Not an entirely random name for a blog, but close. I am not a goat herder - in the usual meaning of that word; nor does the Urban Dictionary definition apply to me either (for a decade at least): an extremely drunk male who having lost all self-respect and standards, loses his powers of discrimination when pulling females. It is said that Gateshead derives its name from a settlement near an early Tyne crossing where goats once roamed. The goats are long gone, but me - I like to roam these parts - or rather run - exploring new places, rediscovering old ones in and around Gateshead and Newcastle when I'm out jogging. This blog is a collection of my photos, thoughts, observations, rants, loves and hates about Newcastle and Gateshead.

Tuesday 30 July 2013

Worsick Street drain pipe

There is much that is photogenic in Worswick Street in Newcastle, but today I will limit myself to posting a picture of a drainpipe.

Friday 19 July 2013

Scorchio again in Newcastle

Lunchtime yesterday, red hot again, so decided to go for a little run / explore around the back of Newcastle central station and down to the quayside past the rabbit warren of paths and steps beyond the remains of the city walls.

Trolley Sculpture behind the Central Station on Orchard Street / Forth Street (Near the Telegraph pub) DNA DL90 by Abigail Fallis
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/tyne/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8295000/8295356.stm


Turnbull Building, Newcastle (behind Central station, overlooking the Tyne)


The High Level Bridge, viewed from the Newcastle side


Under arch of High Level Bridge looking to the Turnbull building


Newcastle Keep beyond City walls

Wednesday 17 July 2013

The Tyne Four Bridge Challenge

Scorchio in Newcastle this week - too hot to be stuck in work, too hot to be stuck in the gym - better to get outside for a run. This week, I've been doing what i've terrmed the "Four Bridge Challenge" (the numeric value of the challenge is determined by the number of bridges over the Tyne, which have been crossed on a run, or the number of times a bridge has been crossed). It doesn't matter really, I just run different routes for variety, but the last couple of days I have ran the following route which i just over 3 miles: Worswick Street to the Tyne Bridge - across to the Gateshead side, past the Central pub, behind the Hilton hotel, to the High Level bridge then back across to Newcastle. Then up past the Central station to the Centre of Life to the Redheugh Bridge. After crossing the Redheugh to Gateshead again, down to the banks of the Tyne then on to the Swing Bridge. The Gateshead side of the Swing Bridge roughly marks the 3 mile mark. After crossing the Swing Bridge, I headed back to BodyZone gym on Carliol Square via the killer hill of Dean Street.

Today, I did the same route but couldn't really be arsed to run, so I took some pictures instead at various intervals on this route.



Former Bus Station, Worswick Street


Swing Bridge and Tyne Bridge viewed from High Level Bridge (from Newcastle side) 




Under the King Edward VII Railway bridge - Gateshead side


Under the Metro bridge (Gateshead side)


Metro Bridge (Gateshead Side)

Thursday 4 July 2013

Gateshead flats demolition

Thompsons of Prudhoe seem to have cornered the market in large scale demolitions in the north east - with a speciality being the brutalist 60s concrete megaliths. Over recent years, they have been involved in quite a few major projects: Newcastle central library , Eldon Square, Derwent Tower "the rocket" at Dunston, the "Get Carter" car park at trinity square in Gateshead. Now they are in the process of demolishing the set of 3 apartment blocks just outside if Gateshead town centre, two of which flank either side of the flyover of the Durham road?



I drive past these flats most days on my way in to work. As you can see they are in the process of demolishing them.   I do feel a twinge of regret over this as I do sort of like the look of these flats. I dunno why, although I like sixties architecture - and I think they remind me of the apartment blocks that dominate Moscow. 

They were supposed to be quite spacious and 
decent flats, but I doubt the noise and the pollution from the traffic on the flyover would have made for a pleasant living environment.