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 11 November 2014

Fenwick's Christmas Windows 1993

Fenwick's Christmas Window display

21 years cannot erase the emotional scars from the last time Alice in Wonderland was the theme for Fenwick's  Christmas display. Is it too soon? I think so. It seems like only yesterday that I recoiled at the ugly contorted face of Alice as she falls through the rabbit hole.  The soundtrack was no better - what with the Queen of Hearts exhortations to "chop off his head" followed by musical refrains of "chop chop chop off his head".  It wasn't well received by the people of the North East either, judging by the bad press it received at the time.

All last week, the windows of Fenwick's Newcastle store were the shrouded in black plastic, as the final tweaks were made to this year's Xmas display which was unveiled on Friday evening.   This annual event in Newcastle, for over forty years now, is hotly anticipated and draws more crowds each year.  This year's theme is Alice in wonderland - AGAIN.  I caught a glimpse of the display this week and was horrified. From 50 yards away, I immediately recognised the vortex representing Alice falling down the rabbit hole - surely not the same display?  On closer inspection, I could see that Alice was not quite as disturbing as the one years ago. Phew!




Wednesday 5 November 2014

View of the Tyne from the Baltic


Looking North East from the second floor of the Baltic art gallery.  In the centre of the picture, below the triangle of white (part of the Byker Wall) you can see the old Sailor's Bethel on Horatio Street, which was once painted by LS Lowry: