So

Friday morning, we were up and showered, Bacon rolls and tea consumed, flowers bought and we set off on our ' Great North Run'.

The traffic was horrendous, nose to tail through the A1 where they are replacing a bridge, and from then on until we turned off the A1 it was stop start all the way. Needless to say we were late.

Phoned to say we were about 10 minutes away, Both were waiting, B with a wheel chair to put the luggage in and M with her walker. We were shocked at the change in them both.......We were conducted to our room for the 2 night stay, a really nice large room with twin beds, dressing table/desk, beside tables with lamps and a very spacious wet room. We dunped our stuff and went up to the apartment. I must say we were impressed, none of the furniture from the house except the bed had made it there. Large sitting/ dining room, the bedroom was enormous. Bathroom with walk in shower and a nice large storage cupboard th the hall.

M's eldest son and his wife wife brough a 4 course dinner they had prepared, soup, appetizer, chicken and tiramisau for dessert.

The dish washer was loaded and we sat down to chat. I had given M her mats, she was delighted with them and also the books and decorations I had taken for the Christmas tree.

We eventually made it to bed about 11.30.

Good nights sleep and a shower we went down for breakfast, mixed fruit cup and bacon sandwhiches. We then went up to the apartment.

M's daughter and husband had arrived, we had never met G before, very nice chap.......he had been in the RAF for a number of years.

We ended up going to Woodhorn Colliery for a look round. The wheel chair was taken for M. DB had an electric buggy and I had the pusher. We had a great time looking round. The miners who worked there had started an art club and about 40 0f their pictures were on display with a small piece of information about the painters who had worked at the Colliery before it closed down. We then went though the mock up of the conditions the men had been forced to work in.

We arrived back at the apartment to get ready to go out for dinner to the local Italian Resturant, we all chose what we wanted main course and dessert. We went back and sat in the  residents lounge for coffee and more talk.

DB and I retired to our room for a good nights sleep.

This morning we had breakfast and then went up to make our farewells. I had taken the luggage out to the car, so we were ready to shoot off.  I was so glad we had taken the time to go up and see them, I doubt we will go again, we will have to see.

A slightly quicker journey home, we arrived safe and sound, I am shattered, over 400 miles in two days is more than enough. I will be glad to get in to bed.