Urban walk on Tyneside

 An urban walk on Tyneside. March 6th.

Margaret, Brian and I left Algar Towers and made our way along several streets and footpaths, passing a cemetery and crematorium, to Northumberland Park. Although we hadn't been out long the cafe in the park was open, take away only because of the lockdown, so we stopped for tea or coffee. The cafe  and park was busy, mostly young mums and/or dads pushing buggies and walking children but also many older people too.

                     Northumberland Park cafe

  Moorhen in the lake. The water rail and kingfisher did not appear but we saw a rather cute looking rat.
 

Bird satue

 Finished we waked on and made our way down to the Tyne close to the Fish Quay. Turning left we walked along the promenade, passing below the statue of Collingwood and well clear of the notorious Black Midden Rocks. The promenade was busy, mostly older people. The couple I talked to were, like us, out because we had had the first vaccine several weeks ago. It gave you confidence they said.

                        Collingwood, Nelson's successor at Trafalgar and a local lad. He went to Newcastle Royal Grammar School which only took boys then.

                                   Collingwood's crow. Willing to accept snacks apparently.

At the end of the promenade we walked uphill to Tynemouth, passing the priory and castle, guardians once of the soul and the Tyne     

                                                                                                                                                                 Tynemouth Priory (and coast guard station)

                          Castle gate

We walked the footpath above King Edward's Bay and at the start of the Long Sands went down the long steps to the beach, pausing to look at the long defunct open air pool.

At the end of the beach we climbed up to the promenade again, walking above Cullercoats Bay towards Whitley Bay and the Spanish City.

Memorial to a toon fan

                                                                     Cullercoats Bay.

At Whitley Bay we walked a short distance along the rebuilt promenade before declaring a Herbie: Titans, Maid of Honour and cheese savoury bun.

         The Spanish City, Whitley Bay. Closed and neglected for many years but  more recently renovated and reopened.

Again we descended to the beach and walked along the sands to Brier Dene, which is a pub and a dene.

We walked up the dene which had a fine display of snowdrops and crocus flowers and will soon have an equally fine display of daffodils.

                                Snowdrops in the Brier Dene.

Once out of the dene we followed streets and footpaths, passing Monkseaton Metro station until we reached Marden Quarry Nature reserve. 

                    Marden Quarry Pool. A variety of ducks and swans but no herons.

Having circled the pool we made our way back to Algar Towers walking close to Rockcliff Rugby ground and across Whitley Bay Cricket Ground, carefully avoiding the square of course.

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This walk is about 12.2 miles, mostly on pavement, but very flat apart from stairs.