Back again

Well we have returned from Whitley Bay. Must admit that I thought memories of 40 years ago would flood back but they did not. Place, to be honest, is quite run down with lots of empty buildings which were once hotels or pubs but the people are great. If you ever go down there Sambuco's is good for food but I would recommend Tynemouth down the road which is far nicer and more historic. On the Sunday we took the metro- had to go to local shops for change as the ticket machines only took coins and then to Tynemouth market and then on to Newcastle. The team were playing at home to Manchester City so it was busy and we had to wait as the Hancock Museum was not open until 2.p.m. That evening we ate at Tynemouth and walked back to our hotel- very pleasant, if bracing, walk which passed the magnificent St George's, Cullercoats.
Like many Scots I have a soft spot for Newcastle United and am pleased to see them doing well. Also I suppose there is a unity amongst the locals where there is only one club in the city- on the other hand do derbies create more excitement? Certainly much more civilised than the poison that attaches to Glasgow's Ugly Sisters.
Yesterday I attended a course on Oral History run by the Living Memory Association so will look forward to using these skills in the future as I have often talked to Older People and have wanted to make some attempt to preserve their experiences. By the Way Newcastle lost, we were no lucky mascots!
Finally a Scottish connection, I always find them! Whitley Bay was simply know as Whitley until around 100 years ago. Then a local died at Polton, Midlothian. The body was sent home via the railway and ended up at Whitby and the service was terribly delayed as they awaited the body and was eventually held by candlelight at 9.30.p.m. There had been similar mix ups before and therefore a local newspaper ran a poll with the addition of Bay being, narrowly, favoured. The council agreed and the name was changed.