Subtitled, a bevy of swans. Recovering from a back problem, I needed a gentle, level walk. The Riverside, at nearby Stockton-on-Tees, seemed a likely candidate. The sun was bright in the sky but the temperature skimming zero, so strolling really wasn’t an option. Semi-briskly, let’s go!
It’s surprising the variety you can find within a short distance along this river bank. A replica of ‘The Endeavour’, a glut of bridges and an impressive whiteness of swans. Today, rivaled by the whiteness of frost on decaying timbers.
As an extra treat, the Teesside Princess comes chugging towards us from her dock on the quayside. Party time upstream, maybe?
Aren’t they lovely creatures? I don’t know when I ever saw so many, even in a nature reserve, and this is anything but. I did wonder if the local council arranged for them to be fed. We’re now at the back of Stockton High Street and approaching a retail park, so it’s a good time to cross over the Victoria Bridge to the opposite bank of the Tees.
The path continues alongside newish flats, and a spattering of call centres. Not a bad working environment, and there are benches for a lunchtime sandwich. Even in thick tights, you’d think twice today. Look out for the glimmer of ice on the water as we follow the man-made canals.
Passing below the Millenium Bridge, the footpath weaves around the canals in a slightly frustrating manner. Ahead and around the next bend awaits the showstopper bridge, her graceful arcs skimming the blue.
Intriguingly there are goalposts suspended above the water. Evidence of summer excitement! The university buildings back onto this stretch, and the youngsters will row and kayak with enthusiasm. More sedately, I’m content just to admire the slender lines before me.
A grand finale, isn’t she? Crossing over the Infinity Bridge and I gaze skywards, spellbound as ever by her beauty.
The riverside path leads back to our beginning. You can pop through to the High Street if you’re needing sustenance, and you might catch Locomotion no 1 in action. Here’s a little bit of bridge history for those who are interested.
Apologies for taking you back to familiar territory, but I know you love a bright walk and this was such a lovely, albeit nippy, day. I still have some walks to share from earlier in the year and it’s a perpetual dilemma which to choose. Perhaps I’ll have to let a little cloud in next week. Grab that cuppa, won’t you, and we’ll settle in for a read.
Thanks all you lovely people. I so look forward to your company on Mondays. I have some of the most fabulous shares again this week. Feel free to join me anytime. You’ll always be welcome. Details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.
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Lady Lee has been making me envious again. Such a nice place to have family!
If you’re a fan of ‘dressing up’ you’ll like Jackie’s post, with a nice dollop of history :
Jude takes me back to a place where I have fond memories of duck pate sandwiches, Guinness and rain!
While Sherri took me back to the sunshine of my halcyon Lake Garda days :
An Italian Journey : Writing and Healing
A good ramble and a yarn from Tish Farrell always brings a huge smile to my face :
Rambling Yesterday On Wenlock Edge ~ “The Holly and the Power Station”
A smile and a song! Those are Drake’s specialities too :
Or you can have a little birdsong with your stroll, over at Denzil’s place :
Biti can show you lots of Rome’s splendour :
And poor Carol has a dilemma on her hands on the rugged south coast of England :
They’re brilliant, aren’t they? I have a crispy pink and white sunrise dawning outside my window. Soon be time to get walking. Take good care and I’ll see you all next week!
restlessjo 
Gorgeous photos of swans and the equally architecturally elegant bridge. I just posted about a walk in our immediate neighborhood here in Sri Lanka 🙂 wish we had swans too!
Peta
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Wouldn’t that be greedy, Peta? You have all that warmth and lushness. 🙂 🙂 I’ll pop over and read shortly.
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Ha ha, you are right. Very greedy girl.
Peta
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What a wonderful stroll, and love your finale . . . .hope your back benefited from it as much as we all have reading your post x
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The back’s about normal again now, hon. The week before we walked in the other direction. Good bridges but the greyest of skies 😦 Speaking of which, has your weather picked up again?
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That’s good to hear……and yes seems to be back to Algarvian blue 😊
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Looks like you had a crisp day on Teeside, Jo. Care to join me for a Walk on the Floor of the Ocean?! http://wp.me/p1t4IE-291
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Well that doesn’t sound very warm, either, Jaspa 🙂 The weather is all over the place. It was mild again today 🙂 Thank you!
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Looks almost Mediterranean blue. Contrast with my cloudy Cabanas post! Hope your back is getting better.
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It’s pretty good again, thanks. Yes, I understand they’ve had a rough spell over there 🙂
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I love the shots at the end of the cool bridge Jo. The swans are lovely too. You sure have a lot of walks you lucky girl! 🙂
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I go looking 🙂 🙂 But not when it’s cold and foggy like today 😦
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That Infinity bridge is a beauty Jo. Glad to hear you are listening to your body as you heal. Xo
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Thanks, darlin. 🙂 I really meant to start Pilates classes today but it was cold and foggy and I got distracted by Florence 🙂
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To walk with you … means always blue sky .. and even it isn’t – you make it blue. Amazing … your story telling. It’s like I’m walking next to you and see the world around us as you do. Brilliant.
You have become an expert on getting fantastic photo angles on bridges … the bridge is beautiful in its modern style. What a pleasure.
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Hello darlin! 🙂 What an evening I’m having! Trying to talk to the daughter on the phone and operate 2 laptops as well! One old and grumpy and one new and head strong! I sympathise with the old grumpy one, but it’s on a go slow. Nightmare! And an army of comments 🙂 🙂 Running around hugging everybody. What else can I do? Love you, sweetheart!
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Jesus … Girlfriend. Put the old one to the side .. get to know the new – then .. you try to transfer and move between them both.
You take it easy … the laptops are not going anywhere. And if you want to know how to do things .. look at youtube. There you find all tips and instructions. One step at the time, Jo! ITHug!
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🙂 🙂
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What a stunning bridge! I’ve never come across that one before.
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The Infinity? It’s glorious, isn’t it? 🙂 🙂
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