I know that quite a few councils have taken to painting on the pavement to discourage dog fouling. I think I’ve read that some councils also engage in spray painting the poo itself. But it’s only within the last few weeks that I’ve noticed them appearing in my neighbourhood.

Continuing the theme started on Monday, this is the third of three Newcastle’s cathedrals: the Cathedral Church of St Mary, opened in 1844.

St Mary’s was designed by the famous and prolific architectural genius Augustus Pugin, who also designed the Palace of Westminster and, more parochially, my secondary school.

A small confession (appropriate, I guess, when featuring a Catholic cathedral): I actually took this photo yesterday, as St Mary’s is a stone’s throw from St Nicholas’s, which I featured yesterday: I’m sure you’ll forgive me.

The second in my series of three cathedrals of Newcastle is the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas Newcastle upon Tyne. I know that doesn’t scan properly, but that’s what they call it. This dates from 1359, and is the seat of the bishop of Newcastle, who – strangely enough – I’ve mentioned once before on here.

Of particular interest to my organist brother, it boasts a fine four-manual Grand Organ built by TC Lewis. I don’t really understand the meaning of those words in that order, but the organ has its own webpage, with very pretty pictures, which I’m sure Glenn will enjoy.

A little while ago, my organist brother Glenn and his family came to visit. Pete McGovern may have said of Liverpool that “if you want a cathedral, we’ve got one to spare”, but I was able to impress Glenn by pointing out that Newcastle boasts three cathedrals – or two to spare, depending on how you look at it!

He was a little less impressed when I confessed an inability to name them – mainly because he wanted to look them up in the National Pipe Organ Register (such fun!)

So, especially for Glenn, I’m going to try and feature photos of all three of Newcastle’s cathedrals this week. Here’s the first: St George and St Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Fenham.

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that the bollards around the Gateshead Millennium Bridge (or the “Vessel Collision Protection System”, to use the proper name) were to be removed. As I walked past this evening, the Forth Sentinel was beavering away at that very task.

Yesterday was the first time I forgot all about this project – just after a biblical 40 days!

To make up for the missing photo, here’s one from Jesmond Dene, taken last Sunday in the snow.

The lake in Paddy Freeman’s Park is frozen today – which is a bit surprising, given that it doesn’t feel nearly as cold as it looks.

Newcastle Airport is brilliant, but – like any airport – it’s at its most pleasant and least stressful when it’s virtually empty!

The punning name of this local sandwich shop rarely fails to raise a smile!

Admittedly, this is a fairly rubbish photo, but it is supposed to show thousands of cars lined up near (I think!) the Port of Tyne. I had intended to take it with a ship in the background, but by the time I got to taking the picture, the boat had, quite literally, sailed.

It wasn’t until I spent time at the HPA that I became aware of quite how much shipping goes on in this country. I mean, it’s fairly obvious that a lot happens given that we’re an island nation, but I’d never really considered the scale or logistics before.

All of which reminds me of this fascinating article from Wired.