Jo’s Monday walk : A crisp day at Stockton Riverside

img_5069

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.

img_5056

As an extra treat, the Teesside Princess comes chugging towards us from her dock on the quayside.  Party time upstream, maybe?

img_5060

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.

img_5074

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.

img_5078

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.

img_5089

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.

img_5094

img_5096

img_5097

img_5098

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.

walking logo

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.

……………………………………………………………………………..

Lady Lee has been making me envious again.  Such a nice place to have family!

Singapore

If you’re a fan of ‘dressing up’ you’ll like Jackie’s post, with a nice dollop of history :

Day 7- Williamsburg

Jude takes me back to a place where I have fond memories of duck pate sandwiches, Guinness and rain!

Bury St. Edmunds

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 :

Smile for awhile

Or you can have a little birdsong with your stroll, over at Denzil’s place :

3 walks on Mechelse Heide 

Biti can show you lots of Rome’s splendour :

Rome beautiful churches

And poor Carol has a dilemma on her hands on the rugged south coast of England :

Which Shoes to Choose

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!

122 comments

  1. Thanks for this exhilarating walk, Jo. Gorgeous photos, such a clean and crisp look, and fun to have so many swans in our midst. I liked all the bridges, the Victoria Bridge is really beautiful…and the Infinity Bridge is, as you say, a show-stopper. Wow! What an elegant, curvy bridge; I have never seen anything like it.

    Like

    Reply

  2. Love that Infinity Bridge. Looks amazing framed with that blue sky. The swans are gorgeous and it looks like a really nice walk

    Like

    Reply

  5. Jo, hope your back is better and very wise with a ‘gentler’ walk. The Inifinity Bridge is glorious, such beautiful design and I think it is just a footbridge? An inspiration to make the everyday interesting, unusual. As for the swans, wow, I bet you you dawdled near them for ages admiring their majestic gathering! Breathtaking! 😀😀

    Like

    Reply

    1. The back is lots better thanks, Annika. 🙂 Today’s challenge is the Internet 🙂 And it’s grey and foggy outside so I’m feeling a bit sorry for those swans. Yes- a beautiful foot bridge!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. Glad to escape the humidity here in Malaysia and take a walk with you in the cool, crisp day. Love the blue skies, the reflections, the silhouette of the girl with the watering can, and that magnificent Infiniti bridge! Want to take a ride on the Teesside Princess! Hope your back feels better soon.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Lisa! 🙂 Apart from the heat how are things? The back’s good again now, thanks. Struggling to remember what heat feels like though 🙂 It’s not yet light here and the fog is swirling beyond the windows.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. Beautiful and atmospheric photos Jo! I can sense how cold it is in spite of the blue skies and sun …brrr I’d be absolutely freezing!! Lovely pictures of the swans – they are beautiful creatures hope they are being fed in this cold weather! The bridge is magnificent – hope your back is feeling much better now and have a lovely week 🙂 Ps love your “snow effects” on the screen!

    Like

    Reply

    1. I love the WP snow too, Rosemay! I had to switch it off for my sunny Tavira posts but it’s here to stay now till after Christmas. I think someone must be feeding them because they all looked very healthy. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  11. Jo, that bridge is amazing, especially against the stunning blue sky. I’m pleased to hear your back is feeling better. I laughed at your definition of your walk as semi-briskly. From personal experience, I imagine you were still going pretty fast. 🙂 I wonder if the replica Endeavour is the one that was built here or if there is more than one. The one that was built here is Young Endeavour and is mostly used for training young people.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I’m not too sure about Endeavour, Carol. I remember looking it up for the related post a year or 2 ago but I have the memory span of a newt these days 🙂 🙂 Thanks for striding along with me. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. Swans ! lovely graceful creatures , although their manners are rather lacking where food is concerned at times ! Glad the back is improving Jo there’s bound to be a party dance you want to do any day soon 😉 Lovely captures of the bright weather we’ve all the pleasure of recently .

    Like

    Reply

      1. Liking the sound of that Jo … ha I used to love drawing Snoopy with his head thrown back and ears all a flap lol funny how you just stirred that memory 🙂 Very poetic of Cathy indeed ! You have great one too Jo .We’re off to Oxford a morrow for a catch up with old friends a VERY relaxed lunchtime methinks as we’re taking the train … say no more 😉

        Like

  14. I’m very fond of swans, i like how they are so protective of their babies, even if it makes them scarey! This is a lovely walk and I don’t remember tagging along before. The infinity bridge is very sleek and elegant. We have a very similar millennium bridge, they must have built a job lot that year 🙂 and the blue bridge, bus and sky, gorgeous. So glad you’re mending babe, I am too and could probably keep up with you now, but not once you’re 100%. Happy days sweetheart 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. I’ll slow down for you, darlin. 🙂 🙂 I didn’t put a link in to the previous post but it must be a couple of years ago, Gilly. Nothing like so sunny (or cold! 🙂 ) I don’t think, but this was a perfect photography day. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t need to slow down. You’d keep tripping over me as I stooped to get at the reflections. 🙂 Love you, hon. Take good care!

      Like

      Reply
  17. Pingback: Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Indented-Head – WoollyMuses
  20. Pingback: Coventry Transport Museum – Ladyleemanila

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.