h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What's worrying is exactly how near I've lived to this city since October. Fifteen minutes on the train (plus twenty to trek to the station) and you're in Newcastle from Durham... ...but I never seemed to go.

But today I did, with a friend, and spent a very productive day shopping in this cool city.

We went to a really nice café: Boskoop's on Old Eldon Square (I think). They do fruit teas there, mmmmm...... There's also a cool cool shop called Katmandu next to it. I mustn't go in this shop, however, because I am a poor student and am too tempted to spend money there...

And I bought a skirt. For the first time in years. Admittedly I got it to wear at concerts, but its soooo comfortable, I had to wear it this afternoon too...

Blimey O'Reilly. 9 months in Durham and you never got round to visiting my fair city? Shame on you.. I remember asking a then-Durham student before I went there what the best thing about it was - "It's very close to Newcastle".

Seriously though, a few hints - a very good alt. shop is a place called Kard Bar, which is on Low Friar Street, if you follow Pink Lane up from the Central Station (the small lane next to Gotham Town) and cross over Westgate Road. Some really weird stuff there.

Sadly I no longer live on Tyneside, due to my career bringing me to dwell in the home counties - I do miss the place though (going back next week for a bit of a jolly). Enjoy it whilst you can. I found Durham got very claustrophobic at times, and sometimes my only salvation was to pop back home and get out of the university atmosphere. Not that I wouldn't give me right arm to go back there...

Well now I've been once I'll definately go again...

I understand what you mean about Durham getting claustrophobic, after the exams I just had to get out for a bit. But its a lovely place, although I find the way that I never hear of any current affairs here disturbing...

Ta for the sms message, btw