Late December

It has been a long time since I updated, but then there's not been much to report. It's been almost entirely Cannock Chase or The Wrekin. I was back in my homeland around Christmas, so...

Boxing Day - The Coast

Seaton Sluice to Cullercoats Bay
Distance: 8.55 km (5.31 mi)
Time: 1 hour 49
Average Speed: 4.71 km/h (2.92 mph)

A chance to clear the head and work of some of the previous day's food. I was dropped off by Dad at Seaton Sluice. Not long after the car had disappeared out of sight I wondered where my warm hat was, still in the car was the answer.

The first order of business was crossing the Seaton Burn. I ignored the footbridge that was there in favour of a more interesting bridge over the harbour. Which wasn't there, so back to the footbridge. Then it was just a stroll along the cliff edge down to St. Mary's Lighthouse. The tide was out so I joined all the other folks walking over to the island and staring out to sea.

St. Mary's Lighthouse

South of the lighthouse I crossed from Northumberland to Tyne and Wear, and from cliffs to beaches and city streets. I favoured the beaches over the streets, except for one that was almost entirely flat wet rock and thus gave no grip.

In previous years I've continued on into Tynemouth, but this time I stopped at Cullercoats Bay. After a little looking around I found the club my Dad's jazz band was playing in and listened to him blowing on a couple of numbers.

27th December - Simonside

Distance: 8.52 km (5.29 mi)
Time: 1 hour 51
Average Speed: 4.61 km/h (2.96mph)

This was a walk our village scouts used to do often. Dad warned me I was leaving it late setting off, seeing as the would be setting very early. I didn't think it was going to take that long, but I brought along a torch anyway.

I started at the car park in the wood at the base. I did think I wasn't going to find a space as everyone else seemed to have had the same idea, but there was one. I set off following the Red route, which isn't all that arduous unless you've turned up in t-shirt and trainers. It climbs steadily through the wood before emerging below the cairn on Simonside.

The last little bit is steep, up steps cut into rock. I went past a family also going for the top. I assured one of them that it was easier going down.

"Then why couldn't we have gone up that way?"

Standing at the top you get a good view of Cheviot. Some days. But not that day, it was deep in cloud. It was still a good view of the Coquet valley and Rothbury.

The Coquet, but not the top of Cheviot

To avoid retracing steps there is a route across the saddle to Dove Crag. The footpath on the map is closed for erosion control, but there is a decent alternative path. Dropping down from Dove Crag the map shows you re-enter the wood, but a few chainsaws have changed that. I did note that the cairn on top of Simonside was now in cloud, so my timing was good.

It was then a pleasant little stroll through the wood and back to the car. I'd finished by quarter past three, so no need for the torch.