The lost rivers of Newcastle include the Pandon Burn, Lort Burn, Skinner Burn, and the Swirle, all flowing into the River Tyne. They're still there flowing under the city streets but have long since been built over. One that remains though, is the Ouseburn, which is (mostly) still above ground.
I saw it the other day on a bike ride, and thought it looked worth exploring. So I returned with my packraft, and the story begins.
I started at the Ouseburn Barrage, near the confluence with the Tyne.
Passing the Tyne Bar and resisting the lure of Anarchist beer, I pressed on, looking for a suitable place to launch from.
Physical graffiti.
The Ouseburn Barrage.
The Ouseburn garage.
I found some old steps leading down to the river and unpacked my gear.
Inflation.
Various passers by stopped to watch and ask about my boat. This had dual advantage of allowing me to pontificate at length about the joys of packrafting, and enabling me to get my picture taken.
Down the steps to the river.
On the water.
A reminder of where I was.
Upstream, some boats were moored.
Luxury marina.
Moving on up river.
Interesting craft.
Tied up by the Seven Stories building.
The Sea Song Sang.
Swans. I was told there was a kingfisher up here, but I never saw it.
Dodgy looking orange stuff.
Byker Bridge and the Metro Bridge.
Passing under the Metro bridge.
And the railway bridge.
Both of them.
Here it got a bit shallow and I had to get out and walk for a bit. I was approaching the tunnel, which leads through to Jesmond Dene park. An underground section of the river.
I waded in first to recce, and it looked fairly deep and navigable, so I returned with the boat. I paddled in for a few hundred yards. The tunnel got darker and narrower further in and I could hear fast flowing water ahead. I went as far as I could, but unfortunately the batteries in my torch had given up the ghost and I couldn't see to go any further. So I turned round and headed back to the mouth of the tunnel.
Heading back downstream.
Orange stuff again! I was going to have to hose down the boat thoroughly on my return. Perhaps a bio-hazard suit would be more appropriate to wear next time?
Message in a bottle.
Coming back to the Seven Stories.
An old friend.
Zeppelin reference! Unfortunately I didn't have any LPs on me.
Back at the luxury marina.
The back of the toffee factory.
And back at the barrage.
The lock was open so I went through.
And joined the River Tyne on the other side.
Boat on the Tyne.
Family member.
Down the Tyne.
These looked interesting so I went under for a look
Back at the Hub (Bike cafe etc.)
Then back through the barrage.
I get the message.
Journey's end.
Ashore once more.
Colourful scenery.
War memorial.
Front of the toffee factory.
The Ouseburn pagodas. (Not sure what this building was, maybe someone can enlighten me.)
Shipping company.
So, I packed my boat away and went back to the Hub for a coffee and cake. Then went back and hosed everything down with strong disinfectant.
A good day's urban exploring.
Gordon
I saw it the other day on a bike ride, and thought it looked worth exploring. So I returned with my packraft, and the story begins.
I started at the Ouseburn Barrage, near the confluence with the Tyne.
Passing the Tyne Bar and resisting the lure of Anarchist beer, I pressed on, looking for a suitable place to launch from.
Physical graffiti.
The Ouseburn Barrage.
The Ouseburn garage.
I found some old steps leading down to the river and unpacked my gear.
Inflation.
Various passers by stopped to watch and ask about my boat. This had dual advantage of allowing me to pontificate at length about the joys of packrafting, and enabling me to get my picture taken.
Down the steps to the river.
On the water.
A reminder of where I was.
Upstream, some boats were moored.
Luxury marina.
Moving on up river.
Interesting craft.
Tied up by the Seven Stories building.
The Sea Song Sang.
Swans. I was told there was a kingfisher up here, but I never saw it.
Dodgy looking orange stuff.
Byker Bridge and the Metro Bridge.
Passing under the Metro bridge.
And the railway bridge.
Both of them.
Here it got a bit shallow and I had to get out and walk for a bit. I was approaching the tunnel, which leads through to Jesmond Dene park. An underground section of the river.
I waded in first to recce, and it looked fairly deep and navigable, so I returned with the boat. I paddled in for a few hundred yards. The tunnel got darker and narrower further in and I could hear fast flowing water ahead. I went as far as I could, but unfortunately the batteries in my torch had given up the ghost and I couldn't see to go any further. So I turned round and headed back to the mouth of the tunnel.
Heading back downstream.
Orange stuff again! I was going to have to hose down the boat thoroughly on my return. Perhaps a bio-hazard suit would be more appropriate to wear next time?
Message in a bottle.
Coming back to the Seven Stories.
An old friend.
Zeppelin reference! Unfortunately I didn't have any LPs on me.
Back at the luxury marina.
The back of the toffee factory.
And back at the barrage.
The lock was open so I went through.
And joined the River Tyne on the other side.
Boat on the Tyne.
Family member.
Down the Tyne.
These looked interesting so I went under for a look
Back at the Hub (Bike cafe etc.)
Then back through the barrage.
I get the message.
Journey's end.
Ashore once more.
Colourful scenery.
War memorial.
Front of the toffee factory.
The Ouseburn pagodas. (Not sure what this building was, maybe someone can enlighten me.)
Shipping company.
So, I packed my boat away and went back to the Hub for a coffee and cake. Then went back and hosed everything down with strong disinfectant.
A good day's urban exploring.
Gordon
Here comes the future and you can't run from it
If you've got a blacklist I want to be on it
Crow Trip Log