By Susan Gillone

Our Silver Wedding anniversary was approaching. Throughout our 25 years of marriage, we had probably spent half of it together. A recipe for disaster for some; an excellent partnership for others. The reason for our 50-50 marriage was simple – Alistair, my husband, was a sea-going Marine Engineer.

‘How do you fancy a trip along the Panama Canal?’ came the call. This was nothing unusual, as I had been lucky enough to travel to many far flung places of the world on board tankers and huge cargo vessels. The Panama Canal sounded fascinating, so after doing all the necessary paperwork, booking flights and medical checks, off I went.

The flight into Panama was long and dreary, and I arrived to be met by the company’s agent and taken to a hotel for the night. He was sorry that the hotel they usually used was full, but I would be comfortable in the one chosen for me, the only problem being that they didn’t speak English and my Spanish was non-existant. However, it was a lovely room on the ground floor, leading out into a beautifully lush garden with a swimming pool. That will be nice tomorrow I thought.

Feeling a bit peckish, as I hadn’t eaten since lunchtime, I thought I might order a ham sandwich for supper – I didn’t really fancy searching out the restaurant, and just wanted a room service sandwich and then turn in for the night. Of course, dialling the room service number caused quite a few language problems – nobody understood me, so they just hung up. On the 4th try – even using my fairly basic French – I gave up and went to bed hungry. I was told by the agent to stay close to the ‘phone
because somebody would come and pick me up later that day.

By Liz Cutler

When I turned fifty, I made the decision that I would do ‘A First’ or something ‘Mad’ every year until I was sixty! Well I forgot to stop and fourteen years on my ―Mad thing for this year was to do the Great North Run. I signed up with Breast Cancer Care and promised to raise £300 for them and I also raised money for the Loch Arthur Community.

The day stated at Gosforth Metro Station with other runners waiting for the train. As the doors opened the smell of Winter Green wafted through them. I just about managed to squeeze on to the train as the doors closed behind me. The atmosphere was jovial and positive as people talked together. As we came into Haymarket Station the driver wished every-one well for the day ahead. The train emptied and we all headed for the escalators that took us to the street above. The officials on duty met us with smiling faces (Yes smiling and officials are meant in the same sentence) and sent us in the right direction to find our stating places. Your personal number is colour coded so that you know where to start and where your bus is, that will take your belongings to the finish line for you to collect after the race.

You are never on your own, you speak with people you have never met before and will probably never meet again. Just before the Run starts you are asked to take time out to re-member all the loved ones that people are running in mem-ory of, and Abide With Me is played. A lot of tears are shed as people sing. When tears are dried the warm up starts and happiness is restored to the day. The Red Arrows Fly Past follows the warm up. This year it was the Red Arrows minus one after the death of the pilot a few weeks before. It was the widow of the pilot who started the race at 10:40 after which she joined the runners and completed the race herself.

With fifty six thousand people taking part I didn‘t get to the start line until 11:15 then it was best foot forward for the finish. People from Newcastle and Gateshead come out with tins of sweets and cut up oranges to help you on your way. The route is lined by cheering supporters who keep telling you have not far to go now! Without these people I don‘t think a lot of those struggling would finish but with the con-tinuous encouragement they make it to the finish line.