As I previously mentioned, I think Mark could quite possibly be the same level of battler as Eddie and myself. I say this because of the events that occurred to catch up with him. They are as follows…
The morning I was leaving Edinburgh I got a facey message from Mark, him telling me his flight to Newcastle got cancelled due to heavy fog in London. As he did not have a phone that worked over here, he asked me to call his grandparents Jean and Raymond to let them know. We would be staying with them the next few nights. Without having met Jean and Raymond I put on my ‘Parent Perks’ mode charm and told them that they could still please pick me up from the bus stop at Newcastle. They were fine about it and arriving to Newcastle – without knowing what they looked like and vice versa – I found them and they took me to their house. Went out for dinner that night before we went to pick up Mark from the airport.
Arrived to Newcastle Domestic and International to realise the second flight Mark was supposed to catch was also cancelled. In fact, all flights from Heathrow for the next twelve hours were cancelled. Without knowing Mark’s changed plans (assuming he found out well before us that his flight was cancelled), and without him being able to call us as we were out for dinner and he didn’t have my UK number, I logged onto the nearest wireless network.
As timing would have it, as soon as I got online I received a call from him on Viber. I asked him what the go was and he asked where we were. I told him and found out that he had actually caught a train up from London and was waiting outside of Jean and Raymond’s house in the freezing cold.
I told Jean and Raymond the news and after a momentary freak out we rushed to the car and headed off back home. Only problem was that they were stressing a bit that Mark was going to get sick and so tried to get home quicker. In a panicking state, we got lost more than several times in the dark before getting home.
Went to bed almost straight away as Mark hadn’t slept in a day or two so he was pretty jetlagged.
After loads of catching up, Mark and I continued the banter that had been put on hold for five months whilst shopping at the local mall.
Local bevvys with Mark’s uncle, Alistair, and his mates down at their local was something new. I’ve been into English pubs and bars but to be sitting with the locals was a different game altogether. On the walk home saw three shooting stars.
Say soccer and you’ll lose your head. Football is the word. And it’s the blood among a majority of supporters for Newcastle United. Black and white stripes running through the veins of St James’ Stadium. And we were in it. Mark bought me a Newcastle United jersey with my name on the back to show my support and because he’s a bloody legend.
Although witnessing a 3-1 defeat, the atmosphere and energy pumping through the stadium was electric. Like no other. One of the greatest things I’ve ever seen! I know I’ve said that a lot but this really was. Absolutely loved it!
Sneaky train trip down to London after the game. We had planned to go out loads of nights but ended up just spending all our money on clothes. We had beers every day and a classic English pub feed. It was Mark’s first time staying in a hostel and so I was interested to see if he would like it or hate it. Honestly I didn’t think he’d like it at all but he said he loved it.
Time went way too quickly but I’m glad to have seen him and to have spent time with him where he was born. Luckily it’s not long until I’m home so the banter won’t have to be put on hold for as long.
Thankyou so much Jean and Raymond for your hospitality as well as Alistair and Sue for having me the night at your place. Mark buddy it’s been a pleasure as always. Enjoy your Chrissy with your family mate