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.