Well, after a bit of a break I thought it was time I posted my thoughts on the 2017 Get Likely Meet.
The weekend started off, as a lot of them do, with John Steed dropping by and the pair of us going to a few locals for a bit of a drinkathon. A great night that soon went by it was time to get some sleep before setting off early doors for Newcastle Upon Tyne first thing Saturday morning.
We set off at 7.30am for the 200+ mile trip North. Great banter with Steed in the motor all the way ensured the trip went quite quickly for us. Before we knew it, we were driving along the Quayside before parking up at the hotel at 11.30am. Too early to check in so we had a thought.... Let's go to the nearest pub!
Our view as we arrived at the hotel.https://www.instagram.com/p/C0bPi36o2gT
We were joined in The Quayside by Del Boy, Dirty Epic, Charles Bronson & Steve Austin and had a decent afternoon session on the ale before heading off into town for an unscripted tour around a few bonus locations.
Soon after we returned to the hotel for a quick wash and brush up before meeting the rest of the lads in the foyer at 6pm - ready to hit the town in style!
First off we found ourselves in an Auf Wiedersehen, Pet boozer - The Bridge Tavern (so called even though the frontage says it is called The Newcastle Arms) That was a great start to the evening session but before long, we found ourselves in the Victoria Comet, the iconic pub featured in Get Carter. I had a pint of Guinness.... in a thin glass which didn't disappoint. Then it was onto another Get Carter Haunt, which sadly is no longer the place it was in 1970. Formerly "Bowers Cafe", it is now a Goth pub called "Gotham Town". While the Guinness was a fair drop, it has to be said that they really do need to invest in an industrial Vax carpet cleaner. It was absolutely manky! We hurried along to the third pub of the evening, which turned out to be a great place. The Bridge Hotel which sits at the exit of The High Level Bridge (of Get Carter Fame). Thanks to the relaxed atmosphere of the place, Sam & I started to sample a selection of single malt Scotch. Thanks to a few of the lads who showed their appreciation by getting us both a few more doubles each, this sampling lark turned into a right old session.
All too quickly the evening was drawing to a close. Not so fast though. Just by chance, we happened to pass a fine Indian Restaurant. Well, I say pass but we didn't actually pass it. Some of us went in! Finishing the evening with a nice curry was a fitting end to day 1 of the Get Likely Meet. And what a day it had been.
Back later with tales of Day 2.....
Gene.
And so to day 2.
The day started at 8am for breakfast in the hotel. Not a great breakfast it has to be said but it lined the guts after last nights heavy malt session. Once we were refuelled it was time to get to the Meet up point under the Tyne Bridge. Despite some members suffering the DT's, everyone made it to the start in time for us to commence the morning walkabout at 9.30am.
We didn't have to walk far for the first location as it was the scene of Oz bidding Auf Wiedersehen to his son Rod at the bus stop on Quayside. Then we had a few yards to walk to get to the 2nd location - the scene where Bob is waiting for Terry after signing on to the ship. This is an iconic location that has changed very little since filming in 1975. Again, moving on to location 3 we hardly had to move at all. The scene where Con McCarty chases Jack Carter before Jack is rescued by Gloria in the Sunbeam. The surrounding buildings have not changed at all in 47 years so it was great to see and easy to imagine yourself back in 1970.
Moving on and we climbed the stairs up onto the Swing Bridge. Another iconic Get Carter scene where Jack does the drug deal. Again, the bridge is exactly as it was all those years ago so it was great for those in the group who have never been to Newcastle to see these famous sights.
Then it was a 10 minute walk on the Gateshead side of the Tyne to bring us to yet another superb and evocative location. The High Level Bridge as seen in Get Carter when Jack talks with Margaret before being found by Con & Peter. Once again, nothing has changed so it felt like we were actually on set. Fantastic!
After crossing the High Level Bridge back onto the Newcastle Side, we came to the Long Stairs which is again an iconic Get Carter location. The scene where Con chases Jack down the stairs was recreated by a few members who will all concede that Caine & Sewell did well to run down as fast as they did during filming. They are steeper and narrower than you think.
Just before heading back to the cars, we made a visit to a final Auf Wiedersehen, Pet location - from series 2, the scene where Dennis drops off Oz & Moxey in the camper van and then make their way into the pub we visited the night before - The Bridge Tavern.
That concluded the walkabout section of the Meet so it was back to the cars....
We were already realising at this point that we had struck gold with the weather. It was a fantastic day with hardly a cloud in the sky. We set off in the cars to our first location, which was the unspoilt West Road Cemetery, as featured in Get Carter for the Frank Carter Funeral scenes. It was quite busy on Sunday due to it being Mothers Day, but the lads all behaved with dignity and went about their visit with respect to the visiting relatives.
Then it was a nice drive North up to Blyth to visit one of THE best locations of the day. The Staithes. I've been visiting this place for over 10 years now and it never ever disappoints. It is so strikingly eerie - something that almost every member in the group commented on.
Here is the view of the River Blyth from exactly where Jack Carter stood as he went after Eric in Get Carter.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0bP-u7IfQ4
And here is what remains of the Staithes. The lower section is still as it was. Only the upper deck has been lost over the past 47 years. I fear before too much longer the Staithes will be lost forever despite efforts to refurbish some of the walkway. NOTE: the road and houses in the distance are what we see as Jack arrives at the Staithes in his Cortina.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0bQKNUoVDW
From here it was onto a Likely Lads location. One that proved very popular with some lads who were eager for a pint. The Beehive Inn. A nice little pub which is always busy. Then it was a short drive past the Likely Lads Caravan Park (where Terry & Bob & Thema & Christina pitched their tourer for the night) before our extended lunch break at Whitely Bay, which also featured prominently in The Likely Lads Film. Sadly the promenade was undergoing massive renovation so the benches we see Terry & Bob sat on had gone forever. Not put off by this the squad all headed over for Fish & Chips in town. A very enjoyable lunch it was too!
Before heading back to the cars, we stretched our legs and walked up to the location that was "The Ivanhoe Guest House" in the Likely Lads film. A privately owned house which has been extended considerably since 1975 but still very recognisable.
Back to the cars, it was time to head over to Tynemouth. Unfortunately, with the weather being as good as it was, and it being Mothering Sunday, the roads were quite busy. We were still on schedule though and somehow all drivers managed to find a parking spot (of sorts) for a chance to soak in the view of Tynemouth Pier - the scene from The Likely Lads film where Terry is fishing with his 6 cans of McEwans Export.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0bQR-YoBGe
As the afternoon progressed, we drove back in towards Newcastle, but it was very difficult with the amount of traffic we encountered. Finally, we managed to get over the Tyne Bridge and into Gateshead to pay a visit to "The Las Vegas" guest house as featured in Get Carter. Very little has changed to the house itself - or the back road but the surrounding landscape has been tidied up considerably since 1970.
All too soon it was time to head on over the our final location of the Meet. And what better way to end the day that to retrace Jack & Eric's steps along Blackhall Beach to the site of the aerial flight in the climatic scenes of Get Carter. This is one of those locations that never disappoints - just like the Staithes. Another place I've visited lots of times over the past decade, I took the time to look at some of the squads faces as they stood on the spot where Jack was finally gunned down. Their expressions made the whole event worthwhile for me. A fitting and superb end to what was for me the best Meet I've ever conducted.
Almost….
Monday morning saw the hardcore group get together one last time for a big JDW breakfast in The Quayside. The perfect start to the day with mates who were all still laughing with each other, yet feeling melancholy now that the Meet had drawn to a close.
For me, this Meet was something I’ve wanted to organise for members of 4:3tv for some time now. It was a massive undertaking to get so many people from all corners of the country to meet up in a place that some had never been before. There were a few hiccups in the 24 hours leading up to the Meet when 2 drivers backed out at the last minute. This left me facing a possible nightmare. Had one of the remaining drivers hit a problem on the way, I would have had no choice but to cancel the afternoon leg of the Meet. As ever though, a couple of members stepped up and offered to hire a car – even though they were NOT due to drive for the Meet. Those two members – Del Boy & Dirty Epic – thanks a lot lads. Even though it was not required in the end, it was great of you to both offer that solution.
Thankfully though, everyone else turned up so huge thanks to all of you for your continued support and interest in the 4:3tv Meets.
In no particular order I would like to offer my thanks to some members in particular.
Thanks to The Saint, who took on the thankless task of organising an evening meal for us all on Sunday. A fantastic choice of location overlooking The Tyne, with great food. Nice one mate
Thanks to Sam, who really went to town by turning up in a full Bob Ferris outfit. Great effort mate and it lent itself to quite a few re enactments during the course of the Meet. Bolly laughed her head off when she saw the photos!
Thanks to Del for helping keep order throughout (and again for the offer to hire a motor if necessary) Thanks also for helping me keep order in the Indian gaff on Saturday night when some of the lads were the worse for wear! Thanks also for the Fish & Chips in Whitley Bay mate. They were superb!
Thanks to Steve Austin for driving myself, Del & Steed around all day Sunday through some testing traffic. Never put a foot wrong mate… mind, it is a bionic foot I suppose! Big thanks for offering to and doing the screen grabs again too. They were an asset throughout the Meet.
Thanks to Dirty Epic for his endless impressions that had us in stitches at times throughout the weekend. Again, huge thanks for offering to hire a motor to help out too. It’s members like yourself that ensure I’ll keep on running these events.
Thanks to John Steed for being great company from Friday tea time right through to Monday afternoon. We had so many laughs driving up to Newcastle in the GT and again on the way home. The journey just flew by.
Thanks to Charles Bronson who presented me with a fine bottle of Malt on Sunday by way of appreciation.
It was a lovely gesture mate and an absolute winner in my book! Cheers pal
Thanks to D.C. Burtonshaw who stood up to the mark when his driver for the Meet pulled out at the last minute. A big ask to drive as far as you did without any time to prepare or study the route. You did yourself proud there pal. Thanks.
In fact, a huge thanks to ALL drivers. If it wasn’t for you offering to drive then I’d be faced with hiring a minibus and doing all the driving myself so I appreciate your efforts. You all did exceptionally well in following my written route instructions. Hope you found them useful!
A big thanks to those of you who insisted on handing myself & Sam so many double malt scotches on Saturday night (You know who you are). To give you all an idea of how much we drank, the landlord of The Bridge Hotel ran out of Malt at one point and had to raid the stores for more. I did my level best not to waste a drop. In fact they helped settle the guts before the midnight curry!
If I’ve missed anyone there I apologise and finish by just saying a HUGE thank you to all involved. Your positive comments and company throughout the whole weekend ensure I’ll continue organising these Meets for many years to come.
Cheers,
Gene.