2013 Meet

[Bunnylump]

Well, I believe that a certain Ragdoll is prepared to squeeze me in too, so I'm up for that weekend too. Obviously it would be best for me to book wherever Looby and LAT book. I really don't want to be on my own somewhere that I would have to get taxis to myself!! I have no specific requests whatsoever apart from needing a bed and access to a bathroom! It's only for two nights, so it really doesn't matter as long as it doesn't cost the Earth. And I would have thought that somewhere that has a car park would be a definite, just to make it easier for Looby. Happy to fit in with whatever / wherever anyone else thinks is suitable. I'm also happy to share a twin room (girls only though!! ) if that helps anyone.

[LAT]

It looks as though the area in the marked square might be a bit more residential and therefore quieter, but how convenient is it for the planned activities? Not knowing Newcastle, nor where the wandering etc are planned to be, it is difficult to look for suitable hotels. Once I know the best area to aim at I am quite happy to look for possibilities for the three of us and book a couple of rooms. Assuming it remains just the three of us needing accommodation we could always draw lots for who gets their own room and who shares. Unless I chance to find somewhere with a triple room?? (My daughter and two friends found one in Blackpool recently so they do exist and not just for a couple with a kid)

I am seeing Looby on Friday so can discuss more with her then.

[LAT]

Should have said - I am assuming that Giraffe and Lally will have their own plans for where they stay assuming/hoping they are joining us for at least part of the time.

[Bunnylump]

I shared a triple room with my two pals in Paris, so yes, they do exist. That might well keep the costs down even more...

[giraffe]

Yes, I think we will stay nearer to Durham, but when the plans are a bit more finalised I will work out which bit(s) of the weekend I can join in with. We won't be able to set off until after school on the Friday.

[MBH]

It looks as though the area in the marked square might be a bit more residential and therefore quieter, but how convenient is it for the planned activities?

That area of Jesmond tends to be bars and hotels all the way along - like a little "party strip", so I'm not sure about quieter Everything is fairly compact, and that area is in nice walking range of Jesmond Dene - not too far from the city centre and therefor the river. Happy to visit locations for more information.

It looks like this might actually happen - I'm smiling up here

[LAT]

That area of Jesmond tends to be bars and hotels all the way along - like a little "party strip", so I'm not sure about quieter

Hmm, maybe not so suitable then!

What I was really after was an idea of where eg your puzzle trail is taking place as it could be good to be within walking distance of that, plus any other ideas (except for shopping!! ) that you had for us to do in Newcastle itself. I appreciate that if we decide to go outside the city we will probably need to get back in the car again but it seems a shame if we need to do so just because I booked a hotel on the wrong side of town if more convenient ones exist.

A map with that area marked on it would be really helpful - or is it a secret so we don't do our homework in advance and spoil your fun? I am happy to do some hotel research as the info is all out there - it's just your ideas for our walks etc which aren't.

[Looby]

Weekend is crossed off in my diary in pencil - can I go for ink?

[clvrlad]

Sounds good to me im in london the thursday/friday before abd dont go back till the Sunday
Im in auz just before for a wedding

The other cousin this time

[Bunnylump]

Auz?

Thing is, if you were hoping to see us, remember we have the delight of spending most of Sunday driving home...!

[clvrlad]

Yeah im home friday back at work sunday night couldn't have picked a better weekend

[Bunnylump]

Ah, I see. I thought you meant you were in London on Friday and Saturday and not home until Sunday. Cool.

[LAT]

Weekend is crossed off in my diary in pencil - can I go for ink?

I think you could risk ink now.

All we need now is an idea of the the most convenient area to look for hotels so we can get that sorted out too.

Any other takers?

[giraffe]

Right my plan for the weekend is to set off from here on Friday night and drive 2/3rds of the way to Newcastle and stay in a hotel overnight. Then get OH to drop me and Lally off in Newcastle on the Saturday and spend the day with the puzzlers while he and Fernando play golf. Then he can leave Fernando with Kingsley for an evening of student life, and come and pick me and Lally up in the evening. (I'm hoping she can book a guest room for him.) I can then spend Sunday with Kingsley in Durham.

Does this fit in with everyone else's plans? Are you all going up Friday night (or are you arriving Saturday lunchtime?)

[LAT]

That sounds great

I think the plan for the three of us is to spend most of Friday travelling up so we are there for the evening.
Then doing whatever is planned all day Saturday. Setting off for home again at some point on Sunday morning I imagine as two of us have work to get up for on the Monday.

[giraffe]

I can't set off until they are home from school / work, and Friday night rush hour at the start of half term won't be fun, so I think it is better to have something to eat and then head North, and just get a big chunk of the journey over rather than trying to drive all the way in one evening. It would be 3 and a half to 4 hours drive on a good day.

[clvrlad]

well at the moment im thinking of jumping on a bus sat morning takes about an hour by bus
couple of choices to get could even get the x1/x2 via Durham
or jump on the train (newcastle isn't exactly far from me)

[LAT]

Still hoping for a response to my post from last Thursday (and Sunday) when you get a minute MBH. I appreciate you are very busy so this is just a gentle nudge in case you have forgotten.

[MBH]

Sorry - running around here. (About to be 'interviewed' for a job that I don't know if I want or not..... Things not great here in Sunderland City Council).

Gill was thinking the Jesmond area as being a little bit more out-of-the-way, but my thoughts were City Centre [the two smaller maps at the bottom of previous page] as that would be a decent base for individual exploring.

The walking puzzle starts up-river (off to the left) and works it's way down towards the bridges, but that's not an issue as my plan was to get everyone driven there and leave the cars - then through the puzzle you should be able to FIND ME and I can run the drivers back to their cars afterwards.

The big hotel chains we all know about - if anyone discovers others through 'find a room' type internet exploration then that will be fine too. The City really isn't that big so you're never far away from the action.

Times up - got to go - DON'T KNOW if I need to be wished luck because I don't know what the heck I want to happen Life is confusing.....

[LAT]

So if I understand that correctly we don't have an option of leaving the car behind and just walking around - at least not to get to and/or from your walking trail.
Maybe we can investigate using public transport then to give the driver(s) a rest but we can sort that out nearer the time I imagine.

Unfortunately Premier Inn seems to have gone up in price for the dates we want (as have a few of the other hotels I looked at before) but I found this which seems to be fairly central and has the bonus of free parking.

Comments Bunnylump and Looby please? I will keep looking to see if I can find anything slightly cheaper but ought to get on with work again now.

Hope the interview went OK MBH and that the outcome is whatever is best for you.