A challenging day

Oop Nawth it was raining and cold with a fresh northerly wind. No pics from Sunderland 'cos it was too wet to bother. I'm sure it's a fascinating place but we were glad to leave.

First stop was the South Shields ferry to North Shields across the Weare.The ferry is part of The National Cycle Network and has it's own NCN 1 sign!

Think heavy marine industry for miles and then BREAKFAST. No veggies here. Chips with bolognese and mozzarella or Italian BLT with lashings of tea and hot choc and a chance to dry a little and thaw.

Transferred to Holland where we spotted a windmill, cycled alongside a hideous road for miles and then back to the coast for castles, long sandy beaches and the most beautiful selections of wild flowers.

It's difficult to think of this area as coal mining but the last pits closed less than 20 yrs ago. There's very little sign apart from mine water treatment works and a few decorative coal putts. Once upon a time those beaches would have been black with mine waste. Now pristine.

670 miles done. Only 450 to go!Read more