Day 8: Washington to Whitley Bay
Mark writes "Today is another day where we have to find a way through a part of the industrial North East. For the first part we take the Great North Forest Trail (no present-day forests here!), and through the old coal mining town of Bolden. Here we visit St Nicholas’ church for our Eucharist service. The church is built on Saxon foundations, on the ancient monks’ route from St Peter’s at Wearmouth to St Paul’s at Jarrow. We then join the more modern Bede’s Way, which runs from Wearmouth to Jarrow. After lunch we visit the ruins of Bede's Abbey at Jarrow for a prayer stop, and then have time to look at the monastery ruins and the exhibition at Bede’s World. Bede’s World tells of the life of the Venerable Bede (AD673-735), one of Europe’s greatest authors & scholars. Bede spent his life on the estate of the monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, founded in AD673 by Benedict Biscop. He lived and worked in Jarrow for all but the first 7 years of his life, and rarely left the monastery. He lived during, and made a considerable contribution to, the Golden Age of Northumbria, a time of great artistic and intellectual achievement. His books were copied and studied throughout Europe. His most renowned work is The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, a work in which it is said he revealed himself as the first of the great modern historians. (Adapted from the Friends of Bede’s World leaflet) We (possibly) set a new pilgrimage statistic/record going under the Tyne through the pedestrian tunnel – at the lowest point we will be walking around 85 feet below sea level. The steam train enthusiasts might see something interesting on the North Tyneside Steam Railway, and we get a tantalising glimpse of the sea late in the afternoon."
Front markers preparing to depart.
And the back markers chase everyone along behind them.
Setting-off prayers at the catholic church, then we're on our way.
Lots of pilgrims get distracted by a little shop.
We crossed a little-used railway.
Distant views of a wind farm.
Newly-weds Joe and Katherine joined us as day pilgrims.
A farmer having fun rolling bales down the hill.
Apparently Bolden is God's Country.
Jack's excited at the prospect of a service in church.
Maureen reads the lesson.
Sue (with Roger) make the intercessions.
The recorder section.
Lucinda talks to Bill Haynes who has joined us.
The ladies of the parish gave us tea and coffee, which was very welcome.
Keith's happy to be walking.
Lois studies a waterborne arrow. (This is the River Don footpath, where signs told us that voles might be seen).
Lunch is at the Robin Hood, the original home of the Jarrow Brewing Company (the beer is now brewed at another location).
Happy pilgrims eat their lunch.
Bernie's son Robbie and family met us.
John and Colin.
Prayer stop at St Paul's Jarrow.
Peter talked about renaissance, then chatted to Bill.
Clever shot (not mine!)
Patrick found a prickly friend
We were given a complementary visit to Bede's World through the good offices of a pilgrim of old.
It tells the life and times of the venerable Bede.
Lois rests beneath the cross.
This lot have funny habits
About Bede:
Claire wanted Nick to see this eco-friendly dwelling.
Whilst Clare was keen on this Tamworth-Wild boar cross.
Howard and goat - nice beards
Julia and Cheryl pass the oil storage depot.
The entrance to the Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel (and the far entrance of you look closely)
Attractive hoardings.
Half way through the tunnel we enter Northumberland, as Postman Francis points out.
Marie and Bernie leave the tunnel.
Bridget liked the Equestrian Crossings on the Waggonways - old colliery tramways now converted into multi-use trails (foot, horse, cycle).
Patrick gives an interested local lass details of tomorrow's walk.
The end of the walk!
Dinner time!
