by Whickham » Mon Jan 30, 2017 11:17 am
I would endorse all of Simon's comments and stress that the river is VERY quiet at the moment. Just checked the POT "Ships on Berth" today and there is nothing worth getting excited about unless you haven't seen the two small CITY car boats, the Tyne ferries, the river cruise boats or the tugs which must be woefully under employed.
I think Dennis mentioned that you can get slightly better views of Riverside Quay now that they have pulled down most of the Readhead's buildings, but not checked this myself.
Simon mentioned the car park next to the Tyne Tunnel, but you are looking for passing trade there. If there is anything up at Walker or Neptune there are good car parks opposite both.
Viewing points from the north bank are few and far between and the sun is a usually difficult. A&P has suffered from the North Sea oil problems so is very quiet. If there is anything alongside at Hebburn Bede Quay then it is just possible to get photos from the approach road to the old Davy Bank, although access to the river is now blocked off. Similarly long range shots can be got from the old approach road to the Wallsend ferry, between what was Swans and what was the Wallsend dry docks. Never managed to get photos of Riverside Quay or the Jarrow car terminal from the north, without a bit of trespassing, even assuming gates are open. The roads above Smiths Docks and the Fish Quay offer superb vantage points up and down the river, but nowt to see and watch the sun.
Dave