Sprog on the Tyne.
Starting the Hadrian’s Wall Path on a beautiful sunny day. We got our stamp at Segedunum, posed for photos with a long suffering sentry and set off.
I grew up on Tyneside, including spending several years in St Anthony’s - part of Walker that was demolished and replaced decades ago. The first section of the path from Wallsend along the Tyne into Newcastle was a bitter sweet experience for me. The walk itself was lovely, leafy and beautiful and just enough industrial history to remind us where we are.
The young woods are thriving, birds and butterflies and beautiful views. It would be very easy to walk here entirely unaware of the industrial history of the area. The shipyards and other heavy industry are gone, as are the terraced housing and many of the tower blocks. This lovely photo is on a part of the Tyne so polluted by St Anthony’s Tar Works that there are still signs warning walkers to keep off the shore. I don’t mourn any of the changes; living and working conditions were often awful, but I feel slightly adrift from my past.
Two lovely cafe stops and a sweaty climb up to the YHA and we’re set for tomorrow.
How did the day really go? Ask Roo…
”Today was good. We walked past a market on the quayside, and we did too much walking. Last night we slept in a Premier Inn and we’re watching Food Network and an advert about Doritos. Put that in. It’s my blog too.”
Tomorrow I might ask more detailed questions…
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