Our trip to Newcastle 26 July 2016

The following morning started with a full breakfast before andy Brian and I had a chat about what to see but first how to get to the centre.  Brian decided he wanted to do his own thing so we set off to find the Metro into town, once we had found out how to get our tickets from the machine a nice young woman helped us explaining where to get off and see the most whilst exploring. The tram only took minutes into the centre, next task to find our way out. We wandered along the streets admiring the old buildings whilst taking  photos. We went into the cathedral to explore and whilst doing this there was a man fast asleep on one of the benches, maybe sadly a sign of the times we live in. Whilst there we went for a drink before continuing with our exploration.

There are a number of bridges across the river some low down but the one we took was very high up, what we had not realised was how long it was,  but with stunning views,  Andy who is much greater in life at spotting things different,  noticed a fire engine in the distance with a long unit to reach high up, at first we were hoping for something exciting but later realised it was just being used to examine an inaccessible section of a roof. We also realised that none of the bridges were the same, for instance the onr we were on eas a very old iron one, whilst the next low level one was a swing bridge,  then in the distance was a new modern design one.

What we had not realised was how far we had walked along the bridge but then needed to walk down to the street level and back to where we had come from. Both of us were getting tired but also dehydrated so luckily came across a Wetherspoons pub where we could rest have a mug of coffee and for me a scone. Then the walk back to the Metro,  unfortunately it was a steep climb so it was with relief we finally managed to get there,  only after remembering what the lady had suggested of getting the bus up the hill. We did not have long to wait for the tram then our walk back to the hotel, after for me a long soak and lie down before our evening meal where we caught up with Brian again, his adventure had been much gentler than ours, our meal again was excellent then we each retired to our rooms for me sadly to catch up with the various soaps before bed called.

Northumberland at last 25 July 2016

For many years I have thought about a trip to Northumberland but never actually managed to get there, so when chatting to Brian and Andy earlier this year about suitable coach trips this seemed somewhere to explore as a possible destination that would not take to long to get to. so off to the travel agent and our furst obstacle of finding 3 single rooms, eventually we found a suitable hotel with coach travel and excursions included for july this year so booked it there and then. At that time I had no plans to buy the caravan so it seemed a good time and price for a pleasant few days away.

Before the trip we met up to discuss the last minute details such as transport to the coach pick up and as far as we were aware that we would be enjoying pleasant weather. Despite this i still went into overkill with a , mixture of clothes to suit hot or cold conditions. Unfortunately my back bad been playing up for weeks and I had been having a mixture of physio and painkillers to cope, so was more than a little worried about how I would manage but determined to go. On the day the taxi was early the coach was on time and only one more pick up before we arrived at the transfer point which was at a motorway service area. It seemed to take a long time before we were finally loaded and on our way. The driver was not very chatty, which seems typical these days. We stopped once on the way for a snack and toilet break.

Finally we arrived at our destination the caledonian hotel in Newcastle, the staff took our cases to the rooms which saved my back from any further pia or stress.  The room was a decent size, well laid out, with a range of drinks including water crisps and biscuits. There was limited storage space which seems to be the norm these days with most people leaving most of their belongings in their cases. The bathroom was spacious with both bath and a very powerful shower and large soft towels and even a flannel, so I made full use of these to help get over the trip.

Soon it was time for our evening meal and we were in a separate section to the rest of the hotel sharing a table with another couple who seemed quite pleasant.  We were given both the menu for that evening and asked to make our choices for the following night as well. The food was good with decent choices finished off with a cup if coffee.  Then we decided to return to our rooms as we had an early start the next day. I then decided to watch tv for a while before testing out the large comfortable bed and a drink of hot chocolate. Unfortunately due to the pain despite taking painkillers I did not sleep well but this was no reflection on the room or bed.

Our Last day in Crete

Soon it was time to go home, our flight was at 11.50pm local time and we were booked to leave the hotel by coach for 8.30pm, so our diemma was the time from 12 to 8 and changing clothes showering etc, so we asked at the desk could we keep our room on until we left a few days before. We were told to wait until the morning, that they would at least extend our time in the room until 2pm, so there was little else we could do.
On the day sadly we started with our packing before going down for a hearty breakfast, then went to reception, they were helpful but then announced the hotel was full so we could not stay on in our room or even book another, they did offer us the facility to use the luggage room and they had a shower area with clean towels etc that was private, so that plus the extension tof 2 hours had to be as good as it got.

We packed most things but then had a relaxing morning sunbathing, later we went back to the room had a sandwich to eat, then checked out. Fortunately it was still warm so we kept our beach towels out and went for a sunbathe for a while, later we showered and changed and went looking for something to eat about 6pm. Unfortunately as the complex was all inclusive at that time lots of the snack places had closed down for the evening meal, we tried two of the restaurants and one had to be booked in advance and the other we needed to be dressed up for, so that by the time we had changed again it would of been to late to enjoy a meal.
Instead we just returned to the hotel and sat in the lounge relaxing until the coach arrived. It was sad to leave but a pleasant journey back to the airport and it was quite dark by the time we arrived there
The airport was small and busy and seemed totally disorganised, but we got checked in and explained that I needed help, they did not seem prepared for this but told us to wait and they would sort it out. Jane kindly went off looking for a sandwich and a drink for us both, which was greatly appreciated by me when she returned. The airport seemed to get busier and busier, there were many announcements but I was unable to follow what they were about
Finally they took us to the plane and we settled down, the seats had plenty of legroom but were quite firm so trying to get in a comfortable position was quite a problem, we both seemed to keep waking up in pain trying to get in a position to be comfortable but with no success. We must of slept at some time because finally we were back home. Due to the assistance we were soon at the baggage carousel, then off to find the bus to the carpark

As so often happens different buses kept arriving apart from ours, but finally it came, it seemed to take forever, but finally we got to the stop or so we thought, but then as the bus trundled off we realised that it was the wrong stop, we were tired out and fed up but then started searching for the correct place dragging our cases behind us. Finally we got to the stop, but no sign of the car and nobody to ask. Luckily I had parked it in a disabled bay so then started looking for them and finally relief there it was, never have I been so pleased to see the car load it and start the trip home.
I dropped Jane off then went home, the time was now 4.30am and normally I would start to sort out washing, but common sense said just leave it all and get some sleep which I did for a few hours before getting up and sorting out my case, it took a few more days for my body to recover from it all but I now have a nice tan and some nice memories.

So Easy to Do So Little 12 June 2016

Well it was so hard relaxing and doing little whilst on the holiday, well thats my excuse, we spent time wandering round the beautiful kept gardens and grounds of the complex, sunbathing and resting whilst reading on the veranda of our room.
At times it was very hot and the humidity was high, but its strange how soon the body adjusts and 24 degrees suddenly is quite cool. We sampled many of the dishes in the restaurant whilst at the hotel, which was a more pleasant experience due to the wide range of beautifully cooked fresh food

It made a nice change that there were areas to suit all tastes at the hotel even in terms of the four swimming pools allowing for those who wanted noise and activity to the quieter pools for lounging and just quietly swimming in by making the shallow so people would not be jumping in. Time quickly passed though and for me it was such a change to spend so long on holiday doing really so little. Due to sunscreen i managed not to burn myself this time, but also to applying some common sense and sitting or lying in the shade more often, we both felt that the holiday had been exceptional value for money and that we had not booked for longer

Our time in Crete

Over the next few days we explored the hotel grounds, enjoyed the food, sunbathed and relaxed either at the side of a pool, by our room or wandering round the grounds. We did try the entertainment one evening but were not very impressed so found it more pleasant to sit in peace and quiet on our verandah. The food at breakfast and evening was consistent in its quality and gave me a chance to try out some dishes I would normally not of. Also it was interesting to people watch others as they dined in the restaurant.

On Sunday we had a trip by bus into Rethymo for a change, the bus was modern and air conditioned which was as well as it quickly filled with people.  The trip was interesting as  we travelled first through countryside then into the town.

The town was busy and full of little back streets full of souvenir and other shops and cafes. We went down to the harbour and walked along, looking at the range of both small and larger fish swimming in the water, it was suprising I felt so close to me. There was a nice quiet area of beach with few people where we walked alongside the sea, Jane decided to take her shoes off and enjoy the feeling of the sea and sand, unfortunately I was more practical due to wearing shoes rather than sandals or flipflops. Eventually we reached a busier part that was full of holiday makers with sunbeds and parasols,  so we wandered back into town then eventually queued for the bus back to the hotel. By now it was very hot and there was no shade and the number of people waiting got larger and larger in fa t we wondered firstly if or when it would come but also if we would manage to get on.

At last the bus arrived and we managed to get seats, it was an old very noisy bus with no air con so the only ventilation was through the open windows, it got more and more full as it progressed initially but after a while there were less and less people and finally we were back at the hotel, well not quite as the stop was some distance beyond and we had to walk back in the heat coping with the traffic,  we were so pleased to get back to the peace quiet and cool hotel room where we could have a shower and recover