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Posted: Wednesday 23 November 2011
A Walk Beside The Watter For
North East Associates
- Wednesday 23rd November -
The early alarm call woke us in time to enjoy a beautiful sunrise before breakfast.
Fast-forwarding, over 30 NE Associates met up two hours later on the riverside, the Tyne that is, at Newburn for our last walk of 2011. Half-a-dozen broke away to head off on the longer route, going up and away from the river. See you later, after about seven miles.
The remainder had been offered a level walk this time out - six miles though - and headed downstream for a few hundred yards to cross the river on Newburn Bridge, on the upper tidal section. After crossing we took the riverside path to go upstream towards the next bridge at Wylam, a steady walk with cormorants fishing in the river, trains passing by on the other side - including a heritage special - and golfers pausing their game as we passed. No short cuts possible on this route!
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Wylam Station,
by the road bridge,
was the turn marker
so we crossed the river,
not tidal here,
and then went with the flow. |
Taking care not to fall off the crumbling path and land in the river we headed back to Newburn through woodland and farmland, passing through a country park at the end.
Half way we passed the Tyne Tide Stone, marking the tidal limit on the river, wondering about its purpose - difficult to see from the river which boats cannot use past this point, and not much use to us walkers!
A nice steady walk this, and yes, with no significant inclines, especially when compared with our October perambulations.
Not much further to go!
Conveniently our rendezvous point was at a pub, The Keelman, which has been featured in our Pub Lunch programme. This visit, though, we were offered a "bogof" deal with our pre-ordered food. We arrived - both parties at the same time, were seated, and then we waited.
A saving grace is that the pub is attached to a micro brewery so we were able to use the time well, sampling their many fine brews.
Food did arrive, good it was and enjoyed by all. Then came the bill, the establishment wishing to produce only one for the whole party. Their total didn't match our estimate, working out at about £3.00 extra for each diner. Perseverence on our Jim C's part paid off, with him having to do the arithmetic the till appeared unable to handle, and after more waiting we were able to leave, seasonal wishes being shared all round.
ph
pictures: ph
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