First stop - Newcastle

If the Beijing part of our trip was the Great Walk of China, then the next part of our trip has started as the Great Eat and Drink of England. We have been very well fed and watered since we've been here, and it might already be beginning to show!!


Anyway, as you probably already know the first thing Richard was going to do in England was going to head up to St Andrews to see if he could get a game of golf in on the old course. They did get there but was unable to get a game. They got there at 7am, but at that time he was already 25th in line to play, so goodness only knows what time the first players got there. You must have to camp out on the doorstep. Anyway, he got a photo on the little bridge by the 18th fairway, so had to be happy with that. No doubt you will be filled in with more details later. (He has since played two games of golf, so his golf tour of England is well underway.)
So seeing they didn't play golf, they did a bit of sight seeing. Tom and Richard went to the Famous Grouse distillery (where they didn't touch a drop, so they say). They also went to see the Falkirk wheel, pictured below. It moves barges and small boats between a lower and higher canal system. Fascinating apparently, once again I'm sure Richard will have more details later.

The next day the guys went to Hadrians wall (while the women folk did more important stuff like shopping). This wall is similar to the Great Wall of China, in that it was one lot of people trying to keep another lot out. I don't think many people could say they have been on both walls within a few days of each other. The boys got wooden swords, and the the photo below shows Caleb leaping down to attack Hamish who is defending his part of the wall.

At Newcastle we stayed with Jyll and Richard (Toms brother). Having two Richards in the house was a bit confusing in places. We had an absolutely fantastic dinner party for Saskias belated 21st (her birthday was in May). The food was very very good (and the company too).

I'll try and name all the people below. At the top left is Saskia (birthday girl, Jyll and Richards daughter), going clockwise then there is Lizzy (Tom's sister), Lorna (Jyll's Mum), Jyll, Richard, Brynn (Jyll's sister), Dylon (Jyll's brother), Rhian (Jyll and Richards son), and half of Bevis (Lizzy's son).

In the photo below you can see Tom at the side/top left, next to him going clockwise is Derek (Jacs husband), Jac (Merrys sister), Helen (Rhians partner), Caleb, Hamish, Merry, Reece (Jylls brother), Denise (Reeces wife), Karen (Dylons partner) and me (Alison).

While Richard was out playing golf one day, Tom took Hamish, Caleb, Bevis and me to Diggerland. Who would have thought such a place existed. The kids (big and small) absolutely loved it. There were all sorts of diggers you could have a go on, a ride over a rough track in a jeep, electric go carts, a Ferris wheel made from (you guessed it) a digger, and a round and round, up and down ride. Because school holidays have finished we just about had the place to ourselves which was lovely. Usually there are long queues for everything.

As soon as he got on the digger Hamish said, "Look at me, I'm Uncle Sasha". I think there might be something in this Sasha, a good business to start up?

Here is Tom watching Caleb and Hamish using the diggers to scoop metal bars out of gravel in a watery pit. (Much harder than it looks!)

Only Caleb, Bevis and I went on this ride pictured below, Hamish and Tom thought it looked at bit much, and they may have been right. We sat in seats, belted and barred in, while we went up and down, and round and round and round and round, and then around the other way. I'm sure the driver was a bit sadistic. Fun all the same.

Here we are eating and drinking again. This is at Rhian and Helen's pub, The Feathers, about 20 minutes out of Newcastle. Very lovely pub, in a very picturesque village. Richard had been playing golf just up the road earlier on in the day. The food was fantastic, all local produce. I had the pork, which was probably the best I've every had, Richard had the fish, and by special request the kids had sausage, egg and chips. Richard and I had a cheese board to finish, that was all local (unpasteurised) cheeses. They were all very very nice, all different flavours and textures. On the back of the menu (which is changed daily) is a map showing where the produce comes from. Rhian and Helen haven't been there long, but are already building a very good reputation.

In the photo below, going left to right is Tom, Saskia, Jyll, Richard, Bevis, Merry, Hamish, Lizzy, Alison, Caleb and Richard.

Here is Helen and Rhian with us, outside their pub. Helen did sit and eat with us, but Rhian had been slaving in the kitchen to produce the gourmet delights for us.

I couldn't resist this photo for you Dad. This was growing in Richard and Jyll's garden. A lovely example of a thistle. I thought of bringing you home a cutting, but then thought better of it. There is also a lot of stinging nettle about too. Caleb only just brushed his bare leg against some and he immediately came out in big itchy welts. Placing dock leaves on them gave relief straight away.


Anyway, that's enough for now. We are near Darlington at the moment staying with Jac and Derek. This afternoon we are heading down to Harrogate to visit Juliet and Joe (Jac and Dereks daughter) and then on to Hudderfield to stay a couple of nights with Hamish Pratt.

Be in touch again soon, take care, Alison.