Here are a few more pictures from my walk today.

12th May 2026 - A Day Out Walking a Section of The Route ot the Old Scotswood, Newburn and Wylam Railway

Today wasn't about walking the whole line, just a small section of it, the bit between Prudhoe and Wylam, with a small excursion to visit the cottage known as the birthplace of George Stephenson. The old loop, often referred to as The North Wylam Loop, provides an excellent opportunity for walkers and cyclists to travel along the edge of the River Tyne and sample the pleasant displays of nature along the way, including Bluebells, Forget-me-nots, and Wild Garlic. The absence of traffic noise was a brilliant experience, and it was so peaceful and relaxing.

The line was built originally to connect Newcastle and Carlisle via North Wylam, bypassing the main line and passing directly in front of the small cottage where George Stephenson was born. A cottage in which his family shared just one room.

The line was closed in 1968, on the 11th March as a result of the Beeching Report. The Hagg Bank Bridge, now a Grade II listed structure, stands as a proud reminder of the line and forms part of the cycle/walkway.

The loop is famous for its association with early railway pioneers like George Stephenson and William Hedley.

Below are some images from along the walk, I think you will agree that there are some stunning landscapes.

Hagg Bank Bridge, seen here, was first opened to rail traffic in 1876 and cost a princely £16,000 to build. It is now a Grade II listed building and said to be the earliest use of this form of construction to carry a railway. There is even a suggestion that this bridge may have driven the inspiration for the much later Tyne Bridge in Newcastle and the Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia.

George Stephenson's Birthplace

Finale

It would be remiss of me not to mention that after a glorious walk along the old trackways, beside the River Tyne, amongst the beautiful natural splendours on show, that the final pitstop should be the Wylam Boathouse. This pub has been in service as a hostelry for hundreds of years, and the staff inside are more than willing to talk you through the history, backed up with census records and similar historical documents. Very interesting conversations. These days, they have a wide variety of real ales on tap, comfortable seating and a limited menu. When I say limited, I mean Pie and Peas or Toasties, but having sampled the pies, I would say that if you do it well, why complicate things? My experience of the Pie and Peas was exceptional, tasty pies and proper peas like they used to make. 

While we sat there enjoying the cuisine, there was an amusing conversation in the background occurring between two of the locals discussing the exploits of a person called Red-faced Tony, the Poacher. The name itself creates images in my mind about the person, and correct or not, Tony is now a part of my memories for the day and even thinking about him now while writing this brings an imaginative broad smile to my face.

Going .........  going ..................... gone! Delicious.

29th April 2026 - Day Out to Wallington Hall, Northumberland. The Riverside Walk.

A day out with my friend Graham, for a walk at the historic site around Wallington Hall. We were fortunate that the weather was glorious, the sun shining, and the air warm. We had taken the drive there, about an hour, from our homes in Sunderland. The road traffic had been very reasonable and we travelled with no hold-ups, arriving as planned about 11.30am.

Walking boots on and camera to the 'ready', off we set from the beautiful clock tower towards the river path.

It is a fabulous time of year, the trees are in the process of regaining their leaves after winter, some already fully foliaged and others that seem as if they are taking their time waking up. However disorganised they seem, they still manage to put on a good show of colour, from the variety of greens to deep reds.

We followed the well-signed path from the tower to the river, a fairly steep, but well-trodden, route. The air cooled a bit as we entered the shade of the woods. The few people that we met on the trail were all full of a spring attitude and very welcoming, some with their canine friends leading the way, on leads, of course!

Under the canopy of the trees, the ground plants were displaying their skill for catching sunlight and shimmering bright whilst others seemed to fully absorb the sun's rays making an enthralling patchwork of light and shade.

The sounds of the water trickling by were so relaxing, especially so as there was no traffic noise for it to compete with. Once on the river path the gradient of the walk was pretty flat and the pathways very well maintained.

After a short while, we came to a slim bridge (Trout Bridge) crossing the River Wansbeck. We took some time while crossing to stop and look for any of the wildlife that the National Trust suggests we might see; White-clawed Crayfish or Dippers. We were not fortunate enough to see the Crayfish but we did get lucky with the Dipper. The Dipper is a short-tailed, stout bird with a low, whirring flight. When perched on a rock, it bobs up and down and often sticks its tail up. Its white throat and breast contrasts with its dark body plumage. It's a daring hunter, walking into and under water in search of food. The image below is from the RSPB website which shows you what the bird looks like.

Below are pictures that I took on the day, of a Dipper hopping around the stones and branches in the river.

See if you can spot him.

How did you do? 

Here are the same three images again in the same order, but this time with the Dipper highlighted for you.

Don't you think it is amazing how well camouflaged they are.

Walking further on, we followed the path, eventually arriving at Paine’s Bridge, which was built over the River Wansbeck in c.1755 to designs by James Paine, (he also designed the bridge at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire). Keeping to the path, we walked beneath the bridge through it's lower, gated archway and continued to follow the river. At this point, we were on what in the heavy rain season would be the flood plain of the river.

Marching further on, now back in the glorious sunshine, we came across the stepping stones. These can sometimes be covered by the river when the rains have been, but today we were gifted with low water levels and dry stones over which to cross. You do still need to keep your balance though, and be careful where you step.

At the top of this side path is the gate into the walled garden, you can if you wish, continue around past the gate and continue the side path walk back to the main house via a woodland walk. But that's for another time I felt as it would be a shame to miss out on the walled garden today. The greenhouses have been splendid in the past, but are currently under repair, and reconstruction to bring them back from their current dilapidated state to their former glory. I feel it will take some time as the work need is great.

That does not, however detract much from the conditions of the garden with its manicured archways and cascading water feature.

From the walled garden, it is a very pleasant short walk through a wooded area back to the main house. It was nice to see the trees in their various stages of gaining the foliage, those still without, maintaining great architectural structures, filtering the sunlight onto the ponds and creating dappled light patches on the woodland floors with dancing shadows and as the breeze works its way through their branches. The early-to-bloom species, like Rhododendrons, creating flashes of coloured brilliance amongst the variety to greens and browns that stand out like beacons. 

The other wonders to behold on the final woodland trip are the reflecting ponds, created with the influence of Capability Brown, providing space for the local wildlife such as the Mallards. the sunlight glistening off the watery surface and giving you back a double whammy of nature's splendour. The trees are not to be ignored either in the role as the framework of these views, doing a splendid job of making those windows into nature from which we can peek.

The final episode to complete, before hopping back in the car and following the satnav home, is to stop at the cafe and sample the culinary delights on offer. Today was a surprisingly good Cornish Pasty with coleslaw and wedges. A great way to finish of the day.

For further detailed information on visiting Wallington Hall and experiencing their great walking trails visit the website at: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/wallington

Thankyou to the RSPB for their information and photo regarding the Dipper, please visit their website: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/dipper

My 2026 challenge - to complete the Pier to Pier walk for Cancer Research UK - Completed

I had been looking forward to this challenge. I had previously completed many parts of the walk, but never as a full single expedition.

March 29th 2026, was the day that I would be putting it all together, along with my Daughter Lisa and Granddaughter Aimee (The Cleadon Crew). There were many others also taking part, around 100 people in total, although I am not sure of the final number.

Meeting up at the Bungalow Cafe, a local landmark, for registration and the pre-walk obligatory photo. The sun was shining and the weather was fairly warm, I was already thinking that some of the layers may need to come off once we get going.

The first part of the walk was along the road atop the beach, the mood was high, passing cars honking in support, and recognising us by our pink "March for Cancer" beanies. A few of the walkers had brought along their canine companions for the walk, and why not?

Still on the pathway, now passing Seaburn beach, the wind was assisting our travel by gently pushing on our backs as if to urge us on. On reaching Latimers, the majority of the walkers remained on the path, heading toward Whitburn. The Cleadon Crew, however, took the slip onto the coastal path. This route would be longer, but the views would be more spectacular along the clifftops.

Conversations were varied, ranging from the intricate details of playing Pickleball to the fine art of making sourdough bread, habits of our canine friends and much, much more.

Coming around the headland, the Souter Lighthouse was a magnificent sight, the tall red and white structure commanding the seafront and the long trumpet of the foghorn majestic and powerful pointing out to sea.

Once we had cleared the lighthouse, it was as if someone had flicked a switch on the weather, as the coastal path joined the roadside path, the wind turned into faces and drove icy needles of rain and hail into our plumped up face. The change was so dramatic, boots to the ground, faces bowed into the weather and conversation dropping we all had to stick in a remember why we were doing this walk - Cancer Research UK.

The thoughts of finishing the walk and getting that cup of hot chocolate, a coffee and maybe even a cake or something else nice to put the sugars back was what drove us on.

Past the Marsden Grotto and on the long walk along the roadside path, mimicking the final stages of the Great North Run, gritting our teeth and marching on. Our feet now soaked from the rain, faces dripping with icy cold water and the dampness of the water soaking through the layers of clothing.  Layers that we were now glad of and with no thoughts of reducing them at this point.

Around the corner of Gypsies Green, toward the final stage along the promenade path, past the fair and onto the final point of the Pier.

After all that, a short car ride home and a hot shower before tea and then bed, exhausted and aching, but what a sense of achievement - WE DID IT!

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My 2026 challenge - to complete the Pier to Pier walk for Cancer Research UK