The View from

the Front

(click here)

It has filtered back to me that some of you are actually clicking on a regular basis to the daily ramblings I am currently winging out to you all.

I am told that for some viewing them has priority over morning TV. What ever next!

So periodically I intend to produce a new column to be entitled THE VIEW FROM THE FRONT which will hopefully be of interest and even perhaps stimulate a little amusement.

I have thought of entering the BLOG OF THE YEAR competition sponsored by POSTS i.e. Preservation of Spam Transmission Society. I do remember as a nipper adults would say to me 'you are a mischievous little blogger' at least I think thats what they said! ?As the result of this competition may well depend on readers votes would you all encourage more of your friends to click-on.

So hold on everyone with baited breathe and shortly I will let you have it!

13 Oct - I haul myself out the campbed in Withernsea Fire Station for the last time. Every day now the legs are getting just a little more reluctant to join me for another days outing.  Firefighter Steve runs me to Thorngumbold

and I trek the 11 miles to Calvert Lane Fire Station, Hessle, Hull.  going through Hedon town for a coffee.

Thankfully their was pavement all the way.   Passed the annual week long Hull Fair on the way which is huge.

Above: At the Welwick Heritage Fair yesterday I came across Dorothy Perkins (Dot).  Any resemblance she may have to the image of the well known High Street chain is purely accidental.  She was running a stall which expounded the roll of the countryside in war. Looking at her it begged the question 'Which War'

12 Oct - I start at Skeffling Village and soon come across a Green Goddess Fire Appliance at the side of the road,  its engine has just gone 'phutt'. It was on its way to the Welwick Heritage Fair which I find a little further up the road. Lots of fund raising activities on a perfect Autumn day raising money for the Church and Martin House Childrens Hospice at Wetherby which no doubt has had experience of patients with metabolic conditions. Later I go into The Station Pub at Patrington and blow me I bump into Leo again. This time the talk is of his brief motor cycle racing career. Several ex RAF types join in and its an hour before I fall out the place.

With a hard footpath all the way it takes just two hours to reach the tongue twisting Thorngumbald.

Waiting for Fire-fighter Steve to pick me up I talk to an engaging lady who having lost a daughter to cancer is now very involved in fund raising.

It has been a most interesting day.

Above: Geoff and Jack my bird watching acquaintances of yesterday standing next to a Heligoland bird trap on Spurn Head.

11 Oct - AN AMBITION ACHIEVED

Today I walked Spurn Head which has been one of my 'must do' targets since I plotted this venture two years ago.

Its landmass, resembling a giant tadpole,is a 4 mile long spur at the entrance to the Humber Estuary. Its a unique spot in having the only full-time RNLI crew in the British Isles who live with their families out at the Head.   I had a great conversation with the Coxwain of the Humber Lifeboat Dave Steenvoorden (Dutch father) and his wife Karen (both above) who manages the caravan/cafe at the Head. The Lifeboat has turned out 40 times this year. If you like watching ships then this is the place, 10.000 ship movements pass the Head every year making for the Ports of Hull, Goole, Grimsby and Immingham.

The Head swarms with birdwatchers because of the continuous presence of native species and the constant migrations of others. I struck up conversation with a couple of 'twitchers' Geoff (Hull) and Jack (Crosby) who stimulated my interest throughout the afternoon.

The North Sea shore of the Head is flanked by a superb beach and the leeside mudflats allow digging for bait. Its a fascinating place which also boasts a tearoom at either end!

Firefighter Steve picked me up on the Easington road and I returned to the Station a contented man.

10 Oct - Comfortable nights stay at the Withernsea Fire Station, its almost like being at home.

Easy 8 mile walk to Easington into watery sunshine and a strong but warm wind. Through BP's expanding Natural Gas Terminal and into the village at Easington. In the Neptune Pub I become embroiled in intense but amusing banter with 5 Last of the Summer Wine types. Leo made the most noise and using an excellent vocabulary of expletives purported to dislike the French, the Yanks and Southeners.  He was urged on by

the others and of course I joined in. It was a most informative hour.

Retained firefighter James rescues me and we return to Withernsea via Patrington. Here I was trying to locate any indication of the 0 degrees longtitude Meridian Line which enters the UK in this area. Found an indicator post (well inland) together with insignificant plinth. Nothing so grand as the pillar at Peacehaven which Southern Trailers will remember.

Above: The unusual specticle of a lighthouse literally at the end of the street. The candle went out on this one long ago and its now a museum.

09 Oct - My Hosts have been Arnold Johnson a retired Methodist Minister and wife Pat who helps the charity Real Aid; they have a standard poodle called Tetley. After viewing the erosion which constantly threatens this coastline he sets me off on the 16 mile slog to Withernsea. Over half way I have a welcome snack lunch at the Loos pub which is apparently haunted. The darts disappeared last night out of the Bar So here is a 'spirit' who may have a point to make in the future!  Its another lovely day

coming to a close as I reach the Withernsea Fire Station, my base for 4 days, with tired legs and sore 'plates of meat' In fact the Humberside Fire and Rescue Service are going to be looking after me for a full week.

Above: Here's a body I found slumped at the side of the road. I can only summise that he had been employed to carry out a road census and no one has yet realised he has passed away.

06 Oct - I wrench myself away from a sole occupancy of a 6 berth twin toilet all mod con static van. After thanking the Staff of Reighton Sands Holiday Village I strike out for Flamborough only 6 miles away

getting there by 1.30. On the way I pass from North Yorkshire into the East Riding. On these flat lands are countless tractors ploughing in for next years yield. Some are spreading you know what on you know everywhere and phew!  I book into a B/B and pm walk the 2 miles to Flamborough Head in warm early autumn sunshine. Before the present lighthouse was installed (above) a wreck occurred on average around the Head every three months. Popular area for birders. Found some of them spotting pink footed geese, it takes all sorts. My heart rendering appeal for telephone chums has made a modest start. Brian Higgins from Shoreham is

first in and wins a five pound voucher for water skiing lessons to be used anywhere in Skandinavia. After this the prizes get better. Two other calls were wrong numbers and I've already had a heavy breather! It all looks promising.

05 Oct - I had a pleasant stay at the Scarborough Fire Station; the famous Fair is on in the Town. Malcoln Norris the Watch Manager for the Night Shift kindly offers to take my rucsac onto my next destination at Reighton Sands Holiday Village near Filey 10 miles on.

So another day on the Cleveland Way, the wind has dropped and its a perfect day. When I arrive my 'fame' has got here before me. The Staff have put a super static van (6 berth/2 toilets no less) at my disposal and have already collected 50 quid. A quiet evening in watching TV which

makes a change.

Above: The boots are breaking-in quite well. Must take the label off!

04 Oct - The 14 miles to Scarborough was tough going today. If it had not been for Phil and Wendy (above) who took my rucsac onto the Fire Station here then I dont think I would have made it. Some rain but it was very strong headwinds coupled with steep and slippery descents which made progress very difficult. So I sincerely thank this delightful couple that I met at the Robin Hoods Bay YHA who volunteered to lightened my burden.

Also regards to Neill (Pompey supporter) whose company I enjoyed at two hostels. I'm whacked, some early shut-eye but not before music by Bill Evans, Greig, John Coltrane, Vaughan Williams plus a dose of Round the Horne.

It seems that the weather is going to turn nasty.

03 Oct - I wake up to a foul morning. The wind is howling and there is driving rain. Because I have a short day, its only 7 miles to Robin Hoods Bay, I delay my departure. It pays off as by the time I have rounded Whitby's famous landmark the Abbey on the hill the heavy precipitation has abated. Because of the wind I avoid the Coast Path and take a parallel road to Hawsker village where I meet Michael from Ireland a charming man who bought me a lunch in the pub.

I pick up an old railway line (God it was heavy) The weather has picked up and its a splendid walk along the old track. I pass three ladies sitting on a bench two are from Hurstpierpoint I can see several coasters battling against the heavy seas. Robin's Hood Bay with its steep street holds a lot of charm. Finally a stroll along the beach to the Boggle Hole Youth Hostel which is set in a small ravine. Above: I dig deep in my album for this shot. A message for an old friend.

'You have just got to be into everything haven't you. Trust you to get beautified'

02 Oct - Three of us set off this morning i.e. Rosemary, me and my new boots.  We get the bus back to Runswick Bay, walk onto beach and meet Jon Hall a landscape painter who invites me to sign the back of his canvas. I was tempted to scribble 'Constable' (above). We had a little difficulty getting off the beach up the cliff but once up a lovely 5 miles of the Cleveland Way stretched before us. Pausing at Sandend for a late lunch Rosemary and I finally part at Whitby. She had been a caring and knowledgeable host.  Its now up 199 steps to Abbey House YHA (next to the haunting Abbey) and then 2 floors up to my bunkroom, just what you dont need at the end of the day!  They have a spent a fortune renovating this place (millions). It must be one of their showcases.

It looks as if CLIMB might be adopted in some way by a party of 30 Class 6 school children and Teaching Staff from Minchinhampton School, Nr Stroud, Glous who are staying here.I had to sign autographs for them all during the evening. Oh the fame of it all!

No Photo Today

29 Sep - The daughters Danielle and Georgia of my hosts Grahame & Christine Wylde have the Metabolic Condition Ornithine Carbamyl Transferase Deficiency. With a strict medication/nutritional regime they are able to live a normal life.  However this condition is deadly for boys and sadly they lost their only son Rhys after only three days.  Fortunately their other daughters Bethany and Keira are not affected.

Today offered a 10 mile hike through Hartlepool Town and then out onto a vast plain of chemical plants, oil

refineries and power stations north of the River Tees. Felt like calling up Chris Rea's 'Road to Hell' from

my ipod.  But my objective was always towering on the horizon 'it' being the Transporter Bridge across the Tees at Middlesbrough. Already a world famous bridge it gained further prominence in the TV's last Auf

Wiedersen Pet series. My new host Brian Casson proposed to his wife Joanne on it.  Their fares must have only totalled one pound twenty, what a Romeo! The Wylde's were the latest in a long line of metabolic families I have had the privilege to meet.  Their youngest Keira is a hoot! Thanks for walking with me Graeme.

Above: The Transporter Bridge

28 Sep - New Hosts Graham & Christine Wylde pick me up from the excellent B/B. Great news, he has elected to walk with me today.

We trek the 9 mile Durham Coast Path from Seaham to North Hartlepool in glorious weather.

During the day we call into the Easington Colliery 'Officials' Club.

This Club was NOT for the coal face miners, they had their own. Had some great banter with the Members (above) who had a card school going.

Times are hard I could only find one man who possessed a cloth cap!

A pint one pound 50. 

Scenes from the film 'Billy Elliott' were shot a couple of streets away.

Christine drives us home for a scrumptious tea.

27 Sep - After Anthony leaves me on the Coast Road I come across yet more claims.

Souter Lighthouse - 1st to be electrified. Pub nearbye the only one in Europe to be built into a cliff face. Above; Just get across clifftop firing range before cadets hoist warning flag. Its wall-to-wall sunshine and the excellent beach at Sunderland is a venue for Volleyball and a Sandcastle competition. Long walk into Town to cross the Tees Bridge and get lunch. Later in the afternoon I beckoned to the Pheonix Pub by a group of tanked-up Geordies wanting to know what I am up to. During the next hour they ply me with drinks and stump up many donations. Alan/Geoff would like a mention here, they make coffins! 

Finally arrive at B/B which is a charmingly converted church.

26 Sep - My Hosts Anita/George Landells met when working at Rheindalen, then West Germany. This is the base where I had completed my RAF service a few years earlier.  Yet Another coincidence!

In the absence of 'you know what' George is lending me his walking shoes which fit perfectly. What luck!

He sees me off in true Geordie fashion with a glass of Newcastle Brown Ale. They say that 3 bottles of this stue and then its off to a 'journey into space' George runs me to the Millennium (tilting ) Bridge.

On a perfect Sep day I take the high level NCN path following the River Tyne through Gateshead/Heburn then, I like to think, a symbolic march across Jarrow. The Collieries are marked on the OS map but their is little evidence of their presence.

With whole areas swallowed up in housing estates and industrial units it is hard to imagine that they ever existed. After 12 miles I finish on the Coast Road at South Shields where they are now busy preparing for the Brendan Fosters Great North Run.

My Host Anthony Marshall picks me up at the Bamburgh pub for a drink and we indulge in more later when we go out to meet his brother and friend.

Above: Riverside view at Newcastle from tilting Bridge

25 Sep - Rest Day - Into the City of Newcastle on the bus with Anita.

During the morning I have a pleasant interview with the Mayor Councillor David Wood (see above).  He told me that the City were adopting one of the latest Royal Navy ships HMS Dauntless and I was happy to tell him that my Father, Bill, a Petty Officer served in an earlier destroyer of the same name in the 1930's.  This is a vibrant and historical place with superb shopping/market parades and a riverside vista second to none. It also boasts an excellent transport infrastructure.  Spent the pm trolling around the City Centre with an

invasion of the University Students who were loud, boistrous, half dressed (didn't notice what the blokes were not wearing) and I have to say, perhaps a trifle curmudgeonly, they were spending the tax payers money without a care in the world, blast em!

Despite some intricate arrangements with the supplier my boots have still not arrived.

24 Sep - Quiet night at the Fire Station but the realities of being a firefighter soon come round.

White Watch are just sitting down for breakfast when there is a 'shout' (call out) to a road traffic collision. Turns out that a young male has to be assisted from a car after striking a van. A nice easy going walk through North Shields and pick up the Hadrians Wall Way Path at Wallsend into Newcastle. My host Anita Landells greets me at the Bus Station and I go home to to meet husband George. 10 miles today.

Above: Came across two lads 'walking' these striking owls.

The Eagle Owl is Amber and the Snowy Owl has the unusual name of Snowy. Both are only 11 weeks old and eagerly demolished dead chicks in front of us.

23 Sep - I have been hosted by Bob and Monica Mitchell who are the 'adoptive' grandparents of Dylan (11),

twins Anissa/Katrina (9) and they also have another grandson Kai (5).  All these children have the Metabolic

condition COFFIN-LOWRY SYNDROME and collectively they harbour numerous disabilities. Despite the difficulties Bob, an ex colliery electrician, and Monica keep them together as a happy family unit. One can only admire their purpose and it was a priviledge to have met them. Bob took my rucsac onto Tynemouth Fire Station my lodgings for tonight. Roadwise getting down to Blyth was dodgy but the way got easier. Bob caught up with me for the last time, some papers I had left in his car. Without my heavy pack I ventured onto Whitley Bay Beach for a couple of miles (above).  Another warm Sept day to complete a further14 miles. Just going to sit down with the Duty Crew (White Watch) and have some supper.

22 Sep - At breakfast in the hotel I amazed that a lady on the next table knew who I was.

Her daughter once worked with mine (Sonya). Its such a small world.

Its raining as I amble down to the town of Amble.  Its cleared when my next Host Bob Mitchell relieves me of the rucksac for the day.  He advises

that I lunch at the Widdrington pub where he leaves payment.  He checks me again en route and finally greets me at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea There follows an interview for local press and a photo shot with his disabled grandson Dylan.  I visit his home to meet Monica his wife,

family and to get cleaned up.  Finally this thoughtful man has arranged for me to stay in a static caravan at nearby Sandy Bay.  Such kindness!

Above: I push Dylan along Newbiggin promenade. And, yes I know its yet another castle in the background, Warkworth, but its ramparts

rise just 50 metres from my room window. Its stands within an oxbow on the charmingly named Coquet River.

20 Sep - I press South on a lovely warm September day. Hugging the Coast to Seahouses (North Sunderland).  Its a 'lets have a spin on my Harley' day, scores of them chugging about. 

Camping sites are in the wrong geographic locations on this stage so popped in TIO for a B/B and ended up at The Sportsman, Embleton but still on course. 11 miles.

Above: More fish/chips at Seahouses. If there are any 'aunties' of mine out there concerned about my diet I can assure them that I do have a burger occasionally. Also contrary to rumour I did not arrive on the superb Harley Davidson parked behind me here.