Day Three

Sunday 20 July 2014

Accommodation – private residence, Ponteland.

Weather – sunny and very warm.

After more kippers for the boys for breakfast (mine was toast and tea for my recovering tummy) we set off with James and Catherine to Newcastle on Tyne and Gateshead.  I had little understanding of Newcastle and imagined it to be one big city however it really is a twin city – Newcastle on one side and Gateshead on the other.  Good natured ribbing appears on postcards about each other’s side of the Tyne River.

The city was a complete surprise and not at all as I imagined – it is definitely not industrialised and a stereotyped Geordie Shore! 

Quayside showing The Millennium Bridge, The Sage Gateshead and another bridge which looks very like the Sydney Harbour Bridge (designed by the same man).

We headed to Quayside along the Tyne and walked towards the city’s heart via the Sunday markets. 

There are seven bridges that cross the Tyne in a very short distance including the Millennium Bridge which opens like an eyelid to let ships pass.  Across the river is the Sage Gateshead, a magnificent concert venue commonly known locally as the ‘slug’. 

We walked up from Quayside to Grey Street which is a handsome street of fine Georgian buildings including the Theatre Royal and we could see why it has been named as one of the UK’s prettiest streets.  A statue of Charles Earl Grey (politician and tea fame) stands proudly at the top of the street.

A little further on through the heavily tiled Windows Arcade we walked to the main Newcastle railway station.  It has undergone a major refurbishment whilst retaining its wonderful character.  It reminded me very much of a Harry Potter movie.

Grey Street

 Windows Arcade

Central Station which has undergone a major refurbishment...a great introduction to Newcastle on Tyne.

The time was nearing midday so we rushed back to Quayside to catch a view of the Millennium Bridge opening its ‘eyelid’ for ships to pass.  Crossing the Tyne to Gateshead we visited The Sage.  It was abuzz with people attending an American music festival with many wearing touristy Stetsons.

 Inside the Sage Gateshead - magnificent

The stairwell inside the Baltic Centre.from the sixth floor....it looks like it goes forever but it's actually a trick mirror at the bottom.

It’s only a little way to the magnificent Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art which was once a flour mill.  Six floors of art and views over the river make this a wonderful visit.

Time was getting away and we headed on home to a lovely late roast lunch with all the family.  Ingrid, our host had done a fantastic job with roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and vegetables from the garden.  This was followed by a choice of sticky toffee pudding and apple and gooseberry pie.  We have been very spoilt indeed.

 The colourful and lovingly tended garden at our hosts' house.

 Sunday roast....yum.  We also tried Elderflower cordial.

The apple and gooseberry pie....scrumptious!  I'm going to rename this blog Eating my way through Northern England!

It was time to say goodbye to James and Catherine who were heading off in different directions.  It was lovely to see James in his hometown and we really appreciated the effort he and Catherine made to catch up with us as they live three hours away.

After a restful afternoon Ingrid and Stuart took us to see the Angel of the North a well known and loved icon that sits above the A1.  It is a huge steel statue designed by Antony Gormley and stands 20 metres high with a wing span wider than a Boeing 767.  It was very impressive.

The Angel of the North....can you see David and I?

The day finished with a couple of ales (Wylam Gold) and a Pimms at The Swan at Heddon-on-the-Wall.  Driving home I asked the time….10 o’clock and it was still light! 

All in all we had a marvellous day.  Two happy campers!!