Gadgie Walks: Blyth spirits

Blyth Spirits. January 5th

The coastal walk from Blyth to North Shields has been the first walk of the year for some time.

The walk follows footpaths close to the sea and a map is not necessary but if you like to keep up with names of places you need:

OS Explorer Morpeth and Blyth 325 and OS Explorer Newcastle upon Tyne 316

We met at Cicarellis coffee shop/ cafe/fish and chip shop at South Beach, Blyth.

Great turnout: Brian Margaret, John L, John C, Harry, Paul, Ian, Ben and me. (Maureen joined us for coffee and then trotted off to take artistic photographs of Blyth.)

As most of us have come by bus or been delivered by loving spouses (spice?) there should not be a car park photo but with the super calendar in mind here's a snap of the South Beach free parking area.

South Beach car park, Blyth, free.

Ready to go we set off, passing the Blyth battery, one of the best preserved East Coast defences, built for WW1 and upgraded for WW2.

One of the Blyth battery guns. Not the original. The battery is open to visitors but check times.

Once beyond the guns we took the Eve Black Way, a cycle/footpath that goes through the dunes to Seaton Sluice. As an alternative, walk on the sandy beach.

The harbour at Seaton Sluice. Once a thriving port for exporting coal and glass. The sluice gates are gone but the cut, between the two white buildings, remains. Designed and built in the 18th century.

We walked past the Waterford Arms and carried on on the road above the cliffs, passing the Tower Gallery.

The Octagon, originally the Harbour Master's office with accommodation below.

We took the footpath on the left, crossing a field and a car park before heading down to St. Mary's Lighthouse.

St. Mary's lighthouse, visitor centre and shop. There is a colony of seals on the rocks. The lighthouse is reached by a short causeway and is cut off by a high tide.

The nearest one. A lady gave us a short talk on the lives of seals; babies born in autumn, leave mum soon. grow a new coat and eat a lot.

The pub closed recently.

Away from the lighthouse we walked a short way on the promenade before taking the muddy footpath across the links until we reached the next section of prom. A couple of shelters made a good Herbie Spot.

Close to Brian's birthday, we were offered chocolate cake and also exchanged mince pies and ginger biscuits. (Ringtons, very snappy)

The promenade was busy, children on bikes, scooters, having a good day out.

Moving on we passed the famous Whitley Bay Spanish City, refurbished and reopened some years ago.

The Spanish City, built in 1908 for the blossoming seaside resort.

We stayed on the busy promenade to Cullercoats, home of the Dove Marine Laboratory, run by Newcastle University.

The Marine Laboratory.

Beyond the laboratory we descended to the Long Sands of Tynemouth, busy with walkers and a football game with coats for goals!

Climbing back up to the road we passed the Tynemouth Priory and castle ruins.

Tynemouth Priory.Origins in 8th century, destroyed by Danes in the 9th. Castle started in the 11th

Tynemouth Castle.

Beyond the ruins we walked down to the promenade, beneath the statue of Lord Collingwood.

Collingwood, number two at Trafalgar.

We reached the remains of Clifford's Fort built to defend the river in 1672 and headed for the Low Lights pub. A good selection of beers, a proper pub, famous for pies. The lady behind the bar presented us with a huge bowl of chips! (She said the people in the bar didn't want them. Can't understand why.)