Sunday, March 03, 2013
Snapshots in Ouseburn, Newcastle.
Newcastle isn't really just one place - though it does now all come under one central council.
The character of villages and fishing villages remain - but are now linked by the Metro and speeding link roads.
We walked from central Newcastle to Ouseburn.
Much of the industry has gone now. Buildings have been converted to suit 21st century wants and needs.
We climbed up to Byker from the river - quite a climb that was.
Byker is one of the less prosperous districts of Newcastle - with much new high density housing.
The point where the Ouseburn joins the mighty River Tyne.
Looking down river.
You can see that old quay side warehouse buildings and factories have been painted and improved.
At low tide, the Ouseburn used to a be a pit of foul stinky mud.
Down at the estuary, now, there are sluice gates to hold the high tide in, which creates a more pleasant place to walk or create new industries.
Lovely old warehouse building.
Not everywhere has been renovated yet.
Old industrial buildings, old viaduct and a much newer link road bridge over the valley.
I discussed the nature of art after our visit to The Baltic art gallery.
Now we could debate graffiti.
Some of it is childish rubbish of course.
But images like this on old walls would seem to me to be art.
I am glad that the authorities have not deemed it to be vandalism and had it removed.
I love this painting.
The artist has captured his/her world on that old brick wall.
Fun!
And so we climbed to Byker - I wish I had known of the song Byker Hill, recorded by the folk group Bellowhead. I must listen.
Byker is not an area for afternoon tea! It was gone 3 o'clock when we got there and hadn't eaten. Cafes were closing or closed. They open early for breakfasts and lunch.
It looked like we might have to go hungry.
But we found one on a side street, run by a Malaysian couple.
Bill and I had fish and chips with mushy peas.....well you have to have Geordie mushy peas.!
Just what I needed - a sit down and a steaming hot cup of tea.
The character of villages and fishing villages remain - but are now linked by the Metro and speeding link roads.
We walked from central Newcastle to Ouseburn.
Much of the industry has gone now. Buildings have been converted to suit 21st century wants and needs.
We climbed up to Byker from the river - quite a climb that was.
The point where the Ouseburn joins the mighty River Tyne.
Looking down river.
You can see that old quay side warehouse buildings and factories have been painted and improved.
At low tide, the Ouseburn used to a be a pit of foul stinky mud.
Down at the estuary, now, there are sluice gates to hold the high tide in, which creates a more pleasant place to walk or create new industries.
Lovely old warehouse building.
Not everywhere has been renovated yet.
Old industrial buildings, old viaduct and a much newer link road bridge over the valley.
I discussed the nature of art after our visit to The Baltic art gallery.
Now we could debate graffiti.
Some of it is childish rubbish of course.
But images like this on old walls would seem to me to be art.
I am glad that the authorities have not deemed it to be vandalism and had it removed.
I love this painting.
The artist has captured his/her world on that old brick wall.
Fun!
And so we climbed to Byker - I wish I had known of the song Byker Hill, recorded by the folk group Bellowhead. I must listen.
Byker is not an area for afternoon tea! It was gone 3 o'clock when we got there and hadn't eaten. Cafes were closing or closed. They open early for breakfasts and lunch.
It looked like we might have to go hungry.
But we found one on a side street, run by a Malaysian couple.
Bill and I had fish and chips with mushy peas.....well you have to have Geordie mushy peas.!
Just what I needed - a sit down and a steaming hot cup of tea.
