a coastline with an industrial past, so the rocks are always interestingly speckled and battered.  And there’s the sea glass to enjoy.

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Not forgetting the occasional sea monster!  There’s one structure that always draws the eye.  Rotting timbers and frayed stumps simply add to the appeal of the magnificent remnants of Steetley Magnesite’s pier.

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I never tire of shooting it, from all angles.  The last shot is a good example of convergence, isn’t it?  Sonel pointed one out to me the other day.  If you’re looking for photographic skill combined with creativity, hers is a great place to visit.

At this point you have a choice.  So long as the tide cooperates you can carry on along the craggy coastline, towards Crimdon Dene.

Sometimes the wind whips up, swirling the sands around you.  Click on the last photo in the gallery above and you’ll be able to make out the pier, in the far distance.  We’ve walked quite a way.  You can continue through the Dene, catching a bus back down the coast road, or you can retrace your steps along the beach.

Eventually you come back to Hartlepool Headland, with it’s proudly standing town walls. It’s been a safe haven for me for many a long year.  Look beyond the harbour, and on the horizon you can just make out the industry along Seal Sands Road, where we went seal spotting last week.

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On the Headland, Mary Rowntree’s tearooms have a lovely view across the harbour.  But I feel I know you well enough to invite you back to mine.  I’ll just pop the kettle on.  See you soon!

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My posting will be haphazard, to say the least, for the next month.  I’m deserting this safe haven for my familiar Algarve one, where I usually switch off from the world and its worries.  I hope to have another walk for you on Monday, 25th April, but just a few days after that I will be accompanying Dad to Poland for 2 weeks.  Another family visit and lots of smiles.

If, in the meantime, you’d like to share a walk, please feel free to do so, but be aware that I might not be able to share it for a while. Many thanks for your continuing support.  As usual, the logo above will take you to my Jo’s Monday walk page.

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SO excited to kick off this week with a walk by Lucile!  If you don’t know her, you’re in for a treat (and if you do, you’ll expect the best, and not be disappointed).  AND she’s in Portugal!

Walking through Sights and colours of Lisbon

Introducing a blog called MyScribblez next.  All scribblers amongst you, please pop over and say ‘hi’ :

Quebec on Foot

Drake likes the ladies, especially in an artful pose :

Blooming nudity

The scenery around Greenock is a nice surprise.  Take a look with Anabel :

The Greenock Cut

You won’t be surprised to find that Jackie likes shopping :

St. Lawrence Market

Or that Ellen has a badly behaved dinghy?  Maybe it’s been reformed since this post :

Going for a Walk : Coromandel Town (or Coro pies are best)

Smidge has some nice romantic looking photos from the Scottish Borders :

Dryburgh Abbey & The River Tweed

And Susan… how about close encounters with a good-looking cow or two?

Sadie’s Walk

Denzil got up at the crack of dawn for this walk, so he deserves your appreciation :

GR571 Stage 4 : Trois-Ponts to Vielsam 

And getting me nicely in the mood for the Algarve- thanks a lot, Becky!   Your place or mine?

Exploring the Grande Rota do Guadiana

That’s it folks!  Thanks again for all the shares and for the pleasure you give me.  Take care of yourselves.

 

 

 

202 comments

    1. Hiya, darlin’. 🙂 It’s a kind of ‘holding’ walk, composite of a couple I’ve done, because I love our little fish friend and I wanted to leave something cheerful on the site while I’m not here. 🙂 I did a lovely country walk this morning, with the tiniest, whitest lambs I’ve ever seen. Totally adorable! Looking forward to my time offline though. Look after yourself, Paula. I may have WiFi courtesy of our neighbours so I’ll check in if I can. Sending hugs! 🙂

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  3. Loved all your photos in this post!
    They reminded me of my own walks on the Atlantic coast , many years ago , where I could find more than a surprise everyday ….
    I love the beautiful stones you found and keep myself some very similar, on my desk!

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  4. I love the fantastical shaped driftwood, rocks and sea glass on the beach, as well as the wind blowing the sand about. I’m glad you’re going to the Algarve again; I know you love it dearly. Have a great trip there and to Poland. Hugs, Jo. xxx

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    1. It’s wonderful to have that switch off, just for a little while, Jill. 🙂 Happy-go-lucky though I may be, there are still stresses. Thanks, darlin’. Take good care of yourself! 🙂

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  10. Wonderful shots Jo, the weather is cooling here in Australia but what a great way to start the week looking at your lovely beach images. Hope you relax and have a wonderful break.

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  12. Good morning, Jo. Walking with you was the best to do today before immersing on a crazy schedule.
    Such blissful and peaceful views.
    And I like all photos, especially the convergence, the stones and the endless sight of the sea. Thank you very much for the treat.
    I wish you safe travels and lots of fun and relaxation.
    Hugs.
    Lucile

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  13. Brushing the sand from my toes, slight tan on my head an arms, and now can’t wait to get thhe cafe to enjoy that view while resting. Enjoyed the wander again…Down here it is raining and miserable, it is nice to get away…

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  15. Wow! You never cease to amaze me Jo! These are absolutely so perfect and of course I love our walks on the beach and will never tire of it as well. The sea glass is my favourite and those rocks are just gorgeous! Love the textures and patterns. 😀

    Perfect shot for Paula’s Convergence challenge darling and I am glad you remembered. The beauty you capture should be seen by everyone!

    Thanks for this lovely walk and for sharing all this beauty nature has to give. I think i am going to lie down on the beach now and listen to the waves.

    ♥ Hugs ♥ for a beautiful day. ❤

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    1. Thank you, sweetheart. That’s so kind of you! 🙂 Mick was really looking forward to just idling on an Algarve beach but he made the mistake of looking at the weather forecast. It might be a different kind of plodging, Sonel. Do I care? 🙂 🙂 Still smiling!

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      1. Maybe the weather will play along. Let’s hope. 😀

        Of course you don’t, and I don’t either. Have fun gorgeous! 😀 ♥

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  16. Love the Steetley Magnesite pier, I need to see that one day (where exactly is it?) Have fun in the Algarve and in Poland,you lucky gadabout lady! 😀

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    1. You can’t miss it if you stand on the promenade at Hartlepool Headland, Sue. (Old Hartlepool, that is, as opposed to the marina) It’s just a 5 minute stroll up the beach. (well, maybe 10 🙂 )
      I’ve been home for AGES! 🙂

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      1. OK… I’m going to get thinking seriously about a trip North next year – so many places I want to visit! This year already has quite a lot going on for a compromised bunny….

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      2. Compromised? Oh dear! 🙂 🙂 You’re a lovely bunny! Jude mentioned Edinburgh in September but I don’t know what dates. I hope to persuade Mick on ‘a great southern adventure’ later in the year- years since I was in Cornwall and never with him. And then James wants to spend time in Portugal with us around August Bank Hol. What a wonderful life! 🙂 (if somewhat exhausting 🙂 )

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  17. I especially like the Steetley Magnesite’s pier – I am going to Google it later. What a good weekend it was, we went to Beverley, I had never been before. What a place, we will be going back!

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    1. I wasn’t sure if you’d already gone to Spain, Andrew. Indifferent weather forecast but we’ll cope, won’t we? 🙂
      Heard very good things about Beverley but never actually been. It’s just slightly ‘off the radar’ from here. Will move it up the list.
      Yes, you’d like Steetley’s pier. 🙂

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  20. Wonderful beach walk Jo, perfect to get you in the mood for a Ria Formosa stroll. Looking forward to catching up, I’ll text you in a while about dates 🙂

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      1. Saturday was great but yesterday was a tad unsettled but we got out in morning for a walk, and in afternoon for the Loule festival. 🙂 Umbrellas around but not really needed, so fingers crossed will be similar for the next couple of days as the forecasts look the same as yesterday. Scarier than they actually are!!

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