Day 4: Marton to Sedgefield
A very different day today. In the morning we get within a mile of the centre of Middlesbrough but you wouldn't think it, since to get there we take in two parks and a path following a stream. Then we follow a long straight road with a wide variety of local shops, which leads us to the magnificent Tees Newport Bridge. Opened in 1934 this was built as a steel "lift bridge" with the entire roadway being lifted vertically to allow ships to pass, but it has been bolted down since 1990. Having crossed the bridge we follow the path beside the Tees past the Tees Barrage, which was built in 1995 to hold the river permanently at the old high-tide level, to reach the centre of Stockton-on-Tees for lunch. After lunch we again find a green route through the suburbs and spend most of the afternoon in the countryside. The church tower in Sedgefield can be seen across the fields a long way before we get there: who will be the first to spot it?
First stop, across the car park, to St Cuthbert's for our morning Eucharist.
Patrick chooses the music for our liturgy.
Fr David leads us in prayer.
Ceri and Helen brought up their special gifts - walking stick and boot covers.
The back markers chase us through the park...
...towards the industry of Middlesborough.
Colin and Maurice.
The "grumpy old men" pass the time of day.
Lucinda's not grumpy!
Tineke's tail is walking with us again.
We skirted around the edge of the Teeside conurbation.
A distant view of the transporter bridge - which is still there, despite the belief of viewers of "Auf Wiedersehen Pet"
The bin men came and emptied a wheelie bin on which an arrow had been affixed, causing panic among pilgrims following it...
Next stop, St Joseph's Church, where the youngsters relaxed.
Caroline led a moving prayer stop, thinking about love and mental health.
Pilgrims in the church.
A group photo outside.
Through another park.
We crossed the Tees - and the rain fell.
Lunch in Stockton-on-Tees - and ultimate burger (excuse the tonsils)
B's more ladylike, but the burger's just as big.
After lunch we regathered at St Thomas a Becket's Church, where we were welcomed by the curate, Susie (Danny remembered her name - say no more!)
Out through the centre of Stockton - Roger and Marie.
Killing time with stretches.
Waiting for the front markers to get ahead, Anne performed a pole dance.
The youngsters played frisbee.
The others exercised.
At Carlton Methodist Church, they welcomed us with tea.
We crowded their chapel to hear Anne talk about her volunteer trip to China, then Helen led us in song.
Howard talks to the minister as we leave.
Off through the waving corn.
At St John the Divine, Stillington, Danny led us in a godstop about love, featuring the Beatles.
Pilgrims in the church.
Sam and Mike block the way.
The final leg begins...
...over the hill...
...and down again.
Sam rode a bale.
