A winter walk along the Wansbeck (Northumberland) November19th
The jovial jock who gives the weather forecast on the local TV station promised a cold day, temperature never climbing higher than 2C, and he was right. In many ways a good thing, as the mud was frozen.
A mid week walk for Dave and I on a bright sunny November day and not too far from base. We started our riverside walk from West Sleekburn which is off the Northumberland Spine Road otherwise known as the A189. No map but it is on OS Explorer 325 Morpeth and Blyth
We parked the car next to the signal box next to the mineral railway line which is used mainly for delivering wood pellets to the power station at Ellington. One day it will be on the reopened track from Ashington via Blyth to join the metro at Northumberland Park...…..one day.
Car park next to the railway. Only room for a few vehicles and don't park round the corner, said the signalman. The locals get annoyed.
Walking east a few yards we turned down a steep (and icy) footpath down to the river bank.
Then we headed west along the footpath under the railway bridge and under the road bridge at Stakeford. Some distance further on the path leaves the river and a short climb brought us to a small estate and the bridge at Sheepwash.
The Wansbeck at the start of our walk
Relief on the bridge at Stakeford reflecting the mining heritage of the area.
The bridge at Sheepwash. (Which comes from Old English for a place to wash sheep amazingly)
Once across the bridge and the road we returned to the riverside path which initially goes through a park area with swings and things for children and a café that seems to be going refurbishment.
Although close to a built up area the walk wanders next to the river with shrubs and trees on both sides of the path. Looks like a good place for blackberries. Castle Island is in the middle of the river and was home to a large flock of gulls, blackheaded mostly. There were several little grebes ducking and diving on the water, swans, geese, mallards and golden eye, plus a single solitary egret singing Edith Piaf songs, and a heron. .We found a grassy spot for a Herbie which was a good place to watch the river too
Close to the bridge that carries the A189 over the river there lives a family of otters but they were not out today.
Swan and company
Frosty footpath
A heron means a good day out for gadgies
Once under the bridge we joined the England Coastal Path. It is possible to walk round the point on the sands but past experience told us that the sand can be extremely soft so we took the ECP through the caravan park which was very quiet, the chip shop was closed as was the pool. The ECP leaves the park and follows the cliff edges towards Newbiggin.
At one point the cliff has collapsed, there is a detour throgh a field
This used to be a coal mining area, this is a seam
Eventually we reached the promenade at Newbiggin (New house or building), turned to walk up the main street and were just in time to catch a bus to Stakeford. We alighted close to the car and went home.
This is a marker for the Newbiggin Park Run. Park runs are growing in number in the UK, usually on a Saturday, open to all and are 5km long.
Newbiggin before mobiles
Watching out to see, this giant couple have stood here for several years.
Contains OS data, copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2019
This easy walk is just under 8 miles
The jovial jock who gives the weather forecast on the local TV station promised a cold day, temperature never climbing higher than 2C, and he was right. In many ways a good thing, as the mud was frozen.
A mid week walk for Dave and I on a bright sunny November day and not too far from base. We started our riverside walk from West Sleekburn which is off the Northumberland Spine Road otherwise known as the A189. No map but it is on OS Explorer 325 Morpeth and Blyth
We parked the car next to the signal box next to the mineral railway line which is used mainly for delivering wood pellets to the power station at Ellington. One day it will be on the reopened track from Ashington via Blyth to join the metro at Northumberland Park...…..one day.
Walking east a few yards we turned down a steep (and icy) footpath down to the river bank.
Then we headed west along the footpath under the railway bridge and under the road bridge at Stakeford. Some distance further on the path leaves the river and a short climb brought us to a small estate and the bridge at Sheepwash.
Once across the bridge and the road we returned to the riverside path which initially goes through a park area with swings and things for children and a café that seems to be going refurbishment.
Although close to a built up area the walk wanders next to the river with shrubs and trees on both sides of the path. Looks like a good place for blackberries. Castle Island is in the middle of the river and was home to a large flock of gulls, blackheaded mostly. There were several little grebes ducking and diving on the water, swans, geese, mallards and golden eye, plus a single solitary egret singing Edith Piaf songs, and a heron. .We found a grassy spot for a Herbie which was a good place to watch the river too
Close to the bridge that carries the A189 over the river there lives a family of otters but they were not out today.
Once under the bridge we joined the England Coastal Path. It is possible to walk round the point on the sands but past experience told us that the sand can be extremely soft so we took the ECP through the caravan park which was very quiet, the chip shop was closed as was the pool. The ECP leaves the park and follows the cliff edges towards Newbiggin.
Eventually we reached the promenade at Newbiggin (New house or building), turned to walk up the main street and were just in time to catch a bus to Stakeford. We alighted close to the car and went home.
This easy walk is just under 8 miles
No comments:
Post a Comment