Day 3 Hartlepool to Middlesbrough

Hello from Middlesbrough. I woke up to sunshine this morning, all was calm, no wind and no rain, hoooray. I was able to put my shorts on and pack my wet gear in the rucksack. Everything had dried out overnight. The first thing I did was to go to Carphone Warehouse and buy a cheapo phone, and I was back in business in no time. It was only £17, so that's hardly going to break the bank. Besides I need to keep in touch with people. Martin from Walking Forum was going to meet me so I needed to let him know where I was. And Brenda, one of my bloggy friends was also coming out to meet me. Once I got the phone I could let them know my location. In fact they all turned up within ten minutes of each other, Brenda was with her hubby and son, so I had an escort of three cyclists. Martin walked with me for a while, and I arranged to finish the day at Brenda's house which is where I am now. 

I took a few photo's before I left Hartlepool, The Maritime Experience has an entrance fee, but the Museum next door doesn't. I had a quick flit round, a nice young man showed me around. Another friendly person was very helpful.  

Quite a lot to see here, worth a look if anyone is interested in maritime matters.

This boat is part of the museum, it is free to go on board and look around.

A look at the engine room.

There is so much to see and not enough time. The Harbour is very close to all the big name stores and eateries. It's all been preserved and renovated and makes for a very relaxing place to wander around and enjoy it. I set off down the Promenade which runs alongside the A178, chatting to a group of ladies who were doing a sponsored walk in aid of some new church bells.

I turned right at Seaton Carew and headed inland. I have to leave the sea at this point to go towards Billingham, because I can't go over the Transporter Bridge. I met my cycling friends near Greatham and they said the cycle track I had planned to take was impassible due to the flooding yesterday, so  a change of route was needed. At this point Brenda and family left me, and I carried on with Martin. As we hit the outskirts of Billingham I took a footpath down a track and Martin left me to it.

After that I walked through some industrial areas, winding my way towards the Newport Bridge crossing.

I stopped to check the map when I got there, that Martin had kindly given to me, and decided not to go over the bridge, but to go underneath it along a cycle track towards the Tees Barrage bridge further along. A picture of the Newport Bridge that I didn't cross.

I was strolling along enjoying the scenery, when I was amazed to see a seal come to the surface with a large fish in it's mouth. I didn't think they would get this far inland. 

I arrived at the Tees Barrage and was quite surprised to see how popular it is. A lot of visitors were wandering about. It is all very nicely landscaped.

You can read about it here. 

Fascinating, I love anything like this. 

I love the curves of the bridge. Traffic and pedestrians go over the top, and pedestrians only on the lower deck.

It was a twenty minute walk to Brenda's house after that, and as I entered the hallway the smell of cooking greeted me. She had prepared a lovely meal of home made soup and home made pizzas. A very enjoyable day, meeting new people, the weather was good, and I did just over 17 miles. Let's hope it will be fine for the rest of the trip.