A Postcard from Newcastle

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!

A Postcard from the North East ~ Part Two

Sunday was a grey grizzly day .... a day where you need to be indoors. The Baltic beckoned.... especially as it's hosting the Turner Prize this year, which is usually only seen in London.

On our way there we noticed that something was happening on the Gateshead Millennium Bridge .... it was moving!

 Slowly the whole bridge tilted.... and crowds gathered round to watch.

A little blue boat sailed through ..... a pleasure cruiser .... a bit wet today though, I would have thought!

We wandered round the Turner Prize exhibition with other confused people ... to quote Andrew Searle (more of him later) .... "It's the Turner Prize.... it's meant to be confusing!" No photographs allowed, as usual, but I've got a video clip at the end of this post if you're desperate to see the entries!

Back to normality .... the Baltic has the best museum shop I know ... full of stylish delights .... 

We both fancied these lunch boxes, but they were very pricey, so we resisted temptation.

After a tasty lunch in the bistro, we nipped across the car park to The Sage, 

which is a wonderful music venue ... the interior of the building is stunning ....

 with great views across to the iconic Tyne Bridge.

We noted that they do a very reasonably priced Sunday Roast Dinner, so we need to go back another time. to test it out!!!

What do you make of the Turner prize entries?

If you click the link above you can see a video from the Guardian of the four entries for this year's Turner prize..... it starts after an advert.

It's quite long, but if you stick with it, it'll save you a journey to Gateshead!!!!

Comments please .... on this evidence, who do you think will win?

A Postcard from the North East ~ Part One

My poor little blog has been very neglected for the past week .... I just don't seem to be able to find the time to settle down to write a post these days .... a combination of the madness of Christmas in a primary school and just sheer tiredness.

Now, where was I ?

Well, this time last week I was in Newcastle with my lovely girl.  Even with her broken arm we managed to get out and about and have a nice time. I had to drive her beloved Mini, though, which was a bit stressful ... she kept telling me off about the gears!!!!

We headed up to the pretty little seaside village of Alnmouth. Although it was a blue sky day, there was a sea mist over the beach,  and the waves were high.

The charming high street has buildings dating from 1724 ... amazing!

We found a smashing little tea room for lunch, with pretty CK style decor, and mismatched china. Red velvet cake was a good choice, but it's quite tricky to manage when you've only got one hand!

This was a newly opened business, and the owners were so friendly, we hope they continue to do well.

No trip to the North East would be complete without a trip to Barter Books at Alnwick .... the original home of the Keep Calm posters

It's an absolute treasure trove ....

I love the model railway running around the tops of the bookcases ....

Later we headed to the Metro Centre ... where Father Christmas has already arrived ....

We went to see The Help .... the film of the recent best selling book.

I'm always a bit dubious about films made from a book I've loved reading ... but this one was very good .... very faithful to the text and captured all the characters so well. We really enjoyed it!

We finished the day in a Noodle Bar .... delicious Asian food ... but not with chopsticks!!!!

It was so nice to see my daughter .... we haven't been able to see each other as much as we'd like to recently .... but it was upsetting to see her struggling to manage with one arm. She'll be in plaster until almost Christmas, poor thing!

A Weekend in Newcastle

I've just returned from a wonderful weekend in Newcastle where my lovely girl lives. She had lots of nice things planned for us to do:

Saturday morning at Tynemouth Vintage market

A visit to Raspberry Bazaar ... a cornucopia of colour

The shop is packed to the rafters with the most amazing 'stuff' ... it's a feast for the eyes!

Later, a drive up to Alnwick to visit Barter Books ... 

wall to wall bookcases filled with treasures. Each time we go, I find I'm overwhelmed by the sheer number of books. I was determined to find something this time.

A meal at the Mussel Bar in Newcastle. We were defeated by the enormous size of the portions.

Sunday morning down at the Quayside ... we rushed through the little market and across the Millennium Bridge to the Baltic, to get out of the howling wind.

Lunch at Yo Sushi in Fenwicks ... the chopsticks were not so easy to manage!

Jelly Bean shoes

I love wandering the Food Hall in Fenwicks ... we don't have anywhere like this near home. Their shelves are stacked with wonderful things, from sweets and cakes, to bread and cheese, and barrels and jars of alcohol!!!!

However, I left the very best thing till the last ... the whole reason for being there in the first place ...was for this!!!

The opening night of the Take That Progress Tour at Sunderland's Stadium of Light .....the first time that Robbie Williams had been on stage with the rest of the band for 15 years.

It was incredible!!! 

(and deserves a post to itself another time).