Coast to Coast Day 1
I stayed in St Chads in Durham University for couple of days. This is the second time that I have stayed in the university. The first time was two years ago. The accommodation is in the student residences. They are really comfortable and great value.
Durham is a great town. It is built around the Cathedral and the university. There are a great pubs and places to eat.
On my second day I took the bus into Sunderland to see where my family lived. I will blog about this in another post.
Great Music
That night I spent some time in a great little pub watching a live band. The lead singer was girl with a touch of ‘Janis Joplin’. They were really good. They did a great version of the Stone’s ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’.
Yesterday I spent some time having a chat with an old mate in Canberra. We are both looking forward to a Brumbies win in the Super Rugby tonight.
Chester Le Street
I finally got on the bike and headed north to Chester Le Street. I stopped by the cricket ground. This is now a Test Match ground. It is pretty small and modern, however it is in a great location with views to Lumley Castle.
I then rode up to the Castle which has been a hotel for a long time. I can vividly recall staying there with my parents in 1977. Dad invited to dinner some blokes who worked with him when has was doing his apprenticeship in the 1930’s. As the nigh went on, and more pints of Newcastle Brown were consumed, he slowly slipped back into his Sunderland accent. At the end of the night I couldn’t understand anything that was being said.
On to the C2C Route
Leaving Chester Le Street, I got on to Sustrans Route 7 which is the ‘Coast to Coast’ Route from the East to West coasts of England. It is one of the most popular routes in the Sustans network.
By late afternoon I made it to Consett. I had a bit of difficultly find the Camping Ground suggested on the Sustrans guide. As usual I will blame the Garmin.
Flickr Link
Garmin Link
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/544533717
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