Monday 14th December 2009: Whitley Bay

Up at 0300 hours and Meg and I were off soon to Whitley Bay for Darren’s cremation. Darren was Barbara’s oldest son, 39 years old and he lost his fight with clear cell sarcoma. Barbara and I go back years to Woolwich College. Three of my old team from the college travelled up from London for the cremation too. Nothing seemed so natural as sitting round a table blethering to them. Only the reason for us all being together again was extraordinary. Darren had a good send off. Walking Meg along the beach was a trip down memory lane for me: when I was studying at Newcastle Poly a regular Sunday jaunt was to take the metro out to Whitley Bay and walk along the coast. Last time I was in Newcastle was many years ago for the Great Northern Run and Barbara met me at the finish. Darren was playing in a band en route.