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Oozing down the Burn

Oozing down the Burn

16K95
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16K95

    Feb 16, 2018#1

    Oozing down the Burn





    Ouseburn in 1910


    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

    :)

    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

    6,0511,094
    Contributing Member
    6,0511,094

      Feb 16, 2018#2

      Fantastic. You've got some swingers on you.
      Big Al.

      Only when the last tree has died
      and the last river been poisoned
      and the last fish been caught
      will we realise we cannot eat money.
      ~Cree Indian Proverb

      1,553465
      Member
      1,553465

        Feb 17, 2018#3

        Now that is a great way to start my day - an excellent adventure and some really good photos - I assume you will be going back with a torch to the underground bit?
        A ship should not ride on a single anchor, nor life on a single hope - Epictetus

        118
        Member
        118

          Feb 17, 2018#4

          cracking set of photo's, excellent day out by the looks of it.

          778202
          Member
          778202

            Feb 17, 2018#5

            Urban paddling at its most extreme.

            Nick

            1782
            Member
            1782

              Feb 17, 2018#6

              I enjoy these town paddles, so much interest along the banks

              66
              Member
              66

                Feb 17, 2018#7

                That was intrepid!

                16K95
                Member
                16K95

                  Feb 18, 2018#8

                  I found what this was:




                  It's the old Ouseburn School.

                  Burma or Byker?

                  More here:

                  http://www.seenewcastle.com/building/ouseburn-school/

                  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

                  6,0511,094
                  Contributing Member
                  6,0511,094

                    Feb 18, 2018#9

                    Fantastic, can you imagine them putting that amount of thought into the design of a school nowdays?
                    Big Al.

                    Only when the last tree has died
                    and the last river been poisoned
                    and the last fish been caught
                    will we realise we cannot eat money.
                    ~Cree Indian Proverb

                    27K3,045
                    Contributing Member
                    27K3,045

                      Feb 18, 2018#10

                      Funky lock gates, pagoda school turrets, Metro in the sky. Quite a place.

                      Glad your Pakraft didn't dissolve.
                      SMopencanoePaddler,blogger,camper,pyromaniac:

                      Blog: Wilderness is a State of Mind

                      Paddle Points - where to paddle

                      16K95
                      Member
                      16K95

                        Feb 18, 2018#11

                        Big Al. wrote:Fantastic. You've got some swingers on you.
                        I didn't take my golf clubs. :D

                        Big Al. wrote:Fantastic, can you imagine them putting that amount of thought into the design of a school nowdays?
                        No way. Victorian excess at its best. :)

                          Feb 18, 2018#12

                          Patterdale Paddler wrote:Now that is a great way to start my day - an excellent adventure and some really good photos - I assume you will be going back with a torch to the underground bit?
                          Thanks, PP.

                          I'm tempted, I must admit. Doing some research on it...

                            Feb 19, 2018#13

                            Ditch Crawler;652936 wrote:cracking set of photo's, excellent day out by the looks of it.
                            Thanks. Now I have to wait for a decent day to go back.

                              Feb 20, 2018#14

                              Mr Nick wrote:Urban paddling at its most extreme.

                              Nick
                              Ha ha. I've done worse.

                              I've seen it all, I've seen it all through the yellow windows of the evening train...

                              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

                              2,90257
                              Member
                              2,90257

                                Feb 21, 2018#15

                                Enjoyed that one Gordon, Thanks
                                Now you need to get down to York and go 'Burning down the Ouse' ... couldn't resist

                                Take care
                                MarkL
                                www.canoemassifcentral.com
                                Open Canoe hire/outfitting in the Massif Central
                                We will make your trip work

                                6,0511,094
                                Contributing Member
                                6,0511,094

                                  Feb 21, 2018#16

                                  MarkL wrote:Enjoyed that one Gordon, Thanks
                                  Now you need to get down to York and go 'Burning down the Ouse' ... couldn't resist

                                  Take care
                                  It had to be said. I'm just glad it was you.
                                  Big Al.

                                  Only when the last tree has died
                                  and the last river been poisoned
                                  and the last fish been caught
                                  will we realise we cannot eat money.
                                  ~Cree Indian Proverb

                                  16K95
                                  Member
                                  16K95

                                    Feb 21, 2018#17

                                    MarkL wrote:Enjoyed that one Gordon, Thanks
                                    Now you need to get down to York and go 'Burning down the Ouse' ... couldn't resist

                                    Take care

                                    Ha. :D

                                    I might at that.

                                    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

                                    6,0511,094
                                    Contributing Member
                                    6,0511,094

                                      Feb 21, 2018#18

                                      Crow wrote:Ha. :D

                                      I might at that.
                                      23rd of June would be a good day for it.
                                      Big Al.

                                      Only when the last tree has died
                                      and the last river been poisoned
                                      and the last fish been caught
                                      will we realise we cannot eat money.
                                      ~Cree Indian Proverb

                                      16K95
                                      Member
                                      16K95

                                        Feb 21, 2018#19

                                        Big Al. wrote:23rd of June would be a good day for it.
                                        Maybe.

                                        But do they have a category for packrafts, or even inflatables?

                                        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

                                        3,853598
                                        Member
                                        3,853598

                                          Feb 22, 2018#20

                                          Loved your title! SMhail :D

                                          If ever one day that we get to paddle somewhere in Cyprus, or even somewhere to the north in Turkey. I'll be looking forward to the day that we get tae 'Burn Down the Ouzo!' SMhappy99 :D

                                          Chances are, that it'll be nowhere so exotic, or just as interesting, probably more like a planned Mexican Evening on the Basingstoke Canal (Pt.2). Which is now very much long over due, SMhappy99
                                          Keep yer paddles wet, and powder dry....

                                          MB
                                          ;)

                                          6,99322
                                          Member
                                          6,99322

                                            Feb 22, 2018#21

                                            I'm glad you had that adventure but it provided reassurance as to why we usually get off the Tyne at Hexham. :-)

                                            16K95
                                            Member
                                            16K95

                                              Feb 22, 2018#22

                                              Adrian Cooper wrote:I'm glad you had that adventure but it provided reassurance as to why we usually get off the Tyne at Hexham. :-)
                                              The Tyne is fine in Newcastle, but the Ouseburn is ... interesting.

                                                Feb 25, 2018#23

                                                Gdd wrote:I enjoy these town paddles, so much interest along the banks

                                                That's true.

                                                Cheers.

                                                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

                                                6533
                                                Member
                                                6533

                                                  Feb 26, 2018#24

                                                  Excellent urban adventure Mr Crow! Loved the crazy craft, undershot of metro bridge & (apparently) infinite concrete bridge struts in particular.

                                                  The orange oozy stuff was alarming - especially where it appeared to spew out of the outlet pipe.

                                                  You're also brave to venture into a dark tunnel with a failing torch towards the sound of rushing water... yikes!

                                                  Pete

                                                  Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
                                                  When I read about the evils of drinking I gave up reading.

                                                  16K95
                                                  Member
                                                  16K95

                                                    Feb 26, 2018#25

                                                    Steve Hewitt wrote:That was intrepid!

                                                    Not specially.

                                                    If I go back and do the tunnel properly it will be. :D

                                                      Feb 27, 2018#26

                                                      Mal Grey wrote:Funky lock gates, pagoda school turrets, Metro in the sky. Quite a place.

                                                      Glad your Pakraft didn't dissolve.
                                                      So am I!

                                                        Feb 27, 2018#27

                                                        Bonarmbj wrote:Loved your title! SMhail :D

                                                        If ever one day that we get to paddle somewhere in Cyprus, or even somewhere to the north in Turkey. I'll be looking forward to the day that we get tae 'Burn Down the Ouzo!' SMhappy99 :D

                                                        Chances are, that it'll be nowhere so exotic, or just as interesting, probably more like a planned Mexican Evening on the Basingstoke Canal (Pt.2). Which is now very much long over due, SMhappy99
                                                        Cheers, Mark.

                                                        I remember the last Mexican evening well.

                                                          Mar 01, 2018#28

                                                          Pete Starr wrote:Excellent urban adventure Mr Crow! Loved the crazy craft, undershot of metro bridge & (apparently) infinite concrete bridge struts in particular.

                                                          The orange oozy stuff was alarming - especially where it appeared to spew out of the outlet pipe.

                                                          You're also brave to venture into a dark tunnel with a failing torch towards the sound of rushing water... yikes!

                                                          Pete

                                                          Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
                                                          To infinity and beyond. Yes I liked that shot too, thanks.

                                                          I've got a decent torch now and want to go back, but I'm snowbound!

                                                            Mar 24, 2018#29

                                                            Patterdale Paddler wrote:Now that is a great way to start my day - an excellent adventure and some really good photos - I assume you will be going back with a torch to the underground bit?
                                                            Yes.

                                                            Done.

                                                              Mar 25, 2018#30


                                                              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