16thAugust 2012 .Seaham to South Shields via Sunderland.

Woke at 6 but lay in until 7.15.I had no water for breaky so was packed by8.15. It was sunny with a light breeze. I Walked the via a very busy active industrial estate and into an equally busy ASDA. There I had breaky and at 8.40 I was again walking. I t was a pretty little seaside town and walked the prom in and again going out.
I could see Sunderland in the distant and asked a chap if I could walk the beach there, he bumbled on in a confused manner and the long and shirt was no I would have to come off the beach just out of Seaham. I DID THAT I but then the path said due to cliff erosion to aalk the beach to the Denes. I confirmed this with a dog walker who said I wouldd be able to get to Sunderland via the beach with the tide as low as it was but it gets a little rough. I gained the beach and on firm sand strode out. At the headland I picked my way past rockpool and boulder.Natural arches seemed abundant, even walking through a couple. It was abit diconcerting having shear cliff one side and sea the other side. And after the second headland I gained the cliff top for security but found myself dropping to the Denes beach as soon as I could.
At 11.20 I made Hendon Beach with oiltanks ahead of me and Sunderland. As I made my way up onto a bridge which appeared to follow disused rail tracks. I passed the empty harbour. I could hear industry grinding away put but unseen. Dogs barking also luckily unseen. I cntinued following the rusty rails and at the end I realised I could walk into the docks, I should not be here feeling. I headed away passesd artisic graffiti walls then through a metal fence with a rail missing to a dead end with the Welcome Inn the other side of the fence. I back tracked to a brick wall about seven foot in height and using some broken bricks was able to see a housing estate the other side . With pack still on back I pulled myself onto the wall and hung over the ither side to drop to the pavement below almost loozing my camera in the process. I gathered myself brushed myself down and strolled past the docks security gates waving to the chap there., he waved back.
I walked past an derelict pub 'The wild Boar' ,a sense of depression hang about me. Then down to the edge of the river Wear.Here I stopped and drank a energy drink from a nearby shop. I Watched small boats, some traditional cobles bob about.
I walked following the river inland to the impressive steel Wearmouth Bridges where I crossed. Amoungst the various plaques was a samaritans helpline  one. I could see the Stadium of Light - Sunderlands football ground and amoungst the road works I found a Mac Donalds where I feasted and charged the phone for an hour. I did not leave until 2.

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I checked my emails, texts from a worried Monique and weather-21°C rain 3-6 pm. A quick look at the o s map on the phone which seems to say I will get to Hadrians wall,Wallsend, tomorrow . I headed for the coast posting some things I did not need in the only Post Office I had passed since leaving Helmsley. At least it got 1 and a half kilos off my back. I was in Roker with its beach in the harbour then walked the prom through Whitley Bay and the coast path via sea stacks with cormorants and fulmars. Arriving passed the museum light house and lime kilns in Marsden, South Shields.I had wanted to walk on to Bents Caravan camp site but when I phoned they answered Sunny view caravan park and no tents so i stay at the Lizard Lane site Marsden . It cost £6.30 and was worth it to clean out the sand in my blister. I got pitched as the sky was darkening but seemed to pass out to see. Once showered a Dutch chap in the tent opposite made me a cup of coffee. He was touring around on his Moto Guzzi motor bike and was off to Hawes tomorrow fairly near to my stomping ground and a place I would visit on the Pennine Way later- I hope! After a noodle tea, Peter and I walked tghe short distance to an unusual pub called the Marsden Grotto.It was set in the cliff face and you either walked the steps or took the lift,we took the rather slow lift. It was abit tacky but not to over done with the smuggler theme with nets hanging of walls and manikin smugglers and real cliff face interior. We sat out side enjoying a couple of pints overlooking the sea beach and natural sea stacks. The place closed early as it was not a locals pub but for tourists so at abouut 9.30 we were kicked out. On getting back I said I my good night and went to bed. I would not meet J until Sunday.