I wasn’t sure what to post that was red for a while. I thought about posting the old postbox in Jesmond, and about the Millennium Bridge lit up red. But then I remembered the Swing Bridge and decided that had to be it.
When I was on the tour of the Swing Bridge pump room and took these pics, the guy who was showing us around was saying about how it was fairly shocking to have a bridge painted red and white when they are not - how can I put it? - the most popular colours in Newcastle (ahem).
But I really like the Swing Bridge, so this is the pic!
In the background, you can see the Gateshead approach to the Tyne Bridge on the left, and the Gateshead Hilton on the right.
He has to admit, the red provides a bright spot of color in this cityscape. :)
Love this bridge - I like the colours, but I never thought of the inappropriate red n’ white before!
Amazing bridge and an eye-catcher , indeed. Beautiful shot.
A very nice choice, Beth! Although I must admit, I never thought about the red-and-white reference before. ;-) Well, at least Sunderland are not going to be the only North East club in the premiership next year! And Boro are staying well down.
Approach road to Hylton, Bottle Bank, unless they have changed the name and I would not put that past them either.
T’other road along Gateshead Quayside ‘ Hawks Road’.
Any more Alf and I love the colour of the Bridge
My Tyne crossing of choice for almost 30 years on my daily commute to Wallsend. It was a slightly longer route but quieter and much more interesting. At one time you could beat the traffic by driving straight along the Quayside to Spillers before picking up City Road again.
Mrs. K. it is still Bottle Bank, there are some things that shouldn’t be messed with. The road off the bridge is Bridge Street which becomes Church Street as it runs under the Tyne Bridge and up to Eastgate and then on to Hawks Road where the new Tech. College is. The road that runs along the quayside is called Hillgate leading to South Shore Road. This is what Bottle Bank looked like before it was demolished:
http://www.picturesofgateshead.co.uk/bottle_bank/photo2.jpg
For all I miss the old place I must say it looks better now than it ever did.
Thanks Alf, I made a mistake and forgot to put a ? after Hawks Road. I took a bet with myself that Alf would know the names. I won.
Oh and I completely forgot about the Queens Head.
Do you recall the steep stairs (Bankie Steps) accessed under the railway arch below Gateshead station?
Looked for an old photo on the website - not successful.
Yes, Mrs. K. I remember them well. If I remember correctly we used to cut down Mirk Lane past Pembertons Paper Mill and down the Bankie Steps and across the Swing Bridge to the Quay (the Quayside Market). Years later when I worked for Gateshead Council on leaving school I had the “privilege” of seeing the inside of Pembertons. All the 11+ papers had to be sent to be pulped and somebody had to be present to witness their destruction. I was that somebody on several occasions. It was not pleasant but shredders had not been invented in those days. Have a look at the sixth picture down on here and I think you will recognise the Bankie Steps though they have the rather posh name of Bankwell Stairs:
http://isee.gateshead.gov.uk/info.php?page=1&v=1&s=&type=ext&t=objects&f=&d=&name_title=bank
Alf you are a font of al knowledge; you and Mrs K know your stuff. I never knew the name of those steps; but I prefer the name ‘Bankie Steps’ any day!
Oh my goodness, I folowed the link Alf and have just spent an hour - going back for more.
Thanks a bunch.