Heading north via Platform 9-3/4 to Newcastle. Thanks to a good friend Steven who purchased the rail tickets for us in England, we were able to travel first class. It was a 4 hour train ride; and gave us a chance to see the countryside while sipping on free beer, tea and WiFi. Looking out the window and seeing the expanse of rolling countryside turn into villages, towns and then cities — with the cows, sheep and spires — then back again — it was positively British.
Mom and Dad picked us up from the train station as they had arrived in Newcastle the week before to welcome Nick and Laura. We had attempted to be there all at the same time, but between school schedules, work schedules and logistics…it just wasn’t meant to be. Among the many disappointments; we never got to see Dad drive a rental minivan. The 20 minute drive from the Newcastle town center to the coast is as it always is for me: surreal and full of memories, seen through the rose-tinted glasses of a child.
Our first stop was 1 Whitton Gardens; the home of my Nana and where my Mom grew up and where my cousins and I spent many a Saturday wreaking havoc. It is a council row-house that has a total of 6 rooms and 1 bathroom. It’s still heated with coal and, yes, the hot water runs out. When I think about the “needs” we need to have in America; I think about the times this house slept and kept upwards of 12 people. I love walking in the door of that house. And I loved having my Nana meet Bill and Jack. As suspected, Jack quickly became the Prince of Lynn Estate. Ripping up newspaper in tinier and tinier pieces was met with “oh, lovely!”, putting his hands all over the TV became magically permissible and “ah, he’s a clever lad” was heard over and over again.
While I remember the cramped quarters of my Nana’s house fondly, it was decided that Bill, Jack and I would stay at Chateau Tear – just 5 minutes down the road – while we were in town. 8 The Crescent is as fabulous as its hosts. The Tears have been family friends of ours since before I was born; and, as a result, can make my parents drink and be merry like very few people can. This visit was no exception. While they technically don’t run a B&B, they are blessed enough to have friends the world over that insist on spending time with them. Lucky. One of the great things about their house is that it is in within walking distance to the beach and Tynemouth proper. This particular weekend was carnival weekend; so Tynemouth was abuzz. Wish I could say Bill and I took advantage of the pub scene but with Jack in bed by 7:30p, and us exhausted from so much fresh air, our pints were consumed during the day.
Our 4 day whirlwind included: visits to Alnwick Gardens and Castle, St. Mary’s Lighthouse, Tynemouth Beach and Priory, and a walk to the Fish Quay for Bacon. Plenty of time with Nana. And a quick trip to the “south” to meet up with the Stothard side of the family. Big thanks to Emma for organizing and choosing a pub! My Uncle Dave, Aunt Norah, Uncle Ken, Aunt Margaret, my cousins Emma and Simon, his lovely wife Helen who was mere days away from giving birth (rockstar) and Emma’s son Lewis were all able to be there. In between was filled with more Cadbury indulgence, and introducing Bill to real Indian food.
I consider myself a good packer. Bill and I can travel to Mexico for four days with one carry on suitcase. The trick with England in July is it can be 90 degrees, or 60…so even packing “layers” is sometimes a fail. It was 60 degrees and, as the forecasters would predict, “spotted showers” for our entire trip. Needless to say; all of our photos involve the same clothes; and, in Jack’s case the wonderful tourist look of socks with sandals. Here’s a sampling of our tour through the Northeast.
It makes my heart happy knowing that Bill and Jack got to see that “part” of me. How blessed we are!
The Hauer Family 