Coronavirus, Newcastle and Scotland ~ The Adventures Of Howard And Mary

More or less finished the painting and bench restoration on Monday. Took my guitar into Reading Guitar Repairs. Its in a little industrial unit just passed Rotherfield Peppard. No sign or anything so I assumed the chap had just moved there but he said he'd been there for about 7 years. His name is Richard Pilkington. Phoned back later to say it was all done. Needed to buy a new rim tape for my road bike. None in Evans so went to Halfords and they sold me some but it turned out not to be rim tape, its tape to put between your tube and tyre to prevent punctures. Got a new saddle too. A very friendly baby robin seems to have been following me around the garden.

Had a call from Madeline on Tuesday morning then picked up my guitar. Used the CT1 to fix the downpipe and gutter so I've now finished at the front of the house. Went for my first ride for a few weeks in the afternoon. The new saddle seems OK but possibly pointing down too much. Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javed have both resigned, could this be the end for Boris? Had a band practice in Stoke Row village hall on Wednesday. A game of 2 halves. We tried to run everything except the base through the PA to start with but I found that difficult, half the time I couldn't hear my guitar and consequently made lots of mistakes. For the second half we just had vocals and harmonica through the PA and that worked a lot better. Lots more ministers have resigned. Got the train to Newcastle on Thursday, M is giving a talk at a conference at the uni. Found out Boris is going to announce his resignation. Hes resigned as party leader but intends to stay on as prime minister in the autumn when they chose a new leader. M checked into the ini and I checked into the digs and went for a walk. Found an area called Jesmond Dene that follows a stream called the Ouseburn. A bit like the Kelvin walkway in Glasgow and Lade Braes in St Andrews.

Had good italian at Antico and relatively early night as M had to present her paper the next day. My plan for Friday to to explore Newcastle. I started at the exhibition centre and found that the main building is now home to the Wylam Brewery.

They have a scooter hire scheme.

Next up was Town More a large mainly grassy area where cattle graze. A bit reminiscent of an american prairie.

I then headed for St James's Park via Leases Park and another area with cattle grazing.

Its an impressive stadium right in the city centre.

Next was the cathedral. I went to the catholic one, didn't realise there were two. I liked the modern stained glass.

I then headed for the river via the Discovery Museum, mainly for kids and the section about the Tyne was closed. It did have this though which was the reaspn I went. Turbinia, the first turbine powered boat.

l then went to the Baltic Centre which was disappointing and explored the city centre which was also disappointing. Did see some very good buskers though, Jen and Liv. Went back to watch TdF, I reckon I'd walked about 10 miles. M's talk went well. In the evening the plan was to start at the brewery but when we got there it was closed for a private function so instead we went to a couple of really good back street pubs The Collingwood Arms and The Carriage. On Saturday I got the metro to Tynemouth where the Mouth Of The Tyme festival was going on. Followed the coastal path and got the Shields Ferry over the river, held up by a very large container ship.

Got the metro back, met up with M and got the train to Glasgow. Checked in at the apartment and made it over to see Madeline before she went to bed. Got takeaway pizzas. On Sunday we went out fir lunch at Crabshack.

Chilled out in the afternoon. Madeline was happy, flying with her dad.

Popped into the town centre on Monday for some shopping. J n A were meant to be having a smart gas meter fitted but the chap found a problem and also a leak elsewhere in the building so they are without gas until at least Tuesday. Took Madeline to the swings. Had falafel wraps from Pasha. The gas wasn't fixed on Tuesday. Took Madeline to the park again and cooked roast chicken. Went to the Burrell Collection on Wednesday. Still good but not as good as I remembered it from 30 years ago. Went to Eusebi's for tea and popped in at Dram on the way back for a swifty. We were just about to leave when they started a quiz so stayed for that. Didn't do very well and had too much to drink. Got the train to Oban on Thursday, a very picturesque journey. A bit drizzly in the evening. We got the very to Mull on Friday then a bus to Tobermory.