Yesterday, Tuesday 17th September, we went into Newcastle on the Metro (train), to see the Movie Rush which was about Formula One racing and the battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda for the 1976 World Championship.
It wasn't a bad movie and Lyn gave it 2 out of 5 whilst Mick scored it 3 out of 5. It did, after all have an ex Home and Away Aussie actor in it, Chris Hemsworth. After the movie we went out for dinner down at the Fish Quay in North Shields. Our shout.
Today, Wednesday 18 September, we awoke to brilliant sunshine, however the wind had a cold chill to it.
We first went into the Whitley Bay travel agent to collect our Singapore Dollars (SGD) and we got $SGD382 for £200.16. The current UK exchange rate on the internet said that they were currently worth just over $SGD2 for each £1 so were were charged a 4.5% fee. Our friend, Pete's advice was to go to and ATM in Singapore and withdraw the money but it was too late as we had already ordered them. It would be interesting to compare the two.
Now to the hire car. Our Peugeot 308 diesel SW which we picked up from London City Airport on 29 May and had hired for 112 days was due to be returned to the Newcastle airport at 11.30am. The contract which we signed said that we agreed to return it in the same condition as when we hired it. After 112 days and 5,500+ miles (close to 9,000klms) that would be difficult, however we couldn't find any marks on it other than those which were listed on the contract when we picked it up. Highly polished black cars show marks like you wouldn't believe.
A few weeks ago Mick had found a nearly new car mat in a bin at a motorway cafe which he put on the drivers side floor as he was worried that the drivers floor mat was getting worn from his heel when operating the clutch pedal. He figured he would have changed gears thousands of times during the 9000klms, particularly in the UK.
When we got to Newcastle airport we quickly found the return area and parked it in the Europcar parking area and went to the return shed which was in the corner of the yard.
The guy looked up the car on his terminal and expressed surprise at how long we had had it. Mick said it was a great car and apart from a puncture it had gone like a dream. He then asked if we had filled the tank (yes, we had), took the keys and said thank you very much and we left on the way out taking pictures and video of the car to record it's condition.
Mick was surprised that noone had come out to check it. Still, we have four people who saw it returned in good condition.
If you think we sound paranoid about car rental companies, we are, as last time we hired a car for 3 months in 2010 from Hertz, they charged us an extra £230 ($400) without our knowledge when we took it back. We were about to walk out of their office after taking it back and noticed the charge on the receipt they gave us.
When we challenged it they said it was a computer error but they would need to get the boss to authorise a refund but unfortunately he was out and wouldn't be back for a while. We had a plane to catch back to Australia so couldn't wait. It took months to get it back after many international phone calls.
We then went to Dobbies Garden Centre, which is right next door to the airport, for coffee and a look around. They had quite a nice pet area with fish, reptiles, rabbits, hamsters and gerbils for sale.
After that it was back home to pack for our flight out tomorrow.
It wasn't a bad movie and Lyn gave it 2 out of 5 whilst Mick scored it 3 out of 5. It did, after all have an ex Home and Away Aussie actor in it, Chris Hemsworth. After the movie we went out for dinner down at the Fish Quay in North Shields. Our shout.
Today, Wednesday 18 September, we awoke to brilliant sunshine, however the wind had a cold chill to it.
We first went into the Whitley Bay travel agent to collect our Singapore Dollars (SGD) and we got $SGD382 for £200.16. The current UK exchange rate on the internet said that they were currently worth just over $SGD2 for each £1 so were were charged a 4.5% fee. Our friend, Pete's advice was to go to and ATM in Singapore and withdraw the money but it was too late as we had already ordered them. It would be interesting to compare the two.
Now to the hire car. Our Peugeot 308 diesel SW which we picked up from London City Airport on 29 May and had hired for 112 days was due to be returned to the Newcastle airport at 11.30am. The contract which we signed said that we agreed to return it in the same condition as when we hired it. After 112 days and 5,500+ miles (close to 9,000klms) that would be difficult, however we couldn't find any marks on it other than those which were listed on the contract when we picked it up. Highly polished black cars show marks like you wouldn't believe.
A few weeks ago Mick had found a nearly new car mat in a bin at a motorway cafe which he put on the drivers side floor as he was worried that the drivers floor mat was getting worn from his heel when operating the clutch pedal. He figured he would have changed gears thousands of times during the 9000klms, particularly in the UK.
When we got to Newcastle airport we quickly found the return area and parked it in the Europcar parking area and went to the return shed which was in the corner of the yard.
The guy looked up the car on his terminal and expressed surprise at how long we had had it. Mick said it was a great car and apart from a puncture it had gone like a dream. He then asked if we had filled the tank (yes, we had), took the keys and said thank you very much and we left on the way out taking pictures and video of the car to record it's condition.
Mick was surprised that noone had come out to check it. Still, we have four people who saw it returned in good condition.
If you think we sound paranoid about car rental companies, we are, as last time we hired a car for 3 months in 2010 from Hertz, they charged us an extra £230 ($400) without our knowledge when we took it back. We were about to walk out of their office after taking it back and noticed the charge on the receipt they gave us.
When we challenged it they said it was a computer error but they would need to get the boss to authorise a refund but unfortunately he was out and wouldn't be back for a while. We had a plane to catch back to Australia so couldn't wait. It took months to get it back after many international phone calls.
We then went to Dobbies Garden Centre, which is right next door to the airport, for coffee and a look around. They had quite a nice pet area with fish, reptiles, rabbits, hamsters and gerbils for sale.
After that it was back home to pack for our flight out tomorrow.
Bearded Dragons £75 ($130) each
Came over to escape the war!
Baby Horsefield Tortoise £150 ($260) each 
Another Robin in Davina and Roy's garden. We'll miss them
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