England 24

The trip from Hong Kong to Frankfurt, then onto Newcastle, was quite the advert for Qantas. Lufthansa Business Class was quite the shock (I know, I know, I sound like a princess!). BUT... they boasted the longest business class bed, measuring 2m long; however, you could only be 30cm wide, which John and I are not! I slept on my side, which is not a problem, but John is a back sleeper, and he got an early taste of what it is like to spend 13 hours in a coffin. Poor bloke was stiff as a soldier and couldn’t move an inch. It was only on landing that I worked out the armrest slid down, which would have made it a lot easier.

Anyway, buyer beware: avoid Lufthansa unless you are 2m long and 30cm wide!

When we arrived in Frankfurt, we had a few hours to waste before our connecting flight to Newcastle. So, off we went to find the lounge. Frankfurt is a rather large airport with trains connecting the terminals. We couldn’t find the lounge and did our daily steps trying to locate it; we also took the train a few times. Then, on one of the journeys back, on the down escalator, 5 minutes from where we were at the very beginning (and 1 hour earlier!), there was a sign: “Lounges.” Oh boy. The lounge was quite the disappointment too.

We arrived in Newcastle without a problem, picked up a hire car, and went off to Patty's (John's mum).

Pat was very excited to see us, and it was an amazing coincidence that we arrived just in time for Newcastle United's first home match of the season! So off to the match for John, and I needed to keep myself busy so that I did not sleep. I cooked a roast dinner for the family. It was great to see everyone, and we both managed to stave off the jet lag—which is always a bonus.

At Pat's, John and I share a double bed, which is very, very small compared to our king bed in Aus. I feel like I am back on the Lufthansa plane each night, and when I turn over, I have hit John in the face a few times. I sleep with a pillow between my legs and the cushion pillowcase corners tickle John and he has a conniption.

The first order of business was to look at some properties for Pat. The 3-bedroom bungalow with a third of an acre is becoming a bit big for her—she is 88 years young, after all. We have seen four properties in all, and Pat fell in love with the one with the best social scene. The one-bedroom flat is very well-appointed, and the pièce de résistance is the communal lounge. On our second viewing, they were having a birthday get-together for one of the residents, and Pat was invited. She already knows two of the residents—and when we picked her up, they were having such a good time that no one heard me knocking. I had to bulldoze my way through this very prickly hedge to knock on the window to let Patty know that her lift was here. The room was jam-packed, so they couldn’t let me through that door—I had to bulldoze my way back through the hedge to meet Pat at the front door. She threw her arms in the air and said, “I was born to live here.” That was that—offer made, offer accepted. We are trying to rent it prior to purchase so that we can get Pat in before we leave for Canada.

Have a virtual tour of Patty's new house by clicking the image below.

Now the race is on.  There is no doubt that this move is emotionally distressing for Pat and we want to be around for the hardest bits.  We get valuations on Pat's property and sign an Agent.  The only work that they recommend is to tidy up the gardens.  To be honest I thought that would be a 1 day job, BUT, I was wrong.  Gardening is kind of like painting - once you start you improve the area that you are working on and where do you stop.  Anyway long story short, hours of manual labour, broken backs, splinters - the place looks so good that Patty no longer wants to move!

Below are some before and after photos and then some other general photos.

Caro and Howie arrived, they are friends from Sydney.  Howie is el Capitano of the Mad Dogs and Englishmen Trivia Team.  On their first day we had a good catch up over breakfast as they have been away for 2 months and we are just starting our trip.  Then off to see the Angel of the North.

The Angel of the North is one of England's most iconic and striking landmarks, towering over the landscape near Gateshead in the North East of England. This massive steel sculpture, designed by artist Antony Gormley, stands at 20 meters (65 feet) tall, with a wingspan of 54 meters (177 feet)—wider than a Boeing 757's wingspan!

Here are some interesting facts about this impressive piece of art:

Inception and Purpose: The Angel of the North was completed in 1998 and was intended to symbolize the transition from the industrial age to the information age. It also serves as a tribute to the coal miners who once worked in the area, as it stands on the site of a former colliery.

Weight and Construction: The statue weighs around 200 tons and is made from weathering steel, which forms a protective rust-like appearance over time. This gives the Angel its distinctive reddish-brown color and ensures it withstands the elements.

Wings with a Twist: The wings of the Angel aren't just flat. They are slightly tilted forward by 3.5 degrees, which gives the impression of an embrace, making the sculpture appear more welcoming.

Controversial Beginnings: When the project was first announced, it faced quite a bit of opposition. Some locals were skeptical about the modern design and the cost involved. However, since its completion, the Angel of the North has become a beloved symbol of the region, attracting visitors from all over the world.

Cultural Icon: The Angel of the North has appeared in various forms of media, including TV shows, films, and even music videos. It's also been a source of inspiration for artists and has become a popular spot for photographers.

Visible from Afar: Due to its sheer size and prominent location on a hill, the Angel can be seen from miles away. It’s visible to travelers on the A1, one of the main roads leading into Gateshead and Newcastle, making it a welcoming sight for those entering the region.

The Angel of the North stands as a powerful symbol of the area's heritage, resilience, and forward-looking spirit, making it much more than just a statue—it's a true landmark with heart and history.

Here are some of the photos.

Then into town and via the market and back to Wylham to watch the match in a Pub.

We had a few rounds of golf, needless to say I was CHUMP of the series losing all my matches - despite doing the scoring.  It was great to catch up with Howie and Caro and see the Toon through their eyes.  They are off to a wedding in the Lake District then home.  for us, it is back to gardening and helping Pat downsize from 3 bedrooms and 40 years of memories to a 1 bedroom new fresh start.

I mentioned that we had put in an offer for a flat for Patty and it was accepted.  Conveyancing in the UK is slow and has reduced from a 6-month wait to 2 - 3 months.  The guy we are buying from has been very sympathetic to our plight to move Pat in before we leave the UK and has kindly agreed for Pat to move in before the purchase - this is obviously against his solicitor's advice.  But sometimes in life you "pay it forward" and he did just that.  Met him on Tuesday, John helped him move the sofa out on Thursday and we got the keys on Thursday.  Pat was moved in on Friday.  This was extremely confusing to Pat because no money had left her account!  

So garden done, no rest for the wicked!  Now it was packing up and moving Pat into her new home.  On Friday we got the big furniture in and her prized wedgewood.  John and I set everything up, unpacked the Wedgewood put it on the mantlepiece, made her bed and when she came in she was very emotional and absolutely LOVED it.  Pleased as punch, we celebrated with a family dinner after a champagne reception, Patty had a grin from ear to ear.  The next 6 days were spent packing up the smaller things, moving her clothes and 60 years of photos into the new place.  Pat has been working non-stop and 88 years young it is no mean feat.

The lesson learned is move into your downsized home when you are younger and have the capacity as things are mighty confusing if you leave it too late.  What is your address, I used to charge my iPad in the Kitchen - where do I charge it now? Why won't my 20 pots and pans fit in my smaller kitchen?  Why can I not keep my 5 bottles of soy sauce, 8 bottles of sunscreen for the scorching UK sun, the list goes on.  Very confusing and unsettling but I am pleased to report she has "just got on with it"!  What a trooper.

Pat had a hair appointment at 11 am - so we dropped her off at the hairdresser and went off to get some stuff at the hardware store.  Her hair will take 30 mins and we may be 45 mins, so we said if we are not there - then wait in the cafe next door.  When you are 88 your short-term memory is a little tired.  When we arrived to pick her up, there was no sign of her at the hairdresser or the cafe!  What the hell, we have lost Pat!  I go left and search every shop and supermarket, John hangs around at the car in case she returns.  No joy! I then walk the entire village left and right - this takes about 20 mins.  No sign of her!  So we drive slowly to the house, looking at every lady walking with white hair, nothing, nada, zilch!!!  Then when we get home we see her car at the top of the drive.  Her car was in the garage when we left, John is going out of his mind, but there is Pat in the kitchen.  She says you weren't in the Cafe so I got a taxi!  Fair enough, we have been wanting her to use taxis more.  But what a scare that was!

Then in her new flat there is an intercom and Pat has been operating it well for 3 days - until today.  We come to her place at 8am, it is freezing cold, the one day we do not want to be stuck outside - is the day Patty forgets how to use the intercom.  We had to call the manager to let us in - chilled to the bone we eventually get in.  She says "oh, I saw you arrive - I was busy in the kitchen!"  Ho hum, thanks mum!

Pat has also decided to give up her car, although she is perfectly capable of driving, she is so conveniently situated she no longer needs the car.  Walking distance to all shops, doctors, and hairdressers is perfect.  We also managed to sell her car.

In amongst chores, we have spent a few wonderful evenings out with John's friend Ramas (David) and his soon-to-be wife Jilly.  We have spent time with Sam, John's nephew, Richard and Katie and her two kids.  We had a few minutes with Jack, our other nephew but it was only a few minutes then they were off to Greece on their holiday.  Sam has a dog Riley, Riley is very excitable and bounds everywhere.  Once he was so excited to see Sam after a 2 week holiday he peed himself.  The other day someone left the dishwasher door open with dirty dishes loaded, Riley decided to lick the plates clean but his collar got hooked on the bottom tray and he panicked and jumped back,taking the entire contents of the dishwasher out and onto the kitchen floor - smashed plates and mess everywhere.  With a confused look, he stares back at the pandemonium he has caused.

Another dog story I heard from the table next door to us at the local cafe.  A gentleman was walking out of the cafe and these two ladies sat at the table next door said where is your dog?  He said, we were just having a coffee sat here and he pointed to the table we were now occupying , he continued to say I got up to go and pay and my wife also started to get up and the dog thought well it's time to be off!  So off he walks, but his lead is still tied to the chair and the chair goes with him.  In a great panic and scared out of his witts as this chair is chasing him, he runs faster and faster around in circles across the road and the faster he runs the faster the attached chair runs.  Eventually, a pole came between chair and dog and he was brought to an abrupt halt, where the wife was able to console him and detach the now mangled chair.  So the gentleman was back settling up for the damaged chair. 

That takes us to the end of our Newcastle stint and whirlwind 3 weeks.  We never thought we could pull this off in a million years, but the stars were aligned and it worked.  The house is on the market and the place looks fab.  Click here for the brochure.

We are flying out of Heathrow and are visiting my London mum Gillybean and Bob on the way down to London.  Plans changed, we were planning to visit many friends along the way but when the opportunity to get Pat settled in came up, we changed our plans.  The drive down from Newcastle to Tick Hill Doncaster is about 3 hours, the skies were amazing full of storm clouds.  Some photos below

And then  the storm arrived with hail!!!  Put your sound on to watch the video below.  It was so loud, I thought the windscreen was going to smash.

Bob and gill were out to a lunch and wouldnt be home until 5:30, we were running early, so we stopped for a coffee at the services.  Good old Costa Coffee.  John ordered a large Cappaccino, wierdly in the UK you cannot get a large Flat white, you can have a large Latte but not a large flat white.  Any way, this large cappaccino comes and it was a soup bowl!

Time wasted back ont he road, another hail storm and then through the beautiful village that Bob and Gill live in Tick Hill.

Spent the whole evening and night catching up and hearing the news of each others families, was so great to see them again.  I miss my London family and friends.  Then up early to travel 3.5 hours to Heathrow to start the festival of Shaz!  Canada here we come.