Lille Bit Disappointed

I had a few days off work recently and my partner Dawn had decided to book a surprise day out. We had to be on a train to London Kings Cross at 6 am so I was not full of the joys of spring to start with! A couple of coffees later and I was ready for action. We then had to catch the underground to Waterloo. I was still unaware of what lay in store. As we reached our destination and made our way up the escalators to the Eurostar departure lounge I realised we were off to France. I was thrilled. We were off to Lille in Northern France, the European Capital Of Culture for 2004. It would give me the chance to see what it takes to earn that elusive title.

The two hour journey was problem free and we arrived in Lille just after lunchtime. We arrived to sunny weather and began to find our way around. The first thing that hits you as you walk around Lille is the amount of dog excrement on the cobbled streets. It seems that every hundred yards the French dog owners are quite happy to let there pooches do there business for the unsuspecting tourist to skid through. After negotiating the soiled streets we paused to take in the various graffiti adorning the various buildings in the main high street. Some of it quite imaginative. Modern art at its worst I’m afraid. The number of vagrants and beggars was quite disturbing too. men and women of all ages walking the streets with brown bags concealing there liquid lunch. We opted for chicken and French fries , no chips on the menu! The service was surly and slow, but the food was worth the wait. As we waited to pay the bill a man approached our table and asked us if “We would be down the Bigg Market at the Weekend?” No matter where you go you always bump into another Geordie.

After lunch we took a slow walk back to the station, avoiding the aforementioned dog dirt.I’m probably doing the place an injustice. We did manage to find some wonderful French cheese and wine shops, and there shopping mall, although not as big as our metrocentre, was well worth the visit. The point I’m trying to make is that our joint bid with Newcastle is bang on course for success if Lille is anything to go by.

Felling Fundraiser

I have been putting together a charity cricket game in aid of Gateshead Football Club and The Bubble Appeal, which supports babies born without an immune system. The game takes place on Easter Sunday April 20th at Felling Cricket Club High Heworth Lanes at 1-00pm. Admission is £3 for adults and £1-50 concessions. Felling Football and Cricket team will play The Duke Of Cumberland Football team and a celebrity team featuring former Scotland player Frank Macavennie, ex-Sunderland star Eric Gates, and former Newcastle United player John Anderson, so please come along and support a good cause.

A New Business Venture

Half price labour sounds like my kind of deal and that’s what you can find at a new website run from an office in Low Fell. Philip Murray contacted me to let me know about his new venture a few months ago and I have watched him go from contract to contract, success to success. The site acts as a business directory for the United Kingdom, and can offer reduced labour rates, jobs, and special offers. You can look for everything on here from a butcher a baker or a candle stick maker. Phil explains, “Most businesses operate well below full capacity, in the trade this is called idle time. Similarly most businesses buy bulk stock at huge discounts and are able to pass these savings on when selling-on surplus stocks. By offering this idle time and surplus stock at reduced rates or by combining both into special offers we can give you access to substantial savings over the traditional methods of sourcing Tradesmen. These bargains can be seen at a glance by visiting our directory. You will be amazed at the genuine reductions available on your household bills”. So if you are interested take a look at www.halfpricelabour.com .