A Welshman in Newcastle: One man, a carload of junk and a wolf

So the big day finally arrived. The epic task of cramming my life into one small VW Polo began and was over before I knew it, and with my car resembling a vehicle which would not have been out of place in the daily Indian commute I set off.

The journey was long, broken up by a quick spot of lunch with the dad pretty much half way near Derby. I had grand intentions of sticking behind lorries in their slipstream at a mediocre 50 miles an hour to save fuel. I was successful in maintaining this for approximately 23 minutes, before releasing a series of expletives too rude for this prewatershed record of events and deciding to follow faster vehicles, mostly Mercedes Sprinters at a more satisfactory 65 - 75 mph.

I arrived in Newcastle pretty shattered but in a good mood. Total journey time: roughly 7 Hours.

Now the house. Last time I visited Newcastle I returned to Cardiff in what can only be described as controlled despair. Admittedly I had conducted my housing search based on 'cheapest rent criteria' not 'nicest areas', and felt throughout most of my search for housing as if I was going to be relieved of my possessions in a bloody but friendly manner ( I had been assured that even if mugging you, Geordies are a friendly and pleasant bunch). This time, whilst in Cardiff and the housing search going from bad to worse, I had been contacted by a guy, around my age, who was looking for someone to rent a room in his house with just him and his resident wolf. The rent was a little steeper but the standard of living would, I hoped, be worth it.

Arriving at the house before he had finished work, I had to wait around a little before he arrived. Of course being the prudent and wise man that I am I decided to use this opportunity to take a nap, in my car, with Radio 2 blaring out. So this was the image he was presented with when he returned home from work. A bum in a battered old car, overladen with crap, snoring like a gutted pig. Lucky for me my phone decided, just prior to him knocking on the window, to notify me of yet another worthwhile facebook notifcation, so I was just about awake to see a very well dressed guy smiling down at me. Jumping out in my long-journey-induced-sweaty shorts, tshirt and flipflop combo ( I am known for being a bit of a fashion connoisseur ) we shook hands and the introduction and house tour began.

Luckily he wasn't too put off by first impressions to bar my way into the house, and we got on pretty much from word go. A genuinely nice guy, with an awesome house and an even more incredible wolf, which he assures me is a dog. He is a Car Sales Manager - hence the well dressed appearance!

The evening was spent unloading the car into the garage and lounge area before he chucked some pizzas in the oven, cracked a few beers and we crashed in front of the TV. Well he tells me it is a TV, im sure it should be classed as a cinema screen - it's bigger than my car windscreen for starters. Incredible. After a discussion of decent films and actors he was atounded I hadn't seen 'Man on Fire' - so on it went. Cracking film, although the ending is a bit blurry as I was beginning to go in and out of a sleep coma by the end. Denzel Washington at his best.

Off to bed, first night in Newcastle, out like a light, slept like a baby. Awoke to the smell of muffins, on with the coffee and a good breakfast of eggs and muffins gave me the start I needed to tackle the slow job of unpacking my wordly possessions. My bedroom is not the largest but I also have a separate study room so before long I had cracked the back of the work and even had a few posters and pictures of the better looking minority of my friends on the wall. Late afternoon Darren, the guy im living with, said his goodbyes as he headed off to London for a Triathlon. The house to myself, and with an awesome kitchen, I had grand plans of cooking up a feast fit for a King. A short Pasta and Pesto with added bacon later I was crashed on the sofa with a beer watching the training programme of the Sky Pro Cycling Team with a bit of Grand Designs thrown in for good measure. A flick through the channels late at night gave me Jason Statham in the form of Crank, a high adrenaline, well acted, shakespeare worthy piece of rubbish which was thoroughly enjoyed. Then bed.

So here we are, my second morning in Newcastle, a good start to the day with a bacon, cranberry and brie sandwich for nostalgia's sake and a plan of action for the day.

Masters starts Monday, so some pre registration work needs doing, general everyday stuff needs doing, and im going to explore this city and area the way I know best. Bruising my backside on the old bike working off all that bacon and cheese.

To say I was a tad nervous and apprehensive before I set off up North may be an admission of unmanlyness, and I wouldn't want to undermine my aggressive hard man image, but it would be the truth. Ok im yet to start the course, or meet the guys in the kayaking and cycling clubs but from first impressions, the house, Darren, the wolf and the surrounding area, it's going to be a good year.

Some more pictures of the house: