Odd tops No. 6

Kirkpatricks, Ocean Road

The Kirkpatrick pub in Ocean Road, South Shields is perhaps one of our finest buildings, along with the museum and the Town Hall. It occupies the former Marine School founded by Dr. Thomas Winterbottom in 1837, the forerunner of the world renowned Marine College at Westoe. The Kirkpatrick takes it’s name from the bronze statue of John Simpson Kirkpatrick, the South Shields born Aussie war hero, stood outside.

The building is solid, well decorated, with enough Victorian flare from their master masons to attract the attention.

Camera details: Pentax K100D, 35mm lens, 1/60 second, f6.7, iso 200

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Bad taste bears

Key chains

Just another oddity that I found on sale in South Shields Market.

Not a lot to add to that, bad taste, don’t be found fumbling about for your keys!

Camera details: Pentax K100D, 50mm lens, 1/60 second, f6.7, iso 200

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Three boats

Hebburn Marina

Hebburn marina is just a few miles up the River Tyne from South Shields, but it’s not quite the sort of marina that you might find at Monaco or Brighton, more a place for small boats to be tied up. You won’t find hundreds of millionaire’s yachts here, just the smaller type of boat (and one trimaran) belonging to those who may be more interested in getting out past the piers at South Shields to do some sea fishing.

However, it is a place I like to go to just to walk the hilly paths in the Riverside Park.

Camera details; Pentax K100D, 300mm lens, 1/750 second, f8, iso 200

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Montage

The River Tyne

For centuries the River Tyne has been the life blood of South Shields, our history tells us that a “Shiel” was the name given by Saxon people to describe a line of huts or dwellings alongside a river. Having settled next to the Tyne it became an important conduit for trade before and after the arrival of the Romans and the Vikings. Virtually all of the commodities that we needed to survive were brought by boat to and from the river, our biggest export fro many years was coal, but now it is probably Nissan cars.

This montage shows in the background the “high light” in North Shields, a Victorian landmark used as a navigation aid by ships entering the harbour. At top right tourists take a river cruise out to the piers before returning to Newcastle, enjoying lunch and drinks along the way. Centre right is the lifeboat stationed at Tynemouth, and bottom right is the Valetta registered City of Nordic - all of the pictures were taken from South Shields.

The montage was made in Photoshop using a .psd template given away free as part of a set in a magazine!

Little point in trying to give you any camera details or a map link today.

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Unsafe

Pilot jetty

The little sign tells us that it’s unsafe and to keep off, I’m not so sure you would want to get on!

This is the old pilot jetty on the River Tyne in South Shields where many years ago the pilot cutter would tie up. The River Tyne pilots come mainly from a small group of families in South Shields and they have a very long association with the town. Their knowledge of the river, it’s deep water channel, the harbour, the bar, and the obstacles is unsurpassed and virtually all ships that arrive or depart from the Tyne are grateful to the pilots for their assistance. The Port of Tyne Authority, the Harbourmaster, and the pilots work together to ensure the safe passage of all shipping in and out of the harbour and the lower reaches of the river.

Camera details; Pentax K100D, 28mm lens, 1/30 second, f22, iso 200

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