The city area of Newcastle is quite flat, but has steep streets down to the river bank. R and myself caught the 39/40 bus to town and had a bite to eat somewhere I can't remember. Something was happening in town and instead of leaving the bus at Eldon Square, we had to get off earlier at a temporary terminus and we were a bit lost but R worked it out, remembering landmarks from his youth
We did have coffee at Cafe Nero facing St Thomas' Church. The last time we were in Newcastle we had coffee Cafe Nero and when R ordered a long black for me, the rather attractive young man behind the counter said, you are Australian. Only Australians ask for a long black. He was from Newcastle upon Hunter in Australia, not Newcastle upon Tyne in England. Really good coffee.
In Geordie speak, it being a nice sunny day and school holidays and a Saturday, the town was heavin'. That translates as very busy.
The city centre is relatively flat but short streets that lead down to the Tyne River bank are very steep. We would not want to, and R could not, walk up them.
We had a really nice time, just on our own, for the first time since we left home. Vegetables in the Grainger Market are still priced per pound and per kilo. R pointed out many things to me about the city and where he once worked.
I expect we rested a good bit in the afternoon once back at R's Sister's.
As soon as I heard we will go for pre dinner drinks at The Denton and cross the road to an Indian restaurant for dinner, I knew that it would end messily, and it did.
Jaipur is a seriously good Indian restaurant, perhaps superior to our usual in Australia. Mine Host being friendly and chatting to us helped, no doubt. Of course the Indian man had a relative in Melbourne and in a city of nearly 5 million people, did we know him at all?
R's nephew asked if we would like to come back to his home after dinner. I said no L. We like early nights, and then the matter was taken out of my hands and back to his place we went with various relatives including his own rather gorgeous 18 year old son and his lovely 12 year old daughter. R's middle sister was with with us, along with her ex bro in law, who is an accepted member of their family. He kept topping up my glass of Scotch constantly. While I only sipped, eventually it made behave inappropriately, or not. You be the judge.
R's nephew is a successful businessperson, now owning a car panel beating shop. He makes a good income. He is happily married with the two aforesaid children.
So drinks were had by both me and him. I said to him truthfully, I've never really got the gay man lusting after straight men thing L but now I do. You are such a hot guy and so nice too. I've fallen in love with you. He brushed it off with aplomb, saying something like, I have that effect on people. I expect he does.
Worse is that once home he sent me a message and I responded inappropriately and then he did too. I am finding out a lot about a straight English man's sexual provicalties. But he has never admitted to being unfaithful to his very attractive wife and I don't think he has been. It is all fantasy stuff. The messaging will die a natural death soon enough as we get bored with the conversation. He and his wife hope to visit Australia in 2021 and I hope they do. I will be great to see him again, and no, of course I didn't really fall in love with him and no, I wouldn't want sex with him (Andrew lies you reckon), but what fun to to talk openly with him.
Not too many photos taken on that day, but rather a lot at what turned into a party at L's place, with singing, dancing, karaoke and great conversations. I paid the price the next day and when we had the Sunday lunch at the Fox and Hounds, someone asked me if I felt ok, I said NO, I DO NOT.
St James' Park in the distance, the home of Newcastle United.
The first time I was in England I had to ask what a grit box was for. It is grit to spread around when the ground is snowy or slippery.
Some whimsical architecture at the Civic Centre. Shades of Gaudi, me thinks.
St Thomas' Church.
I can't easily find out what this statue is.
Busy. The buskers were great.
A nice use for a grit box.
Another statue I am not sure about.
My dinner in the evening. Very nice.