Tall Ships Regatta

Many of you seemed to enjoy my visit to the Tall Ships Regatta at Blyth last week, so I decided to stay on this same coastline for today’s walk. South Shields is just a little way down the coast, and if you look closely at the photo above you might just make out a Tall Ship on the horizon.

I’ve brought her a little closer! She was just hovering offshore, admiring the view.

As you can see it’s a rugged coastline, but the Blue Flag beach at South Shields is superb. We’ll start our walk from the car park behind the beach, along the new promenade. In the distance Tynemouth Priory is just visible, across the river mouth.

Walking south, in the direction of Souter Lighthouse, the sand is lovely and firm beneath my feet. At the end of the beach a path leads up to The Leas, and from there it’s 2.5 miles of coastal footpath to Souter Lighthouse.

I’m not going to talk much today. I’ll simply let you enjoy the humps and bumps of scenery. It’s a sight that always fills me with awe.

I was astounded when reading the information board in Frenchman’s Bay. I knew, of course, that this area was once popular with smugglers. What I didn’t realise was just how much coastal erosion had changed the landscape, and the timescale involved. This bay was once sandy and wooden steps led down to the beach. Long, long before that, these rocks were formed- 245 million years ago, when South Shields lay close to the Equator.

In the far distance I can make out Souter Lighthouse and Marsden Rock. The Rock is a 30 metre high sea stack of magnesium limestone and periclase. These days it’s only home to seabirds, though once it was joined to the land. At this point I turn back. I’ve visited Souter Lighthouse before, as the link will show, and I have a different goal in mind today.

I’m heading back towards the River Tyne and South Shields, and the mighty pier that stretches 1,570 metres out to sea. I keep an eye on the Tall Ship, out at sea, and am delighted to find that my arrival coincides nicely with hers. Tynemouth Priory, on the far shore, is beautiful in close up.

South Pier is an astonishing length and I’m entranced by the railway lines that once ran along it. I would love to bombard you with statistics and information but I’m finding myself sadly short of time. South Shields has a fascinating history and the Wikipedia link will give you all the facts you need.

It was a lovely day and we wandered into South Marine park, licking an icecream. The boating lake and miniature steam train were busy, and I was pleased to see Shields thriving. I know you’ll be gasping for a cuppa, and I can only apologise that this post is picture heavy, and not as factual as I would like.

Thank you so much for the many and varied contributions I’ve received to my walks this week. I struggle sometimes to keep up, but it’s always a joy to share with you. Please join me, if you’d like. Details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. Just click on the logo above.

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Paula always knows how to make me happy :

Hell’s Mouth – Not so Hellish

Lady Lee knows a good-looking city when she sees one. She’s lived in this one for 27 years!

A Day in Munich

Jackie does us proud this week with some fabulous murals :

Islington Village of Murals

And Cardinal treats us to the sight of his ass- suitably clothed, of course!

The Majestic Jotunheimen

Kathrin has heaps of sea glass to share, but you musn’t take it away from the beach :

Glass Beach, Fort Bragg

Check out what Liesbet gets up to mid-week? Lovely sunsets and sideways houses!

Feeling the Bern in Burlington, VT- a Mid-week “Weekend Away”

Fancy a bit of teeter-tottering with Violet? You’ve come to the right place!

Heritage Village

Drake has us stepping back into the past too. Always with a smile :

Just around my corner

Stained glass fans? Step right this way! BiTi has some beauties :

La Couvertoirade Village

Spectacular walking with Cathy this week. 16,453 steps in total, but you do get to stop for lunch!

Iceland’s Golden Circle : Gulfoss and Geysir

Yvette is content to share the simple wonders of the beach. Timeless images and wiggly ones!

Simple Things at the Beach

Susan gives a very personal take on her impressions of Berlin :

Walking Berlin, Germany

I simply had to steal this one away from Meg! I know this palace, but had no idea of its splendours :

Palace on the island

And I know that Meg will approve Susan’s architectural details too :

Art in the details : Looking up in the Financial District

That’s it folks! Hope you enjoyed it, and that you have a happy week ahead. See you soon!

You might know that I couldn’t stay away from a Tall Ships return to the north east of England. I spent 4 happy days admiring them when the race came to Hartlepool in 2010. This time it was the turn of Blyth, on the Northumberland coast. I didn’t think you’d object to coming along and having a look over my shoulder. I can promise you a little fun, and a pirate or two.

Although it’s only 50 miles north of me, and the birthplace of my late Aunt Isa, I have seldom visited Blyth. I was surprised at the amount of information it generates in Wikipedia. The name Blyth comes from the river of that name which flows through the town, blithe being an old English adjective meaning ‘merry’ or ‘gentle’. Isa would have liked that. Back in her day the town thrived on the industries of coal mining and shipbuilding. During the First and Second World Wars the local shipyards built many ships for the Royal Navy. Among them, the first aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal, in 1914. Like many another, the town has struggled to reinvent itself for the changing times. A visit from the Tall Ships is a real coup.

What a thing of beauty they are! I knew my Dad would be bursting with pride at the Polish representatives. Dar Młodzieży, The Gift of Youth, is a Polish sail training ship and the largest of the ships present. It made me smile that comparatively tiny Fryderyk Chopin is the youngest of the Polish Tall Ships. Let’s stroll along the Quayside and take a closer look.

The British contingent was headed up by Lord Nelson, the flagship for the Jubilee Sailing Trust. Their mission is to promote the integration of people with disabilities, enabling them to meet the challenge of sailing tall ships on the open seas. Quite a formidable challenge it seemed to me, as I looked up at all the ropes and pulleys.

Next in line I found Oosterschelde, the last remaining representative of a large fleet of schooners that sailed under the Dutch flag in the early 20th century. The name comes from the eastern part of the River Schelde, which flows through Belgium and the Netherlands on its way to the sea.

Now I realise that not all of you share my fascination with ships. Let me just introduce you to a pirate ship and then your attention can wander. The Shtandart is a replica of the 1703 frigate built by Peter the Great, in St. Petersburg, Russia. You can imagine the excitement that this one generates, with its swashbuckling appearance. I think it had the longest queues for boarding. And where there’s a pirate ship… “arr, Jim lad!”

In addition to the amazing vessels themselves, every effort has been made to beguile and entertain. There are fairgrounds, trading stalls, and a grand stage. An invitation to observe the activities of Port of Tyne includes a wind hub and renewable energies centre, looking to the future. A band marches smartly past, and I cease the opportunity to ‘guess the number of Lego bricks’. A minibreak to Amsterdam surely has my name on it!

Strolling on into Ridley Park, I’m glad to see that the children have not been neglected. Magicians perform their tricks, eliciting broad smiles from the parents and the usual serious attention of the youngsters. I applaud the dexterity, and cheer along with the crowd.

But it’s impossible to ignore the presence of the great ladies. Their masts loom on the waterfront and the crowd sways toward them. Some of the ships are open to the public for a few hours each day. The Polish ships and Lord Nelson have already closed but I still have one option.

My Dutch friend comes with a bonus. Tethered just behind her is the clipper Morgenster. When I have looked my fill I can clamber over into the smaller ship. I’m helped aboard by a smiling crew, and just look at this little beauty!

See what I mean about all those ropes and pulleys? Morgenster has an interesting history. She started life in 1919 as a herring lugger named Vrouw Maria. In 1927 she was motorised and given her current name. She worked as a fishing boat until 1970, when she was sold and used for sport fishing day trips. Certification problems led to her being sold again, this time to a Rotterdam singer, who apparently wanted to use her for ether piracy. Prosecution was unsuccessful but the ship was allowed to degenerate into a terrible condition. Happily she was bought in 1983 and lovingly restored. It would not be until 2008 that she made her way back to sea. The life of a boat! Many such facts are found in the event guide.

Nothing more to do now than absorb the atmosphere of so many people having a good time. At the main stage the Irish Dance music has toes tapping. Mine too! It was a reluctant farewell from me.

I hope you didn’t mind my little bit of self indulgence. The event guide has full details, just in case you can make it in time for the Parade of Sail this afternoon. Torrential rain caused car park difficulties on Sunday but the skies are clear again today. A cuppa now, I think!

Many thanks to all of you who read and encourage me each week, not to mention those who walk with me. As always I have some great walks to share. If you’d like to join me at any time, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. You’ll be very welcome. Just click on the logo above.

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Starting with a bit more of Toronto from Jackie this week. Quite a big bit, in fact!

High Park

Walking with tigers could be dangerous! You’d better stay on the bus :

Periyar Tiger Reserve

Violet Sky has some quirky carvings for you this week. You’ll like them!

Carvings

Kathrin has a beautiful time spotting elks, and admiring ferns :

Fern Canyon, Humboldt County

This city has been waiting for me eternally! I’ll get there one day, Biti!

Rome again

The rough with the smooth with Drake this week, and some superb shots :