Ouseburn Culvert, Newcatsle - May 2012

[mrdistopia]

Constructed between 1907-1911 The Cully, as it is locally known, allows a River Tyne tributary flow from Jesmond Dene to Ouseburn where it joins the river. The path or the culvert goes underneath Heaton and Byker before emerging under Ouseburn Viaduct. For all the fact fans, it's 2150ft long and cost £23,000.

I have vaguely known of The Cully but never got around to visiting thinking it was just a small little tunnel. I was wrong and I am very gald I got together a group to go for an explore. It is wet dirty and smelly but a concrete platform keeps you out of the water. Underneath the platform, the flow is split with the stream running down the center and sewer water running along each side. During WWII, the space was used as a makeshift bomb shelter for the locals. Given the smell and muck, I wonder how many people decided to take their chances outside during air raids.

Along for the explore were myself, my wife, Magpie432, Magpie's girlfriend, MrEx, non-forum member Dan and CommunistCat.

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Magpie432 dancing around with a sparkler

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"Fuck It Get Stoned"

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From left to right: MrEx, MrDistopia, 'Mrs Magpie', 'Mrs MrDistopia', Communist Cat, Dan, Magpie432

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MrDistopia

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Another group shot: MrEx, MrD, 'MrsD', 'MrsMagpie', Magpie423, CommunistCat

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End of the line...Bloody high manhole (This was zoomed in quite a bit). After a big mucky climb through spiders and God-knows-what, I was seriously disappointed to find the covers locked. There may be a way through under the platform but I didn't have the footwear for stream walking so that will have to wait until another time.

Was great fun and will be going back soon for more light painting fun, I think.

MrD

[GeoVDUB]

Ace! Like the candles, love places where you've got time to do that!

[the kwan]

Fan fucking tastic no 5 and 8 fan fucking tastic!! parden my french

[Rebel]

Superb lighting, very good effort!

[Krypton]

Love this mate - gonna have a mooch here soon but i think your pics will win!