Day Four: Daniel

On the train to Newcastle

Today we said farewell to our keepers at the Regent House Hotel in Edinburgh and jumped on the 10 am train to Newcastle. Everyone was in good spirits as we traveled the 1 and a half hour. During the trip we found that we had taken seats in the “Quiet Car” of the train and not our assigned seat. Good news is we were given the O.K. by the train’s flexible ticket checker to stay. Hopefully we didn’t cause too much of a commotion for the other passengers. Upon arrival we all checked in and then had lunch within the hotel’s restaurant. 

The group then proceeded to the St. James’ Metro station where we embarked on another adventure to Tynemouth. Once we arrived we decided to enter the Head of Steam restaurant to get a warm beverage and decided that it would make a fantastic location for Binah to conduct her staff ride. 

Binah rocking her Staff Ride on Edward II

Binah provided the group with a historical background of Edward II of England. We learned that Edward II had two older brothers who died before Edward I did which provided him the opportunity to be king. It was because of this that he wasn’t necessarily groomed for the position and had a very low context way of viewing his environment. Unfortunately, this view did not allow him to see that his lifelong best friend Piers Gaveston was upsetting the barons. Binah finish by examining 10 leadership derailers and which of them Edward II exhibited. 

The group then walked towards the North Sea and to the Tynemouth Priory and Castle. Minus the chilling wind, the castle was a wonderful experience that provided a historical location Edward II had stayed. It also served as a lesson in the adaptability a location can have given that among the ruins lay the gun emplacement for a battery of costal defenses from World War I and II. 

Elizabeth, Binah, Meghan and Melanie inside the Priory

After our time at the Priory and Castle we took the time to walk along the North Sea and some of the more adventurous decided to get their feet wet!!

This time also provided me an opportunity to speak with Ann and Mary, two elderly ladies visiting from Ireland. They’ve both come to Tynemouth several times over their lifetimes and we discussed how the area has changed. They showed disappointment that a local sea water pool was shut down in 1990 and Marry suggested that the city council should have planned for some renovation to keep it maintained. I couldn’t help thinking about how decisions can have a long term impact.

Group at Tynemouth Priory and Castle

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