Wind, rain and some red aeroplanes

For the last few years, the climax of the Great North Run in South Shields has been celebrated and marked by a spectacular aerobatic display from the Red Arrows. Sadly this year, poor visibility, low cloud and rain put paid to anything more than a handful of fly-bys which was a shame for the expectant crowds gathered around the mouth of the Tyne. Yesterday's inclement weather undoubtedly caused safety concerns and given it's a free spectacle few can really complain. Hopefully next year will bring some better weather and we'll see them at their best!

Tynemouth sunrise

After a heavy session there's nothing better, to gain a sense of perspective, than to wonder at the marvels of nature. We'd seen two cracking unsigned bands and sampled a club before capping a pleasant evening with a late kebab in the company of some interesting characters frequenting the Magic Flame. As a result we craved cultural equilibrium.

Rolling in at 4:30am sometimes has its benefits and as our taxi home sauntered down Beach Road it hadn't escaped my attention that it was starting to get light. We paid the driver and headed straight for the beach. Bang on time, sunrise. This picture was taken at 5:01am - the sun punctuating the horizon, as if it were a pin hole through the dawn haze. The new day had truly begun.