Finally escaped at 6.50 am from my Seaham hotel where I discovered in early morning half light that all the exits were still barred and locked……(what would the inmates have done in event of a fire?) into a dry, yet cold morning, to commence a day that went surprisingly well. I had been rather dreading threading my way through the map book maze of Sunderland, South Shields Newcastle and Tynemouth. In fact, I was able to simply hang a left (north) out of the hotel and follow the coastal road right along to my evening’s destination. A first time visitor to the region, I had been expecting to find strong evidence of a wrecked post-industrial landscape. Au contraire, there has been extensive infra-structure renewal, ultra modern shopping centres, housing, parks and cultural centres, museums etc. There is a general air of prosperity reflected in pleasant public spaces and attractive architecture along the dramatic coast-line of rocks, beaches and cliffs. Interestingly, Newcastle boasts the highest proportion of public service employment in the UK and to accommodate it all, the biggest office building in Europe with room for 10,000 civil servants.
Two major rivers crossed today, the first by bridge over the River Wear, out of Sunderland into Roker and the second, riding the pedestrian ferry across the Tyne from South Shields, crossing time about 10 minutes, fare 1 pound.
98% of today’s walk was achieved on segregated foot-paths which is relaxing and obviates the need to have constant “heads up”.
Arrived in Whitley Bay just before 3.00 pm after having availed myself of a large size pub lunch en route. I was able to find accommodation quite easily from among the myriad small boarding houses favoured by out of town contractors.
28.6 kms. walked today per pedometer. Cumulative Kms. covered: 1275.4
Hours of walking today including rest stops: 7 3/4
Type of accommodation: Guest house.
Cost of bed & breakfast: pounds. 16.50
Please go to Flickr.com (traveller6666) to view pics of the walk.
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