I've just spent the weekend in Newcastle with my daughter.
We had no special plans, just some quality time together .... and a bit of shopping! Perfect!
Here's a quick peep at some of the highlights.
On Saturday morning we walked to Grainger Market. It's full of 'real' food shops in a vintage setting. I can't stress how much I LOVE this place, and it's bit sad to report how excited I get when I see greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers, bakers .... but they're all the sort of places that have long gone from my local high street. Blame the big supermarkets!
Thankfully, I had driven up this time instead of getting the train, so I was able to buy lots of goodies to take home with me, including a huge piece of beef (which is now squirrelled away for Christmas) and some great plants for our garden.
All that food shopping made us realise that we were starving ... so we popped into Olive and Bean next door where we shared a huge Mediterranean platter of humous, falafel, halloumi, stuffed peppers and pitta breads. So tasty!
As in all cities, it pays to look up at the architecture above the pavements. This lovely golden lady stands above the Northern Goldsmiths building.
After my last post about painting the panda in school, I discovered that Newcastle has an elephant parade. My favourite had to be this beauty, all blossom and birds. Gorgeous!
Another favourite place of mine is Fenwick's Food Hall where Christmas is in full swing.
Lots of chocolate and sweets on display ..... but we were strong, and ignored the temptation!
In the evening we went to see Philomena at the lovely Tyneside cinema. Dame Judi and Steve Coogan give wonderful performances in this heartbreaking film. Very sad, but it has some real laugh out loud moments too. Well worth seeing!
If it's a Sunday in Newcastle the best place to be is Tynemouth market, which is held in the railway station. It's vintage, it's food, it's crafts ... and this time it had lots of Christmassy gifts too. It's a great place to mooch around looking for a special bargain.
We didn't spend too long there this time however, because it was freezing! Time for lunch!
All too soon it was time to head home .... with lots of goodies, and a good few pounds heavier!
I had a lovely time ..... lots of shopping, lots of eating, and above all lots of chatter.
It's was great way to spend a cold and frosty weekend!
That looks lovely & your lunch heavenly - though the golden syrup tin confusing !
ReplyDeleteLove the pretty elephant.
looks like a lovely weekend, lots to see and eat! the elephants are fun aren't they, liked the icecream eating one the best.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful weekend you had with your daughter.
ReplyDeleteLove the look of both the markets you visited.
Thank you for the comment about my new job.
Lisa x
You sound like you had a great time- I used to live in Newcastle a few years back and loved it there- Grainger Market was always a great place for food-But I've never been to Tynemouth market-May have to make a visit next time i'm over on the east coast:)
ReplyDeleteYour outing to see your daughter sounds like it was wonderful! The markets look like they were lots of fun. I'm glad you had your car so you could stock up on all kinds of goodies!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great time with your daughter. I love the decorated elephants and I always enjoy eating humous, falafel and pitta bread:)
ReplyDeleteThat blue elephant is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to visit Newcastle and it's nice to see some parts of it that you don't usually see. The food at Olive and Bean looks so good too.
ReplyDeleteSarah x
It sounds as if you had a great weekend together. I love the thought of all those quirky markets and shops. Jx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely weekend.My brother in law used to live in Newcastle(still has a flat there but spends most of the year in Kenya).He used to all of his Xmas shopping in Fenwicks and loved it.
ReplyDeleteI love that market - I can't wait to visit Newcastle again - it is so interesting x
ReplyDeleteWhat about Fenwicks window? Always a great display on the run up to Christmas. Supposed to be for children but it is often the adults who block the view watching the automata in action. This year it is a Fairy Tale Forest theme. A bit of an institution now, 40+ years of Christmas magic... Especially in the evening!
ReplyDeleteJulie x
I lived in Newcastle for several years when I was first married, I have lovely memories of the Grainger market and the butchers and game dealers that hung all their meat out on hooks. I bought a hare from there once, never cooked one before but it was a fair success. I also have fond memories of the Tyneside cinema, though less fond of the mice that scuttled over our feet as we watched the films in the 70s
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though you had a great time. It's lovely having some special time with daughters isn't it. I too went to see Philomena at the weekend - loved it.
ReplyDeletePatricia x