The wind dropped again during the night so it was soaking wet with condensation. The river level also looked alarmingly high but as I packed my stuff away it began to fall. I was away by 7:15am under a misty sky. I followed the excellent tarmac cycle track until rejoining the roads. Over the A189 I continued west then north along a minor lane. This was to avoid the busy main road and I knew I had a steep descent to an old bridge before climbing back towards the urban roads. What I didn’t know was over the bridge there used to be the very important Bedlington Iron and Engine Works.

Site of Bedlington Iron and Engine Works.

Michael Longridge, Works Manager from 1815.
The Ironworks went into decline after he retired in 1853

Bedlington Iron and Engine Works.

Amble East Cemetery

Amble East Cemetery

Amongst other thing they made the rails for the 1825 Stockton to Darlington Railway. The area is now pleasant parkland with information board and artwork in the form of arched rail tracks. There was a steep climb out of the valley then level roads. On the approach to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea a van overtook me at speed on a left bend. I noticed a car approaching towards me having to swerve. Then I heard the sound of screeching tyres. As I rounded the bend I saw the van in the verge having hit a tree in a bush and swung round to face the opposite way. The driver was OK and still in his seat and on his mobile phone, presumably phoning for help. Out of the town I passed the Aluminium Works and followed tracks and cycle tracks along Cresswell beach. The cycle track was far from what I’d call suitable. Then past Druridge I came to Amble in warm sunshine. Another rough cycle track ran along the road to Warkworth where I stopped to have a look at the impressive Warkworth Castle.

Warkworth Castle

Through the town to the coast and more useless cycle tracks. I can only say that they are suitable for walkers and mountain bikes. They are unsuitable for road and touring bikes. Thankfully I reached proper roads again and continued passed Craster without making the detour to see it.

Bridge over the River Coquet

Not what I'd call a cycle track

I was approaching Beadnel and it was lunchtime. I was hoping for something like a chip shop and when I got there I saw one. Unfortunately it is only open at weekends for 3 hrs on Sat and Sun. There’s nothing like a one horse town. I rode the couple of miles to Seahouses where I came to a totally different scene. It was like a sunny Blackpool but without the squalor.

Seahouses

The harbour was full of people and a boat was about to take a group out to the Farne Islands. I cycled to the end of the pier and back before continuing along the coast to Bamburgh Castle. I wheeled my bike up the steep access track to the car park.

Bamburgh Castle

The rip off charges start here with a parking charge. Wheeling my bike up to the main entrance the second charge is to get in. It was beyond my means so I retreated down to the road and cycled along the minor branch road to the NW. There were cap parks and sand dunes. I wanted to stay the night hereabouts so checked out some possibilities. I found a pitch near the lighthouse with a view of the castle.

Bamburgh Castle