TraceysTrek

Best bits: walking with so many people, Marsden Grotto experience, cold beer

Worst bits: sore foot!

Distance: 21.54 miles

After a support team debrief Rhoda, Steve and I said our goodbyes as I won’t be seeing them again until after I have finished.

I drove Emma and myself to Sunderland where we parked Priscilla on Karen’s Drive. Karen then drove us to the start point for today where we met Amy.

Dead and gone (it says here) are twice life size figures depicting workers involved in the Wearside industries by Ray Lonsdale.

There were other sculptures dotted around the key side under the marina. We spotted a lifeguard walking very quickly along the key side, then along the beach. She was always slightly in front of us.

We finally caught up with Lacie the lifeguard who was in her lookout cabin with her colleague Anna.

The route took us past Roker, Seaburn and Whitburn where the tide was out revealing lovely sandy beaches. Eventually we arrived at Souter Lighthouse and walked around the headland to Marsden.

Amy and Emma had never been to Marsden Grotto before and so it was a new adventure going down in the lift and the revealing of the view at the beach. As the tide was out, they decided to go down and look at the rocks and the huge stack. Of course Amy lost her balance on the slippery rocks and screamed so loud I could hear where I was sitting. Emma had to rescue her. We ordered lunch which took a while to arrive but was absolutely massive. We all managed to eat all of it. 

Amy left us to go back home to pick up the kids from school and Emma and I continued on. We spotted this telephone on a bench and took a closer look. Telephone on the wind for saying all of the things you wanted to say to a loved one but never got a chance. What a fabulous idea.

Our next stop was South Shields where we walked through the amusement park. I decided we should cut through the town centre rather than walk around the headland where I knew it was quite industrial. We spotted a Marie Curie shop and so went in. The staff there, Gail and Janette, had seen me on the TV earlier in the week and so knew all about me. We took the opportunity to do some photographs and celebrate the fact that today I have walked 7 million steps.

Our option for crossing the river Tyne was to take the passenger ferry from South Shields to North Shields. It’s only about a 10 minute journey but one that Emma hasn’t done before. When we arrived at the other side, Mandy was waiting for us. She had messaged me a few days ago to say she would like to Walk with me for part of a day.

It was on through North Shields fish key and then into Tynemouth past the castle and Long sands beach.

Heather and Janette were our hosts for a refreshment stop in Cullercoats.

Back on the route through Whitley Bay, we bumped into another Janette who had also messaged me about potentially meeting up. She walked a short way with us too.

Saint Mary’s Lighthouse looks much better than the last time I saw it when it was covered in scaffolding having a repaint.

We were starting to get a little tired and so sat on a bench and ate the Malteaser cake that Lynn had made for us. It was yummy and just what we needed for the last few miles of the day. It had started to rain on and off all day but never really came to very much. We were delighted to see this beautiful rainbow.

Mandy left us at Seaton sluice where a number of small boats were docked.

Emma and I had another couple of miles to walk before we would finish today. We were getting quite delirious and hysterical as we were so tired. Also, Emma was desperate for the loo.

We finally arrived in Blyth where Heather was waiting for us with cold beers. Emma had to run to the nearest toilet before she could drink hers. Then Heather took us back to Sunderland to collect Priscilla and for Emma to get a lift back home

Lynn and Harb were waiting for us with a cup of tea. Lynn gave my feet a good manipulation before I had to drive Priscilla back to Heather’s house. I nearly didn’t make it as a stupid driver in a 4×4 tried to shoot out at great speed at slip road on the motorway leaving me no space to pull out as there was a car in the next lane. We both had to slam on our breaks, it was a near miss.

Janette had our dinner waiting for us. Sufficiently refuelled and hydrated, it was time for a shower followed by bed.