The day started late for me - i slept in until 9.30. I treated myself to eggs and bacon bagels with my pot of tea. We left the campsite at about 11.30. The plan was to go south and walk unchartered beaches south of Amble.
I’ve pretty much walked the whole coastline from Bamburgh to Warkworth so it seemed natural to push on south and see what things were like down there.
Turns out it’s more of the same. Although I was very glad my walks are coinciding with the low tides this week. I think a high tide walk may not have been any where near as pleasurable!
We parked up on the southern edge of the odd town of Amble - by a big holiday Park. I say odd because it’s relatively big, not a bit pretty, full of terraced back streets and seems a bit like an old mining town - maybe the historical docks … I need to Google it!
The 4 mile walk on the beach was wonderful - again. The land-side scenery is not as pretty down here but the beaches are just as fab. The weather was bit a bit mixed. Some sun but lots of dark clouds and the occasional spell of drizzle.
We had our snack / drink on a rock by the impressive sand-dunes at Hadston Links.
As yesterday, I decided to ring the changes with a return walk inland - ignoring the beautiful beach and the convenient coastal path. Turns out that was a bit of a mistake!
Although it started well enough. We walked through the very busy but pretty Druridge Bay Country Park which completely surrounds Ladyburn Lake.
At the top of the lake we had the fun opportunity of crossing a ford / weir using stepping stones. I think I enjoyed it more than the dogs!!
Then it started to go wrong. Firstly we came to a very busy main road and realised we couldn’t walk along it so headed off along a footpath that ran parallel. The path had seen better days and was very hard walking across ploughed and wet fields. Then after recrossing the main road we looked for another footpath on the map - this time the path didn’t even exist!!
I just had to head towards the sea and walk along a number of farm tracks east wards. None of them footpaths. I was very lucky to eventually come to a fence that I could throw the dogs over and clamber into a place called Hauxley Nature Reserve. This is where my problems started!
We walked upto the visitors centre to be greeted by 2 middle aged ladies drinking coffee. They told me I really shouldn’t be in here with dogs and asked me where was I trying to get to. I told them and they very politely gave clear instructions how to get out the Reserve and on to the path towards the sea.
My exit necessitated walking through the reception building and that’s when it all kicked off. A middle aged woman was on the phone. She saw me and literally couldn’t contain herself … What are you doing?; Where have you come from?; How did you get here?; You shouldn’t have dogs here; Did you pass through here it’s the only entrance?; How did you get into the Reserve?; Why are you here? There was just too many questions to even consider answering any of them so I just muttered something about being lost, thanked her for her concern and let her get back to the poor person on the other end of the phone line.
I really can’t think the last time anybody talked to me like that. With so much hatred, resentment, aggression and fear. I’m sure it must have been at school but I can’t ever remember being faced with anyone with so much venom and naked aggression spewing out. I guess I’ve been lucky - or maybe I just forget any morons I meet in life? Walking away I made a connection between last years obnoxious bird watchers and this years Wildlife Trust woman - why do people that clearly have a passion for wild birds HATE dogs and dog owners so much? Surely they should have a passion for all animals? It’s a bit like being a vegan but being happy to eat chickens because they annoy you! Then it struck me, that’s maybe where the movie name cam from …
Anyway, I didn’t let the old bag phase me and made a mental note to write to The Northumberland Wildlife Trust and suggest one of their employees might like to apply for the new vacancy of Security Advisor at Wandsworth Prison - a job much more suitable for her obvious skills and “warm” personality!
I was soon back on the beach with more of my type - dog owners. I felt a bit like a refugee would have felt after fleeing a worn torn country and arriving at a safe haven. Thankfully there was no plane to send me to Rwanda just a wide open sunny beach!
The last mile back along the beach was hard work. By now my left heel was really hurting and I have got to say, seeing the car parked up in the car park was a sight for sore eyes!!
The walk was about 10 miles in about 4 hours walking time. All 3 of us were very pleased to be heading home to Brunnehilda. Tilly was so knackered she couldn’t jump up into the boot. After one failed attempt I lifted her in - that’s the first time ever I’ve had to do that!
So another lazy evening of blogging and chillaxing. I even squeezed in a bit of the Irish rugby game, Match of the Day and the trashy “my mum, your dad” TV programme.
Sun and showers are forecast for tomorrow so I need to be up earlier to enjoy the better weather in the morning. Planning to go to Dunstanburgh Castle and steer well clear of any twitchers and Wildlife Trust employees!!!
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