England

Burgeoning Spring

Blustery showers, radiant sunshine, raging clouds and nodding ‘daffs’- it must be April again!

I was feeling a little sorry for the horses who live in a field, near to my home. The ground has never fully dried out from persistent rain earlier in the year, and plodging seems to be the order of the day. Not that they appear to mind, and there’s plenty of ‘dry’ field for them, if they decline to paddle. I stopped to watch for a while. The grass must have been extra juicy for it’s drowning, because they were quite single-minded in their munching. Excepting for one, very determined, guy. I thought he was trying to eat the fence post, in a form of protest. As I watched, it dawned on me that he was actually trying to dislodge it, rocking it back and forth with his teeth. Crafty fellow! A getaway in the making.

While Jude potters around in her new found garden, ‘getting a little closer’ to new growth, I’ve been out poking in a few hedgerows. My finds… a woodland creature, sculpted smooth by nature’s hand… tiny buds of blossom, sparkling on bare branches… catkins aplenty.

I’d wandered into Summerhill Country Park. It being school holidays there are youngsters burning up energy on the BMX track. They wave at me and ask if I’ll take their photos. I smile, and oblige. Why not?

Those clouds are creeping up on me again, and it’s time to head for home. In a gully I spot what I take to be wild anemones. Bright yellow in colour, I promised to ‘ping’ Tish if they crept into a post. There’s a lot of nature sharing going on these days.

I don’t expect Jude will mind them either. And she’ll know if anemones can be yellow as well as white, and blue.

Funny, they look just like buttercups when I view them up close, but they were twice as big. I’ll never make a botanist. Do join Jude in her Garden Challenge. This month the theme is Macro.

Jo’s Monday walk : Seal sanctuary

Today’s walk brings us full circle with where my Monday walks began, just over 2 years ago, in Greatham Creek. Doesn’t time fly? And have I worn you out yet? There are days when I feel quite weary myself.

On Wednesday I woke with that restlessness upon me. The sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds and I needed to be out. My partner in crime suggested Saltholme, the local nature reserve, but somehow that felt too tame. I don’t do compromise well, but we headed along the Seal Sands Road, in that direction. It’s an area I find very depressing, and if you saw my Forbidding skies on Thursday, you’ll know what’s coming.

Heavy industry crowds the skyline, and the power station’s ugly presence broods malignantly nearby. If you can ignore that, there’s a world of wildlife to explore. To give it it’s grandest title, this is Teesmouth National Nature Reserve, a site of more than 350 hectares.

Natural England have recently extended the footpaths and installed bird hides. Parking on Seal Sands Rd, you can cross over A178 (carefully- you don’t want to be run over by a bus!) and follow the path beside the creek, out towards the sea. In the distance you can see the Transporter Bridge, in Middlesbrough. Closer to hand, a family of swans usually enjoy the salt water.

Looking back, A178 spans the creek, and on the far shore industry looms, threateningly. But we won’t be intimidated. A ragged sign on the fence gives a clue to the area’s past. There are still defence structures to be seen, and if you are interested this document gives full details.

The skies alternately boil and shimmer, as I follow the path beside the creek, and along to the first bird hide.

If you click on the last shot you might be able to make out the windmills of the offshore wind farm. Here they look very distant, but it’s not so.

This is a remnant of the military installations, but history goes much further back. In Medieval times the area was important for its salt, which was extracted by boiling salt water until the liquid evaporated, leaving behind precious salt crystals. For thousands of years, the sea swept across the Tees estuary, exposing mudflats and sand bars as it ebbed. Defensive banks were built against the tides, changing the flow of the currents. Gradually the ground lost its saltiness and became fit for agriculture. Sheep grazed on the salt marshes, growing the thick fleeces sold by medieval monks to much of Europe.

A second bird hide but a distinct lack of wildlife, though the sign tells us of plenty. Maybe the birds are all at nearby Saltholme, where they will undoubtedly be better fed. And then, the strangeness of the brine fields.

The landscape changed enormously after World War II. In the 1960s the area east of A178 was intensively developed for brine fields and the storage of petrochemicals. Pollution in the estuary had been heavy, but when Natural England became involved the site became a Special Protection Area. Careful management and reclamation has helped to restore and maintain the natural habitat.

Returning along the creek, my sharp eyed companion spots a grey mammal, paddling his leisurely way out to sea. They are one of the great success stories of the nature reserve. 200 years ago a seal population of around 1000 lived in these mudflats. A survey in the 1930s failed to reveal any. They had been decimated by hunting and pollution. Today there are about 100 seals, and several pups are born each summer.

Thriving in the midst of all that ugliness. It’s good to know, isn’t it? The sign boards ask you to respect the seals privacy and remain behind the hide. While this may not be the prettiest Landscape, I do hope that you found it interesting.

I know how you all like a cuppa after a walk. RSPB Saltholme is just 2km south of this site, and the cafe has a panoramic lake view. The website includes a map and full details of the area.

Two years and more of walking. It must be time to put the kettle on! Many thanks to all of you who’ve supported me along the way, and made such wonderful contributions. Details of how to join me are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo. You’ll be made very welcome.

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Riverside walks are among my favourites. A smattering of history makes them even better. Thanks, Anabel!

Bothwell and Blantyre

Denzil is leading us intrepidly, step by step, across Belgium :

GR571: Aywaille to Stoumont

Jackie combines sunshine with some rather intriguing sculpture this week :

Lenora Carrington

Liesbet takes us roaming about in Connecticut, just one last time :

A Walk in Housatonic Meadows State Park

Time spent with Drake is absolutely never wasted!

Actually needed more time

Ruth joins us again, amongst some beautiful tree ferns :

Fern Tree to Spring Falls

Something I know you won’t be able to resist! A trip to Narnia, with Debbie :

From Narnia to Albert Bridge

Just a little optimistic this early? Elaine goes looking for Bluebells :

In search of Bluebells

Miriam’s got herself great company for her rather cloudy walk :

Meandering in Mount Macedon

Jaspa’s walk was written with Easter very much in mind :

Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem

BiTi is in love with green. Colour themed walks? Not a bad idea!

A Study in Green on my walk

Coincidentally, Geoff is already ahead in this game :

Three Greens

Please say hello to Patrick, who’s just starting a walking challenge :

52 Hike Challenge- No. 1

And to lovely Pat, ‘living life almost gracefully’, in Florida :

Walk in the Park

This week Susan goes looking for seals, (Snap!) and trying not to tumble over cliffs!

Estero Bluffs Walk

While Pauline captures all of nature with her camera. Don’t miss this gem!

7 Day Nature Photo : Day 1- a walk in the national Park

That’s it for another week! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I have one more walk for you next week and then I will be missing for a little while. Have a great week everybody!

A note for Joanne : If you’re reading this, there’s a conversation between me and Bill Blackwell, who used to live on the creek, in the comments on my Greatham Creek post. It starts- “I am one of the lucky kids whose family had a boathouse on the creek. At 80years old my memories go back to when in my opinion the creek was at its best, with more people than seals,yet I very much enjoyed the photos.”

Six word Saturday

What else we did at Easter

Phone a friend, of course! One of the lovely aspects of this Easter was that Lisa was able to renew a friendship from her very earliest years.

This exquisitely folded book, made by Joanne, is a lasting memento of their meeting. It fits so well in Lisa’s beautiful, artistic home, with her hand-painted flowers and birds. There’s always a project at Lisa’s, and after our visit to Butterfly World, she asked for some photos to begin another. That evening we dragged out old photo albums from school days and giggled over the pigtails and pinafore frocks.

The weekend weather was a little unpredictable, and Sunday brought a good soaking in the park, complete with hail stones. On Monday we opted to spend time in the Museum of Hartlepool, safe from the elements, before a swift stride along the seafront.

Tuesday saw the lovely lady heading home, and me bereft, for a while. But I have so much joy to look back on. How about you?

You can join me at Six Word Saturday, if you like. If not, I’ll see you on Monday, for a rather unusual, industrial walk.

Forbidding skies

It’s strange how little you know of your own area sometimes, isn’t it? Countless times I’ve ridden the bus along Seal Sands Road, with my nose in a book, blotting out the ugliness. It’s a highly industrialised area and holds little appeal, apart from the seals that inhabit Greatham Creek.

I was unaware of the Brine Fields, where saturated salt was once extracted and processed by the local Cerebos company. Nowadays the resulting salt caverns are used for storage of liquid gas for the process industry. A forbidding sight, complete with warning notices.

If you look very closely you might spot a grey head bobbing along in the water. The seal is apparently oblivious to the stormy skies and forbidding landscape. For humans those skies mean it’s time to get a move on home. Always assuming they have a home to go to, of course.

Paula is asking for interpretations of Forbidding on Thursday’s Special this week. This is mine. If you come along on my walk next Monday I’ll tell you a little more about the area, and we’ll go and find those seals. Bit of a change from butterflies, isn’t it?

Jo’s Monday walk : The Butterfly Trail

It’s almost unreal, isn’t it? You cannot imagine the delight I shared on Good Friday. A planned expedition to Preston Park did not start out well. Why, oh why, had I not factored in Bank Holiday crowds and full to bulging roads on this warm Spring day? It almost sabotaged my plans.

But, not quite! My daughter learned to drive just a few years ago, and is not familiar with the roads in the area. I am a self-confessed terrible navigator. A winning combination, with no Sat Nav? Not really, but we managed somehow. As we crept along in dense traffic towards the gates of Preston Park Museum, my heart was in my mouth. So many cars were turning in to the park. Were we even going to be admitted, or find parking? I had never seen this volume of traffic!

We were almost shrugged in, with a ‘You might find a space. You’re welcome to look’. Even the overflow parking had overflown! It transpired that the miniature steam railway had opened for Easter, and everyone in the north east knew about this, except me. But we were meant to be there. As we crawled around the parking areas a space presented itself, in the nick of time. Heaving huge sighs of relief, we got out of the car, and headed away from the crowds, down to the serenity of the river.

A peaceful stroll along the boardwalk, in gentle Spring sunshine, soon restored our equilibrium. Hearing the soft puttering of an engine, I was delighted to see the Teesside Princess rounding the bend. No passengers. She must have been on her way to an engagement.

There was no shortage of eager dog walkers, and a few children, along the path, but there was space to breathe. Most people had gone to the main event. We exchanged smiles and greetings and patiently examined the verges, collating evidence of Spring.

Suitably calmed after our ordeal, it was, of course, time for tea. There is a beautifully ornamental conservatory attached to the museum, where once you could take tea in complete refinement. Sadly this is now reserved for private engagements, but I knew that we could still get a cuppa in the Victorian tearooms. We weren’t the only ones to have this idea, so peace and quiet it was not. But still a fun place to sit outside, watching the children attempting to bowl Victorian hoops, and down a skittle or two. The spice cake disappeared very rapidly!

Well fortified, it was time to venture further. Leo is perfecting his blacksmith skills and was interested to see the large forge. Tools and ironware weighed down the walls, but the forge itself was not in operation. On quieter days, I have spent time in the Victorian shops chatting to the assistants, but the museum was obviously at full stretch today. A sign announced discreetly that if you found a store unattended it was due to the lack of volunteers. I wished that I lived a little closer, so that I might.

An enviable array of beautiful and fascinating objects are to be found in the museum, and we had a brief look around. You may remember this post from last year, when I showed you inside. Today we had a different agenda, but first I couldn’t resist a peep at the Egg Exhibition. One of the reasons the museum was so busy was the Easter Egg trail. Laid throughout, the vibrant eggs sitting in the display cases, a magnet for small eyes.

An ‘eggshibition’ from local schools was mounted in the grand hall. It raised a smile or two. Then it was back into the sunshine. Past the new skate park and the sky walk, both wildly popular with the youngsters, we approached our destination. Butterfly World. Closed November through February, the butterfly house had only reopened on 4th March, and I had no idea if there would be butterflies to see. Was I in for a treat!

Slipping cautiously through the plastic curtains, we had barely taken a few steps into the enclosure when the flutter of wings caught our eye. We gazed, and gasped! They were everywhere! The steamy heat enveloped us in a green world.

Their wings beating frenziedly, they clung to the flame-coloured flowers, extracting the nectar and flitting swiftly to the next. I was wearing a pink and black checked jacket, and rapidly I became a part of the attractions. Little girls with bows in their hair were easy targets too.

The tropical flowers, with their flamboyant hues, magnetised butterflies and humans alike. A waterfall splashed into a pond full of Koi. It was a completely magical experience, standing there as the butterflies swooped and glided all around us.

There was a good variety of butterflies, in every shape and size, but they moved so swiftly that many were hard to capture. A large species with vivid blue wings was particularly elusive, and a tiny one with completely diaphanous wings was simply a blur in my photos. I was so impressed with the experience that I would recommend it to anyone. We withdrew reluctantly when the heat became overwhelming.

Amazing, aren’t they? The Preston Park Museum website is full of information about the house and grounds, including a page dedicated to Butterfly World. I hope you have enjoyed my Easter special. We certainly did! Do you think Jude might like my Wildlife too?

Thanks everybody, for your company and your wonderful contributions to my walks. Anyone with a walk to share can join in, be it gentle potter or 20 mile hike. (now I’m getting carried away!) Details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.

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First stop- a beach with a view from Smidge. Do bring a jumper!

Tyninghame, East Lothian

Whizzing off to the other side of the world, and some fun sculptures next, with Ellen :

Going for a Walk : Auckland Botanic Gardens

Waiting to be awoken for the Summer season :

The sleeping fairy tale

St. Albans looks a really interesting spot. Must look up Debbie there one day!

A Roamin’ Walk through Roman St. Albans

Like to add to your vinyl collection? Lee Ann knows just the place :

Wellington- A stroll along Cuba Street

Fancy riding a funicular? Join Becky and she’ll show you the back streets of Lisbon :

Off the tourist track

My lovely friend, Gerry, has joined us this week! Please don’t miss this look at his home town :

Lymington-Keyhaven walk

Jackie’s back home in Toronto but can’t resist one lingering look back :

Monday Walk- Puerto Vallarta

I could be happy strolling on the Piazza Navona- couldn’t you?

What caught my eye in Rome- part 2

Please welcome another newcomer, Kathrin, with a fascinating museum walk :

San Jose Downtown

And a lady called Sim, who likes to walk the London Underground routes. That’s different, isn’t it?

Above Ground on the London Underground- Day 23 : So this is Knightsbridge?

Miriam’s walking away all the angst on the beach this week. Great idea!

Coastal walking – from wild to mild

Just a little inland but with wonderful views- join Susan for a gentle stroll!

Black Hill of Morro Bay

Murals with a message from Jill, and very beautiful so don’t miss!

Sea Walls in my hometown

That’s it for another week! Some great walks there to keep you busy. Looks like a very wet and dismal Easter Monday here, but I’ve still got great company and I really can’t complain. I don’t know if I dare suggest a walk though. After a mighty Sunday lunch yesterday we ventured as far as the local park. Bright sunshine turned to driving rain and hailstones! The ladies at Monday Escapes are out and about again this week, and maybe you’ll find some sunshine there. If you’d just like some smiles, have a look at Lany Poniedzialek (Wet Monday) in Poland. See you next week!

Six word Saturday

An Easter bouquet, from our house…

to yours!

Lisa arrived, in a burst of colour and joy, with flowers and the card she’d made. My Good Friday was the happiest I have shared in a long time. We walked, in warm Spring sunshine. We talked. We ate, and laughed, and smiled a lot.

This morning my house is peaceful, while I wait for everyone to stir. Wishing you all much love this Easter! I hope that you are equally blessed.

Jo’s Monday walk : Wildfowl Waddle and Glide

Bearing in mind how energetic we were last Monday, I thought that something a little more sedate might suit today. Hardwick Hall Country Park in Sedgefield, County Durham, is just the place for a gentle stroll. But that’s not the whole story. You are probably familiar with my challenging friend, Jude. Chided to nurture my photographic skills in capturing wildlife, and NOT cheat with inanimate objects, what else could I do?

Clutching the dregs of a box of cornflakes, off I went. The helpmate had to come too, of course, to obligingly scatter the cornflakes as I poised for action. And action there was, aplenty! It seems that swans are extremely efficient hoovers when it comes to cornflakes.

We used to come to this park when my son was small. Many battles were fought in the crumbling old fort- some of them just to get him out of there, and home again. Nobody much seems to clamber in it these days. Just the odd duck. A bit of a waste, really.

A park for all seasons, I’ve brought you here a time or two before. Remember the duck decoy? And there are quirky sculptures, too. But fundamental to it all is the lake. Canada Geese may pretend ownership, but the swans glide imperiously by, cocking a snooty beak.

There are several smaller ponds, beloved of the coots playing hide and seek among straggling roots, and the soft shimmering reeds. The Temple of Minerva hints at mystery through the trees. Just one of the interesting sculptural aspects to this park.

Crossing over the Serpentine Bridge, the path leads to fens and a boardwalk. A new little bird hide has been installed, and our feathered friends are delighted to preen a little while they feast on nuts. We are equally delighted to quietly spectate.

I’m so used to seeing the folly of a Gothic Ruin that it no longer seems strange to me. Designed in the Palladian style, by architect James Paine, the gardens are an unusual example of 18th century landscape design. The cafe, however, is a stylish new build. That doesn’t prevent it from doing a very creditable old fashioned Victoria Sponge and Bakewell Tart. I did a good impersonation of those swans as I hoovered up my sizeable portion. Crumbs don’t make much of a photo, do they?

Hoping for a tiny morsel, a robin loitered nearby, teasingly out of camera range. So, I had to settle for a couple of very cute ducks.

You might have noticed that Jude has been breaking her own rules lately. Who better? Pop over and join in her Garden Challenge. You have until the end of March to post some Wildlife. Meantime let’s put the kettle on. Time to settle in for a good read.

Huge thanks to all my contributors for joining me again this week. I love having your company, whether you’re a walker or not. Please feel free to send me a walk. The details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page or click on the logo above.

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Lots of happy and willing sharers again this week. Let’s get Smidge to start us off :

A weekend in the Clyde Valley : New Lanark and the Elphinstone Hotel

I don’t know why but paddles and Mersey come to mind? Strange brain I have! Sorry, Debs!

Across the Forth without a Ferry

Serene in New Zealand this week, with Ellen and a few cows!

Going for a Walk : Motutapu Walkway

South of the Border, one last time (sob!), with Jackie :

Bucerias, Mexico

To the beach with Amy, enjoying the beauty, as she always does :

Monday Walk : Rockport Beach, Texas

Being ‘sinister’ with Anabel in Scotland? No, not really!

Irvine and the Scottish Maritime Museum

Liesbet doesn’t make the leap, so don’t worry! Maybe another time?

A Walk in Lover’s Leap State Park, CT

Feeling social this week? Please go along and say ‘hi’ to Joan :

Having a Social Hike with absolutely Blissful Views

Such a pretty sequence of images! Meet BiTi from Pret-a-Vivre online magazine :

Our first walk together in 2016

And, as ever, along comes Drake to brighten the day :

Pics up last Summer

Closely followed by Elisa and Dumbo- not the Disney favourite!

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

My friend Meg will love this next walk, so thank you, Susan, for making us both happy :

Rock Walk

Richard is standing up for Cornish walks and beaches. Jude will be very happy with that :

Best walks with a view : Trevone to St. Merryn

And, in case you missed the link at the start of my post, here’s the lady herself :

Garden Portrait : Knightshayes Court

That’s it for another week. I hope to have a post for you on Easter Monday but I haven’t quite decided where yet. My daughter and husband are arriving on Thursday evening, so I’m busy and excited. I hope the weather allows you to get out and about, but if not there’s always chocolate. Have a wonderful time!

A Tall Story

‘Tall’ is a relative, isn’t it? Seen from the cliff tops in Saltburn, this offshore wind farm looks small and inoffensive. Quite pretty, in fact, as the sunlight catches the blades. Let’s have a walk along the sea front at Redcar, to take a closer look.

I used to hate being tall and gawky when I was at school. Nor did I ever achieve tall and elegant in later life. But I’ve always been tall.

So I do have a certain sympathy with Redcar’s Vertical Pier. It’s far from elegant, but it’s tall and…. interesting, would you say?

If you were wondering what I did with the rest of my Monday, after my walk Through the Valley at Saltburn, the answer’s here. I’ve long intended to climb the Vertical Pier at Redcar. It only required a short detour, and you know how I like a view.

I’m hoping that Paula will enjoy it too. She likes a little something different for her Thursday’s Special. This week’s subject is Tall.

Jo’s Monday walk : Through the Valley

Handsome chap, isn’t he? You’ll meet him later. I often accompany my husband if he’s out on a job and it’s a nice day. He goes to work and I go off to play. Almost fair, isn’t it? This week he was back in Saltburn and after two dreary, wet days I was determined to find myself a walk. The day was still a little overcast but I had high hopes.

My walk started on Marske Mill Road, on the outskirts of Saltburn, where I had spotted a public footpath sign. The path tumbled quite rapidly downhill and soon I was at a junction. The branch to my left was clearly signed ‘Valley Gardens’, but the more tantalising option had no marked destination. It’s obvious which I chose, isn’t it? This was my reward.

Viaducts are always an arresting sight, especially when they appear unexpectedly. The ground was quite moist, and I could hear the chuckling sound of water. Intrigued and captivated, I followed a concrete path which led me beneath the viaduct.

Ahead, a metal bridge crosses the churning stream. Aged sleepers form steps and the path leads up, beside the viaduct. A hint of blue had appeared in the sky and soon the bare woodlands are transformed. I exchange greetings with a couple of dog walkers and stop to admire the tree patterns cast by the sun. This little chap, sitting on the path, was most suspicious of my activities.

I fell into step with his owner and we began to chat. I had assumed that the path would lead me back into Saltburn at some point. Completely wrong! We were headed inland, in the direction of Skelton village, where she lived. The notorious sense of direction working well again. I enjoyed her company a little further, but then decided to retrace my steps the short distance back to the viaduct. By now the pale sunlight had begun to sneak into crevasses, and glint on the frothing water.

Back across the bridge I went, and up to the junction where the sign so clearly announced ‘Valley Gardens’. I may have taken the wrong turn, but I was quite delighted by my little escapade. The woodland gardens were now washed in gentle sunshine- that welcoming bench, not too far ahead.

Joyful Spring burgeonings were everywhere as I followed the path through the woods. Just above the formal Italian gardens, a quirky little corner is being developed by the Friends of the Valley- a Bumblebee Bistro. It’s good to see the nurturing process continue in these Valley Gardens, which date right back to 1860. The mischief in me wants to link this post to Jude and her Wildlife Garden, but I know I’ll get no thanks!

You might remember these beguiling mosaics from my last visit to Saltburn. At the Woodlands Centre, created to encourage children to interact with nature, I managed to find some more. Appealing to adults, too, I think. Cute badger and bunnies!

The Valley Gardens Tearooms is a nice little spot to sit beneath the trees, but I needed to press on through the valley. I wasn’t too sure how much time I had, but you’ll be pleased to know that I did make a stop at Camfields. It’s a favourite of mine for its friendly service, not to mention cakes.

A quick text message established that I had half an hour left to play. Just time for one last treat. I’m heading for the cliff top. Can you keep up?

The path leads up to the cliffs from just behind ‘The Ship Inn’. There you can join the Cleveland Way, a superb 110 mile coastal walk. Just three and a half miles away, the first stop is Skinningrove. But I think that’s enough for one day. Don’t you?

I may have rambled a little today but this map from National Trails will give you an excellent overview of my walk. I hope you enjoyed it? Definitely time to put the kettle on, and settle in for a good read.

Many thanks to all my lovely contributors. My Monday walks wouldn’t be the same without you. If you’re new here you can find details of how to join in on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above. You’ll be made very welcome.

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Last week, Paula gave me a beautiful start to the walks :

Live musically

LOTS of warnings accompany this one from Ellen. For the brave (or a trifle foolhardy)!

Going for a Walk : Tongariro Alpine Crossing (Or why do my legs hurt?)

If I said to you STILL in Mexico you’d know I meant Jackie :

Monday Walk- Puerto Vallarta

Make time for pelicans with Amy! Well worth a wait :

Monday Walk : Making time for the Sunset

Not sure that I fancy ‘mouse water’ but I trust Anabel’s judgement :

Lanark and the Mouse Water

Morro Beach looks blissful! Come and have a morning stroll with Susan :

California Coastal Walk

Always a smile with Drake! How can you resist the man?

Let’s call it Sandy

Some sterling Scottish vistas from Smidge (no, I didn’t say ‘Stirling’) :

Dawdling at Dawyck Botanic Gardens

And a wonderful panorama from Rosemay in Perth (no, not that one either!)

Checking Out Elizabeth Quay

So much colder in Canada! Get your top coat out for this one :

Kananaskis, Alberta

But Gilly has found glorious Springtime for us :

The Day We’ve All Been Waiting For

Another week of fabulous contributions. Thank you everybody and I hope you have a great week.

Note to Jude- there’s a dog, and he’s wild! Well, quite cross, anyway.

Jo’s Monday walk : Souter Lighthouse

My part of the north east coast of England is littered with lighthouses! The jagged coastline traditionally needed the big guys to flash a warning to passing ships. Times have changed, but the coastline remains as rugged as ever.

Souter Lighthouse was the first in the world to be designed and built specifically to use alternating electric current. The lighthouse opened in 1871, and was decommissioned in 1988. It continued as a radio navigation beacon until 1999, when it was finally closed. Today the National Trust own the property and open it to the public.

It’s only a couple of weeks since I was at Roker lighthouse, on a properly murky day. This walk heads north from there, along the cliffs to the magnificent lighthouse at Souter. There’s a long promenade backing the fine stretch of beach, perfect for galloping horses. A straggle of charming houses follow the bay. I’m tempted to take a seat.

Did you spot the fish restaurant sign? Latimers boast smoked haddock, leek and potato pasties. Noted, for later. A sign on the cliff top claims 6 and three-quarter miles to the Tyne Ferry. We won’t be going that far. The smooth expanse of beach left behind, below us rocks scatter the shoreline. Fascinating grooves and grottoes hug the cliff’s base. The potential for shipwreck is easy to see.

Ahead, in the grass, a stone circle has been formed, not unlike a maze. I don’t understand its significance, but there are old military bunkers nearby. The track is a little slippy from recent rain and, peering at the rock formations below, I lose my footing. No damage done! But, looking at the seat of my jeans, I realise that I’m not quite presentable enough for a restaurant. I hope you weren’t looking forward to that pastie.

My favourite part of the walk lies ahead. The stacks teeter at the water’s edge, harbouring only gulls on lookout duty. A first glimpse of Souter’s flamboyant red appears on the horizon. Nearing, I can see the indentations in the rock face, and the stranded islets, clinging to shore.

And then the cove known as The Wherry. In former times there was a Lad’s Wherry and a Lassie’s Wherry, for fishing expeditions and picnics in the bay. A central rock split the bay in two. Nowadays, in part due to erosion, the sea separates the rock from the shoreline at high tide.

Souter lighthouse is about 3 miles south of the River Tyne. Beyond the river, 7 miles to the north, St. Mary’s lighthouse at Whitley Bay is a sister Victorian lighthouse to Souter. With good visibility, the one can be seen from the top of the other.

I love the sound of a foghorn but, were I married to a mariner, the sound would fill me with dread. The Souter foghorn has seen several incarnations, and is still occasionally sounded on special event days at the lighthouse.

Souter lighthouse was revolutionary. Quoting from Wikipedia, “the 800,000 candle power light was generated using carbon arcs and not an incandescent light bulb, and could be seen for up to 26 miles. In addition to the main light a red/white sector light shone from a window in the tower below the lantern, to highlight hazardous rocks to the south; it was powered using light diverted (through a set of mirrors and lenses) from the landward side of the main arc lamp.” As Souter was never automated, it remains pretty much in its original operational state. I thought that this might make a good subject for Paula’s Traces of the Past.

The grassed area north of Souter was once a thriving mining community of 700 people. It was completely demolished after the mine closure in 1968, and the population rehoused in new council housing in Whitburn. A brief history of Souter can be found on the National Trust website, along with details of opening times and how to get there.

Now I know that you will be worrying about your stomach by now. Latimers having been ruled out, I’m glad to inform you that the lighthouse has its own very pleasant cafe. Would you like to try a ‘Singing hinnie’? A warm griddle scone.

Sadly I cannot take you into the lighthouse. It was half term on my visit and very busy, I’m pleased to say. Maybe another time? You might also like my Roker Pier walk. I’m up to my second cup of coffee this morning, after a spectacular sunrise. Please put the kettle on and join me in a visit to some great blogs.

Many thanks to all of you who contributed this week. I’m really happy you can still find time to join me. For any newcomers, you can find details on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.

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Benches or snow? Which is it to be? Let’s start with a Gallivant in the woods!

Cashel Forest

I’ve never been to Mexico, but Jackie’s making up for me. Puerto Vallarta this week :

Sunday Photo and Monday Walk

Amy finds the perfect bench for Jude, while I just laze on the beach!

Monday Walk : A Beach Walk and February Garden : Monochrome

I was blissfully happy with Drake this week, even wearing my gloves!

Cool art in winter mood

Turns out I couldn’t even say this correctly, but now I’ve had lessons from Smidge :

Culross, Fife

I just about managed to avoid getting splashed by Debbie this week :

Broadstairs to Margate : an easy coastal walk

Or absolutely drowned by Jaspa!

Rough Seas Off Land’s End, Cornwall

Wild water doesn’t seem to stop life from happening Down Under, with Pauline and Jack :

Amazing sights at the beach

Finishing with spectacular beauty in Hawaii! I’ve told Carol I’m green 🙂

Eyeing the Needle

Thanks again, everyone! I love having your company. Have a great week! If you’re needing some travel inspiration, pop over to Monday Escapes. See you there!

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

England

Burgeoning Spring

Jo’s Monday walk : Seal sanctuary

Six word Saturday

What else we did at Easter

Forbidding skies

Jo’s Monday walk : The Butterfly Trail

Six word Saturday

An Easter bouquet, from our house…

to yours!

Jo’s Monday walk : Wildfowl Waddle and Glide

A Tall Story

Jo’s Monday walk : Through the Valley

Jo’s Monday walk : Souter Lighthouse

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What else we did at Easter

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An Easter bouquet, from our house…

to yours!

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