Hotel White Swan Alnwick

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 ...

... beach big, sandy and empty. took a few photographs.
Monday 19 got a boat "Serenity" from Seahouses to the Farne islands, about a 1 1/2 hour journey, saw lots of seals and the Longstone lighthouse where Grace Darling lived and rowed out to save the passengers on a stricken vessel which had drifted onto the rocks. no photos because I forgot the camera!

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 ...

Lonesome George is a tortoise who lives in the Galapogos Islands. The last of his kind he is the rarest creature in the world. Despite having a small hareem of female tortoises for his leisure and earthly pleasures he persists in a state of unnautural abstinence that would make even the most dedicated Buddhist monk envious. That or maybe he just ain't all that attractive to the ladies. Not being a tortoise, I can't comment further, but for the namesake and the fact ...

... bit of Mohito, Vanilla, Choc-orange and Lemon Meringue. We stopped at the Oxfam recycled bookshop for a look and then headed to the church. I stood in line whilst Dan bought tickets and we managed to make the 2pm climb up. The stairs were super narrow and steep, and it was a one way climb up and one way down only. There was no place for another person to pass as you went. My legs were burning by the time we got to the top but the views were ...

Well I wasn't really going to write anything here since this was strictly work-type stuff - I was in Newcastle for the International Sports Science and Sports Medicine Conference (which was brilliant by the way) - but seriously, this place was nothing short of fantastic, I can't believe I've never been here before.

Loved it - for future reference: must return to Newcastle!

Started out the day with a great big hill to get out of the campground. Good thing there were Highland Cows to make the climb a little easier. Unfortunately, that was not the only one. Rises and falls littered the road as we went along. Already growing weary, I dismayed when the land cleared enough to see the consistent upward rise of the road ahead. A large stretch going up with ...

... center admission is 10lbs(20$) per adult and kids get in for 1 p (2 cents) this does bot include admission to the castle. The castle is like 33$ per adult and 25$ per child we consider our options, the garden center has a tree house to run and climb through and kid stuff going on like face painting and Rupert the bear activities. Becky and I decide to go in to the Castle, Mom and Dad go looking for coffee, Ali and Cam ask if activities for the kids are still going on ...