Mowbray Park Aparthotels Sunderland

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 ...

... Red Dwarf.

So I have three months to.....

1) Not find myself, I often never know where I actually am and have become quite accostomed to the setup so will make the resolution that if such an unfortunate event occurs to quickly lose myself again.

2) Learn to firedance, it is crazy and beautiful and dangerous and utterly pointless. Then if I ever lose all my money in an opium den or similar haunt I will have a better way to make money that the ...

... then headed up "The Shambles" road and The little shambles road and had a look at the street market. I got a new 4 pound black case for the phone as I managed to crack the last one...I seem to go through them quite quickly, ah well at least the phone is protected.
We walked back towards the church to try and get a 2pm slot to climb up the spire. On the way we stopped at a fudge place where they made fudge in front of you, we got a ...

... church was built and they had his bones for 300 years before a beautiful chapel was built to house his mortal remains. For Bede, life was brief but held the knowledge of the mercy of Christ. He liked the English and wrote the first history of the English speaking people. I love his prayers but he is not in that black stone box; he flew to the light of his Lord long before the first stone was laid for Durham’s great Cathedral.

We got to Durham at 2 pm ...

... being we don't pay for the shipping until it gets to Wellington. They arrived at 9.30am and by the time I went out at 2pm they were still there, although they had almost finished. I went out to Newcastle with Joan, my mother in law, to do some shopping. I was after a wedding outfit for Graham's cousin Marie's wedding in October and I'd had my eye on a dress that I saw in Wolverhampton. Well, we went round all ...

... and boasts a number or stores catering to their needs and wants. It's also the home of the Cars of the Stars Motor Museum, featuring vehicles from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Batman, and Thunderbirds. You'll also find The Pencil Museum in Keswick. It features...well...pencils. Early start the next morning, with Penrith on my mind, only about 22 miles away. Got lost trying to find the way out of Keswick, but then located the path. The climb out of town is so steep I ...

... They also house a ruined abbey. I have to say that the grounds were much more interesting than the palace.

Overall, Holyroodhouse Palace is a lot like Edinburgh Castle: it's much more impressive from the outside than from the inside. But, like Edinburgh Castle, a first-time visitor should stop there in order to get a glimpse of history. But, don't expect to learn much about the lives of the royals or the history of the city from a visit.

We spent about an ...