NEWCASTLE MOTOR SHOW

I had a ticket for the match this afternoon - Newcastle United V German team Augsburg.  I went to town early so I could look around the Newcastle Motor Show first.

This is the 4th year of the Motor Show and there were an assortment of sports cars, classic cars, supercars etc lined up down Grey Street and around Greys Monument. Also on display is Bloodhound SSC - the world most powerful land vehicle boasting 135,000bhp.

I don't drive so have never owned a car and even when we had a car which my husband drove I was never too interested in the ins and outs of it but I always enjoy mooching around the Motor Show.  Some of the cars are really special.  For my blip shot I have made a collage of shots of a swish red car ( thats about as much as I know about it - no idea of the make/model ). There was a notice saying it was for sale and the owner - the chap in the light coloured suit - was proudly telling anyone who was interested all about his lovely car. 

After a mooch around the cars I made my way to St James Park for the match.  On the way there I got a message from Neil saying that on the spur of the moment he and Rachael had decided to go  to the match too - they were just going to buy a ticket at the gate.  Neil asked if I would like to meet up after the match to go for a drink - so I replied " Yes".

I was sitting in the Milburn Stand today - not my usual seat.  It was interesting to have a different viewpoint of the game.  Newcastle were the better team - but that's not saying much.  The game was rather boring.  Even though Newcastle had more goal chances they didn't score . The final result was Newcastle 0 Augsburg 1.  Newcastle will need to play a lot better than this to have any chance of doing well when the season starts. They really need an influx of new players - but I guess that isn't going to happen.

The weather today was really lovely - warm and sunny all day and there was a great atmosphere at the ground.  Lots of children there today - tickets for them were only £5. The German team only had a few supporters in the ground but they were very vocal and enthusiastic. I have added a photo of them to my Extras.

I met Neil and Rachael outside the ground after the match.  They had struck lucky as when they were queuing up to buy a ticket a chap asked them if they wanted to buy 2 tickets for a corporate box - £10 each - which was what a normal ticket cost today.  The chap's firm had a box and two people didn't turn up.  So Neil and Rachael jumped at the chance.  Once inside they got a free programme each and free sandwiches - and they had use of a room with a bar.  And good seats for the match. 

After we met up we headed for Bar Loco - a small and quirky cafe/bar near the football ground.  We were there for around 2½ hours.  It was lovely to spend time with them.  We parted around 7.30pm.  I came straight home and Neil and Rachael were headed for a Greek restaurant to meet some friends.

I got a message and photo from Becky earlier in the day.  She had been running  in the Bushy Park Parkrun this morning and had taken a tumble.  Hurt her hand, shoulder, elbow and knee.  But she knew she was on target to do a course personal best and just got up and kept on running - and did her personal best.  When she got home her hand had swelled up and was very painful and bruised  This was the photo she sent me - asking me if I thought it was broken.  I advised her to get it checked out but she said she was just going to see how it went.  However later on I got a message to say that she was in A & E.  Then a photo of her hand --- and arm --- in plaster.  She has to go back to hospital next week to see a specialist as she has broken some bones in the hand.  She might need another plaster - or an operation. Oh Dear!  This is the first time she has broken anything.  Its her right hand too so she's finding things difficult.  Poor Becky.

Steps today - 9,084