Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Day 31 – Edinburgh – Ponteland, Newcastle

17 August 2014

Accommodation – private, Ponteland
Weather – sunny patches and fine
Temperature – mid to high teens

It was time to farewell Edinburgh after our hectic and exciting stay.  We certainly chose the best time of the year to visit this lovely city with all the festivals.
Our very comfortable B&B in Edinburgh.  It helped that it was close to a bus stop.
We drove down south following some of the coastline from Edinburgh.  Several of my ancestors lived in these little hamlets near the city.  The area was very beautiful, close to the sea with rolling hills of farmland.
Not far out of Edinburgh and we were among the farms atop cliff tops. 
It was a quick coffee stop in Morpeth before once again meeting up with our Ponteland friends.  It was a lovely reunion over a roast lamb lunch with vegetables followed by a choice of homemade apple and blackberry pie or bakewell tart with custard.  How I’ve missed home cooking!

David was very kindly included in the first football match of the season with Newcastle United and Manchester City.  Dressed in the team colours of black and white, he and Stuart were ready for the big match.  Poignantly, two ardent Newcastle fans were honoured with a minute’s silence at the commencement of the game as they lost their lives on MH17.  At the 17th minute of the game the entire stadium stood and clapped for one minute.  It was very memorable occasion for David and all who attended.
A moving tribute to the dedicated Newcastle United fans.  The family laid wreaths on the field.
At home, Ingrid and I had a great time with their grandsons – lovely boys of eight and six who are such a dear delight.  An afternoon of the film Frozen, handstands (not me!), and learning to play Patience kept them busy.  They also had lots of questions about Australia!

We had a late night playing with the boys and generally chatting about our experiences.  It’s hard to believe we are once again back in Ponteland where we started – we have done so much and the time has passed by quickly.

 

 

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