Day 4 (23rd June 2022)

 Once again, I'm up, showered and gone before most of my neighbours have woken up. As I was just about to leave, a woman opened one of the side doors and peered into the Alphard with a look of horror on her face. "Oh hello, can I help you?" says I. It took her a couple of seconds to realise she had opened the wrong campervan door. She shut it again without a word!

Now yesterday I went to a well known outdoor equipment emporium and exchanged my empty camping gaz cylinder for a full one. I tried not to gasp as the woman at the till nonchalantly charged my £90 and asked if I wanted to donate 20p to their local charity.  I was too shocked to say no, to be honest, thinking how much I hate both Putin and the petrochemical industry. When I told Guy this, he was equally horrified (probably about my utter gullibility). Trouble is, I had miles to cover today and would rather cut out my spleen with a butter knife (a John Grant lyric) than go back into Hull and argue the toss, so we agreed to put this one down to my travelling learning curve.

Anyway, last night was lovely. I ended up in the Crown and Anchor which is run by a charming couple of gay guys who I ended up telling about my Germinal CCXXIV Road Trip. They were fascinated and asked for a post card, which I will send in about 5 weeks time, long enough for them to have (probably) forgotten all about me!

My first non SP themed stop was going to be Beverley Minster, but the church at Patrington has a 4* review in the Simon Jenkins book so I pulled up there at 08.45. Now what has surprised me about the churches along the Eastern Board is that they are all unlocked, full of treasure and pretty much devoid of vandalism.  Amazing, really.

Beverley Minster is something else again. It is huge, majestic and busy. Although I was watching the clock (because I still had to get beyond the East Riding of Yorkshire and my short term parking ticket) I ended up having another conversation about my adventure with the two volunteers in the gift shop as I wanted a decent guide book. I was still there 15 minutes later, comparing pictures of the bent Norman arch in Selby Abbey with Beverley's leaning pillar. I was sorely tempted to give them my blog address.

The second picture is a video - it's the first time I've attempted this so apologies if it doesn't work. As I was about to photograph the kneeling dignitary of yesteryear, the most un-ecclesiastical music started playing on the organ!

Back on the road and I made the mistake of not setting a coastal destination between Beverley and my first SP themed stop of the day, so I spent two and a half hours driving through non-coastal countryside. This meant I missed places like Bridlington and Scarborough, towns I have never been to. But eventually I arrived at stop #9

SUNDERLAND 

As you can see, I chickened out of going into the city proper on account of being scared of the Monsters of Sunderland. gettit?? The drive to Sunderland takes you on the main road that divides Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough. These have to be two of the most depressingly ugly towns in the country - apologies to any readers who come from/live there. I have to say, I really don't like Stockton-on-Tees despite SP regularly playing gigs there. My first SP gig in Stockton found me almost blind drunk at the end, and I started to stagger back to my b'n'b only to wake up laying in someone's front garden with two local street drinkers beside me.

Enough already! Next place on the mug/T was barely 10 minutes away, and another very pleasant surprise. Stop #10

ROKER BEACH 

 I genuinely had no idea the North East had so many good quality beaches. I was getting desperate for a swim, but despite crowds on the beach, no one was in the water. 

I have also been calling this place "Rocker" Beach, but was reliably informed by Ms Sat Nav that it is pronounced Roker as in "I am Woke"er. I live and learn, and realised that all the people I had spoken to over the last couple of days must think I am a Southern idiot.

I didn't even need Ms Nav for the next destination as it was sign posted already. Stop #11

SOUTH SHIELDS 

As you can see, I once again chose the seaside part of this place name because it too has a gorgeous beach. And this time there was no stopping me - once I'd done my pic, it was trunks on, shirt off and into the sea. 15 years of living with Guy has finally paid off, he hopefully feels vindicated!

I'm staying in the same campsite for two nights this time as there are yet more places in the vicinity to tick off the list. 

It is in spitting distance of the A1(M) and there was a nasty fatal accident on my way in. Hopefully the drivers will not misbehave tonight and I won't get woken up by sirens at 3 o'clock in the morning!

Allons-y!

Douglas Germinal CCXXIV Brain over and out