My first stop was at Littlehaven Beach where there were some diddy sculptures laid out almost like a giant chessboard. The public artwork was called “Conversation” by a Spanish sculptor. I didn’t find them very talkative, but there again I am used to talking to myself.

Walk Date :                9th Nov 2015
Mileage :                     16.20 miles                   Total Mileage :          2,815.69 miles
Accommodation :      West View, Reeth

I am quite familiar with the green park along the coast at South Shields as I have taken part in the Great North Run several times. How different it looks without the tents, tannoys and thousands people milling around. Exhausted runners trying to meet up and find friends and families.

As I walk along the green towards Marsden I think of the pain I used to feel when running up that last mile to the finish. At Marsden I take a quick look at the Smugglers Rock and give the Grotto a miss. This is a pub and restaurant hewn out of the rocks.

Just beyond Marsden is the Souter Lighthouse with its distinctive red stripe around its centre and red lantern at Lizard Point. It was the first lighthouse to be powered by electricity. It is maintained by the National Trust and is open to visitors.

As I approach Sunderland I take the opportunity to walk to the lighthouse at the end of Roker Pier which has been extensively restored over the last few years. I remember that Sunderland Football Stadium was at Roker Park but with nowhere to expand they moved to the Stadium of Light in the late 1990’s.

Sunderland had a big shipbuilding industry which has fallen in decline a long time ago. As I walk along the River Wear towards Wearmouth Bridge I notice that the area has been regenerated with The University campus and riverside walks.

I continue on to Seaham where I finish for today.