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St Abbs to Berwick upon Tweed Thumbnail

in East Coast Story – the blog

This week was mostly a holiday in Berwick upon Tweed, but on Monday I walked from St Abbs with Poppy and Mike, and on Tuesday I led a writing workshop at Berwick Library. Apart from the fact that some of the participants thought they’d come to a talk, the workshop went very well. One man said he’d opened up [...]

Newcastle to Whitley Bay Thumbnail

in East Coast Story – the blog

Leaving our car to fend for itself in Berwick upon Tweed for a week, we caught a crowded noisy train to Newcastle, then the Metro out to the coast. The Northumberland Coast Path begins with a walk out of Newcastle along the river, and I wouldn’t have minded that, but Johnny wasn’t keen, and I was quite excited to [...]

Whitley Bay to Middle Stobswood Thumbnail

in East Coast Story – the blog

This stretch was always going to be a problem. We were meant to be walking to Newbiggin by the Sea, but they don’t allow dogs there. Despite the fact that the only person I’ve met that lives in Newbiggin has a dog. There was not a single B&B or pub that would take dogs and they’re not allowed [...]

Middle Stobswood to Warkworth Thumbnail

in East Coast Story – the blog

Today we walked along an eight mile deserted beach to a pretty town. It was the most enjoyable day’s walking so far, the day after the worst. Our lovely host from Middle Stobswood drove us to the coast at Cresswell, saving us an hour or two’s walking on roads and field edges. We got out of the car, walked [...]

Warkworth to Dunstan Thumbnail

in East Coast Story – the blog

The guide book said today’s stretch was 8 miles. Over breakfast our host told us it was thirteen. I measured it on my phone and came up with eleven, if we took the shortest route at Almouth. We started by walking from Warkworth back to the sea. Here’s the first glimpse. After that it was a day of [...]

Dunstan to Seahouses Thumbnail

in East Coast Story – the blog

The BBC had threatened us with rain today, but although there was some before breakfast, by the time we set off it was over. It was a bit blowy, but set for another day of sunshine. Dunstanborough Castle was up ahead. A romantic ruin painted by Turner, decorated by cows, sound by seagulls, now photographed by more Turners. [...]

Seahouses to Beal via Bamburgh Thumbnail

in East Coast Story – the blog

The guide book says this about today’s walk – If you enjoy wallowing around in slippery mud, making your way through crops, crossing a high-speed railway line on trestles and risking the A1 then you will find the official route exciting and rewarding … If this does not grab you, try the Bamburgh to Budle route of clifftops and [...]

Beal to Berwick Thumbnail

in East Coast Story – the blog

I had to decide. Should I walk the last stretch or should I not. We drove to Berwick yesterday, so I’ve covered the distance, just not on foot. And although I’m following in Etheldreda’s footsteps I have no doubt she’d have accepted a lift in a car from a friend if there’s been one going. We could just [...]

Oakham to Stamford Thumbnail

in East Coast Story – the blog

We’d walked the first four miles out of Oakham before, last month at the end of the Viking Way. That day we were hot and tired and wanted to catch the bus. Today it was the beginning of the Hereward Way rather than the end of the Viking Way, the morning was cool and we were fresh from breakfast. [...]

Stamford to Whittlesey Thumbnail

in East Coast Story – the blog

The BBC had been threatening us with rain yesterday, but today they’d decided to relent a bit, and turned it off around 8am, just as we were having breakfast. Judy, our landlady, saw us off from Stamford with a gift of homemade flapjack, and we headed into Stamford.   Stamford is a pretty town, but it’s also [...]