MY CHILDREN WITH THEIR PARTNERS.

Becky and Mike were up early for a run around the village streets.  Back home for breakfast.  Around 12 noon we got a taxi to Gateshead and had a look around The Sage and  The Baltic.

Then we walked across the Millennium Bridge over the River Tyne and went to The Bridge Tavern.  We usually go there on match days for our lunch.  No spare tables - all reserved.  So we wandered around the Quayside looking for somewhere else.  We ended up going to Popolo on the Quayside.  I had a chicken, bacon and cheese panini.  Becky and Mike had burgers.

Then we walked to the football ground.  Newcastle were playing Bournemouth.

Newcastle started off quite well and  were creating chances and had a few shots on goal.  But they weren't so good in the second half.  The match was heading for a nil nil draw but Bournemouth sneaked in a goal in extra time. So disappointing.

After the match we headed for Bealim House - Newcastle's Gin Distillery/Bar/Restaurant.  Becky and Mike just wanted a quick drink there.  But as we feared it was packed full so we decided just to head for home.  We got a taxi home - Becky and Mike aren't keen on bus travel as you may have gathered.

Back home we spent  time relaxing and getting warmed up. It had been very cold at the match.  Then we got ready to go out for our meal.  We had a quick drink in The Gibside Hotel first and them moved on to Deano's ( Italian restaurant ) where we met Neil and Rachael.  We all enjoyed the lovely food.   I started with potato skins + garlic mayo. Then salmon in a creamy sauce with chips and for pud I had chocolate fudge cake with ice cream. Delicious.

After the meal we popped in to The One Eyed Stag - a nearby micropub.  Its a small one room pub but luckily there was one table spare so we settled down for a chat and a driink.  We stayed there till 11pm.  Neil and Rachael called for a taxi as the buses to where they live are few and far between at that time of night.  Becky, Mike and me just walked home.  It was freezing cold - almost below freezing according to the temp on Mikes phone when he checked.

We were all quite weary by this time but managed to watch some of Match of The Day.  We " fast forwarded " to the Newcastle match and after watching that Becky and Mike retired for the night.

I stayed up to do my blip.  I started it ----- but fell asleep at the computer...... woke up again at 3.30am and continued typing. Maybe that counts as " Silly Saturday " even though its now Sunday.  My blip shot was taken outside The One Eyed Stag and shows Rachael, Neil, Becky and Mike.  Great to get them all together at last.  The lighting was very poor so I had to use the flash which wasn't ideal.

Better get off to bed now - obviously no time for comments but I will catch up later.

Steps today - 13,342