Yesterday saw the close of the Tall Ships festivities on the Tyne as they exited into the North Sea and on to Fredrikstad. Being a hardy soul “cough” I decided to head down to Tynemouth early in the morning and stand on the North Pier to watch the parade. The plan was to meet Billy and Steph, who were also feeling enthusiastic, and take in the sites together. Well they were obviously a lot more enthusiastic than me because when I phoned at 7:30 to make arrangements they were already down there! They were waiting for me as I arrived on the Pier at 8:15 and we secured a good vantage point about 2/3 along.
The official timings for the event had the ships departing their moorings at eight and we assumed it would take about an hour for them to reach the mouth of the river. Wrong! We waited until about 10:00 before catching our first sight of sail. Now at the start of our vigil the weather whilst not being exactly tropical was tolerable. By the time we had sighted sail the wind had picked up and the rain had started to spit. An hour later had the rain was becoming more than just a hindrance to keeping my camera dry in fact it was turning downright nasty in a cold, persistent, soaking sort of way. Discretion being the better part of valour we decided to find a more sheltered vantage point and abandoned the pier.
We walked past the crowds lining the route to Collingwood’s Monument and down onto the riverside path below Knott’s Flats where we found shelter from the wind but not the rain which was getting steadily heavier. The backs of my legs where, by this point, stuck to my soaked trousers….aaaargh, I hate that! Don’t you just love English summers?
By the time we reached North Shields Fish Quay the rain had subsided and the last few ships were due. We made our way up the steep steps on the bank and up to The Wooden Doll both for a drink and the different perspective it could provide us with. We caught the last few ships passing by just as Billy and Steph’s camera ran out of charge, now there’s perfect timing for you, although I’m not sure Steph was too impressed. Food was our next major concern but a short walk along to the Magnesia Bank solved that problem. Now more of a restaurant than a pub it still manages to pour a good pint and the food whilst not cheap is very plentiful.
Billy and I brought the day to a close with a half hearted stroll around Newcastle’s Record Shops. To be honest we were too wet and had walked too far to have any real enthusiasm for it. I met Gill down at her office and I was in bed before 9, sleeping like a babe. It’s the sea air you know.
The official timings for the event had the ships departing their moorings at eight and we assumed it would take about an hour for them to reach the mouth of the river. Wrong! We waited until about 10:00 before catching our first sight of sail. Now at the start of our vigil the weather whilst not being exactly tropical was tolerable. By the time we had sighted sail the wind had picked up and the rain had started to spit. An hour later had the rain was becoming more than just a hindrance to keeping my camera dry in fact it was turning downright nasty in a cold, persistent, soaking sort of way. Discretion being the better part of valour we decided to find a more sheltered vantage point and abandoned the pier.
We walked past the crowds lining the route to Collingwood’s Monument and down onto the riverside path below Knott’s Flats where we found shelter from the wind but not the rain which was getting steadily heavier. The backs of my legs where, by this point, stuck to my soaked trousers….aaaargh, I hate that! Don’t you just love English summers?
By the time we reached North Shields Fish Quay the rain had subsided and the last few ships were due. We made our way up the steep steps on the bank and up to The Wooden Doll both for a drink and the different perspective it could provide us with. We caught the last few ships passing by just as Billy and Steph’s camera ran out of charge, now there’s perfect timing for you, although I’m not sure Steph was too impressed. Food was our next major concern but a short walk along to the Magnesia Bank solved that problem. Now more of a restaurant than a pub it still manages to pour a good pint and the food whilst not cheap is very plentiful.
Billy and I brought the day to a close with a half hearted stroll around Newcastle’s Record Shops. To be honest we were too wet and had walked too far to have any real enthusiasm for it. I met Gill down at her office and I was in bed before 9, sleeping like a babe. It’s the sea air you know.
Boat on the river...as Styx would say...
...and another...
...and finally.
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