Eric's do

Rather a strange day altogether - a trip down to Newcastle made slightly odd by the fact that the online booking system seemed to have double-booked my seat on the train, and a message from D saying that there was a possible leak at Braefoot gas terminal (very close to Inchcolm!) so the Forth was...closed. Then I had an hour to kill in Ncl before Eric Wade's commemorative do in the Lit & Phil so, in the absence of CarolineJay I sat and nursed a half-pint and read Private Eye in the Centurion until I noticed that cousin Jerome Broonzie was at a nearby table with his Pitman Poet chums! The chances of that occurring must really be quite remote. Had a full 5 min of chat before we had to go our separate ways. Forgot to photograph them - doh!

The Lit & Phil event was very enjoyable, and very appropriate considering how much time Eric used to spend there and in the neighbouring Mining Institute. Wine and beer were supplied - also appropriate for Eric! Lots of old OU pals and colleagues were there. John ( blipped) did the introductory honours,  as an old friend and former colleague. Or Lord Shipley of Gosforth, as he's now styled.

The return journey was relatively uneventful.

I had't intended this for a blip, but my other photos were even worse!