Day 240: Blyth to Cresswell

Best bits: being joined by family, ice cream

Worst bits: sore foot, feeling tired.

Distance: 16.6 miles

I was absolutely exhausted this morning and it took all my effort to get out of bed. I was still half asleep while eating my breakfast.

As Heather drove me to my start point at Blyth we passed the assembly of runners for the Whitley Bay Park run and then when we arrived at Blyth the park run had started. I love a little park run and so I was a little envious that I wasn’t able to join in.

Along the sea front were the pink walls of the Blyth Battery, a well-preserved World War I and World War II coastal defense artillery battery that served to protect the port of Blyth and its submarine base.

There was a rainbow hanging in the sky. It wasn’t distinct but rather hazy and looked like a rainbow sunrise.

Blyth is another f*estuary although not as large or as long as many of the others I have done but nevertheless, I had to walk past the docks and banks of the river to get to a bridge to cross the river Blyth.

The tide was out on the estuary leaving just mud behind so not very picturesque this morning.

As I crossed the river Blyth three women were also crossing the bridge and we had a little chat.

When planning my route I usually check to see if there are any cafés close to the path. Today Google told me that there were two cafés in Cambois and so I was really looking forward to a cup of tea and I sit down when I got there. Unfortunately, it didn’t open on Saturdays. Craig a lovely man who lived in the house Next Door was mowing his lawn and when I asked if there was anywhere to get a cup of tea, he offered to make me one. What a star. We had a little chat about what I was doing and he wished me good luck on my journey.

The river Wansbeck formed another estuary requiring a diversion inland and crossing over a foot bridge. This wasn’t a muddy estuary but was very sandy which made a pleasant change. It was so windy when I was crossing over on the bridge. I had to remove my hat for fear that it would blow off.

Coastal erosion had taken an impact on the route and so I spent awhile walking around the caravan park looking for the path. Finally it came out over the cliffs and down to the vast beach and into Newbiggin on sea.

The Couple, sculpture, depicting a man and a woman gazing out to sea is visible from the shore. It is large bronze sculpture by Sean Henry completed in 2007 and installed on a breakwater.

Not only were Heather and Janette waiting for me, but also this lot here. it was so lovely to spend some time with them again and the kids enjoyed playing on the beach.

Everyone decided it was a good idea to walk with me the final 4 miles into Creswell. The kids did amazingly well and never complained.

The route took us initially over and around the golf course before diverting us down the coast and on the Seaward side of this power station. That bit wasn’t particularly scenic.

The kids were promised ice cream when we arrived in Creswell and that helped them focus. We finally arrived where Heather, Mark and Fearn were waiting for us. Ice creams ordered it was time to eat them. Unfortunately, Mark and Heather may have received parking tickets because they wereparked in the car park for longer than 30 minutes.