Question #1

Facebook post containing a bit of coalmining history  

14 September 2014

We took advantage of Heritage Open Day to visit part of the North East's mining heritage.  Here we are looking upstream towards the Scotswood Bridge and Armstrong's Factory (of Blaydon Races fame). 

Dunston Staithes really do slope back towards the river bank. 

This was so that when the coal waggons were empty all the engine drivers had to do was release the brakes and the trains would roll back to the bank under their own weight, thus saving fuel.

 

It must have been an interesting journey to the Staithes because I also posted this

14 September 2014 at 18:15

If you were anywhere near Haymarket Metro this morning you may have heard a burst of cackling hysterical laughter.

This was because Thunderthighs came up to me and said
"Mummy may I ask you a question?
Would you say Daddy is uncompromising?"

Answers on a postcard .....

 

Sadly you can no longer go on the Staithes because local vandals keep setting fire to them.