We’re in Geordieland

27.1.24

We arrived at Brittania Hotel at 12.30am. 3.30am Turkish time.
Having lugged my sleep apnoea machine across half the world and the whole of the north, I realised I have a 2 pin plug. The lovely guy on reception found an adapter for me.

Checked in, unpacked essentials and plan was to go straight to sleep.
Despite everything we couldn’t get to sleep and it was gone 2.30am last time I looked.

6.20am full blast music woke me, and a few people in Huddersfield, but the great news is Carol has learnt how to create a ‘reel’ on Facebook.

‘Oh oh I’m so sorry, go back to sleep!!!!’
I did try, but dooo doo do do do incoming message tones (I hate you Samsung) and tap tap tappety tap as she typed.
At 6.25am I gave up.

You know when someone is loud, bright and breezy when they’ve been awake for hours?
That wasn’t me. Help! coffee..!! Usually takes 2 before I do more than grunt at John.
He’s not allowed to tell me anything as he’s scrolling on facebook and he watches videos with the sound off.
I’m having a full running commentary.

Great that my meds are working well and I’m being treated to photos of polar bears and sick dogs. I must remind her to pay her electricity bill in a few days.

We had wondered about booking the ice igloo while in Sweden. As someone who hates the cold I’m contemplating seeing if they have a single one.

It’s 7.03am now, must be time for another coffee.
And breakfast, we’d told the front desk guy it was unlikely we’d make breakfast by 9am, now we may well be first.

Breakfast was fabulous. Buffet style, full English, cereals, toast, yogurt, juice, coffee etc. Great value at £10.

The hotel is just a couple of minutes from the airport where we caught a metro as advised by hotel staff to Central Station.
Carol was adamant there is no metro anywhere apart from London in the UK and was looking for the bus stop.
I argued that metro is going to be a train, no it’s not, yes it is.
It is a train. Ok then well it doesn’t go underground, it’s not a real metro.
Well it did, and it is.
Every few minutes, brilliant service and all spotlessly clean.

Next debate. Tickets.
Big board, for centre of town you must buy a ticket for zones A, B and C.
Ok.
No we don’t, it’s just zone A.
Lets read the board again.
Buy a ticket for A, B & C.
No.
Bored of this I began to buy my ticket. £5.90 for an unlimited day ticket.
Our journey starts in Zone C and ends in Zone A.

The day continued much in the same vain. This way, that way, no this way..
It was amazing that we were still speaking by the end of the day.
I guess this is what happens when you put 2 ex bosses together on a day out!!

It’ll be straightforward in Sweden.
The itinerary, directions and activities will all be in someone elses hands.

Fabulous architecture in Newcastle, a castle, a Cathedral, and it was lovely to hear church bells.

I loved the bridges and we had a fab view for our coffee stop.

Essential walk to Tesco Extra, I only had 2 requirements.
Coconut milk powder and decaff coffee.
No coconut so 2 large jars of coffee purchased instead and decanted into 2 sandwich bags I prepared earlier.

I confess to stuffing a whole bag of Wisper bites on the way to the Millenium Bridge. Perfect.

I loved the architecture and took loads of photos. It really is lovely and the people are all so chatty and helpful.
Neither of us have much space for buying any shopping, but nice to browse and I loved the variety of independent shops in Grainger market.

We got the train back and some much needed chilling and showering before dinner.
It seemed logical to pre arrange dinner here followed by an early night in case of any early morning videos.

Dinner was a carvery, so we opted for the bar food instead.

We were shocked at how busy it was. Excited by the advertised drink deals Carol ordered a vodka, only to find no drink deals on Saturdays. Bar prices were high.

There was a function starting through an adjoining door. The guests started to arrive. It made for the best people watching ever. We weren’t being bitchy and judgmental but the array of pretty party dresses with short black welly/ motorbike boots became a fascination. Actually the dresses weren’t even pretty, a green thing made from velour curtains was probably the worst and the bit that led to uncontrollable giggling was someones sequined trousers that were too short with white ankle socks and patent shoes.

Most of them were probably our age.

We couldn’t work out if there was a theme or there had just been a pile of clothes and footwear to share and you just settled for whatever almost fitted. It honestly was bizarre. All bar one of the men were just casual in shirts and jeans. He was wearing a 3 piece baby blue suit that he probably got when Saturday Night Fever was a thing.

The last guests arrived so we went off to bed.

I managed 20 minutes of Love Island before falling asleep around 9pm. My eyes are so red and sore from 4 hours sleep and little sleep the 2 nights before that. Our Maisy dog has a nasty cough, a new pension pot drama is unfolding, making sure I don’t forget to pack everything, and the upstairs electricity keeps tripping, so my brain has been a bit frazzled.

So far the ony thing I’ve forgotten to pack is my little flask, I bought a new one today in an outdoorsy shop in Grainger Market.

Hoping to feel bright and fresh for tomorrow mornings flight.

Tomorrow we’ll be playing in the snow.

All very exciting now.

Night night.