Well, after a bit of a break, I've enjoyed reading everyone's great comments about last week. Thanks to all of you for posting.
It was a long weekend for me. Starting on Friday evening when John Steed came over to my place. 5 minutes after and we were in the pub!
A good few pints and returning home for midnight before a dawn departure - Newcastle bound.
A problem free journey saw us arrive in Newcastle around 10:45am so we parked the car on the hotel car park and made a dash for The Quayside. I thought we were early but there were already 2 squad members in there! Steve Austin & Mickyosan.
A few beers later and we went on a walkabout around town to take in a few extra locations before unanimously agreeing another couple of pints wouldn't go amiss.
3 Locations for the price of one!
High Level Bridge (Get Carter) / Swing Bridge (Get Carter) / Quayside (Get Carter, Likely Lads)
By 5pm it was time to check in to the Hotel so we did. A quick shower and change of clobber and it was back out with the entire group for an evening walkabout, taking in a number of iconic pubs. We were all amazed at how busy some of the pubs were. I guess people were making the best of the sudden change of weather. It was a great night out on town topped by a marvellous Indian meal just around the corner from our hotel. The evening flew by and it was time to recharge the batteries before the main event on Sunday.
Everyone woke and met up on time Sunday morning. No clocks going forward hiccups so well done all for that!
9:30am saw the start of 4:3tv Meet 006, and what a day we had ahead.
Some fantastic locations and beautiful weather right from start to finish. Driving was very easy and trouble free for all drivers, with a minimum of traffic throughout the entire day. Everything ran bang on schedule all day. The two back to back pub stops at lunch time were a welcome chance to refuel and get ready for the two longest legs of the journey.
We finished the day over at Dryderdale Hall (from Get Carter). Sadly, this has been made into something of a fortress these days with Privacy signs and shotgun warnings all over the gaff.
All too soon the tour was over so we had the long drive back to town before parking up and returning to our rooms to freshen up. Then it was out on the town for one last night.
We kicked off the evening with a fine Chinese buffet before hitting just a couple more pubs. Many more pints, bottles and single malts later, it was time to retire once again to our hotel.
Monday morning saw just a handful of us stroll back over to the Quayside on final time for breakfast and before we knew it, it was time to load the car and return home.
I'd just like to thank each and every one of you that attended last week for making it the warm, friendly atmosphere throughout the 3 days that we all once again enjoyed. It really is a pleasure to spend a few days in the company of you all.
A huge thanks to all the members who kindly drove last weekend too. Without you doing this, these Meets would be much more difficult. You all did a fantastic job - each of you turning up at every location within moments of each other. Well done
Huge thanks also to John Steed for being bloody great company on both journeys in my car. I don't think either of us have laughed so much the entire time! Also for making the booking with the hotel many months ago. Cheers John
Huge thanks from me too for Steve Austin who has taken on the role in recent Meets of producing a fantastic printed booklet with the screen grabs for all locations. These not only serve a valuable purpose during the Meet itself, but also as a marvellous souvenir of a marvellous weekend. Thanks Steve
Thanks also to Steve Austin & Dirty Epic for bestowing me with a lovely bottle of single malt and a bottle of Jack Daniels
Thanks also to all of you who brought me a drink on Sunday evening. Despite your best collective efforts I was still able to walk back to the hotel at the end!
Thanks to The Saint for buying me lunch on Sunday too and that custard slice in Corbridge!
Also for driving myself, Del & BG around all day in your car. Cheers ST
In fact, thank you everyone who was in Newcastle. I'm sure we will return before too long.
I will be posting a few photos up soon.
Gene.