When we arrived in Newcastle, it was late to go into the city so we just went to the hotel bar and had a nightcap before heading to the room. The Marriot hotel is located in Gateshead about 3 miles southwest of Newcastle and across from the MetroCentre, one of Europe's largest shopping complex. THAT we decided to leave for a rainy day and the forecast for Saturday was partly cloudy in the morning clearing up to sunny and warm.
So the next morning after breakfast, we took the bus into the city. The concierge was very helpful in informing us which bus to take otherwise who knows where we would have ended up. Anyhow, onto Bus 45 to Eldon Square (2pounds) and from there on foot to explore the city.
When we reached the Earl Grey monument, there was a group of photographers with mega lenses and a camera crew hanging around waiting for something or someone. We were told that at 12 noon (it was 11:55) there would be a dancer on top. Well, exactly 12 noon she was on top and did alittle contemporary dance number. One had to look though binoculars to really appreciate it, no wonder the mega camera lenses. Still it was impressive that she dared to do that. After a few minutes of watching, we made our way slowly down to Quayside with a few stops along the way.
The first was St. Nicholas Cathedral. Apparently this was the weekend of the Embroiderers Exhibition so there were tables full of St Nicholas items including children's song books in Dutch. Alittle side note - December 6 is the Feast of St. Nicholas but in the Netherland the Eve of the Feast day is celebrated which is actually quite unique.
Back to Newcastle...down at the river's edge also known as The Quayside, we noticed the plaques with 'Hadrian's Wall Trail' on the ground and alot of hikers walking along the river. Well, I had the intention of walking along parts of Hadrian's wall or at least touching it so I asked a couple of hikers and was told that it begins at Wallsend (which I knew) which was about 6 miles "that way" pointing east but the best preserved part was "2 days walking" that way, pointing to the west. To my disappointment Wallsend was further out than I thought and we only had a day in Newcastle. We could have taken the metro but it was already 3 pm. So.....just another reason to come back to this fair town and rent a car.
At this point I was pretty bummed out about not seeing the wall so we decided to enjoy our walk along the river edge and admire the 7 bridges including the very impressive Millennium Bridge. Afterwards we checked out some other 'old' stuff. We headed up to the Castle Keep which was built by Henry II and the Black Gate. It took about 97 steps up to the tower top but the view was worth the climb. Of course going down was alot easier and once on the ground floor, we sat awhile in the garrison which was pretty cool...literally cool...before heading back out into the warmth. We followed the remaining sections of the old city wall to the arch of China town and the stadium of Newcastle United. Then back down to The Quayside to meet up with the others for dinner at the Pitcher and Piano. Pretty impressive view of the Millennium Bridge and just as impressive cocktail list. Oh, did I mention the delicous chocolate brownie with creme brulee ice cream ?!!
I was amazed at the many groups of bachelors and bachelorettes out celebrating. They were easy to spot..wearing the same printed t-shirts or pink sashes. Usually the bride- or groom-to-be was wearing a veil, crown or a hat of some kind. The most memorable was a group of guys dressed as super heros. Absolutely priceless !!
Unfortunately when the nightlife was starting up, we had to head back to the hotel. Wake-up call: 03:40; pick up at 4:40 to head to the airport then home. All in all, Newcastle was well worth the visit and I hope for a return date later this summer. Gotta get to that wall.

The adventure has begun and I hadn't even got the car from UK back to Norway.  I suppose this is a taste of things to come.

I flew to England on the 21st of September to collect the Mitsubishi Shogan that we had bought for the trip. I had a really busy weekend planned and it was going to be tough fitting it all in.  I took the train to my brothers in Eastbourne where the car was. Everything looked great and it was the first time I seen it.

The first challenge started the following morning when i turned the key and... nothing! So out came the jump leads and managed to get it started. Headed off on the 3 hour drive along the coast to Weymouth. Thought this would be enough to charge the battery and so when I pulled over to get some diesal I switched off the engine and, yes you've guessed it, when I tried to start it again, nothing. So now Im stranded at the petrol station. Bought a new set of jump leads and after several attempts at asking for help managed to get a jump start.

On arriving in Weymouth, I surprised my daughter by turning up at her house on her birthday. I was with her the week before so she wasnt expecting it. Her face was magical.

A quick trip to the shops and £100 !!! later a new battery was fitted and the shogan was great. I spent the rest of the weekend driving around friends houses collecting toys and clothes. They were fantastic and it was nearly full by the time I left.

Sunday afternoon I set off for the 7 -8 drive to Newcastle to take the ferry to Stavanger..... And thats when it all went terribly wrong. :((

All was going great and I was only 1 hour away from Newcastle when all of a sudden I smelt oil, then I lost all power and the oil pressure dropped. Managed to get to the hard shoulder but couldnt quite roll up the slip road under a light. So there I am stranded, car covered in oil and very poorly. Didnt have a torch, so tried looking under the bonnet with the light from my phone. Quite comical looking back. Sat on side of the motorway for an hour!! waiting for assistance.  When they finally arrived they towed me to their garage which was less than 5 minutes from where I stopped. I cant work out why it took an hour!

I was put on a lorry and they drove me to The ferry terminal, where thankfully there was a new traval Inn motel, otherwise it was a night in the car.

It transpired that the oil flter had come undone and dumped all the oil from the engine. Very rare. The engine sounded awful but managed to drive it onto the ferry at least.

I had to spend 2 days sitting around waiting for the next ferry. There is a shopping outlet mall at the terminal so carried out a little bit of retail therapy.

The car is now back in stavanger and the engine is out. We will give it a full rebuild and hopefully we will have a really good car that we know well. 

I have to stay positive. Im a great believer that everything happens for a reason. Its better to find out now rather than on the way to Budapest or out in the desert.

We  have been invited  by the organisers to show us around Budapest and film us for next years Travel Channel documentary. I hope we can make it in time for this to happen.  A trav buddy on the TC, Kudos.

Today in Stavanger we were interviewed by the local press and they will do a feature on us this sunday. If its any good I will post it on the blog.

Thankyou to those of you that have shown interest in our project.