Today after a night's sleep broken by very loud thunderstorms which Lyn didn't hear, we were given a guided tour of the area around Whitley Bay with very professional commentary by our hosts, Davina and Roy.
We first visited Fish Quay in North Shields north of the river Tyne, where there were a few fishing boats and many fish shops selling freshly caught fish. We bought some fresh cod for tea. Apparently the number of boats has declined significantly over the past few years due to the government here reducing quotas thereby making fishing uneconomical.
We visited the Tynemouth Castle and the Priory which is located on a rocky headland, known as Pen Bal Crag, overlooking Tynemouth Pier. The moated castle-towers, gatehouse and keep are combined with the ruins of the Benedictine Priory where early kings of Northumbria were buried. The coat of arms of the town of Tynemouth still includes three crowns commemorating the tradition that the Priory had been the burial place for three kings.
After a short walk we visited the imposing Collingwood monument which overlooks Tynemouth. Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, 1st Baron Collingwood was an admiral of the Royal Navy, notable as a partner with Lord Nelson in several of the British victories of the Napoleonic wars and frequently as Nelson's successor in commands. He was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 26 September 1748 and died on 7 March 1810.
The sea gulls certainly enjoy sitting on his head!
We then walked out on one of the piers so we were able to look back at the headland where many kittiwakes were nesting on the rock face.
Whilst we were there it started to rain so we to made our way back to the car.
As the expected rain did not eventuate, we then went to visit a statue of Arthur Stanley Jefferson in Dockway Square which was nearby. Stan Laurel, as he was more commonly known, was part of the comedy duo of Laurel and Hardy and was born in Ulverston, Cumbria. Apparently he spent a few years living and going to school in North Shields. Hence the statue.
We then went on to visit the Royal Quays Marina where, apart from the boats, there was a nesting colony of terns. They had decided a stoney area in the middle of the marina was a perfect place for them to set up home.
After taking some pics we went to a brand depot shopping centre so the girls could get some retail therapy whilst Roy and Mick went to look at the Land Rover bike shop! Never heard of Land Rover bikes? Neither had Mick.
Next it was off home to a lovely meal of cod cooked by Davina and for Lyn to catch up on the royal birth.
Unused historic watch house.
Roy, Lyn and Davina with the Priory and new watch house in the background.
The Priory and graveyard
Tynemouth pier
Nesting Kittiwakes
Tyne River ferry
Butterfly on a thistle
Male Greenfinch in Davina and Roy's garden
Eurasian Rock Pipit
View of Tynemouth
Stan Laurel (on the plinth!) and Mick.
Mick can do a body double for Stan, one can't tell the difference.
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