North East thread 5: The one where we move to Chat!

[Someaddedsugar]

Here's thread 5 everyone! I'll post a link over on thread 4 too.

Colins!

😲😲😂😂

Hopefully their will be some left tomorrow night.
The maps for the Lumiere are out. So many roads closed. I’m slightly worried about my DD actually getting to bus stop! Because exit for Gala etc is where people are going to queue. North Road is going to be a nightmare!
Did your DD ,myrtleWilson receive her work pass?
Good luck Someaddedsugar with picking your DS up.

Went to Durham today and they had path blocked off on market place side where traffic lights are. So to walk safely you had to cross road to Boots but you had to walk though the cars. (Waiting at lights)
Everyone was just walking on the road!
I was looking forward to Lumiere but I’m now not sure if I want to go.

There won't be any cars allowed after ear early afternoon, so a lot less hairy.

I think it just bought home, it’s going to be crowded and very dark and all of my little short cuts will be closed.
I thought I was okay with crowds etc, but I don’t think I am!

It's never that dark - all them lights plus the street stalls with more lights. It's quite glow-y, if anything. The tickets will keep numbers down.

DH has tickets for him and Ds2 for Thursday. For once, the weather forecast is quite mild. Previously they've been frozen once and soaked twice!

Google reminded us of a pic of Ds1 stood in front of the carrier bag Christmas tree, today. 8 years ago. I was at home with Ds2 who was full of cold.

Thanks for the pep talk. I hope their will be less people.
Wonder where the covid testing site will go from palace green.

I'm now finishing work at 3pm on Thursday in the hope I can get to the station, find a space, race to nursery and be back in the car and out before 3.30pm 😂. Wishful thinking at best I'd imagine!

We're also setting off to the park and ride at 3pm on the Friday to actually attend. Hopefully all will be well and we'll find a space... having second thoughts though about Sniperley and considering New College instead after you mentioned it @MrsEWeatherwax!

I spotted that the tow away zone signs have appeared from the Sniperley park and ride right through to Durham.

I'm really looking forward to it but more because it feels like a 'normal' event to attend for the first time in a long time. I do feel for everyone living and working in Durham though. It must be a chaotic weekend for them!

Does the city centre close to shoppers etc at 4.30? I don't know what made me think about it but I randomly wondered about nipping into Waterstones as we're passing on the Friday but then wondered if the shops close as I can't remember from the last time!

The shops use to stay open. Have you downloaded the App. My eldest DD has, she is going with her boyfriend. She is planning her route now.
Sniperley is going to be a a nightmare, they have roped off the same area they used for Covid testing. So less parking already.
Not sure what time buses start from New college on Thursday/Friday as college will still be open.
Going to buy myself a couple of glow sticks from Poundland( because I’m 5).
I can remember the first Lumiere, you received a free glow stick.

4:30 for the additional P&R sites www.durham.gov.uk/article/6888/Lumiere-Park-and-Ride

I booked my booster, yesterday. Had the choice of Sacriston, Stanley, Crook or the Nightingale. Opted for Sacriston and the first slot was mid December.

Thanks for the link @PickAChew!

I also love a glow stick @MrsEWeatherwax .

Pleased you got your booster booked Pick. The Sacriston site seems really popular. I can't understand why the Arnison Centre site isn't on there as it's definitely still being used as a vaccine site as I was there (for work) last Thursday and it was really busy.

I suspect, like last time, slots are released as deliveries are confirmed.

Ds1 and I had our flu jabs at the gp, last weekend, and their delivery didn't turn up. They had to send someone to one of their other surgeries to pick some up.

Glad you've got your booster booked pick... Dh got his booked yesterday for Nightingale too. Annoyingly, the system isn't letting me book DD in - I suspect for some reason its only going on her age rather than the fact she had her first two vaccines as part of group 6. I was on with 119 who have filled in a form and tell me a call will happen... at some point!

Re lumiere and work pass - apparently there aren't any for her work (so DD says ) but the entrance is near to work so apparently the bouncers are going to make sure staff get in... I do wonder if she actually asked at all but hey ho - her problem really!!

No Christmas Colins large in Arnison 😢.
My DP’s had their booster at Sacriston. I just had to remind my DF that it was in the Industrial estate next to car repair garage.
They were impressed with how well run it was.
I’m booked at Arnison for my booster. DH is at Sacriston. I think Arnison is fully booked.
For DD we are checking every day for Arnison/Durham Boots/Sacriston.

They normally rope off the front of Starbucks etc so as long as your DD is confident she will be able to walk along to the pub. As they will have the exit to Riverside closed off.
So people can still get to the shops etc that are open.
Starbucks was very handy the year there was over a hour delay. Holdup was people staying to long at Cathedral. Hot chocolate all round.
Someone said you might only be able to exit from Framwellgate bridge / revolution/ Starbucks.

Just seen an update on Facebook that Arnison are taking limited walk ins(covid). It must be a very busy site.
Anyone been to Lumiere yet. Can’t believe you have to show your ticket to leave zone. I will need to print our tickets out. My phone won’t have enough charge! Missed out on bus to Finchale, and we can’t be bothered to drive to Ushaw on another night. And others too far away. Have seen Penshaw from distance. Will just have to look at other peoples photos on Facebook
DH wasn’t happy with his long drive on A1 home.

We're going tomorrow at 4.30 @MrsEWeatherwax - hoping it stays dry. The Finchale installation looks incredible but we've missed out on the bus for that one. It looked well organised on the news tonight.

Also managed to get into Durham, pick DS up and get back out before the rush started, although did pass a lot of cars with parking tickets on! I just parked at the North Road side of the station and it was much easier than I thought.

The Finchale does look incredible. I’m just admiring the photos on Facebook and feeling envious .
Can’t believe how quickly the buses for Finchale sold out! I thought you would just turn up and wait for the bus. Silly silly me.

I’m pleased you managed to pick up your DS. My DD got home from sixth form before rush too.
I thought more people would have been in city to enjoy all of the brilliant shops etc 😉.
But I do hope it’s a brilliant success and all the shops have a successful weekend.

DH and Ds2 went in, to ight (I'm amazed that they're both still awake, actually, as they're both still up). Ds2 loved the giant anglepoise lamps and was amused by the concert in the marketplace though dh didn't notice these guys lit up. The carrier bags were pretty.

He also enjoyed the interactive lights on the River walk - slightly different to the ones in 2019. Trying to access dh's photos to upload!