Newcastle & Northumberland

.............and in the 5 minutes you have left, and after spending £200 on fuel, stop off at The Angel Of The North if there is a nice sky and take an iconic picture!
 
Foxbat Flyer said:
Thanks Kat,

Just had a wander through Jesmond Dene courtesy of Google Maps, it's a real gem, espacially being so close to the city.

Thanks for the midge repellent tip, I didn't think they would be a problem in May.

I really appreciate all the suggestions and information given by everyone, it's a great response to my orignial question, I never expected so many responses.

Chris
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No problem! Jesmond Dene has a few mini waterfalls, lots of bridges and some picturesque ruins. I really should get there when I have my camera with me sometime.

If we're talking chip shops, the one at Seaton Sluice is really nice (think it's called Gill's from memory) and is conveniently next to the harbour. You can walk onto the nearby beach from there too (my fav beach locally), look at the boats and if the tides are right get some good photos of the harbour mouth and nearby rocks - Charlie's garden in particular is cool. Also there's a good distant view to Whitley Bay lighthouse from there.

Other good chip shops in the area are the one at Blyth (the ice cream shop next to it is also very nice but a bit on the pricey side - the ice cream shop in Seaton Deleval (Deleval Ices) is the best though!), and at the North Shields fish quay there's Kristian's.

I believe Hulne Priory in Alnwick Castle's grounds (worth a walk) was used in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Mind, so was Sycamore Gap on Hadrian's Wall despite the fact they were "on the way to Nottingham" at the time!
 
Oh gosh, all those places I went to as a child, if your heading towards Durham you could go to Beamish Open Air Museum, its fab (but depends if that is your thing!).

Also Tynemouth, Whitley Bay are great.

Newcastle at night is buzzing and the Quayside is amazing.

High Force is breathtaking or is that beacuse I was about six!

Causeway Arch is the oldest surving railway bridge in Stanley , County Durham (I was born in Stanley!) its bult over a gorge and has access to the Tanfield Railway.

Also nearby is Crook Hall and gardens which is fab and a very lovely if long walk!

have a great time, I'm very envious.

Looking forward to seeing the pics

Ellie
 
As a Geordie exile living in London I love this thread.

High Force is breathtaking or is that beacuse I was about six!
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I think so! I went there at Easter (probably the first time since a kid) and I place it in the 'not too bad' category - went along to Barnard Castle the same day which was OK. What I loved was the drive across the moors. Imagine my surprise when we came across a couple of alpaccas (or were they llamas) at the side of the road in amongst the sheep - they were so damn cool and very friendly :-)

Other suggestions;

1) The Millenium Bridge now opens each day (how about a time lapse?) - Google 'tilt times' and they are shown on the Gateshead Council website.

2) Go into the Castle Keep in Newcastle. It's quite interesting and you can get some different shots of the bridges and Newcastle from the roof.

3) Make sure you go into the Baltic. There is an indoor and outdoor viewing area looking across towards the Tyne Bridge - not ideal for photos because of the glass but a great view none the less. Also check out the exhibitions - with it being a contemporary art gallery I find it a bit hit and miss but I always check them out.

4) If you are after tacky and fun there is a permanent fun fair in South Shields - and just along from this is a nice coastal walk going to the Souter Lighthouse - there are some large cliffs in this area.

Finally, check out the Visit North East website - one of the best tourism websites around - the vidoes are great.

http://www.visitnortheastengland.com/
 
I managed to go into The Spanish City during Heritage open weekend in September. Worth the 3.5 hour drive and the weekend away.
If any one sees anything similar I am always interested particularly in the Tyne Bridge and Tyne Tunnel. Missed their openings the year before :(
Great thread ad a born Northumbrian.
 
gad-westy said:
You'll be spoilt for choice with lighthouse staying there. The one at Tynemouth is nice too. It's worth taking a wander along the pier right up to it.
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If there's a pier with a lighthouse at the end, it's guaranteed to be visited and photographed - it's part of being British!
 
snaphappy1952 said:
.............and in the 5 minutes you have left, and after spending £200 on fuel, stop off at The Angel Of The North if there is a nice sky and take an iconic picture!
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I've driven past the Angel many times, I visit Newcastle for work occasionally, it will be nice to take the classic picture with a blue sky background. As for the fuel bill, I just can't bear to think about it, but it's a holiday, so I'm not going to let it spoil our week, I expect we will clock something like 700 miles from start to finish.
 
Tanfield21 said:
Oh gosh, all those places I went to as a child, if your heading towards Durham you could go to Beamish Open Air Museum, its fab (but depends if that is your thing!).

Also Tynemouth, Whitley Bay are great.

Newcastle at night is buzzing and the Quayside is amazing.

High Force is breathtaking or is that beacuse I was about six!

Causeway Arch is the oldest surving railway bridge in Stanley , County Durham (I was born in Stanley!) its bult over a gorge and has access to the Tanfield Railway.

Also nearby is Crook Hall and gardens which is fab and a very lovely if long walk!

have a great time, I'm very envious.

Looking forward to seeing the pics

Ellie
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Thanks Ellie,

The quayside at night is a definite, probably twice, once to take pics and a second visit for the Roger Hodgson gig, I can't see us being allowed in with cameras and tripods!

It's a good job I've just bought another memory card, I think this trip might prompt me to open a Flickr account, if I take anything worth sharing.

Chris
 
E17phil said:
As a Geordie exile living in London I love this thread.

As you say, Phil, this has developed into a great thread, there's so much enthusiasm for the whole area. I expected maybe a couple of replies to my question - I'm amazed and really pleased that so many people have taken the trouble to add suggestions - we even know where the best chippys are now!

Thanks for your suggestions,

Chris
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kennysarmy said:
I am from northumberland and go up most years to see relatives....have quite a few photos on flickr tagged with Northumberland .....have a look and if you like any of the scenes drop me a pm and I can give you further details

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=77327832@N00&q=Northumberland#page=0
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That's a great collection of Northumberland images, really enjoyed looking through them. My favourites are those with the stormy sea and skies and the old boat on Holy Island (mono). The red squirrel collection is great too, very sharp.
 
weather has been mixed this week so hope you managed to plan around the rain & wind, let us know how you got on
 
Dont think anyone has thrown in Chesters Roman fort well worth a call in if you get inland and a +4 for Warkworth castle a family favourite
 
stormcrow said:
Don't know how the photography went but I'm sure you must have enjoyed the concert tonight at the Sage. I'd forgot how much I liked his music.
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Yes, a brilliant gig, far better than I could dared to have expect. Roger Hodgson put on a great show, with all my favourite tracks. He had an excellent band, especially the sax player. I have to say, I enjoyed it more than the Supertramp show at the O2 last year.

The Sage is an excellent venue, we had great seats, right at the front, in one of those sections at 90 degrees to the stage. It's the only pace that we've had a warning on arrival, we were sitting next to the "bass bins" and as each of us arrived, the attendant said "we've been told that the sound might be a bit bass heavy, let us know if it is uncomfortable and we will find alternative seats". How considerate, in the event, the sound was great.

I can't decide which song I enjoyed most, perhaps, Don't Leave Me Now, or School, or Fools Overture........ I can't decide, they were all brilliant!
 
Foxbat Flyer said:
Yes, a brilliant gig, far better than I could dared to have expect. Roger Hodgson put on a great show, with all my favourite tracks. He had an excellent band, especially the sax player. I have to say, I enjoyed it more than the Supertramp show at the O2 last year.

The Sage is an excellent venue, we had great seats, right at the front, in one of those sections at 90 degrees to the stage. It's the only pace that we've had a warning on arrival, we were sitting next to the "bass bins" and as each of us arrived, the attendant said "we've been told that the sound might be a bit bass heavy, let us know if it is uncomfortable and we will find alternative seats". How considerate, in the event, the sound was great.

I can't decide which song I enjoyed most, perhaps, Don't Leave Me Now, or School, or Fools Overture........ I can't decide, they were all brilliant!
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I'm a bit like you can't decide what I liked best, I've been listening to a couple of his solo albums today and there is some great stuff on there.
Your right it is an excellent venue we also had great seats 5 rows from the front on the right hand side possibly very close to you unless you were at the other side.
 
Just back from a great holiday in the North East.

Spent most of the time exploring the coast, despite the winds - gusting to 70mph in May - that's just out of order! How are we supposed to hold a camera still in that sort of weather.

Lots of hilights, including:

The visit to the Farne Islands, being pecked by understandably irate Artic Terns, whilst walking amidst all the nesting birds - a memorable experience. Apart from the crowded boat, with the bloke sitting opposite, throwing up after 15 mins "at sea".

Walking some of the coast, Craster to Low Newton by the Sea, was possibly the best stretch - despite the sandblasted face - ouch!

Durham Cathedral was amazing, helped by the impromptu organ performance, I found myself standing behind pipes, quite literally feeling the music - wow!

Newcastle - a lovely city, especially down by the Quayside.

The Roger Hodgson gig at the Sage - a great gig in a lovely venue.

Lots of things we didn't get time to see and do, so we'll just have to go back again. It may be a cliche, but we found people to be genuinley friendly and helpful.

Thank you to everyone for the suggestions - it's a lovely part of the world. Despite the weather, poor light and dull grey skies, took loads of pictures, but I expect they will be holiday snaps, apart from a few from the Farne Island trip - it looks as though it's time I opened a Flickr account.

Chris
 
stormcrow said:
I'm a bit like you can't decide what I liked best, I've been listening to a couple of his solo albums today and there is some great stuff on there.
Your right it is an excellent venue we also had great seats 5 rows from the front on the right hand side possibly very close to you unless you were at the other side.
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It wasn't you who the attendant was pointing the torch at, trying to attract his attention and getting him to stop recoding on his phone? He was about 5 rows back!

We were on the right side, must have been close to you. The seats are angled and slightly elevated, giving a great view of the stage. It's one of the best venues I've been to, so much better than the huge industrial style halls like the O2 and the NEC.
 
Foxbat Flyer said:
It wasn't you who the attendant was pointing the torch at, trying to attract his attention and getting him to stop recoding on his phone? He was about 5 rows back!

We were on the right side, must have been close to you. The seats are angled and slightly elevated, giving a great view of the stage. It's one of the best venues I've been to, so much better than the huge industrial style halls like the O2 and the NEC.
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I was actually on the end of that row and the attendant (stupid git) even stood next to me and asked me!! to tell him to stop filming I told him (politely) do it himself :). It didn’t seem to occur to him that some people were trying to watch the band which was hard to do with him waving his torch about, he was really obsessed with stopping people filming.
 
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