Redcar – Seaham

73.0km

The night is restless. At least for me. Outside it is totally windy, the tent of course placed exactly with the broadside in. In addition, it crackles all the time, as if small animals were in the awning. But in the morning everything is fine.

With strong headwinds we head west, to Mittlesbrough. There are more beautiful spots on this earth, but we have experienced this many times during the journey.

At the first bridge we cross the river Tees and choose an alternative route, away from our No. 1, which we've been following for days. Finally less headwinds. And by the way, we save several kilometers, which means that we get back to the sea much faster – because we should only drive along there again tomorrow.

In Seaton Carew we have lunch on the beach. More specifically, on a bench of the promenade overlooking the beach, so that the food does not start to crunch. We decide to go shopping so as not to have to look for a supermarket before travelling by ferry. And since we haven't visited an Asda Superstore yet, this is our choice. Stupid idea, as it will turn out. Firstly, we drive past an Aldi, secondly, our biscuits are not available and thirdly, our shopping is cashed in! Because this supermarket chain does not accept any of our collected ECs or credit cards. Because a device is broken, I should sign on paper. After two weeks on the bike and thus completely tense arms, the result is as follows: My scribbled signature hardly resembles the one on the card. So we are asked to pay the information fund. Until we understand what has just happened and are able to insist on our items, all our purchases have already been cashed back. So everything from the beginning and again to the checkout, this time another. The woman there is patient with us and helps us count our last cash together, as the coins are still foreign to us.

Finally back out, it started to rain. We just missed that. Well, until the rains are ripped out and put on, it almost stopped.

Twice more up the mountain and down once, then we are at the campsite. It's really beautiful. Even before the tent is set up, we grab everything necessary to go to the beach. We take a 15-minute walk across fields and through a hiking trail in the forest. There the present cover image was created, an old railway bridge under which the sun slowly sets.

Considering some dark clouds and since the pebble beach does not invite you to hike in the water, I push a little back to the tent. Quickly it is built up and we hop into the brand new showers of the place. Unfortunately, we have nothing for a fire. No Marshmellows and no grilled goods. Too bad actually.