Off Topic Things that aren't worth a new thread ...

If it means we get The Upper Deck back you can count me in.

Seriously though, I wouldn't be opposed but I think there's far more pressing needs elsewhere in the town. Holmside and Blandford St for instance are a bit of a state.

 

I know that there is a serious effort to regenerate the city centre. When I left in 1984 the town as it was then it was dirty. It was still a decent place though. Subsequent visits I thought that it was getting grimmer and grimmer. The last time I was back in 2023 I was pleasantly surprised by what was happening. You’re probably right though. Other parts of the city need it more than ripping a roof off.

 

Wait until next time and you can see round the Keel Square area and walk across the footbridge to the SOL and Sheepfold stables, it's night and day compared to two years ago. West Sunniside is cracking now as well. It will take years to regenerate the whole town but bit by bit we're getting there.

 

I know I’ve made my life away from Sunderland but it is genuinely heartening to read that. Possibly coming back next year for a visit so I’ll see it with my own eyes.

 

I took this photo on the way to the Fans Museum
They did a great job restoring this building

 

I wonder if it’s a Labrador? They’re quite playful.

 

For @becs, you probably already know this, but just in case....

 

Nice one Snags, thanks for posting.

I love all this and, conveniently, I don't even have to leave the house

 

Thanks Snaggey I will look out for those, a few years back I turned right out of The Roker Hotel and got the shock of my life at the size of the moon , it looked like armageddon was on its way, mind you it was a time when drink driving was considered normal in my circlesl.

 

I guess where you are you must get brilliant views of the night sky without light pollution.

 

As Thelma and Louise said 'This isn't the middle of nowhere but I can see it from here!'

 

Thanks, I'll be watching!

Pleased it's at a sensible time as well. The last one was about 3am! I was out in the field near mine looking rather fetching in jarmies, wellies and an old fleece

 

70s architecture strikes again
Now I know why they closed one of our local car parks

 

Some of the Cleveland Centre in Middlesborough is closed due to structural issues and asbestos. The big Boots store closed early in the year and they still don't know when it's going to reopen.

The bairns school was one of the RAAC concrete ones. They had to build a temporary school on the playing fields opposite. The old school has been pulled down and they're building a new school now.

 

We see it loads in school refurbishments with woodwool slab roofs.

Absolute nightmare to work on and costs a fortune to sort out if they get wet.

Saying that, modern construction was doing g well, but the last 12 months has seen a trend towards cheapest possible rather than best solution, which is a huge worry for future generations.

 

He's got some balls

 

Let’s see if he crosses the line in a suit case

 

He might be safe, I dont think these are gonna catch him.....

 

O'nien and Isador equal? I'm not so sure, and better than Mayenda?