Our Coast.

The Durham Coast was for many years badly polluted by the effects of it's industrial past. Times have changed and the beaches are clean again thanks to a project called "Turning the Tide" - and helped, of course, by the cleansing action of two tides a day! Big things are in store for Seaham which is destined to become the "Skegness of the North"! The harbour, once busy with colliers shipping coal from Lord Londonderry's mines, is to be a marina. Nearby the magnesian limestone cliffs are very impressive.

Hartlepool is now a place for tourists ! The Hartlepool Historic Quay is where you can see the oldest British warship still afloat. It was built in Bombay in 1817 and has been wonderfully restored. The canon on the Headland was

captured from the Russians

during the Crimean War.

It is to the

Yorkshire Coast however that we have taken our family for seaside delights. Here the North York Moors meet the North Sea.

Redcar has seen better days but

the beaches are bucket and spade paradise ! Saltburn has a pier that is "Pier of the year - 2009"! Wonderful cliffs too. All of our beaches have great sands - none of your wall to wall pebbles here. The water may be a touch cold but you'll get

used to it ... eventually. Further down the coast at Boulby are the highest cliffs on England's

east coast. Staithes , Port Mulgrave and Runswick lead to Whitby with it's Abbey and Captain

Cook connections. He was born near Middlesbrough at Marton . Beyond Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay and on to Scarborough. All within easy reach of Darlington ! Anyway, these

are just a few of the places for a good day out, at least !

Didn't expect to find

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy here ? Try the Promenade at Redcar.