Blogs from Darlington, Durham County, England, United Kingdom, Europe

The Other Half used to enjoy a pleasant stroll by the river in Darlington. It was in the honeymoon period. As a leopard that hasn't changed spots over the years, there was of course a purpose to the walk. The destination was one of the more pleasant football grounds in England. The old Feethams, tucked in behind the manicured turf of the Darlington Cricket Club and wedged in beside the River Skerne. There are some that would say picturesque. 30 years on and I look on with a disapproving stare. The cricket club is still there, watched over by the 1905 pavilion. Alas, the old home of Darlington FC is no longer. There is no longer that opportunity to reminisce over the passing game perfected by Little Brian and his charges, as they swept aside the ... read more

After the weather intervened in my previous attempt to check out the Sand Dancers, another opportunity arose to see the Julio Arca show. An Argentine Under 20 World Cup winning captain playing in the Ebac Northern League Division 2! A career cut short by injury, after gracing the giddy heights with both Sunderland and Middlesbrough, is now being reincarnated with the upwardly mobile South Shields FC. The majority of the fancy foreign talent that descends on the Premier League is quite content to pocket the cash and return to their homeland, as fast as they can order the plane ticket. Not Julio - retired since 2013 and still living the life in the sun kissed North East. A cult hero with Sunderland, he made a comeback with a Sunday league team last year and has since ... read more

So here I am a week before the beginning. Injections done (this by the way involved a type of fainting and reinforces the fact that if I need to be immunised to go somewhere is it really somewhere I want to be?) From my new year’s resolutions (see above) I have completed none... On the bright side I have managed to book a hostel to stay in when we get to Hong Kong. Bag is still to pack, essentials still to buy, people still to say bye too. The list is still very long of things to do. Still I’m positive it will be fine. Money wise I have my Hong Kong Dollar, American Dollar and Nam Dong. Not much else to say really getting excited or is that nervous? I guess the Grumpy ... read more

At The Ship Inn, Low Worsall we had a meal. At the meal were Brian's 3 sisters: Jean, Trish and Liz; Jean's daughter Helen; My mum and dad (Marion and John). Brian thought that the occasion was due to his sister Trish staying with his best sister Liz. But really it was just to get the family together to surprise him with where he was going for his 50th birthday. It took some heavy persuading from Liz and Trish during the day as he was just getting over stomach trouble after our holiday in Gran Canaria the week before. See the video on how it went - he was totally gobsmacked! Quotes of the day from Brian "that picture looks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge!" and "I'm goosed"... read more

It was my trip in England - I was there in November 2007. I partcipated in martial arts seminar and I spent two nights overthere with some friends. Please see where we slept - quite interesting hotel. About Darlington I know only one thing - there were come into existence first railway at the whole of the world. Generally this town looks like the others in England, the same houses built everywhere... read more