Hartlepool to North Shields - Day 108

Hartlepool to North Shields - Saturday 27th August 2011 - Day 108

Lock out

We left early at 07.00 to catch the last lock before low water and headed into Tees Bay.  It was a grey morning with drizzle with a swell on the sea, the main was hoisted as a steadying sail and without much wind, we round The Heugh and headed north.  Further up the coast is Sunderland and we went into the marina for a lunch time break and were tied up for 11.30.  A walk round to the Sunderland yacht club. Here we had a most enjoyable bacon buttie and a cup of tea.  The club was holding its annual regatta and we watched from their wonderful advantage point in their well appointed club house, as ten yachts went out for the races.

Stadium of Light Football Stadium

We left the marina at 13.00 and motored up the river with the  mainsail set. Past the glass work exhibition centre and under the Monkwearmouth road and rail bridges. Further on until we arrived at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland's football ground which I had never before seen from the river.  It had been a half an hour run from the marina and we turned here and headed back for the sea, passing the yachts outside the piers enjoying their racing.

Souter Point Lighthouse

Between the river Wear and Tyne is the imposing lighthouse at Souter Point.  It is no longer in use but has a well appointed visitors centre.  Off  here there is a firing range which is marked at sea by two yellow buoys.  If they are firing red flags are flown on the shore and red lights at night and announcements given on the VHF.  Another guide, if there are cows in the field they are not firing, if no cows in the field, they are firing.

Leading Marks

We entered the Tyne piers at 15.45 and kept outside the shipping channel as a container ship made its way out to sea.  The leading marks into the river are very conspicuous though they are no longer lit and known as the high and low lights.
Past the fish quay and the new development at the old dry docks you come to and lock in at the Royal Quays marina, we were all tied up for 16.30.

  


Not being too far from home, Jack went home for his car and at night we went across the river through the new tunnel to South Shields.  The Trimmer's Arms had stopped serving meals, the Mill Dam restaurant would not serve us, so it was old faithful to the Woody Wouldhave for a Weatherspoon's scampi and chips.  Moving onto the Rose & Crown this was really packed, all enjoying themselves with very good live music.  Back on the boat we reflected on being nearly home.