Andy Mitchell

 I recently took some photographs with my drone of Durham Cathedral and the River Wear. I really wanted to fly a little higher but due to the winds this wasn't possible, but today the weather was much calmer. Durham Cathedral, Durham City The Old Cornmill, Durham City Prebends Bridge, Durham City Framwellgate Bridge, Durham City Framwellgate Bridge, Durham City

Can't believe how lovely the weather was at Gainford. It didn't rain once! We walked along the River Tees to Gainford Spa, a little known spring along the river. Managed to get a few photographs with my drone along the way. One of the photographs is over the River Tees at Gainford showing two bridges no longer in use. The first Barford Bridge which did connect 7 houses to Gainford. The second bridge is an old railway bridge built in 1856 and closed in 1962. River Tees, Gainford, County Durham Barford Bridge and Gainford Railway Bridge, Gainford, County Durham River Tees, Gainford, County Durham

 A few pictures taken with my drone of Durham Cathedral from near the Prebends Bridge. Durham Cathedral Durham Cathedral including the River Wear Close up of Durham Cathedral The History of England's Cathedrals

 A couple of images from my drone which includes Bishop Auckland RUFC with the River Wear meandering and a wide view of the Newton Cap Viaduct. Bishop Auckland RUFC, River Wear and West Mills Playing Field, Bishop Auckland   River Wear and Newton Cap Viaduct looking from West Mills Playing Fields, Bishop Auckland

  I've been having a look at a few images taken when flying my drone (DJI Mini SE2). Here is a collage of some of my favourites.  Top left Newton Cap Viaduct in Bishop Auckland, Whitburn Windmill, First World Cup Memorial in West Auckland, West Auckland village green,  West Auckland bypasbypass and Durham Cathedral.

Durham Cathedral is in the background. Picture taken from the North Road area of Durham This is my first image taken using a drone. Took a bit of time to get there as I was working out the no fly zones, obviously the smaller ones are related to drones, however the large no fly zone relates to helicopters.

These images were taken late afternoon when the light was a little lower. It shows another aspect of the village from near the bypass. Looking towards West Auckland from the bypass West Auckland Bypass end, looking towards Busty Bank A long West Auckland Bypass towards St Helens Auckland Top of the village on the road to Staindrop

A few shots of West Auckland from East Green near The Well looking up the village using a drone. Village green, West Auckland Looking up the village green from East Green Main street in West Auckland

This memorial represents everything that is West Auckland. We have a footballer kicking a ball and laid on the ground is a miner who looks to be participating in the match (my interpretation). Others think the person with the pick axe is the footballer mining. Whatever you think this sculpture represents some of the heritage of the area and a celebration of what some unlikely lads have have achieved by winning the first world cup.  The Thomas Lipton Cup was certainly significant and a small village in County Durham won it twice. 1909 and 1911. I'll leave it to you to Google how West Auckland were in invited, but how wonderful must it have been for the village. Overhead view of the World Cup Memorial, West Auckland World Cup Memorial, West Auckland.

   Roker Pier I drove to Sunderland today for a walk and to fly my drone. After spending a short time at Roker with it's wonderful pier, decided to drive towards South Shields. There's a wonderful landmark on the journey north, a grade 2 listed building which was built in 1790, a tower mill built to grind corn. This Windmill stands on it's own among a housing estate. A great opportunity to take a few snaps with the drone. Below are a few photos of the Whitburn Windmill. Video of the Whitburn Windmill, Whitburn in Tyne and Wear. Whitburn Windmill, Whitburn in Tyne and Wear. Whitburn Windmill, Whitburn in Tyne and Wear. Whitburn Windmill, Whitburn in Tyne and Wear. Whitburn Windmill, Whitburn in Tyne and Wear.

DJI Mini 2 SE Thank you for taking the time to have a look at the photographs taken using a 249g drone. I fly drones for fun, enjoying taking photographs and then having more fun publishing the images when home. Use of Images The images on this site are intended for everyone to enjoy and therefore free to download for non-commercial purposes. If you would like to mention me when using my images that would be great. Placing a link to my website www.andymitchell.uk does drive more traffic to it which is always appreciated.  You can leave a tip, which is not essential, but always gratefully received by clicking on or scanning the image below. Click here to find out more about the DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone

It's called the Gaunless Bridge built in 1823 and it's claim to fame is that it was the first railway bridge constructed of iron. Designed by George Stephenson, part of the bridge can be found in York Railway Museum (the metal bit). The bridge is a short walk behind The Station pub in West Auckland, County Durham. The old illustration is to give an idea of how it looked. Time hasn't been to kind to it, but worth having a look. Stone foundation of the Gaunless Bridge The other stone foundation of the Gaunless Bridge Ariel view of the Gaunless Bridge Original Gaunless Bridge design Get a copy of   Bradley's Railway Guide: A journey through two centuries of British railway history, 1825-2025

A few photos taken of the green and memorial in West Auckland with a DJI Mini 2SE drone, 25th December 2023 West Auckland Memorial West Auckland Memorial and green. Aerial view of the green in West Auckland Aerial view of memorial and green in West Auckland Aerial view of West Auckland towards Toad Pool

Clearing the memory card in my drone in the hope I might get to fly it over Christmas. This is the final video of the Newton Cap Viaduct in Bishop Auckland Newton Cap Viaduct, Bishop Auckland

Couple of shots of West Auckland looking out across the fields towards the bypass with the drone. Would you believe it's warmer today hence able to fly it. Very foggy, but the snow looks beautiful.  Ariel shot of West Auckland in the snow showing tributary of the River Gaunless

Saturday morning flying at the Newton Cap Viaduct and a photo of Skirlaw Bridge in Bishop Auckland. Would recommend more than 1 battery when flying a drone, however if you have 3 batteries they do need to be charged! Suffice to say they are charging now. Short flying time this morning  😀 #djimini2SE Skirlaw Bridge, Bishop Auckland Newton Cap Viaduct, Bishop Auckland Under Newton Cap Viaduct, Bishop Auckland

Managed to get the drone out today after a few weeks of poor weather. Had lots of fun enjoying the views. There's one thing with flying a drone you get to see the world from a different perspective. River Gaunless, The Batts, Bishop Auckland River Gaunless, The Batts, Bishop Auckland River Gaunless, The Batts, Bishop Auckland

A couple of shots today using the drone near South Shields at a place calked Marsden. Bit windy so didn't do the fly out to sea and back again shot. Marsden Rock, South Shields Marsden, South Shields