As I don't know this part of the country, I'm taking a day to explore the area before the trip officially starts. Fab Castle 🏰 and Priory 😊, they date back to possibly the mid-7th century; the gate house you enter through was built in the 14th century. Its history is long and detailed, so it's definitely worth the visit.
Doing some family research, I discovered that my Nan, was born and bought up in Monkwearmouth. A local historian has provided me with some info & pictures of life back in the 1900's .
Life must have been tough 😧. The official school leaving age was 12, coal was the main method of heating, no central heating 🥶. TV's 📺 and phones ☎️ hadn't been invented 😱, World War 1 was looming, starting when my Nan was just 14 years.
The Stadium of Light "Sunderland FC" now has its home & was built on the area my Nan used to live in.
My experience of today's Tynemouth has been excellent. It is beautiful, everyone has been so friendly, and helpful.
The bike paths along the coast have been wonderful, so getting around has been easy. Cycling under the Tyne in the tunnel was a whole new experience 😊
A friend who is from the Sunderland recommended fish & chips from Coleman's & ice-cream from Minchellas - delicious thank you Tracy & Rodney 🥰
Coming back across the river on the ferry was great ☺️. Despite a grim weather forecast, the weather has been perfect, I'm glad they got it wrong 😊👍
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Glad you enjoyed the recommendations. Don’t tell anyone in Sunderland that Monkwearmouth is part of Newcastle you get lynched 🤣🤣
lol….. it can be our secret 🤫. Great recommendations on the food front - thank you
Looks great! Very informative!
Thank you
Great blog and photos today. It must be wonderful tracing your heritage. Thank you
Thank you Doreen, you are always so kind. It’s great finding out about family history 😊 xx
I should’ve known you were out on an adventure with the weather change 😉 I spent 5 years recently working for a company in Bedlington and became very familiar with that coastline via running between Blythe and Seaton Sluice along a coastal path. Absolutely stunning but never felt the need to try out a swim 🥶
Pease pudding was the local ‘delicacy’ that sounded worse than it looked…and that’s not great!
Good luck with your adventure…and the weather…but it’s green for a reason up there!