Inspired by haiku heights prompt “New”
Clutching my finger
Stanley captures my heart with
Love overwhelming.
Stanley’s hand
Hunger satisfied.
Swaddled in safety he sleeps,
Surrounded by love
Swaddled in safety
Little innocent
In loving arms enfolded
His life in her hands
Loving arms
The word ‘new’ conjures up all sorts of memories for me.
I was born in Newcastle/Gateshead in the North of England. It is a wonderful city with 2000 years of history behind it, and I still think of it as home. Famous in the past for coal mining and ship building, glass making and steel works, it is now more famous as a city of culture, shopping and tourism. It also has some of the best beaches in the UK nearby and the beautiful Northumberland National Park on the doorstep.
North Sea at Whitley bay
The area around the Quayside and the River Tyne has been transformed in recent years into a contemporary scene that buzzes with activity, in the Baltic Art gallery (which used to be a flour mill), and the Sage which is a breathtaking venue for world class music events. Then of course there are the famous bridges! The ‘new’ bridge was built to celebrate this millennium. It is known locally as the “Winking Eye” because of the way it opens to let ships through. The cycle path and footpath on the bridge literally opens like an eyelid. It is a most spectacular bridge which is a superb backdrop for all sorts of events such as the Tall Ships race. The City Council never run out of ideas for decorating or lighting the bridge to make it even more of an attraction.
Millennium Bridge Illuminated
Behind the new bridge is a much older one known as the Tyne Bridge, which was opened on 10th October 1928 by King George V. My late mum was 3 years old then and she remembered sitting on her uncle’s shoulders watching this event. This bridge carried the Great North Road (A1) from the South of England to Scotland. It also carried buses – and trams when I was a child! Many ships have passed under this bridge over the years.
Tyne Bridge Opening 1928
The name ‘Newcastle’ was adopted in Norman times when Robert Curthose, the eldest son of William the Conqueror, built a castle on the site of the old Roman Fort of Pons Aelius. The original castle was built of earth and timber. But in 1172, in the reign of King Henry 11 the castle was rebuilt in stone. Near the river, the original castle keep still stands as well as narrow medieval streets and 14th century staircases.
Blackgate
The Blackgate was photographed by David Simpson
Heavenhappens 
Happy New Year! And how could it be anything but marvelous with the addition of Stanley?!!! I just wanted to write a short note and thank you for all of your kind comments this past year, they buoy me. Looking forward to your postings in 2013. Best to you and yours, Seedbud.
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How lovely of you x Stanley smiled today for the first time and both of my daughters cried with joy x it is so emotional seeing such a perfect little baby developing in front of our eyes x he is a delight x Look forward to getting to know more of your work in 2013 x Happy New year x
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Oh what sweet and enchanting haiku
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Thank you x Stanley smiled today for the first time and both of my daughters cried with happiness x He is a delight x Happy New Year x
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Oh how wonderful! Congratulations and happy new year. there is nothing like a grandchild to make the new year seem brighter! Enjoy!
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Thank you x Your comment got put into Spam as there was no ID in email or URL. Have a great New Year x
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Hi there!! Thanx for visiting my HH: snow. Not participating this week. Schools are opening in couple of days (Malaysia), so my hands are twisted all directions – preparations for my boys LOL
You have a handsome one here! So cute…. wanna kiss those cheeks!!
Love the bridge photos too- old and new. I’ve chosen to ‘follow’ your blogs from blogspot so that not to miss your wonderful posts. Happy New Year to U and family.. Kiss those rosy cheeks for me?? :p
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Ah thank you for the lovely comments x Hope school goes well and you and yours have a wonderful 2013 x So glad you are following my posts x I will have to up my game!
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What a beautiful newborn and full of the spirit of everything that is new and wonderful. Thank you for the images of your hometown as well.
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Thank you glad you liked my post, please leave your name or url next time you comment or it goers into spam.
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Well hello, I came across your blog via Kozo’s. Wishing you a most joyous New Year and look forwards to sharing ideas and posts with you. Be well!
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Great x welcome x Happy New Year to you and yours x Will check out your blog x I find it very exciting the way other’s blogs come into our lives x Have fun x
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What a beauty he is! Congratulations on creating such a fine specimen (well you did make some genetic contribution, didn’t you 🙂 Lovely haiku. Well done.
Have A Happy New Year!
PS
Our Sydney Harbour Bridge is a bigger version of the Tyne, (you copied from us:)
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Don’t tell a geordie that we copied!!! We say the Sydney bridge copied ours! Either way they are beautiful! Yes I think Stanley has a lot of his mum in him from my side but he also has lots of his daddy’s traits too ~ He is always hungry!!! x Happy New Year to you x x x
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Beautiful haiku to go with beautiful baby.
Great travelogue too.
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Thank you x As usual I could have rambled on all night but I still have my lovely family around until Tuesday so I can’t spend much time on the computer! happy New year to you x x x
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Aw, what a wonderful set of haiku–and thank you also for the history lesson; I love learning about people’s hometowns 🙂
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Thanks fort reading x I love history too and enjoy finding out about places x Happy New Year x
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I am positive I left a comment here earlier but it did not appear! Perhaps it went into your spam. At any rate, I love, love love this post! Your brand new bundle is so magnificent ! “little innocent” indeed. Congratulations! ( Loved your haiku too)
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I think they go into spam if there is no URL or email address etc for ID. Glad you enjoyed reading though x hasppy New Year x
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congratulations are in order!
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They really are x He is an absolute delight, the best Christmas present ever.
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Stanley is beautiful. What a precious baby!
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he certainly is, a whole month old today! He is a beauty x
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Yes. Yes. Yes. This is so perfectly beautiful. It brought a tear to my eye. Congratulations!
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Glad you liked it. Your comment was put in Spam as there was no email or URL ID. happy New Year and keep reading x
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