Thursday, November 22, 2012
Monkwearmouth
Poor Ashley has a cold.
But it didn't stop him from organising a day out with us.
We had a long Metro journey through Newcastle and south to Sunderland.
From St Peter's station we clamboured down over 150 steps to the River Wear. (pronounced we're).
The tow path begins with a model sun and along its length are marked where the planets would be to scale - you reach Pluto at the ocean.
But we didn't go that far.
We ambled - talking for a while to the owner of Shona, a beautiful dog.
The wind was mighty strong along the river.....and everywhere. Rain was forecast.
Our destination was the Sunderland glass centre - a wonderful modern building.
The story of glass was told and lots of information was given.
There were displays of modern glass too.
We watched somebody making colour twists of glass for hanging on a Christmas tree or in a window.
I bought 2 - not expensive.
Then we walked on the roof with views along the river out to to the sea.
And also views to the complex below......for the roof was glass.
Bit scary!
Time for lunch then...and it was a good one.
We ate at St Peter's Church, situated in Monkwearmouth.
Bill had a meat pie, which the church lady had cooked this morning. Ashley and I had tagliatelle carbonara.
Such good value and warm and friendly.
Then we looked at the church itself. The first building was from 673 - anglo Saxon. It is where The Venerable Bede came to study, aged just 7.
Only a small part of the original building remains and it has been enlarged.
The base of the tower is original and the tower itself was also very early.
We learned a lot from a very sweet woman, Phyl, who showed us round. She took us through the doorway at the base of the tower that Bede himself would have used.
Later we walked back to the bridge over the Wear. Very blowy across the bridge.
It was time to hit the world we don't feel at ease in - a big shopping centre.
I needed to buy food for our evening meal. We have salmon cooking now.
It was really crowded in Sunderland shopping centre! Ouch!
Ashley had a cunning plan for our journey home. The best seats on the Metro are the two front seats beside the driver.
So we got on the very back of the train going in the wrong direction, which went to the end of the line at South Hylton.
For the return journey. in the direction for home. we were therefore right at the front of the train....and there we sat for 31 stops at stations and over the River Tyne.
By the time we got back the rain had begun and a couple of hours later it is very hard indeed.
Must deal with dinner.
E Minor is not home from school yet, she went off with her friend and phoned from friend's mother's sewing studio.
But it didn't stop him from organising a day out with us.
We had a long Metro journey through Newcastle and south to Sunderland.
From St Peter's station we clamboured down over 150 steps to the River Wear. (pronounced we're).
The tow path begins with a model sun and along its length are marked where the planets would be to scale - you reach Pluto at the ocean.
But we didn't go that far.
We ambled - talking for a while to the owner of Shona, a beautiful dog.
The wind was mighty strong along the river.....and everywhere. Rain was forecast.
Our destination was the Sunderland glass centre - a wonderful modern building.
The story of glass was told and lots of information was given.
There were displays of modern glass too.
We watched somebody making colour twists of glass for hanging on a Christmas tree or in a window.
I bought 2 - not expensive.
Then we walked on the roof with views along the river out to to the sea.
And also views to the complex below......for the roof was glass.
Bit scary!
Time for lunch then...and it was a good one.
We ate at St Peter's Church, situated in Monkwearmouth.
Bill had a meat pie, which the church lady had cooked this morning. Ashley and I had tagliatelle carbonara.
Such good value and warm and friendly.
Then we looked at the church itself. The first building was from 673 - anglo Saxon. It is where The Venerable Bede came to study, aged just 7.
The base of the tower is original and the tower itself was also very early.
We learned a lot from a very sweet woman, Phyl, who showed us round. She took us through the doorway at the base of the tower that Bede himself would have used.
Later we walked back to the bridge over the Wear. Very blowy across the bridge.
It was time to hit the world we don't feel at ease in - a big shopping centre.
I needed to buy food for our evening meal. We have salmon cooking now.
It was really crowded in Sunderland shopping centre! Ouch!
Ashley had a cunning plan for our journey home. The best seats on the Metro are the two front seats beside the driver.
So we got on the very back of the train going in the wrong direction, which went to the end of the line at South Hylton.
For the return journey. in the direction for home. we were therefore right at the front of the train....and there we sat for 31 stops at stations and over the River Tyne.
By the time we got back the rain had begun and a couple of hours later it is very hard indeed.
Must deal with dinner.
E Minor is not home from school yet, she went off with her friend and phoned from friend's mother's sewing studio.
