Chilton Country Pub & Hotel Durham

Countries: 1
Miles travelled by Car: 1121
Miles Travelled by bike: Do trips to the supermarket count?
Fond Farewells: Numerous
Declarations of Jealousy: More numerous (because it includes a lot of people I don't even know)
Accusations of insanity: Even more numerous (because many people made more than one)
Bricks Shat: 53
Tasks left incomplete at time of departure: 2
Tasks able to be completed via internet: 2

... out on to deck to await departure.

1704 and there was a blast from the ships horn. The ropes were cast off and, slowly but inexorably, the massive ship swung out into the harbour. Over the next hour I watched the lights of Newcastle recede until they were just a thin orange strip, illuminating the darkened horizon.

The 'King of Scandanavia' was as you would expect for a short haul cruise ship - bars, restaurants, and a 2 screen ...

... as we were now going to the Freeman Hospital, my home. After riding over the Yorkshire moors & Teeside we came through the Tyne Tunnel & arrived at the Freeman. Well I say we, myself, martyn, David & Lyndsey nearly got lost! we managed to lose the others on the run into Newcastle but we got there in the end.

Wow! there were Nurses, photographers, paparazzi ...

Well this is day one.

Left Haverhill at 10am this morning and was in Newcastle at the Angel of the North by 15:00. Not bad going for an old thing (the car not me!!!) lol. Stopped at the Angel of the North and took a few pictures, just need some wi-fi so that I can upload a few. Then off to my first stop over, Newcastle YHA. Checked in, handed over £20 and and went up to my room with a packet ...

... guitar that strums like a six year old sawing enthusiasticaly away on their first violin lesson, I am meant to return a musical genius, a self-taught prodigy, star of every future camping trip. Like thats ever going to happen...no doubt if the green haze I envelop myself in in the coming months ever lapses enough for an outburst of creativity I will indeed believe myself to be the next Bob Dylan but in fact be revelling in a delusion greater than that of Lister's ...

... darned good. So it was worth it :)
We clambered back down and it was super narrow going down. We stopped for a drink at the $1 pound store where you could get 2 Pepsi Max 500ml drinks for $1. We then headed back to the bus where we hopped on bang on time and off we went.
We drove a couple of hours to get to Newcastle, I had a doze with my headphones on and Dan just chilled. We stayed at the Jury's Inn and reached it by 3.30pm ...

... In its stark beauty it makes this old Protestant feel quite at home but, this ain’t our church. It was built to the honor of St. Cuthbert, a very early saint from Landisfarne who died in 687 C.E. and was buried twice, first in the Anglo-Saxon church at this site and then in this new Church. (The problem with being a saint is they won’t leave you alone.) It is even more solid and beautiful than I remember. You really ought to check it out if you come up this way.

... pubs in Osmotherley.

The picture is one Him & Her took on their walk - but why anyone would want to photograph snails having their lunch is beyond me!!












Got back home around 5.00pm and then they tucked me up for the night, taking care to do all they needed to settle me down for a long rest.

... were remarking at the weather, but reassured us that the forecast was calling for it to clear in the afternoon. The sun teased us a little while we ate, but was long gone by the time we were ready to leave.

Setting out, we were faced with more hills. Unfortunately, now with the added weight, I was not quite as adept at cycling as before. Now I had to push my bike and the extra gear up the hills, making our progress even slower ...

... and Denise had already received orders transferring them back to the United States. Thus, I thought it was likely that this visit was probably the last trip we'd make to Ratho Hall. My premonition was realized a few years later when the Smalls sold Ratho Hall and it became a private residence once again.

While it was goodbye, we left with happiness tempering our sadness. We have gotten to know some wonderful, giving people, who have made us feel like part of ...