The Black Path, Teesside.
Palisade and Pylons
The Black Path, Teesside.
Author: James
The Black Path, Teesside.
Effluvium
The Black Path, Teesside
The Outriders
The outriders are here
Hooded masses huddle on corners
Smoke rises and dances
in the gusts above
the red roof houses
Billowing like the washing
on the line
There are lines
Bizarre angles, palisade fences, distant clatters.
There are lines you don’t cross.
This is the hinterland.
Remove me from here, place me in my dreams.
Ilford XP2
Festival Day
Staithes Festival of Art and Heritage
Ilford XP2 (Disposable Camera)
They’ll be no festival at Staithes this year.
Government Approved Walk – Old River Tees
Apple iPhone Xs
In 1810 the Tees Navigation Company, after a battle since the 1790’s with a landowner, opened a cut in the Tees to eliminate a southerly meander of the rivers path.
Apple iPhone Xs
The Mandale Cut was necessary in order to allow greater accessibility to Stockton for the loading of commodities (flour being a key one), and the Tees Navigation Company saw cuts both at Mandale and Portrack as an action to forestall the decline of Stockton as a port.
This section remains tidal and is joined by Stainsby Beck, this section often marked as “The Fleet” on maps (and seen on an earlier post, albeit in the dark).
Where The Fleet Joins
Apple iPhone Xs
I Hear the 10am Siren Call. I know I am Home.
Ilford XP2
The Black Path is one I’ve walked many times, from the conurbations of Middlesbrough to the coast. Pushing ahead through the industrial areas by the railway line. It’s quite a journey. A feast for all the senses, atmospheric, especially when the weekly test of the apocalyptic sirens from the industrial sites wail as you walk.
I did a lot of research into the paths along here whilst working in a local Public Rights of Way department — mainly into the Sailors Trod.
It may be dark now – but there is light in the distance.
Kodak UltraMax
THE BEGINNING
I KNOW I AM HOME was born out of the Covid-19 Coronavirus lock down. Prior to the lock down having had an interest in photography from an early age, I had picked up an old 35mm film camera at the end of 2019. I liked the mechanical nature of it more so the excitement of getting the film developed.
Not just interested in photography but in my local area, local history and psychogeography. I KNOW I AM HOME, as a name and concept, mainly was a thought I had about identity, location and grounding. I live in Teesside and by and large living where I do has influenced my take on the world.
Psychogeography itself is how the landscape effects the emotions and behaviour of people…
I even bought some disposable cameras (and still do) which is strange for me, because I like more control – but yet I love how little control of the finished product this gives. Images on this ‘blog’ will be taken on whatever medium I can use.
Art, photographs, scrawling on paper, doodles, poetry and words featured here are by myself, and if they aren’t then they will be credited to the author / creator.
Being now under lock down I KNOW I AM HOME takes on a new meaning.
So join me, James, as I post my photographs and musings, from Teesside, North Yorkshire and the other places.
I KNOW I AM HOME 