Goodbyes....

Yesterday morning, we went to church and they surprised us with a framed
print of local artist Ivan Lindsay's. (On right) The framed photo on the left
was a gift, given later that night, from friends I've met here: Steph, Jo,
Penny, Alexia, and Laura.

The church gave Ollie and Merrit each a gift-wrapped book.
The cards are from our babysitter, people at church, and friends from school.

During the day on Saturday we bought a small "treasure chest" at the charity
shop across the street and filled it with American dollar bills, coins, candy
and "USA" t-shirts that I made with freezer-paper stencils and fabric paint.
This was for a get-together that we did last night with four boys from Merrit's
class (and two younger sisters).

Pirate booty.

Each kid had their own t-shirt. The treasure chest was buried by Merrit and I
at about 2pm on Sunday and the boys (and their moms) all came over for lasagna
at 5pm. Merrit and I hid the clues, too.

Clue #1  (Given out at the house):

Go to the place where wreaths are laid to remember the dead.

Clue #2 (Hidden underneath a poppy wreath): 

Stand so that the monument blocks the lighthouse. Then find the nearest trash can.

Clue #3 (Taped to the inside lid of the trash can):

Count how many circles you see. Then find the same number of flags. Go there.

Clue #4 (Taped to the bottom of a bench):

Stand so you can see the dome of the Spanish City through the circle flag. Turn around. Hunt for your next clue.

Clue #5 (Hidden behind a rock wall):
Go down the nearest staircase. Turn right and walk ten paces. START DIGGING!

When we got back home the kids all wanted to put on their shirts!
From left to right: Sam, Merrit, Charlie, Jacob.

And then of course they had fun posing  for goofy photos.

Playing the PSP.

Ollie with Charlie's sister, Maddie, and Sam's sister, Lily.

From left to right: Lily, her mom Steph, Maddie, her mom Penny, and Jo.

The boys and their families chipped in to get these "Kreechers" so-ugly-
they're-cute pillows for Merrit and Ollie.

At 8:30 the treasure hunt was over, the kids gone home, our boys showered
and PJ'ed, and our babysitter came over. Mike had been playing poker with
friends from work all afternoon, so I rode the Metro into Newcastle and
met up with Mike and our friend Terrell. Here, Terrell has ordered a round of his
favorite Belgian beer, Kwak.

Terrell getting ready to take on a kilo of mussels.

After we ate and stayed til the restaurant's closing time, we walked to the Tyne.
We are just going under the Tyne bridge, at right is the Sage (a concert hall)
which is on the Gateshead side of the river, and our destination is straight ahead:
the Millenium footbridge, which is lit up in blue lights.

The bridges and lights are gorgeous. I had hoped that I'd have a chance
to get into Newcastle at night again before we left to walk along the
river and I'm so glad we did!

The swing bridge and the high level bridge.

Goodbye to The Quayside Pub, where Mike and his work pals sometimes
go after work.

Mike and Terrell by the river.

These guys are going to miss each other. Terrell has been a great friend to Mike.
Terrell is showing Mike his "Kwik Tan" frequent member card for laughs.
Yes, he's black. And he goes to the tanning bed. True story.