Roker Park

I just know you’re ready for some fresh air and exercise this morning, and you’ve come to exactly the right place. Grab a scarf and some gloves and we’ll go and dust off those Boxing Day blues. Nothing finer than a vigorous walk along the north east coast of England.

We’re at Roker, just north of Sunderland, and smiles abound this gem of a morning. Let’s start by the tall white lighthouse that studs the green. In Summer this is the focal point for the Sunderland Air Show and breathing space is scarce. Right now, we can stroll as far as the eye can see.

I’m heading south, but you can choose. Not too many clouds in the sky this morning, but they can gang up on you when you’re least expecting. Let’s hop down on the beach and see what we can find.

The stories a pebble could tell! I look back along the beach, and then ahead, into shadow.

That’s Roker Pier you can see straight ahead. It looks far distant but it’s no more than a good stride.

The clouds are making the most enchanting reflections on the damp sand.

Just around the corner, a rather strange ‘gateway’ to Roker Park.

Don’t let it put you off. It’s rather a nice little park, especially when the Roker Lights come to town in September.

In no time at all we’re back on the sea front, and there ahead of us stands proudly curvaceous Roker Pier.

Remember I mentioned those sneaky clouds? Well, just for a few seconds…

…a drop or two of rain plops on the sand. But it’s gone in a whisper, making me doubt it was even there. I stroll back in the direction from which I’ve come, smiling at a dog walker, and a lone maiden on a rock.

For a moment I fancy she might just be a mermaid. That’s what happens when you watch ‘Splash’, the movie, on Christmas TV. Heading north again, did you spot the selfie on the beach?

There’s a good incentive to carry on around this bay. On the edge of Whitburn, Latimer’s deli and fish restaurant is a great little spot, looking out to sea. On a summer day you’ll be fighting to sit out on the sun terrace. Today it’s just that little bit cool, and squeezing inside is more desirable.

The lobster salad was such a good price, and looked delicious. I modestly settled for a lovely fish chowder. Maybe next time? I hope you’ll join me.

Thanks everyone for spending time with me today, and the whole of the year. I’ve loved having your company. I’m going to be missing for a few weeks because next Monday I’ll be on my way to the Algarve. I have 2 weeks to enjoy, and recharge my batteries. I don’t blog while I’m away, so the next walk will be posted on 23rd January. That seems a long way off. You might have forgotten me by then. If not, I’ll be open for walks as usual. Details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page.

Let’s enjoy some great walks now, shall we? I’ll pop the kettle on first.

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You can always rely on Anabel for a bite to eat along the way :

A walk round Overtoun Estate

Indra’s in British Columbia, and very beautiful it looks too :

Kelowna…. Nature’s Playground

Sunshine in your eyes? And the ‘white stuff’, with Drake :

Snow in the eyes

Beautiful architecture as Jude follows in my footsteps, along the river bank :

Norwich Part III : Wensum riverside walk

I know she’d love the fruit and flowers in Lady Lee’s Philippines :

Sonya’s Garden – Urban floral displays

Jackie found lots of ice in Florida. An unusual, if expensive, treat :

Charlie Brown’s Christmas

Not so chilly at the beach, with Geoff and Dog :

Hag Stones#poems#poetry

And where’s Woolly this week? Dodging snakes it seems!

Jo’s Monday-Walk-06 Geelong Botanic Gardens

Denzil always enjoys a breath of fresh air and a stretch of the legs :

Walking around Wonck

I’m quite jealous that Sophie managed to get onto these walls :

The walk on the wall of Pisa

And I’m determined to get to Cornwall next year for these scones. Thanks, Carol!

The End

Have you come across the London Wlogger? The lady features very informative London walks :

King’s Cross to Hampstead Heath : Unlocking London’s beauty

Finishing with a little piece of leftover Christmas magic from Drake :

Dreaming about so much

And closer to home- you’ll like this, Jude!- Jaspa shares some Cornish lights :

Mousehole Harbour Christmas Lights

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I’ll be around till the New Year, walking of course, if the opportunity arises. Make the most of your relaxed time, before we dive into 2017.

Grab your coat! It’s time to go.

It’s Monday, my usual day for a walk. Do you fancy a stroll? I’m starting out today on the banks of the River Wear at Sunderland. Ship building used to be the mainstay of this area, till foreign competition priced us out of the market. For a lot of years nothing much happened around here, but gradually life is creeping back in.

The National Glass Centre blazed a trail and it is the start and end point of my walk. At the river mouth a small marina huddles against that sometimes biting north east breeze. In its absence, this is a very pleasant stroll, with some quirky sculptures along the way.

All is quiet this morning on the River Wear

There’s a ‘not so comfy’ seat if you’re tired already

But best to head off round the marina

Vessels of all shapes and sizes loiter here

From working boats

To those with a more leisurely life

Masts always delight me

What can I tell you about Sunderland? I expect you’ve heard of Geordies, people who hail from Newcastle-on-Tyne, but have you heard of Mackems? The name Mackem (‘make them’) may have derived from the Wearside shipyard workers, who would design and build ships, which would then be taken by the Tyne-siders. The expression “mackem and tackem” (make them and take them) seems to refer to the rivalry which has always existed between these two cities.

My favourite sculpture is the stained glass boat

Tiny buoys dot the water as you look back to the Glass Centre

And there are colourful bollards on the quay

Beyond the marina the river mouth opens onto the beach front at Roker, newly made over.

With new sculptures and seating

The beach is full of tempting rock pools

It’s just the place for walking your dog

Or admiring the lighthouse

This area is not without its admirers. Lewis Carroll wrote some of his works in neighbouring Whitburn and local landmarks are believed to be the source of inspiration for his “Alice in Wonderland”. The painter, L.S. Lowry, regularly stayed at the Seaburn Hotel, here on the front.

The promenade stretches off into the distance and you can walk as far as you like. Buses run all along the coast so, if you overdo it, you can always hop on a bus back to Sunderland centre. I think we may have walked far enough for this morning, so it’s time to retrace our steps, and maybe pick up an icecream en route. A short detour through pretty Roker Park will bring you back down to the beach.

Upper or lower promenade at Roker lighthouse?

An old drinking fountain

Back to the beach, from Roker Park

The National Glass Centre has a very nice riverfront restaurant where you can take some refreshments, and maybe fit in a free tour of the glass factory. I love glass blowing. Don’t you? But more of that next time.

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

Jo’s Monday walk : Boxing Day Blues

A promenade to Roker

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