The match !

Spent morning refuelling and stocking up with food etc for my next leg. I keep checking the weather because its so important to be sure of a settled few days while I try to get across The Wash (big lump that sticks out below Hull). I plan to set off in the morning, around 930.  This is the earliest I can leave as , just outside of Hartlepool Marina it's very shallow so I need the tide to rise. Actually, as I write this, the forecast has updated to force 8. Ill review early in morning. 

Day continued with a very cramped, bumpy and noisy trip on the local 'bullet train' to Newcastle. I've bothered with a picture because there were about 500 people on this thing. A lady conductor pushed people in like it they do in Japan then off we shot, at breakneck speed. Brakes howled as the thing stopped at stations and the driver appeared to be reving the engine and slipping the clutch to pull away again; probably due to the weight. Apparently this route has only had 2 carriages for years, despite its popularity and the fact that, at some stations, people couldn't physically get on and had to wait an hour for the next one.  

Great going into Newcastle with its old bridges and the river etc. Enjoyed lovely pre match banter with locals, on the sun drenched terrace of The Strawberry bar. As you can see by the lack of people in this pic though, it may have been a bit early. By 2pm the place was packed. 

Newcastle won by scoring their first goal since April. The place went wild and, while not exactly matching the magical atmosphere of a Pompey match, it was great fun. Finished off with a beer in the famous 'Shearers Bar' (now just called '9' since he annoyed the owner). Back to station for another blast on the 'bullet'. Final visit to the local club cos Keith wanted to finish his holiday by singing a Perry Como song to the locals. All threw the towel in at 10. Knackered.