Finally got started - the first day

I have been worrying that I would get soaked, cramp, exhausted....
As it turns out today has been brilliant. Weather mostly warm and sunny, and did about 8 miles, though I am tired now.  Amble, the starting point, is a working small fishing port with a newish marina, and it looked busy with fishermen. My first visit, and a pleasant walk round the port's bay, on a jetty undergoing refurbishment. On the beach, curiously enclosed by the jetty, I noticed lots of sea coal, which I remember from my childhood. People used to collect it from the beach and sell it at a big discount compared to proper mined coal, but my mum said it spits badly and so not to be contemplated. I had not thought of it sice apart from a chance encounter with a horse and cart selling sea coal in Lynemouth 2.5 years ago, when I drove down a side street whilst testing my new satnav out (I had set it to shortest route possible which was not the best strategy normally).

Then after that on to Warkworth, with an imposing castle, and history, where I had lunch. In an inn. This is probably related to the fact that I am following the Inn walk of Northumberland. Good book mind. As I left, it started to rain, and I headed for the sand dunes and beach, towards Alnmouth.