Premier Inn Durham City Centre

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 ...

... sheets. Let's hope my 3 other room mates don't mind my snoring! At least I got there early and bagged the bottom bunk!

Up early to get some breakfast and to try to work out where to head to tomorrow. Nothing booked yet...let's see what happens. Left the LR tonight with a strange rattle, not sure what it is, sounds serious, lets hope I can work it out tomorrow and it doesn't cost too much :-(

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 ...

... etc etc.

Then pack everything back into the car and say goodbye to Nick and Elise and the dog, Coco, and time to leave Scotland and head back into England.

The weather had finally turned on us and it was heavy rain nearly all day. We stopped in at Brampton for lunch in a small pub called the Nags Head. I'm sure the village itself was lovely, but as it was raining, we pretty much hurried from the car to the pub and back again.
We then had a few stops along ...

... out of a postcard. Sheeps grazing, farmhouses, green fields, and lush foliage - pretty neat! I arrived at the TI and tried to book a room - the cheapest they could find was 35 GBP!!! It was a twin room, but the owner agreed to give me the single price. It was a nice B&B, owned by a super-friendly couple, Martin and Liz. It's almost comical how nice they were - as I left to sightsee, Martin chased ...

... to Picadilly from platform 4. I wasn't the only one who raced over the bridge only to see the replacement train arrive back in platform 3, where I had expected it in the first place. Raced back over and got to Picadilly to get the original train but it was broken and completely cancelled. Had to cram onto the Newcastle train which went all the way to Durham. Dropped bag off with Paul and got my final ...

... I don't have to live that way today. Also took a ride on a early steam locomotive. We also were able to go to 1913 and experience life. Going into a drift mine (coal mine) trust me - not a very good job - maximum height 4 feet 6 inches - had to bend down the whole way - be sure and ask me about it when I get back. Looked inside an old school house (almost like the Tallgrass Prairie school house - much bigger but same type of seats ...

... that the views of the city from the top were magnificent.

We departed Edinburgh on the A1 highway. In the past, we've taken the A82 through Jedburgh to get back to England. But, we decided to follow the coastline this time. It took a little longer; but, the views were superb. I did miss the big rock in the middle of the road draped with signs that say Scotland on one side and England on the other that exists on the A82. But, there are other signs on the A1 that make ...