Sunday 21st March 2010

St Clare's Hospice Sponsored Walk

Kathleen, Maria and Joan have agreed to do a ten mile sponsored walk in aid of St Clare's Hospice.

The walk is to begin at the Robin Hood Pub, (Primrose Hill, Jarrow) where we all meet bright and early at 09:45am, it is dry and the sun is promising to shine.

After collecting their "walking pack" (safety guidance, route directions, water, chocolate bar), Kathleen reorganises the content of her "walking pack" into her back pack. The safety guidance and route directions are discarded, McCaffery's know best. The chocolate bar she keeps in order to stop me from eating it.

The immediate concern is who they might know among the crowd of people gathered outside the pub, ready to begin the walk.

Kathleen immediately spots a work colleague (Sharon) from some 15 years or so ago. A gossip session begins, to catch up on the events of the past 15 years. First introductions are made to Joan and Maria. Joan soon forgets Sharon's name and needs to be reminded, easily done, but I cannot resist acting out the advert which seems to be on the radio every five minutes at the present "Hello, I am Joan and I sometimes forget things and get confused. Be patient with me, I have dementia, but I also have  a life", so we are patient with her.   

The Marshals begin attempting to organise the group and eventually get them started at about 10:20. I am not part of the walk, so I limit myself to driving to various points along the route and taking photographs.

They cross the road, and go through the bridge under the A194, up the hill, into Hedworth Lane, turn left into Kirkstone Avenue and continue to the footbridge over the A19.

Turn right and follow the footpath parallel to the A19, going under the railway bridge and then turn immediately left to follow the path parallel to the railway line and behind the houses, on the edge of Cotswolds Estate, onto Station Road.

Cross the road and go through a metal kissing gate, follow the tarmac path which follows the stream. Pass the first footbridge (which leads to Brockley Whins Metro Station), and cross the stream at the second footbridge, turn immediately right up the slope and go along the grass path. Follow the path round to the left until the trees end, cross over on to the next path, and into Colliery Wood.

Take the path on the left, follow this along until it curves round onto a wooden boardwalk over a ditch Follow the track alongside the school playing fields to New Road. Cross New Road to Boldon Community Centre. It is necessary to stop here and do a name check because there was so much talking and so little attention paid to the Marshals at the start of the walk, the head count is a bit uncertain (sound familiar?). The Community Centre has "facilities" as well of course and this is an opportunity for the pensioners on the walk, and those who have not had a little "nip and tuck" in that department, to make a quick toilet stop.

After the community centre they return to New Road, turn right toward Cleadon, past the traffic lights.

Turn left at the mini roundabout, into Benton Road, and follow the footpath, over the railway crossing. Continue after the railway crossing, and take the first turn on the right at the beginning of the houses. The clouds have cleared and the sun is shining on the righteous, so coats have been unbuttoned.

Continue to the junction with another footpath, and turn left. Everyone is into it by now, and all kinds of little conversations are in full flow. The group is predominantly women, so they are busily swapping full life histories and medical details, with total strangers, as only women can. There are a few men in the group, one of them says he has only been walking for 2 years, since he is middle aged, we conclude he must be a late developer. He may have started late, but he is enthusiastic and is booked on a walking holiday which will take him up Everest, in the Himalayas. Joan is confused with this and we cannot understand why until she explains that she thought Everest and Kilimanjaro were just two different names for thesame place. We correct her Geography and all is clear. It is after all an easy mistake to make, they are only in different continents, Africa, Asia same difference. Remember the advert, be patient with her.

They continue along this straight and level path (the route of the old Sunderland - South Shields railway line), past such high lights as the "Whiteleas Club", under the John Ried Road, until Green Lane is reached. The effort is beginning to show now, still looking like three sprightly young girls, but coats and hats are off.

Here they turn left and walk along Green Lane, up and over a railway bridge, passing "The Bridge" pub, and into Wenlock Road. Along Wenlock Road, past Simonside Metro Station to Newcastle Road. Left into Newcastle Road and head toward Tesco, but no shopping today ladies. More old friendships are rekindled when Kathleen recognises an old neighbour from her time living at Hill Park. At the traffic lights, turn right, crossing the road, into Shaftsbury Avenue. Follow the road and then turn right into Monksway, under the Metro bridge and past the Barbour Factory, now turn left into Bedesway. Follow this to Jarrow Road. At the traffic lights, cross the road and head toward Bede's World.

A bit of artistic licence from me, I take a quick shot of St Paul's Church (of Venerable Bede fame) while I am waiting for them to appear. This is now a C of E church, but as Dana once pointed out to me, it must once have been a Catholic Church, before Henry VIII stole it from them.

Follow the road to Church Bank, now take the tarmac path alongside the bus stop, opposite St Paul's Church.

Even more layers of clothing have been shed, this might get interesting.

Follow the path to the large mosaic incorporated in the tarmac, then follow the river and under the dual carriageway until the A19 is reached.

Turn left, under the Metro bridge, then turn left and first right to follow the path under the A19. Continue along the path, with Jarrow Cemetery on your left, until you reach Cemetery Road.

Cross the road, turn right, and then left to follow a tarmac path which follows the river, to a footbridge, turn left over the footbridge. Continue to the next footbridge, cross the bridge and follow the river past Primrose Nature Reserve.

The end is comfortably in sight now and they are sticking together as a team. 

But in the final analysis, the sisterly bond breaks down and Maria cannot resist making a final sprint, to finish ahead of the pack, and be first into the toilet at the "Robin Hood".

We retire to the pub, where the manager has kindly provided complementary pie and peas for all. We buy some drinks and eat our pie and peas at the outside tables in the sunshine. They have been with this group for over three hours now, but still they are spotting long forgotten acquaintances, including "Mrs Black", one time teacher of Dana.

A good time was had by all.

Later in the day, everyone collects at Albert's house, as is their habit on a Sunday evening. Dana provides superb cakes. Nothing gluten free for Phil however, so he must content himslef with eating the icing only. Joan, Maria and Kathleen break into song with "100 miles, 100 miles". A slight exaggeration, but as they extract their sponsor money from the willing donors, they have raised several hundred pounds for St Clare's Hospice, so, very well done.

  
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Tuesday 16th March 2010

A very mild day at 10C, but cloudy.

The milder weather is clearly bringing the allotment holders out, today the place was a hive of activity with bonefires and rotovators going all over the place.

I renewed the fight against the brambles.

Yesterday I was beginning to think I would never get through the tangle of thorny stems, but today, refreshed, I eventually got the better of them! I should have had a before photograph, but as you can see here, the fence is repaired and not a blackberry bush in sight.

I have even cleared all of the rubbish from behind the shed, there was a mini mountain of rubbish and some old window frames in among the undergrowth. The fence is re-erected. We are running a bit short on decent wooden planks now. I have utilised some of the large black plastic "things" which were being used to cover the ground to suppress the weeds. Since we are progressing steadily with the "turning over", there is no longer a need for so many covering sheets.

There is still a bit of clearing up to do, and a bit more clearing of brambles to prevent them from just growing back again. But after yesterdays defeatist thoughts I feel like I am winning.

Monday 15th March 2010

Started to repair the fence and cut down brambles around the remnants of the greenhouse. To call it a greenhouse is somewhat misleading, it is an aluminium frame with a few panes of glass remaining. It is also almost totally overgrown with brambles.

I should really have taken a "before" photograph.

Armed with a pair of secateurs I attacked the brambles with enthusiasm. Despite removing enough to make two heaps at least a meter high, it is still an overgrown jungle. I think I have underestimated the size of this task.

More complements from passing fellow allotment holders, on our progress, so this bouys up the spirits.

The following video (I am told) lasts for three hours! I have not watched it all myself yet, but I am told it provides an idiots guide to Economics. So if there is nothing on TV, it may amuse and even educate.

Saturday / Sunday 13th/14th March 2010

Joined Martin at the allotment in the morning. His carrot trap has not been triggered, so it would seem that his wire fence is "fit for purpose" as they say.

Completed repairing the fence seperating "our" allotment from the one next door, and started more tidying up of rubbish in the vicinity of the shed.

We have our first plants. Our neighbour, Tony, gave us some tiny Brussel Sprout plants which are ready for "potting on", isn't that a technical term for a beginner!

Sunday was Mother's Day. Martin did the honours of cooking Sunday Lunch for all of the mothers, ie Kathleen, Dana, Claire and Phillippa.

Just in case you are in any doubt as to where your taxes go, there is some swearing (understandably in my opinion), so beware.

If, like me, you listen to Commercial Radio Stations and are amazed at how many of the advertisements are Government funded, here is a little spoof for you, only one swear word!

Monday 8th March 2010

Another beautiful day, three in a row now.

Went to allotment after breakfast, to continue the fence repairs / building, and to burn more rubbish. Most of the wood from the old fence is rotten and only fit to burn.

Martin has now finished putting wire mesh around the righthand side "turned over" section, to keep out the rabbits.

Martin has set up a "test" to see if its is going to work. He has put two carrots in the middle of the section which is protected by the wire mesh to see if the rabbits can get at them. Assuming they like supermarket carrots, rather than organically grown then we can expect to find exhausted rabbits lying on the path where they have repeatedly hurled themselves at the wire mesh fence, attempting to get access to the carrots.

We are actually getting compliments from other allotment holders, on how well we have done to make this much progress.

I can see that we will have people asking us for advice before long!

After lunch, the good weather continues. I manage to get some more preparation done for our Campervan trip,  checking bikes over to ensure they are ready to take away.

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Friday 5th March 2010

Another Spring day, so I am out and about early, at the Allotment by 08:45, cannot miss good weather!

Now that the area to be cultivated this year is "dug over", things have slowed down a little, until the weather gets warm enough to actually plant something.

A mixed bag this morning, a little digging of the last remaining area to be "dug over", a little tidying and burning of rubbish, and a bit of fence repairing, ready for Martin to begin the war on the rabbits.

Returned home for lunch to find Kathleen and her sister Joan eating Tunnock Chocolate Teacakes, so much for Lent. They then went off to Church where, as far as I can tell, they scoffed Soup and Cakes, in aid of helping the starving. Just run that past me again, I think I must have missed something.

Went to the Monkton cycling group, not so well attended today, only two of us, plus Becky the leader. This at least allows us to do something a bit more strenuous. Through the pedestrian tunnel at Jarrow, follow the Hadrian's Way cycle track to North Shields, cross on the ferry, back along the south side of the river to Monkton, about 12 miles I would guess.

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Thursday 4th March 2010

Cycling group is back in action.

A high turn out, on a beautiful day. About a dozen people there today. Nice to see people making use of the facilities, but since we had some novices, we were not able to go as far as usual.

None the less, an enjoyable outing, from South Shields Leisure Centre, to Cleadon Water Tower, past Cleadon Village Pond, out to the Sunderland Football Academy, along the track to join Moor Lane, via a very big and deep puddle!. Then to East Boldon, along the track to Tile Sheds, and back along the old Sunderland - South Shields railway line to the Leisure Centre, about 8 miles.

Daniel's (1st) birthday visit in the afternoon, but his part piece was projectile vomit. Poor little boy, fancy being sick on your birthday.

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Wednesday 3rd March 2010

Walk Rookhope – 10 Miles

It is Wednesday, the weather forecast is good, that can only mean one thing, a walk is on the cards.


Peter is out of action, recovering from his hernia operation, but myself and Phil are joined by Jimmy Fairweather, a new comer to the world of retirement, but learning fast how to relax and enjoy.

We set off at 9:00, arriving at Rookhope at about 10:15. This is remote, there has been no mobile phone signal since Stanhope, and we do not get a signal again until we return to Stanhope.


By 10:30 we have the map marked up from Phil’s book of 100 walks in Durham and are booted up and ready to go.

From outside, yes outside, the Rookhope Inn, we head North and slightly west, up hill past High House Farm. The first surprise is the amount of snow on the ground, we were walking not far from here a fortnight ago, and at that time there was less snow on the ground than there is today.

I am sure there is a well marked track, there are occasional yellow way markers, but the snow has covered everything, so we head up the hill by a combination of guesswork, and following the footprints of another walker. Unfortunately, we do not know if the are taking the same route we are!

Despite the amount of snow on the ground, the sun is shining, the air is crisp and clear, the views are absolutely incredible.

So far so good, just as the book says we will, we come to a waymaking post at a point where the path diverges into three possible routes, we take the rightmost track, continuing up hill until we eventually come to the crest of the hill.

The going gets slightly easier now as we walk along the contour.

Eventually we emerge onto a minor road.

Having managed to make our way through quite deep snow with little problem, Phil promptly falls flat on his back on joining the tarmac road it is so icy. He is unhurt, his packed lunch having broken his fall, not so sure about the packed lunch however.

We head along the road, more or less North, for about a mile.

It is totally peaceful, the silence only broken by the Black Grouse breaking cover and flying off as we approach.

The road has been ploughed clear for the most part, but still has a covering of packed snow and ice in some places.

We see a grand total of three vehicles, and a mechanical digger, which is clearing the snow.

Eventually we come to a public footpath sign, which points us South West at an angle of about 45degrees to the road we have been walking along. Althouth there is a sign to indicate a footpath, as you can see, no one else has ventured this way, and the path is obliterated by snow.

The guide book actually gives us a compass heading to follow, and Jimmy has a compass. We have a brief discussion on the feasability of continuing. Naturally we decide it is feasable.

We follow our compass bearing across the snow, climbing slowly over the summit of Cuthberts Hill. Eventually we come to a well marked track, where someone, presumably a farmer has driven  a small tracked vehicle. The track follows a fence which is marked on the map, and makes walking much easier.

After following the fence for a mile or so (a bit vague on the distances, we do not have Peter here to read the distances off on his watch), we decide to stop for lunch.

There are no convenient seats to sit on, so we place our seat pads on the snow, use the fence posts as back rests, and eat our lunch, looking out over this view.

After lunch, we continue on following the fence now, rather than the track, since according to our reading of the map, it is the correct thing to do.

We come to a "trig point", the highest point on the walk at 561 metres, here is Phil, photographing our triumph.

We are in the right place, Ray Mears eat your heart out!

From this point, we must go down hill a little way, then follow the contours to a ridge, and then downhill to briefly rejoin the "main" Rookhope to Alston road.

There is no sign of the track, so we are again using a compass bearing from the book, and our gut instinct of where we think we should go.

We come to the ridge, and then we can see the road down below us.  We head for the road, and find we are just about spot on with where we should have rejoined the road, ie just beside the disused mine workings.

We think it is down to our superior navigation skills.

Now we must cross the road and join a track which runs along the northern bank of Rookhope Burn. This is level and easy walking. We come to a bridge beside a ruined farmhouse. The route now goes up the hill, bearing to the left and then follows a wall until we are above Wolf Cleugh Farm. 

The snow is really deep here and it is hard going walking up hill. Every few steps, you get a soft patch of snow and you sink in up to your knees, or if you are unlucky, lose your balance and end up spawled in the snow, much to the amusemant of your companions.

It is now 15:00, we stop for a break, sitting on the concrete cap of an old mine shaft. Phil has nuts and raisons to raise our energy level. Jimmy it emerges has chocolate, Joan (his wife) has given it up for Lent. Luckily for Jimmy and I, so has Phil, so we polish it off.

 Suitably re-energised we set off, but looking at the rough terrain ahead, common sense (for once), prevails, and we realise we do not have time (or probably the energy), to complete the planned route. We consult the map, and head down hill to rejoin the "main" road, and head to Rookhope.

Another really excellent walk, the book of 100 walks in Durham is proving to be a real winner.

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Tuesday 2nd March 2010

Another beautiful day, can it last?

Took the opportunity of the fine weather to begin some preparation on the Campervan. This used up most of the morning. The walking had to be postponed until after lunch, it was combined with a trip to Jarrow to begin stocking up on provisions for our next campervan trip. So an easy walk to Jarrow, not so easy walking back with a backpack full of jars of curry.

The McCaffery perchant for exact timings (and I mean exact), was observed again, when we got home and I asked "how long did that take", the answer was 48 minutes. Wouldn't 50 minutes have been near enough, or even a straight hour. Tell me is it me? 

Political Donations

It is clear that all three of the major parties have people making donations for whatever reason, remember Cash for Honours with Tony?

Now we have revelations about Lord Ashcroft giving lots of cash to The Conservatives, but not paying taxes in the UK.

I suppose we can expect Labour to make a lot of this, it is good mud slinging stuff and is disgraceful of course, but wait, what about these eight Labour donors, who are all thought to be avoiding their responsibilities in the tax paying area:

 Lord Paul – £69,250 in donations to Labour, including £45,000 to Gordon Brown’s leadership campaign

Lakshmi Mittal - £4.125 million in donations to Labour.





• Sir Ronald Cohen  - £2.55 million in donations to Labour. Cohen was appointed chair of the Social Investment Taskforce, which was announced by the then Chancellor, Gordon Brown. A real Labour supporter who was a Lib Dem, but then switched to Labour in Tony Blair's era.

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje  - £1.7 million in donations to Labour.

• Sir Gulam Noon - £532,826 in donations to Labour.

• William Bollinger  - £510,725 in donations to Labour.




• Mahmoud Khayami - £985,000 in donations to Labour including £5,000 to Hazel Blears’ deputy leadership campaign.

• Dr David Potter - £90,000 in a donation to Labour.

Perhaps CCHQ need to get the old "Freedom of Information" applications going, unless of course they would ALL rather this just quietly died?

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Monday 1st March 2010

Walk and Ride

It is the 1st March, not quite the official start of spring, but the weather is looking better, a clear blue sky, and bright sunshine.

Once the chore of doing some food shopping is out of the way, it is about 11:00am and I suggest we get ourselves out and enjoy the day.

Kathleen has made tentative soundings about joining in with the "Boys' Walks" on Wednesdays. I have tried gently to point out to her, that although I am absolutely sure she can stand the pace, she may have to make other adjustments (ie perhaps she will not be in charge). This is relevant later, bear with me.

So it is decided that today we will doing a walk which makes use of our "free" metro pass (before the expected government spending cuts take them away). The plan is to take the Metro to South Hylton, from where we will walk home via Cox Green. I have not actually done this before, so I am not sure how far it is, but I manage to sound convincing enough that no questions are asked at this stage.

Lunch is packed into the backpack, and off we go to catch the Metro at Brockley Whins.

As we travel towards South Hylton, the problems start.

First complaint I have a few spots of mud on the backpack, from a previous outing. I point out, Lesson 1, if she is to join in with the "Boys' Walk", she has to learn to put up with a bit of mud without complaining.

Second, she starts asking probing questions about how far the walk is to be, and suggesting ways of shortening it. Lesson two (for the "Boys' Walk"). You do not question the route. If the walk leader (ie the person with the book or map), suggests a "short cut" which it turns out is longer than the original route, you do not complain. It so happens I have neglected to bring the map, but I know (roughly) where we are going, so (metaphorically) I am in charge.

We arrive at South Hylton and leave the Metro, walking down the hill towards the River Wear and the Golden Lion pub, then west along the south bank of the River, under the A19 road bridge. You have to admit it looks very pretty, and it is a beautiful day.

Now the questions start about how far it is to Cox Green (and the only bridge we can use to cross the River). "Just around the next bend" I answer. I do not actually know it at this point, but it is just under four miles away. Most of the track is fine for walking on, not too muddy despite the recent snow, ice and rain we have had. But we do come to a particularly soggy bit just before Cox Green Golf Course. We have to climb on the fence and walk along the fence planks to avoid walking in six inches of squelchy mud.

Not a word of complaint, full marks.

We happen upon a seat by the track, and stop to eat our lunch. "where are the napkins?" asks Kathleen as I unpack the food and flask from the backpack. Napkins!, Napkins!, this is training for the "boys' walk" I tell her, the boys don't take napkins with them!

Two (or maybe three) bends in the River later, and you will observe, still no sign of Cox Green village, or a bridge. My morale boosting comments of "it's not far now", "almost there", "we should be there soon" etc, are not well recieved.

Eventually the Bridge at Cox Green comes into sight.

Harmony returns.

We cross the bridge, and turn east along the North bank of the river, following a well marked cycle track / pathway, through woods, past a Northumbria Water Office building, and then past the Wildfowl Centre. Continuing along the signposted cycle track / pathway, to Low Barmston, then over a bridge which takes us over the A1231 Washington Highway, past the Nissan Training Centre, along Cherry Blossom Way, to emerge on the road past the main Nissan Factory. This is retracing part of the "Walk to Durham" route, you may recognise. Cross over the A19 at the Nissan flyover and then follow the track alongside the A19, to the Mill Garage BMW dealer, and home.

On checking the map, we have walked ten miles.
Not a word of dissent (well almost not a word), 8 / 10 I think.

Democracy in Action

Just noticed this in our local authority website:

Labour candidate Ken Stephenson has been elected to represent the Primrose ward on South Tyneside Council.

The ward's 6,307 electors went to the polls today (Thursday 25th February) in a by-election following the sudden death of Labour Councillor Barrie Scorer in December.

The results are as follows:

Ken Stephenson (Labour) 854

Pete Hodgkinson (British National Party) 566
Aaron Luke (Independent) 213
David Alan Rice (Independent) 174
Anthony James Lanaghan (Conservative) 124

Susan Heather Troupe (Liberal Democrat) 100

The turnout for this election was 32.25% and Labour win with a 288 majority.

Nice to see "democracy" in action, the "winner" is elected with only 13.5% of the people elegible to vote actually voting for him. Worryingly the BNP are a close second.

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