Weekend away

I was fortunate enough to go up to Whitley Bay (Near Newcastle on Tyne) to spend the long weekend with Tanya and her family....originally the plan was for the whole family to go up next weekend but Sheila had developed a small oil leak and after all the drama with Aunty Madge (aka the bus) Si really didn't want to chance it, so he kindly agreed to Nick and I training it up on Saturday morning to spend 2 nights up there.

The overland trains in this country are truly amazing (if a wee bit expensive) and I really felt very comfortable strapping my backpack on my back, hoisting my baby onto my hip and setting off on a 4 hour journey cross country. I was lucky enough to have a free seat next to me all the way up so Nick alternately slept on the seat next to me and charmed the other passengers, so really not difficult at all....the trains are equip with toilets and little mini restaurants and bars so breakfast was easily available and I ended up enjoying myself immensely.

Tanya and Sam (her eldest son) met us at the station in Newcastle and we trained it down to her little town about 30 minutes away....the weather was perfect and we spent the afternoon catching up and taking the children for a play in the park. Saturday evening Steve and Tanya treated me to my fav Chicken Corma at the Himalaya (a little Bangladeshi restaurant just down the road from them) and Jennifer (Steve's 22 year old daughter) kindly watched Nick for me so I could enjoy an evening out.

Sunday unfortunately saw Tanya and Tom stricken with a nasty tummy bug that Sam had had earlier in the week and although we all managed a wonderful morning on a glorious warm sunny beach, the afternoon saw Tan forced into bed where she remained for most of the afternoon and night.

Although I of course missed the time with her, I was able to spend some quality time with her boys on the pedestrianised road outside her home and it was awesome for me to finally be a part of these boys lives and to be able to bond with them as they are growing up - Tanya and I have been friends for 23 years and as I said to her husband this weekend, our friendship had to almost go on hold while she lived here and I remained in SA but now it is as it should be and we are once again in each other's everyday lives.

After dinner I decided to hit the street and went for a long long walk on the waterfront and was really able to enjoy what a beautiful coastline Whitley Bay is on....it felt a bit South African in the hot evening sun and I really enjoyed the soft sand under my feet. Whitley bay is the Bull's Party and Hen's night capital of the North and the "strip" (road where all the hotels and clubs are situated) was in full swing by the time Nick and I were heading back to Tanya and Steve's.....so much so I encountered my first full frontal public nudity in a very very long time, and I am clearly getting old as it left me speechless for at least an hour (lol).

Monday morning Tanya was feeling much better, so we (Tanya, Jennifer, Sam, Tom, Nicholas and I) set off for a long walk along the beach front in the opposite direction to my walk on Sunday night and as the weather was again glorious it was wonderful to be out enjoying the fresh air. Sadly the time passed too quickly and lunch time saw me back on the train home. Again I had a free seat next to me so it was another peaceful and uneventful trip home and one I wouldn't hesitate to make again in the not too distant future.

It was so lovely to be in the Card's home and to spend time with their family...I was once again treated with such thought and kindness - I just wish Tan and I had had a little bit more time together, we both felt her nasty bug cheated us a bit, but I guess now that we live in the same country I will be able to see her soon and it is not like it is another 3 years till we will be in each others company.

Such a stunning weekend - THANK YOU!