WALKING WITH BERYL
BERYL-Anne Massey from Frosterley is a pensioner of a ‘certain age’ but that doesn’t stop her keeping fit with one of her passions being walking.
Beryl has kindly agreed to write a regular walking column, chronicling some of her walks so that others can enjoy them too. This is her first attempt – enjoy!
‘This last Wednesday morning greeted me with a glorious sunrise as I pulled out of Weardale 7.45 heading to Seaton Sluice – unfortunately behind a slow moving high sided truck! There was more traffic hold-ups en route, it being ‘rush hour’ of course, so that I arrived at Fountain Head car park at 9.05 But I squeaked in before Jackie who’d had similar problems!
A good number of us had gathered for Len Fallick’s gentle paced 14 mile ‘Starlight Battery’ walk, people having travelled from Bedale and Berwick, Frosterley and Forest Hall, not forgetting a number of four-legged friends – Dotty, Stella, Kipper and Molly.
We walked down by Seaton Sluice Old Harbour, following Seaton Burn along Holywell Dene. Climbing up into the woodland we found the reason for the reference to Starlight – the ruins of Starlight Castle built by Sir Francis Delaval in 1750, ostensibly in a day from starlight to daylight as a wager!
No clambering on this walk, it was easy going following paths, tracks and old waggon way routes passing the large obelisk in the grounds of Seaton Delaval Hall, on to Seghill walking beside the recently re-opened railway line from Newcastle to Ashington and over the crossing to have lunch at the convenient picnic benches outside Seghill club.
It was a very pleasant, most enjoyable walk with much chat, catching up with fellow walkers I hadn’t seen for some months. The circular walk continued on to Blyth Battery, built in 1916 to protect the Port of Blyth. We had our last break overlooking the sea before returning to the car park along a delightful beach walk – haven’t been to the seaside for many months, perhaps a year or two.
Thereafter, of course, we gathered for the usual refreshment at the Waterford Arms – planning other walks along the coast.
Many thanks Len for planning and leading the walk – it was cracking – and to everyone for their splendid company. And to you Jackie for, dare I confess, my black stuff (how could I have forgotten my bag and purse!!! – another person I had to my list of IOU’s)
There was a ‘sting in the tail’, at least for me – a parking ticket on my windscreen for not parking within the lines of a bay – what bay?? There were no visible line markings where I parked – just mud and broken tarmac.
Thank you NCC – I’ve submitted my appeal with photos and wait to receive their response!’
Watch out for more of Beryl’s walks in the coming months.
