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| Tyne Bridge |
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| Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art |
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| The Millenium Bridge at night |
Monday 23 November 2015
Inspiration fails ... so let's go to Newcastle!
Inspiration fails to strike, so I thought I would share some photos I took on my recent trip to Newcastle, to visit my youngest son. He left home for university 6 years ago and has stayed in the city since graduating. I wrote about leaving him there and my subsequent struggles to adjust to my now empty nest at the time.
Newcastle must be one of the friendliest and most vibrant cities in the UK, a complete contrast to our sleepy Suffolk village, and I always enjoy dipping in, despite the 500 miles distance we have to cover and the complexity of the Newcastle one-way system which never fails to tie us up in knots, particularly at the end of a long days driving, in the dark and wind and rain. Luckily, the policeman who stopped us as we were driving completely the wrong way up a road designated only for buses and taxis, despite trying to follow the signs, took pity on us and waved us on!
Whenever we visit Newcastle, I head straight for the Quayside area, with its fast flowing river, stunning bridges, bars and restaurants. The Baltic Gallery is housed in a former flour mill and is famous for its contemporary art collections and exhibitions and I love walking across the Millennium Bridge to visit. It looks particularly stunning lit up at night!
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My grandmother came from Newcastle and I have always meant to visit, but I have never got around to it. I really should. I also want to visit Seaton Delaval which she knew in ye olden days too.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother came from Newcastle and I have always meant to visit, but I have never got around to it. I really should. I also want to visit Seaton Delaval which she knew in ye olden days too.
ReplyDeleteI guess we need a reason to visit somewhere and Newcastle is firmly on my radar at the moment. I would love to visit Ireland where my family originated and must make sure it happens before too long!
DeleteWe moved to Newcastle when I was a young mother so it is where my two sons spent their very early years before travelling down south. I am reminded that I must make a return visit sometime, there is so much to see and do up there.
ReplyDeleteI am now following you.
I was brought up in the North of England and love to go back - it is so much friendlier there and Newcastle must be one of the friendliest cities of all. Always very special to visit. Thank you for dropping in - I shall have to try harder to post more often though...
DeleteWhat a very nice policeman to help you out and get you on your way. Here, in the USA, one would get an expensive ticket.
ReplyDeleteNewcastle looks like a very nice place to visit.
We were very lucky - probably our policeman was too cold and wet to argue as to who was in the right and the signs are notoriously confusing for strangers to the city. Newcastle is unique and somehow I always seem to visit in the winter when it is one of the coldest places in the UK I think!
DeleteI love city breaks but have never been to Newcastle. I am sure you enjoyed catching up with your son and it was lovely to see your inspirational images here x
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful to see my son, so much at home in his life there although sadly so far away from us. It is interesting how some places just keep cropping up on the radar whilst others remain elusive.
DeleteOne of these days I would like to explore Newcastle as we've only passed over the river on our way further north. I did get a thrill when we went over the old bridge. I thought of my family connections on my mother's side. Great photos of the bridges! Now that your son has settled in the area you have a good reason to visit when you're able, although I know it's quite a way to travel there often.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how some places keep crossing our path through life and others we just pass through, if at all. I hope you visit one day, Linda, especially as you have family connections there. The river and the quayside are very special.
DeleteWe have been so grateful for a fairly simple commute to see our son during his university years. That looks set to change next year with thousands of miles separating us. I'm glad you can get to know Newcastle through your son's eyes and hope that the one way system gets easier to negotiate as time goes by.
ReplyDeleteIntriguing, Lucille. Where is he planning to go next? Hopefully it will open up new avenues of travel for you to make up for the distance between you.
DeleteWe will never master the one-way system in Newcastle. Even the locals acknowledge it is a total nightmare...
I enjoyed that little trip, back to where I spent so many years before er... escaping... to the warmer, slower, quieter South West. Some days the standard of driving and the lack of intelligible road signs here makes me hark back fondly to Newcastle's one-way system and the mad inner-city motorway!
ReplyDeleteSo this was your home turf Rachel? Glad to hear it's not just us and the one-way system, never mind the mad inner city motorway which also fooled us! It certainly is cold up there.
DeleteIt's always nice to see trip photos. I feel like I'm living vicariously through others blogs. Love how they light up the bridge at night.
ReplyDeleteThe Millennium Bridge is lovely both by day and night. We had a meal on our last evening, overlooking the bridge, watching it change colour. Memorable.
DeleteThank you for the wonderful introduction to Newcastle, Marianne! I'm sure that your heart has roots in that city now all the more since your son is one of its permanent residents!
ReplyDeleteHope you are well and are enjoying the festivities of the Christmas season.
Happy weekend,
Poppy
Thank you Poppy - glad you enjoyed the view. Looking forward to another post from Poppy View soon - presumably you are in Toronto for Christmas this year? Hope it's a good one x
DeleteFinally I'm catching up on old blogposts -- I've fallen so far behind, but surprised I missed this so completely. What a great tour of Newcastle -- thanks!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the trip! At least you are blogging... Thanks for visiting and catch up soon.
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