Old Friends

We went up to Teesside for the weekend to visit my family and friends. I arranged with some old mates to meet up in Seaton Carew (near Hartlepool). I had never actually been to Seaton before. Being from south of Middlesbrough, we always used to go to Redcar or Saltburn if we wanted to go to the seaside.

I also took the opportunity to cross the Tees on the Transporter Bridge, which is something else I have never managed to do before. As we sat on the gondola in our car, we could see people climbing up and walking across the top of the bridge, some 180 feet up. Lou, who has developed vertigo in her old age felt sick watching them, but I added it to my list of things I want to do at least once. Talking to my Dad the next day, I found out he did it when he was younger. That made me even more determined to do it myself.

In Seaton we met up with Dale and his new girlfriend Trina. New to me at least. They met at New Year, but he's never mentioned her to me before. They had brought along Trina niece Mia, who at three years old is the same age as our Jamie. They quickly became friends and had fun playing together on the beach.

Chris came with his lad James, who is about ten I think, and John and Linda came with their Ethan, also about three.

So we all played on the beach, then went for fish and chips at Don Bee's before taking the kids into a toddler play area.

It was nice, but everyone spent so much time taking care of their kids that I hardly had time to catch up with any of my mates. It was a bit weird really, though we all had fun.

That evening I drove back up to Hartlepool with Lou to go out with Dale and Trina. Chris was babysitting James, and John was recovering from being ill, and didn't feel up to a night out.

We went into the local Yates. Lou marvelled at how most of the girls were so dressed up, almost as if they were going to a wedding. You get that a lot in the North East, compared to Birmingham, where the fashion seems to be more casual.

I managed to have a proper chat with Dale at least, and feel like I've caught up with one of my old friends. Must make more effort...