Stage 8 aaaaalmost complete
The stage lasts till Ijmuiden, but I have made it to the Dutch capital of Amsterdam where I’m enjoying a couple of days with a very good friend of mine - Esther, who I met in Darwin, Oz. She’s recently moved here herself, originally being from Groningen - somewhere I did originally want to go on the Walk as it’s twinned with Newcastle, but it was just too far out of the way. In fact, I just checked. It’s not moved. It’s still too far. I now have my ferry booked from Ijmuiden. I will be on the 6pm boat on October 2nd, arriving at North Shields at 9am on Wednesday 3rd. Allowing for getting over seasickness, I then expect to be back in Newcastle itself outside of St James’ Park by midday. I will then ensconce myself inside The Strawberry and imbibe as many bottle of Dog as anyone cares to buy me. I won’t be "falling down at the door" (to paraphrase the song) of the woman who inspired the Walk. She’s decided to fly off to New Zealand to spend time with the guy she started dating while I was in Vietnam working for Blue Dragon. Which is nice. I would like to thank DFDS who gave me a 20% reduction on my ticket after I begged at them on the phone for a while!
October 1st, 2007 at 3:33 pm
What a shame I won’t be one of those buying you a drink at the Strawberry, but I will be thinking about you.
Take care
October 1st, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Tell you what. Seeing as it’s you… I’ll let you owe me one. How’s that?
October 2nd, 2007 at 10:25 am
Deal………Feel free to collect at any time.
October 2nd, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Hey there. So you’ve done it. I missed the moment where you did the 1000 miles, but I still wanted to congratulate you. You can’t imagine how much I respect that achievement and the purpose behind it…even though I guess the money raising wasn’t the only motivation :).
Enjoy your drinks, and take care.
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:12 am
are you there yet
are you there yet
are you there yet
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Yeah, are you here yet, and if not, where do we go to wave you in and buy you a pint and stuff?
October 3rd, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Yes, I’m there yet! I arrived at the Strawberry by St James’ Park just after midday. Free drinks, a photo session with the local paper and a lift to Durham to stay with friends later and I’m relaxing… apart from the radio interview I have to give in 2 hours and the TV work tomorrow…
Drinks can be given whenever - as can donations!
October 3rd, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Oh, and Max - thanks, fella. I owe you a beer next time I get to Luxembourg!