Todays header is specially for a friend who loves photos of the Tyne. Where all the boats are gathered waiting to collect coal is the Pelaw Main Staiths and just yards downriver were the Primrose Staiths. I used to go there with my mates in the late 1940s early 50s.In those days there was a craze for collecting matchbox labels, a bit like how some people collect stamps. The Foreign sailors all smoked so we'd ask for their empty matchboxes and get them.The sailors I remember were Polish & Danish as their boats had 'Danzig' & 'Danmark' on the stern.My wife cant believe how us 6 & 7 year old kids were allowed so much freedom wandering wherever we wanted.

chboxes.