A half term visit to South Gare with Mel and Billy Randell. Billy is eight now and growing up fast, he is a wealth of information on world history and specialises in War.

Paddys Hole - South Gare, River Tees

Paddys Hole – South Gare, River Tees

Our drive up there took us up the coast road and as we drove Billy taught us all about The English Civil War. Im now an expert on King Charles and Oliver Cromwell along with the art of warfare known as Piking.

Once at the Gare billy gave us another lesson on Iron Stone Mining and then the Steel industry. I imagine his teachers at west cliff school struggle to teach him history as he probably knows more than a History professor.

Mel seemed a bit dubious about heading down a road that said “private” but once there she quickly realised no-one takes any notice of that signage.

We wandered about the sand dunes and fishermans huts meeting new friends all afternoon. As always the people there were massively welcoming, One gentleman invited us into his hut, which was nicer than my flat, . He showed us around with a great sense of pride.

Isn’t it lovely when people greet you with a smile and a hello, rather than that grumpy face and the “Can I Help You” that Im so often met with when I visit the local moors and Esk Valley. What world have we created where everyone is so suspicious of people they don’t know.

The hut was more like a home. Laminate flooring, settee, Tv, Log Burner, the works. The guy was so nice he even gave billy a model fishing boat to take home with him.

If you haven’t visited the South Gare, its well worth a look. Its not pristine, its not manicured and its nothing like Whitby, but its real and it has its own style of Beauty.

Paddys Hole At South Gare

Paddys Hole At South Gare

Paddys Hole is home to lots of boats, used for fishing and pleasure purposes. Around the basin which gives the boats their shelter are rows of huts built over the years by the boat owners.

The huts are amazing to see and its great to take a walk down there meeting all the unique individuals who hang about there.

South Gare Fishermans Huts Association

South Gare Fishermans Huts Association

Across the road from Paddys Hole are the locally famous green huts of The South Gare Fishermans Huts Association. Again these are a must see if your visiting the area, and make for superb photographs.

The Sand Dunes Of South Gare At Redcar

The Sand Dunes Of South Gare At Redcar

A little bit further along the road are the sand dunes which open out onto a beautiful beacj=h facing North East up the coast and across The North sea.

The Sand Dunes Of South Gare At Redcar

The Sand Dunes Of South Gare At Redcar