I rose at an ungodly hour to have breakfast with Mr C before he left to deliver his training course. I had a little bit of a giggle whilst the receptionist was trying to call a cab for Mr C. The surname is quite incomprehensible ‘up north’. I proffered the suggestion, just ask for ‘M’ it worked 
It reminded me of another memorable occasion in the Toon when two rooms had been booked and because the surname was so unusual one of the rooms ended up being cancelled, but that is another story…
I then asked where the nearest cash point was so I could pay for my lunch and headed there before exploring ‘Old Newcastle’ including the castle keep, bridges, Cathedral, and the Black Gate.
I had an early lunch in the Cathedral where I was pleased to see that cherry scones were on offer. Very tasty they were too
After my lunch I walked up Grey Street which was unfortunately almost completely shrouded in scaffolding! As I walked up the street a paramedic and ambulance arrived making me wonder if there had been an industrial accident. The two vehicles were still there after I had strolled up through the shopping area and through the Central Arcade…
As I walked back in the direction of the hotel the temperature dropped quite considerably and it was quite a relief to get back into the warmth of the Hotel (in the temporary reception area) where I had arranged to meet up with JD.
Tags: Cathedral, Mini Break, Newcastle, Northumber- land, Snow, The Cathedral of St Nicholas
The fact that the Public and Commercial Services trade union had called a strike on Wednesday gave me the excuse to take an extra day off and accompany Mr C to Newcastle where he was delivering a training course on Thursday. I have fond memories of business trips to Newcastle a number of years ago and I was long overdue another visit. Those of you who read me regularly will know that Northumberland is one of my favourite parts of the world.
I got my bits and pieces ready in the morning and set off for the north just after lunch. By the time we reached Leeming Bar it was time for a refreshing cup of tea at a motorway service station. It was distinctly chilly when I stepped out of the car, but on setting foot inside the service station I realised that it was even more chilly inside!! Then I sat on the wooden chair… Needless to say I didn’t take my coat off and I drank my tea quickly before it went cold.
Once in Newcastle we drove a couple of circuits trying to spot the hotel and then as every good photographer knows to do I looked up. I could just see the neon sign of the Hotel Vermont peeping out from behind another wall and luckily there was one last space on the car park. As I entered the hotel I noticed a Ferrari and a Rolls Royce flanking either side of the entrance door.
The hotel reception is currently being refurbished and a temporary reception was set up at one end of the dining room. Booking in was a little cramped. The reservation had been for up to two people but they never did ask who the second person was and there was none of the usual signing a registration document…
There was just enough time to unpack before going down to dinner. The weather was a little bit iffy so we stayed in the hotel for a meal. For some reason we got free veg and free drinks at the end of the meal although we did have to retreat to the other side of the dining room for the drinks, it had dropped decidedly chilly outside and there was an avalanche of cold air coming off the windows!
As you can see from the photo I dropped lucky and got a ‘room with a view‘ again
Tags: Bridge, Hotel, Hotel Vermont, Mini Break, Newcastle, Northumber- land, PCS, The Gateshead Millenium Bridge, The Tyne Bridge, Trade Union
I am so sad to hear that Jams/Shaun passed away suddenly on Friday. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
Let life be as beautiful as summer flowers
And death as beautiful as autumn leaves.
Rabindranath Tagore
Tags: Friendship, Life, Memory, Passing
In Nature’s infinite book of secrecy, a little can I read.
William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616)
Tags: Cherie's Place Thought, Dudmaston, National Trust
It seems the signs displaying on the motorway on my way home from Newcastle on Thursday were correct. After I arrived home it started snowing and it has hardly stopped since then! Luckily it is thawing almost as quickly as it is snowing so the snow hasn’t got very deep.
These photos were taken shortly after it started snowing on Thursday evening.
Tags: Car, Cherie's Place, Lights, Snow
This warning was displayed on all the motorways on my long journey back from a night away in the frozen north. Whilst I was there I took the opportunity to spend time with a friend.
It has been extremely windy and it has snowed most of the day here, but thankfully it is thawing as fast as it snows.
More photos in the ‘Distance’ gallery can be found here.
Tags: 52 Photos Project, A1M, Mini Break, Motorway, Weather Warning
