BUSY DAY

Got the household jobs out of the way this morning and caught the bus to Gateshead at 12.15. Then the shuttle bus down to The Sage. Lots going on down there today. Across the river on the Newcastle side was THE FINISH AREA FOR THE JUNIOR GREAT NORTH RUN. On the Gateshead side THE CITY GAMES were taking place.

I mooched around for a bit and popped into The Sage ( Music venue ) - it was very busy with lots of children's activities going on. The weather was fine and dry but the storm clouds seemed to be gathering over THE MILLENNIUM BRIDGE.

The main reason for my trip to Gateshead was another Heritage Opens Days tour. The meeting point was outside ST MARY'S CHURCH which is now used as a Heritage Centre. Today's tour was a trip on a vintage double decker bus out to THE ANGEL OF THE NORTH and back. There was a guide on the bus who told us some of the history of the parts of Gateshead which were on our route. We spent about 15 mins at THE ANGEL before returning to Gateshead.

The bus we were on was a preserved Darlington Corporation bus number 7 (reg. AHN 451B), a 1964 Daimler CCG5 double-decker . It was in service until 1982. Here is a FRONT VIEW and REAR VIEW.

When we got back I was going to get the shuttle bus to Gateshead but because of all the road closures due to all the activity in the area the shuttle went to Newcastle before it went to Gateshead so I just got off in Newcastle and did some shopping. I bought a warm, waterproof, anorak type jacket to wear tomorrow when I go to see the start of The Great North Run. ( All my winter coats are far too large for me now ). The weather is due to be cold, windy and wet. I don't envy the 55,000 runners who will be covering the 13 miles from Newcastle to South Shields tomorrow. Good luck to all of them - especially Neil. He is running for Macmillan Cancer Support