Thursday 21 May 2015

Back to England

Eyemouth proved a little frustrating last night. The only pub with food also had football at loud volume from multiple screens. Chicken salad and over priced Peroni in a wine bar was the unsatisfactory result. Nevertheless the room I stayed in was private and comfortable.
Eyemouth is an old fishing port which still has a lively harbour.

And like so many of its kind, a strong religious tradition evidenced by a landmark church.
I crossed into England just North of Berwick on Tweed at about 10am. I promise this is the last selfie, it was raining and there were no obliging passers by.

Altogether I have spent nine days riding round the Scottish coast. It's a huge country, for which I have developed a great affection.

The three bridges of Berwick are impressive and in a different way the massive castle at Bamburgh demonstrates the historic importance of the Northumberland coastal region.


The sands of Alnmouth are a good example of the largely undeveloped grandeur of this coast, if sunshine could be guaranteed this would have hotels at every turn.
It's not far then to the industrial domination of Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Middlesborough, where water fronts are often controlled by giant machinery.
I came over the river Tees into Middlesborough on the Transporter bridge, a huge gondola suspended from a Steel frame carrying up to 12 cars at a time serenely over the river. It's an ingenious solution to the conflicting demands of tall ships and vehicle crossing.
 
 
Just north of the river before getting to the transporter, the skyline is filled with images of the petrochemical industry, piles, storage vessels, condensers, essential artefacts of our modern lifestyle, and surrounded by a huge nature reserve.
 
The coast is a dangerous place and lighthouses are reminders of the risks.



Souter lighthouse http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/souter-lighthouse-and-the-leas/  near Marsden in Sunderland is a classic example of the strength and shape of an iconic lighthouse.
An older less obvious is Blyth High Light constructed in 1788, and no longer in use it no doubt served its purpose by saving lives and cargo.


http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blyth,_Northumberland

I have a couple of days off now, then the final leg back to the Humber Bridge on Sunday

Today's route is here http://www.mapmyride.com/view_workout?w=994535489



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