Bridge blinks

September 19, 2009  |  Newcastle upon Tyne

openbridge

I was really frustrated that I wasn’t closer for this shot. I took it from the Swing Bridge, just before my tour for the Tyne and Wear Heritage Open Days. For pics of that, come back tomorrow!

17 Comments

  1. Dave
    September 19, 2009 at 7:05 pm

    Nice one!

    I still haven’t snapped the Millennium whilst open.

    I remember when I was driving along one day approaching the Swing Bridge about twenty years ago, and it opened, and I was waiting right at the lights. I don’t think I’ve ever been around when the Swing has opened since!

    I’m looking forward to your shots tomorrow.

    Reply
  2. alf stone
    September 19, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    I don’t know what you are complaining about Beth that is a wonderful picture and from an unusual angle. I love it.

    Dave, that was probably one of the last times the Bessie Surtees passed through on its way to dump ash from the power station in to the sea. I seem to remember it was about 1989 when it made its last voyage. I think it was the only ship still regularly sailing that far up the Tyne at that time. The last time I actually saw the bridge open was about four years ago in the middle of the afternoon. I couldn’t see what was going through but I suspect there is very little reason for it open these days. It’s sad in a way that the river traffic has died but it used to cause chaos when it opened on a regular basis.

    There are some wonderful old pictures of the bridges here:

    http://www.picturesofgateshead.co.uk/postcards_bridges/

    I love the one of Tommy on the Bridge

    Reply
  3. Dave
    September 20, 2009 at 8:25 am

    Thanks very much Alf; that could even be the time I was sat in the car when it opened! I remember it definitely opened for a reason, not just for show. It is sad the river traffic has died down.

    The postcards are really great Alf! I also love the one of the Swing opening, with a steam train going over the High Level in the background.

    Thanks again.

    Reply
  4. mrs K
    September 20, 2009 at 2:27 pm

    Take the trip boat up to Ryton (boats located in the water near the Pitcher pub.

    Blinking Eye Brige open up and so dies Swing Bridge. The you come back down and guess what – they both open again. The boats have food and drink.

    We took the long trip down to the mouth of the Tyne – but it first goes upriver as far as the Copthorne and so both bridges either up or swing.

    And that was me with zimmer frame – its great and my photos taken underneath the Blinker are not so bad, but not in either Cassandra or Beth’s class.

    mrs K

    Reply
  5. Dave
    September 20, 2009 at 4:19 pm

    Excellent idea Mrs K – will give that a try as soon as poss!

    Reply
  6. Beth
    September 20, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    Thanks everyone – I’m glad you all like the pic! Mrs K – I’ve been wanting to do that for ages. I didn’t realise the swing bridge opened. I HAVE to do that soon! Thanks for the suggestion!

    Reply
  7. Daniel
    September 21, 2009 at 10:39 am

    More than five years ago, I was down at the quayside with a friend of mine. The tourist trip boat just went through Millennium bridge. Bridge closes, ship moves on. But for some technical reason, swing bridge wouldn’t open. So the ship had to return, mission unaccomplished, and all the visitors along the quay were treated two blinks of the eye within ten minutes.
    I definitely so the bridge swing later that spring, though I can’t remember the occasion.

    Reply
  8. Beth
    September 21, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    How frustrating for the tourists Daniel! :)

    Reply
  9. Dave
    September 21, 2009 at 9:50 pm

    It’s not called the SWING Bridge for nowt Beth ;)

    Reply
  10. Beth
    September 21, 2009 at 10:30 pm

    nooooooooooooooooooo that’s not what i meant, i knew it opened, but i didn’t think it opened for the tours. in fact the guy on the tour said it hardly ever opened and not regularly at all – just once a month or so to ensure everything was working, that you just had to take your chances or that you could actually call the Port of Tyne authority to see when it was next due to open. they didn’t mention anything about it opening for the tourist boats – i feel quite cheated!

    anyway, just needed to point out, i’m daft but not that daft ;)

    Reply
  11. Dave
    September 22, 2009 at 6:17 pm

    ha I was being dense when I quickly read you comment about it opening! But I was just kidding anyway. No, I never knew it opened (for tours!) either until you mentioned it, so definitely on my list of things to do.

    This site is brilliant, but I have told you that before! Gives me lots of ideas.

    Have you ever been to The Side Gallery by the way Beth?

    Reply
  13. Beth
    September 23, 2009 at 7:23 am

    Dave – thanks :) The Side Gallery – no! Tell me more….

    Thanks for the link Mrs K!

    Reply
  14. Dave
    September 23, 2009 at 9:39 pm

    It’s near the Quayside, which made me think of it. Take a look at this:

    http://www.amber-online.com/sections/side-gallery

    Haven’t seen the current exhibition, but it looks good doesn’t it?

    Reply
  15. Beth
    September 23, 2009 at 10:13 pm

    Took me a while, but I’ve figured out where it is and that I’ve walked past it before. I’ll have to go in sometime, it does look good!

    Reply
  16. Cassandra
    September 24, 2009 at 4:33 am

    Doesn’t the bridge blink at a certain time everyday or weekly or work-days or something for the tourists to see it?

    Reply
  17. Beth
    September 24, 2009 at 7:15 am

    Yep – 12 noon daily, I believe – but I can’t take my lunch before 12 and it’s too far to have a chance of seeing it open :( Don’t know if it opens at weekends too though?

    Reply

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