Tree of lights

LED tree, Jarrow

From a distance this looks spectacular, it forms part of the overall Christmas decorations in South Tyneside and is situated on a roundabout at the top of Ellison Street in Jarrow (which is just three miles from South Shields.) All parts of the borough, South Shields, Jarrow, Hebburn, Boldon Colliery, Whitburn, and Cleadon) are now adorned with a colourful display of Christmas lighting. This piece of art was actually hired by the local council to act as a “gateway” to Jarrow’s shopping centre and consists of a wire frame with thousands of low voltage led lights.

Camera details; Pentax K100D, 35mm lens, 1/20 second, f4, iso 400, velbon tripod.

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The Beach

Colourful new bar to open soon

This is the rather colourful shop front to a new cafe bar about to open soon in Ocean Road, South Shields, and the interior looks as though it may be just as exciting too. They were busy putting up the Christmas decorations when I passed there yesterday. We have a fairly lively night time economy in South Shields, perhaps I should try and bring you some pictures of the fun you can have here after dark!

Camera details; Pentax K100D, 50mm lens, 1/45 second, f6.7, iso 200

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Play time

Keeping “Missy” happy

Sometimes here in South Shields, the weather is either unfavourable, or there is insufficient activity to motivate me to get out and about with a camera. Yesterday was just one of those sorts of days, besides, it’s good to spend some “quality time” with your children and let’s face it we all spend a fair bit of time indoors during the winter months.

“Junior” had gone to visit a school friend and “Missy” was bored after she’d finished her school work, so we got out her latest “Lazy Town” hide and seek game and enjoyed half an hour of discovering how good or bad our memories are. “Missy” really likes watching Lazy Town on the television with it’s very “active” characters Stephany, Sportacus, and Robby Rotten.

It’s great fun being six again!

Magic moments

Switch on in South Shields

This moment was surreal, unplanned, and added a touch of sheer magic to the event. There were hundreds gathered in the centre of South Shields to watch the Mayor switching on the lights to our gigantic Christmas tree, and the illuminations decorating the town centre. We had all just enjoyed two hours of entertainment and it had been a great afternoon for the children. Just as the lights were switched on, it began to snow!

It only lasted about five minutes and the flakes melted as soon as they touched down on earth, but you couldn’t have planned it like this!

Camera details; Pentax K100D, 50mm lens, 1/30 second, f5.6, iso 3200, hand held.

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Playing with fire

Littlehaven Beach, South Shields

Another big tide hitting the beach in South Shields yesterday, and these boys were playing “chicken” with the waves, and getting drenched through to the skin. The car park at Littlehaven Beach took about five minutes to flood and fourty seconds to evacuate, it’s a good job the wind was calm or we may have seen more seawater make it’s way landward!

When they get home to mom these young guys will be in very hot water!

Camera details: Pentax K100D, 35mm lens, 1/45 second, f27, iso 200

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