Day 102 – South Shields to Seaham

Ben and Gary arrive in Newcastle on time and, after taking some sustenance in the station’s Costa Coffee, purchase three Metro tickets so as to maximise our chances of catching the 11:35 to South Shields following John’s scheduled arrival just before 11:30. And although John’s train is delayed by a few minutes (due to a local rattler not vacating a platform promptly), a brisk walk into the Metro station, coupled with John holding the closing train doors for his less speedy companions, results in our objective being accomplished. We get to South Shields around noon, and are under way from the sea front by 12:15. It’s our final two walking days of 2017 and, with an early evening sunset, the aim of reaching our overnight stop in Seaham (some 18 miles away) before darkness falls may prove to be slightly optimistic. However, the storms of recent weeks have thankfully passed through and the skies look reasonably bright as we move southwards. Prospects are improved by an hour or so of beach action on forgiving sand at Whitburn and Seaburn, before we move back up to footpaths at Roker and approach Sunderland on an attractive riverside path alongside the Wear, past part of the campus of the University of Sunderland, and cross the river over the eponymous Wearmouth Bridge. The southern side of the river proves to be somewhat less attractive than its northern counterpart, following streets on the landward side of docks and old industrial estates. However, once we’ve passed through the suburb of Hendon, the route edges gradually back towards the coast. By now, dusk is beginning to fall but the tracks and paths are clearly marked, and we’re soon onto footpaths alongside roads leading into Seaham. We’re staying at a place called Massimo’s, which is an Italian restaurant with a few rooms – and a small bar. Having completed just over 18 miles in 6 hours, the bar has to be our first port of call, although it most likely would have been in any event. Beer and cider (to include flavoured cider) is in bottles only, but is still very welcome. We return to the bar after visiting what prove to be comfortable and well appointed rooms, but soon repair to the restaurant for a good meal, a couple of bottles, and stickies all round. Another 18 miles await tomorrow.