UK 2023


We had a fabulous day.
Bit rainy and cool to start but warmed up as we were walking around town.

Firstly had breakfast in a funny deli/ butcher/ pastry shop. Full English served in a box.

In our wanderings we discovered that Newcastle has a city wall. Who knew??
We followed for a while and came to the Newcastle castle.
We seem to continue to find all this old stuff. 
It’s quite a small castle with a bit of a chequered past but beautifully cleaned up not necessarily restored. 
















We have booked a underground tunnel tour for this afternoon, so after a quick scone with jam and clotted cream we presented ourselves at the office. 

The Victoria tunnel was built about 1840 to carry coal to the Tyne river for export, apparent the wealthy didn’t like the carts dropping coal dust outside their doors.
 At nearly 4km long, it has a gentle down slope so the only power needed was to pull the empty carts back up. 16 tons each trip. Unfortunately the colliery only lasted 18 years, so sat idle until WW2 when it became an air raid shelter for 10000 novocastrians.







It really was fascinating and the guides told a good story.
We caught a bus back to the hostel rather than walking as the feet (mine) were getting a bit tired.

Mucked about with packs etc before heading back to the “Old George” pub again for ales and some dinner.

Early start tomorrow, heading back to London.


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