Glendale Show

I was actually due to be in North Wales this bank holiday weekend but plans were changed after a friend became ill. We stayed in the North East but took the opportunity to go to the Glendale Agricultural Show near Wooler in North Northumberland. Our arrival was delayed by an accident on the A697 but we spent 3 years at the show. A good time had by all though at £14 a ticket, the entry fee was not cheap.

My Costa Coffee visits to end

In July I visited Costa Coffee more often in that one month that I have in the rest of my life. The reason was a friend was in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. There is a Costa branch there so I took him there to get him out of the ward. Thankfully my friend is now home so the daily dose of overpriced coffee and the occasional cake is now at an end. I will not shed a tear. I'm not a fan of this chain.

The Runhead, Ryton

We called into the Runhead in Ryton, Gateshead, yesterday for lunch. We were a bit disappointed. While the service was friendly, the food could have been better. I had a lamb burger but I couldn't taste the lamb. My friend Richard had scampi which he found to be a bit undercooked.

Beamish Museum sweet shop

Make sure you go to the sweet shop in the Edwardian town if you visit Beamish Museum. Watch a demonstration of how old fashioned sweets are made - and there's always a good opportunity to buy some!

Beamish Museum Edwardian Town

I visited Beamish Museum again last week. It's very helpful that I only live about 10-15 minutes drive from what is my favourite museum on the planet! There were no new attractions from my last visit but we had a great time nonetheless. The photos in this post are of the Edwardian town.

Kells Lane Fair, Low Fell

I was at the Kells Lane Fair on Saturday in Low Fell, Gateshead. It's an annual event and my main purpose for being there was to sell preserves and eggs from my self-sufficiency project. I took with me one of our young goats who turned out to be the big hit of the fair. Lots of people queued up to look after him, including stewards from the fair!

Ravensworth Arms, Lamesley

A 10 minute drive from home to Lamesley, Gateshead, for lunch recently. The Ravensworth Arms is modestly priced and good quality. We had an excellent meal: two courses and drinks for about £80 for three people. Worth a visit.