Jo’s Monday walk : Blast Beach, orchids and P’s in a Pod

Just south of Nose’s Point at Seaham, on the north east coast, lies a stark, uninviting stretch of beach.  I’ve walked along the cliff top, looking down on it, many times.  On a warm and hazy May day, I was somewhat surprised to find myself descending steps that led directly to Blast Beach.

It was a day of surprises.  Up on the cliff top I had already met Devon sculptress, Louise Plant , watering her P’s in a Pod.  The art installation was being newly installed and my first thought was that she was reviving the grass surrounding the P’s.  Not so!  The pieces were being watered to enhance their patina.  You can read the story of the P’s and their journey on the link.

A damp ‘P’
3 ‘P’s in a Pod’
The cliff top location

They represent a new approach to exhibiting art in County Durham.  The cast iron structures will be displayed at 4 different sites in the region, the idea being that a different backdrop will enable us to respond differently to them.  The reclaimed coastline at Seaham is the start point for their adventure.  After chatting to Louise for a while, it was on with my own mission- to seek out a few orchids. Around this time of year wild orchids sparkle in the long grass of the cliff tops like incandescent fireworks.

It’s always hard to find the first of the orchids, but many follow in its wake.  Continuing along the cliff, I noticed a pathway I hadn’t previously taken much notice of.  It could only lead downwards to the beach.  Why not take a look?

It’s not an inviting stretch of beach but the stacks do add interest, and close to the shoreline the rocks begin to develop an iron colouration.

Blast Beach was once the scene of coal production on a massive scale and the waste from that process defiled this beach and much of the surrounding area.  Bleak though it may still look, huge efforts have been made to clean up this stretch of coast and restore it to nature.

End to end, this is a long beach.  I circle both stacks and head back slowly towards Nose’s Point.

Ahead lies a steep climb up to the cliff top.  Let’s take a deep breath and go for it.

Made it!  I bet you’re in need of a cuppa now.  Actually it’s a good place to bring a flask and a picnic, but if you’ve come unprepared you can head into Seaham.  There are a couple of good cafes.  Back at the cliff top a young man was busy taking photographs of the P’s.  I moved aside to be out of shot but he waved me back in.  He was taking promotional shots and wanted a willing admirer or two.  Myself and husband duly obliged, but so far I’ve been unable to track down his work.  Maybe just as well…

I wrote most of this post while watching the concert in aid of the victims of the terrorist attack on Manchester.  It gave me hope for our future.  The love was palpable and I was proud of our young people.  Just 24 hours before I had been watching as horror unfolded at London Bridge.  I feel blessed, because my son had been at London Bridge station at 9pm that evening, but was out of range and blissfully unaware when the nightmare hit.

 

Many thanks to you all for your continued support.  I love sharing walks with you. Details of how to join me can always be found on my Jo’s Monday walk page.  Definitely time for a cuppa now!

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Becky goes her own sweet way in the Algarve this week :

Serra de Monchique

A double dose of delight from Drake, in the beautiful village of Èze :

High level of atmosphere 1/2

High level of atmosphere 2/2

Fun and beer with Lady Lee :

Cycled to Waldwirtschaft

All singing, all dancing, with Jackie!

Bloomin Vegas

And something a little more exotic from Indra :

Sikkim Odyssey 1… Rumtek Monastery

Say hello to Gina!  She takes us walking in one of my favourite parts of the Lake District :

Ullswater Way

And if you’ve been waiting for Susan, then Part 2 is definitely worth the wait :

East Harlem Jane’s Walk 2017 (Part II) : Community Murals

A bird watching walk next, from Mari- Becky, are you paying attention?

Bird watching in Malaga

An amazing dawdle or two with Meg.  I just can’t choose :

Following my nose 

Last day in Melbourne

Three friends and so much more!  The delights of Venice, with Paula :

Tra Amici

Then a very English stroll with Carol.  Such cute bunnies!

Meeting the Locals

Yesterday I came across a lady called Anne-Marie and a series of walks you may not have heard of.  Please say hello :

Portuguese Camino in May

And we’ll finish with a rather interesting sculpture trail, from Cady Luck Leedy :

Jo’s Monday walk : Mainz, Germany

That’s it for another week.  I hope this one brings you some happiness.  Take care, and God bless!

130 comments

  1. I have enjoyed this walk at Blast Beach. .interesting name. The wild orchids also caught my eye. Very sad about the recent attacks. I was in London visiting my son and we were near the area affected just few hours before the attack. Words can’t express how we all feel for the victims of these atrocities. Very sad times indeed.

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    1. It’s named for the blast furnaces that used to be here, Gilda. I had some very anxious hours yesterday but we were certainly among the lucky ones. Thanks, hon! 🙂

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  3. Jo,
    What a lovely walk. I love the pictures of the rock formations and the stones on the beach. I believe they are art in itself, created by nature and appealed more to me than the pods.
    Vanessa

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    1. I wasn’t wholely convinced by the Pods myself, Vanessa, but looking at her website there are some very nice pieces. And I know what you mean. Sometimes nature in the raw does it best. 🙂 🙂

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  4. What a lovely place, so much to admire! What happened in Manchester is awful, however, you have to be strong and never be afraid. Terrorism is like cancer, we have mentally be strong to fight against it. Please take care, dear Jo, we all are with you!

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      1. Seeing the good, the positive, and the beautiful is the way we should live our lives. And that is why I enjoy visiting your blog.

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  8. What a fabulous beach – not your typical pretty beach, but lots of interest and character, and I love the orange coloured rocks. Glad to hear your son is safe. What a time we live in!
    Alison

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  9. Oh my goodness Jo – happy to hear that your son is safe. Mlle was out and about in Spitalfields (about a mile away just north of the river) with friends when this horrible event was unfolding – she messaged us straightaway to let us know she was safe otherwise I wouldn’t have known till I turned on the news (we’re 7 hours ahead here). I am still feeling sick in the stomach about it all – thankful she is safe but so sad for the families whose loved ones are not.She used to live by the Shard when she first moved to London nearly 3 years ago. On a happier note love this beautiful coastal walk – my mother in law was born in Seaham but her family moved to the West Country when she was very young. The orchids are so pretty! Take care and have a good week xx 🙂

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    1. You never know when today is going to be the day, Rosemay, and for our kids- so much to make us anxious parents! The last time I was in London I ate at Borough Market and I knew it was the kind of area James would like. He was at Epsom races at a birthday bash and I didn’t know he was heading into the city or I’d have been beside myself.
      Did you see anything of the concert? It truly was beautiful and a tribute to the young lady and to our kids. 🙂 🙂

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      1. I just saw a clip of the concert on the news here Jo – it looked so moving. So thankful again that our families are safe – can’t imagine the anguish that the families and loved ones of the people currently missing are going through. I have to accept that Mlle is frequently out and about in London (just as we were when we lived there). She is a sensible girl and will take reasonable precautions but will not give in to fear. I love the London markets too – have been to a few but not Borough, though Mlle has been a few times and in fact lived by the Shard for a few weeks when she first got to London. Wishing you a safe and happy week 🙂

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  12. oh I so enjoyed this walk with you this morning, and lovely to see a certain M enjoying it along with us 🙂
    Made me laugh the watering of the pods, is she going to do this every day?!

    And thank goodness your boy was not on the bridge after 9pm, hope at the time it all unravelled you didn’t know he had been in the area. Dreadful what happened but like you I have hope and love in my heart after Ariana’s fabulous concert last night. I had tears running down my face during her session with the choir.

    As always sending you love back, and thank you for such a lovely intro to my walk x

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    1. Hiya sweetheart! She won’t need to today because it’s bouncing. Just a weathering in process I understand. James had been at Epsom on a birthday bash. I didn’t know for sure where he was till I got a text Sunday morning. Life! The girl was brilliant wasn’t she? Hugs darlin xx

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  13. I enjoyed that walk Jo. The colouration down below definitely adds some character to the beach.
    I watched the Manchester event too. I was very impressed and shed a couple of tears.
    I was also impressed at how people reacted in London. They really helped each other as much as possible. Glad you’re son got through ahead of that.

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    1. The guy in the London pub, Debs… hard to imagine how you’d react in the situation. There were some heroes that night!
      James was spending the day at the races at Epsom on a birthday bash. I hadn’t expected him to be in the city and it was a shock to get his text.

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  15. Palpable love can’t be beat. Glad your son is safe. I enjoyed accompanying you on your beach walk today. Such interesting sculptures- The Ps and natures stacks. Have a good week.

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  16. That beach is stunning with its stacks and colours and strange-faced rocks. All this and orchids and sculptures too. A wonderful walk amongst many wonderful walks. Thanks for tackling the path down.

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    1. The path up was worser! 🙂 🙂 But I huffed and I puffed. It’s throwing it down this morning so yet again, no Monday walk. Will have to hope the tennis is still on (in Paris 🙂 ) Hugs, darlin!

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  17. What a wonderful walk Jo. Three PS indeed: Perfect, picturesque and pretty. Loved the photos. I’ll be joining you for a walk this week. xo 🙂

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