Warmest welcome from the Geordies

I HAD occasion to visit Newcastle for the first time in 37 years last week. It was a sad journey, as I was arranging my brother’s funeral but I would like to say a big thank you to everyone I met.

There was nothing that was too much trouble for anyone to help me with – the coroner, the city council’s Val Wilson, the chaplain at the Freeman Hospital, PC Andy Hyde from Northumbria Police, my brother’s very good friend Steve Alexander and his wife Helen, Budget Taxis, who took me all over the place at short notice!

Banks, solicitors, and other professionals, The Britannia Hotel at Newcastle Airport and the ordinary people I met who I pestered for directions i.e. which bus do I need to go to? which Metro do I need for this, that, or the other? and the cafe at M&S which I visited on a daily basis for sustaining cups of tea and to rest my sore feet!

I was so overwhelmed by the sincere friendliness and helpfulness of everyone in the city ... so much so that when I got back home to France I mentioned to my husband that we might move to Newcastle.

I always loved the Northumbrian coast, which I visited with my late brother, but my husband thought it would be a tad too cold for him (OK, I know, soft Southerners!)

So thank you so much, Newcastle. You made me very welcome and helped me a lot. I love the accent and being called “man” or “pet”. Travel plans and finding someone to care for my husband, who has Parkinson’s, allowing, I return for the funeral next week.

SANDRA WRIGHT