Element Restaurant, Edinburgh

Friday 2nd September 2016

We took the bus from Edinburgh Zoo back to the city centre. We went in search of a restaurant for a late lunch. On Rose Street, we found Element. We didn't want to go on a long search so decided this was the place to eat. This was a good choice. Though not the cheapest of establishments, we were served good food by staff who seemed genuinely interested in us.

Edinburgh Zoo - the video

Friday 2nd September 2016

This is the video I shot at Edinburgh Zoo.

Edinburgh Zoo

Friday 2nd September 2016

The main reason for the visit to Edinburgh was to go to the zoo and see the pandas. We were in the zoo for about 3 hours. We didn't just see the pandas! There wasn't much we didn't get to see. The zoo is on the side of a hill so after 3 hours of trudging about, we were feeling the need for a rest.

Scott Monument in Edinburgh

Friday 2nd September 2016

Our final day of our staycation and we visited Edinburgh. The Scottish capital is easy to get to from where we live. A train journey of less than 90 minutes from Newcastle. We arrived at Waverley Station and walked down Princess Street to catch a bus to the zoo. However, we stopped off for a few minutes at the gigantic Monument to Sir Walter Scott. I read somewhere this is the biggest monument anywhere to a writer. Very gothic and Victorian.

Dat Bar, Newcastle

Thursday 1st September 2016

After our visit to the Newcastle Quayside, we headed to the city centre for a late lunch. We found Dat Bar on Market Street. Interesting but slightly disturbing illustrations on the wall though the food we had was good quality and not too badly priced.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge

Thursday 1st September 2016

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge was officially opened in 2002 and is now one of the iconic structures on Tyneside. It's a must-visit for anyone coming to the North East. I walked over it to get to the Newcastle Quayside. If you can, be there when it is tilted open. It's quite a sight.

Pitcher and Piano, Newcastle Quays

Thursday 1st September 2016

The second last day of our staycation was meant to be spent entirely in Newcastle. The plan was to visit the keep but this was abandoned after I was asked to do an interview for the BBC on devolution to the North East. This went ahead on the Newcastle Quayside, next to the Pitcher and Piano. AFter the interview, I called in for a coke. Expensive prices. You have been warned!

Harbour Lights, the Lawe Top, South Shields

Wednesday 31st August 2016

At the Lawe Top we found the Harbour Lights pub. We needed a refreshing drink so went in. It was quiet. Pleasant enough. We stayed for a couple of cokes.

The Lawe Top, South Shields

Wednesday 31st August 2016

From Arbeia, we walked along to the Lawe Top. Perfect for a view over the mouth of the Tyne and over the piers, on this day it was beautifully sunny with a refreshing breeze coming in off the North Sea. Watch out for the cannons. This high point was used for centuries to protect the entrance to the Tyne.

Arbeia Roman Fort

Wednesday 31st August 2016

It had been quite a few years since I last visited Arbeia, the Roman fort in South Shields. Though I had previously seen the reconstructed gateway, this was the first time I had been able to see the reconstructed commander's house and barrack block.  The museum is free and takes about an hour to get round.

Ship and Royal, South Shields

Wednesday 31st August 2016

Day 4 of our staycation took us to South Shields by the Metro. We were hungry when we got there so we found the Ship and Royal pub just along the road from the Metro station. I had the vegetable curry. Pretty good and competitively priced.

Back to Beamish

Tuesday 30th August 2016

Back to my favourite museum which is conveniently just 10 minutes' drive from my house. Beamish Open Air Museum has a new exhibit since I visited last year - the Edwardian chemist shop and photographer. We also had a full tour around the museum. Once the new developments are in place (a 1950s town, Georgian coaching inn and 1950s hill farm) it will take more than a day to get around.

The full set of photos taken on the day are above. Below I've included photos from the new chemist shop.

Causey House Tea Room

Tuesday 30th August 2016

The Causey House Tea Room is next to the Tanfield Railway, on the Gateshead/Co Durham border, just off the Stanley Road. My confession is that I did not know it was there, even though it is near Sunniside, the village where I live. A friend staying at my house had discovered it and suggested we go for breakfast. A pleasant establishment with reasonably priced food. I recommend the full English breakfast.