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We took the opportunity to visit some friends in Blackhall on Sunday.  While we were there, we had a stroll with their new Labrador puppy called Sandy, along Blackhall Rocks beach.  Turning left at Pieronis corner (the ice cream and general dealers shop we once owned), it was like stepping back in time for me.  Parking up at Dead Man’s Bank, we climbed down the steps to the beach itself and walked along the shoreline towards Crimdon Dene.  Stepping tentatively over the rocks that litter this coastline it was a very nice stroll indeed.

Having grown up in the area, I’d forgot just how beautiful it is.  The caves themselves haven’t changed much since I was a lad spending many a lazy day climbing inside and building fires with old wood washed up by the sea.  Nowadays it is regarded as a nature reserve and a good deal of investment has been made building walkways, steps and providing seats with spectacular views of the East Durham coastline.

We eventually finished our walk by climbing up some steps near Crimdon and then walking along the cliff tops to return to Dead Man’s Bank, where we’d left our cars. It was was a fine trip down memory lane but we didn’t stop for ice cream at what was Pieronis because they could never make it as good as I once did.  I still have the secret recipe!

Check the pictures here.

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