22nd-25th July, 2013
On Monday afternoon as our train crossed the river Tyne, me and my partner took in the splendid sight of a bustling urban area and seven magnificent bridges. In his recent speech about fracking, Lord Howell created a lot of controversy with just one word. Sorry to contradict Guildford's Tory peer but our view of this lively North East city was anything but 'desolate'.
We stayed at the Waterside hotel, situated in the Quayside area. Our standard room was comfortable and clean but poorly ventilated. Fortunately the staff were friendly from morning till night, nothing was too much trouble. Breakfast was cooked just the way we wanted it, DVD's were available from reception and Nick provided excellent bar service. Highly recommended because little things done right and an excellent location made all the difference.
Nearby, the Castle Keep was value for money at just £4 each. An unfinished staircase, deep well and passages to the garderobe (medieval toilet) certainly gave it a quirky feel. The view from the top was awesome in all directions and helpful signs allowed us to identify distant landmarks with ease.
Next morning, we boarded the excellent metro system towards Whitely Bay. Leeds desperately needs an identical rapid rail transit network because the New Generation Transport trolleybus proposals are a second rate solution. At the coast, untimely downpours and borderline dilapidated buildings created a bleak atmosphere that temporarily hindered our spirit of adventure.
Down the coastline, Blue Reef Aquarium showcased an impressive array of weird and wonderful creatures for an affordable price (£9 each). The weather by this point had improved so we headed to the beach and devoured a delicious portion of fish and chips. Later on, King Edward's Bay, the stunning castle background and Tynemouth high street provided a picturesque ending to a very satisfying seaside trip.
Wednesday was a day of culture. Listed building Bessie Surtees house told tales of 'Cock's canny hinnies' and left me wanting more rooms to explore. Hancock museum entertained with its remarkable range of animals but their monstrously large Tyrannosaurus specimen was my personal favourite. Discovery museum was also interesting and taught us plenty about Newcastle's rich history.
As for pubs, Crown Posada had a charming character and snug atmosphere to match. In Ouseburn The Tyne Bar's location, scenery and decoration were all aesthetically engaging. Free Trade Inn had the most plentiful and creative graffiti I've ever seen in a pub toilet. Thankfully, their award winning cider hit the spot after our long walk.
Finally on Thursday, we left England's northernmost city with a bitter-sweet feeling, many happy memories and tall tales to tell. The Stand comedy club, Newcastle music scene and countless places of cultural interest remain unexplored so a second visit could definitely be on the cards. Maybe then, I'll finally see more than just a fleeting glimpse of the iconic Angel.
I am now a member of twitter. The link to my page is below.
https://twitter.com/philipregan1986
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