0
0
Time to say farewell to Lucker Hall and start our journey back home. We were taking the opportunity to visit friends and family in Hebburn. We’d booked rooms at the Premier Inn at Port of Tyne and requested one room available for an early check-in so we could unload the car before heading out to
As we were in the area, we popped in to see Jon’s Aunty Ann – we were on a tight schedule as she was off to celebrate her son’s 65th Birthday! We managed to arrive and have enough time for a natter and catch up. One of the things Ann had mentioned was how run-down the shopping had become. Last time we were there, it was pretty bad with most shops empty.
We’d noticed there was a Subway at the edge of the shopping centre as we passed, so decided to pop in to for lunch. The car park out the back was free and we headed in. We were really surprised as it was transformed since our last visit. We only walked down one leg of the centre, but it looked as though most units were occupied. As well as Subway, there was a Greggs and Boots Pharmacy, a couple of cafes and other shops. A marked improvement since we were last there (admittedly about 20 years ago!!)
After lunch, we continued our catch up with a visit to Aunty Catherine (lovely to see Melanie and Kieran too) as well as Tricia and Brendan (and great to see Joe too).
Everyone was looking really well and great to catch up with everyone.
Back to the Premier Inn to get changed for heading out this evening. We were catching up with a couple of Jon’s friends. Pat messaged to say they were in town at The Bacchus already and to meet them there. We needed to figure out where the nearest Metro station was which was Simonside. A 15 minute walk from the hotel and then a 2 minute wait until the next Metro. Jon was quite excited as we would get to ride one of the new trains running on the network – the last “old” train had just been withdrawn from service.
As we were heading into Newcastle on the Metro, you get a great view of the Tyne Bridge, High Level Bridge and Old Swing Bridge as we crossed the river via the Queen Elizabeth bridge. You also catch a glimpse of the Millennium Bridge just beyond for a fleeting second.
Jon and Callum debated on where to get off – Jon decided Monument as it would be a downhill walk to the pub. We found Pat & Mark at a table and reserved a couple of seats for us and Dave & Jill that would be joining us a little later.
Pat had booked a table for eleven at Pizza Punks just around the corner. Mick, Laura and kids were already here waiting for us. The menu was just pizza, and they were good.
Afterwards, we needed somewhere to go where kids were welcome. Great shout by Mark as he suggested to go to The Fire Station in front of the Hotel Gotham. There were a couple of free tables out the back of the bar – this overlooked the courtyard of the Hotel and pretty quiet so the kids had room to run around in. If cars were pulling in, they were very slowly navigating the narrow entrance. It was a lovely warm evening that we sat out until 11pm or so when we headed back to the Metro.
A lovely evening catching up with everyone – we should really head back up north more often.
