The Geordie Tourist.

I decided to take Poppy for a nice little stroll into the forest and on the nature walk that we’ve been on a few times. The plan was to go to Saltwell Park, but for some reason the car park was filled and I just couldn’t be bothered with lots of people. I don’t blame them really, summer is here and the weather has been quite nice recently, so I’m not surprised everyone wants to be outdoors.

I love nothing more than going off by myself (dog included) and just going at my own pace. So the next logical place was our own little private path. There is never normally anyone around where we go. I mean we’ve spotted the odd dog and owner before but that’s about it. I love seeing the horses in the fields and the cows and sheep too. I just can’t help feeling like a little kid every time I go past them. Poppy doesn’t seem bothered; I on the other hand, am almost giddy.

We went past the usual little stream. The little bridge going over it reminds me of the Billy Goats Gruff. Poppy loves drinking the water and I dream about living in a little cottage overlooking a stream just like it, little ducks paddling nearby. Honestly there’s nothing like a walk to get you thinking about things or daydreaming. That’s what I spend the majority of my time doing.

I love being surrounded by trees and things too. I love how I can walk the same path, but from one day to the next, little things change. The leaves are different colours, or the sun shining on a particular spot. It just makes everything seem new. Like something you haven’t seen before.

We came across a tractor; I quickly took a little snap of it before the farmers that were working saw me. I was scared to walk across the field in case I was on their private land. It has the coloured arrows though to show its part of a proper walk. It still didn’t stop me running over the field as fast as possible though. (What can I say? I’m weird, but hey you probably knew that already.)

Sunday was the last day of the PGA Seniors Championship Tour at Close House in Newcastle. You can check out my antics from Saturday here.

We arrived a little later than the previous day, but our main goal unlike yesterday was to pick a group of players and follow them around the course. We went for the group which was mainly leading that consisted of Fowler, Mason and Golding. Fowler went on to win and Mason and Golding finished in the top five, so not too shabby at all. We caught them at the 9^th hole and they were just putting as we arrived.

It was a total different atmosphere to Saturday. When you follow a certain player or players you get to see their performance throughout the course and you feel more attached. (Not in a creepy stalker way.) You just get to witness their shots, when they go into the bunker, or nearly get a whole in one. It’s thrilling to watch at times and it’s all the better when you know who’s actually holding the golf club. It also cool being with lots of other people and travelling from course to course with them.

Today I was much more impressed with Close House too. My mam and I took a little break from the crowd and walked next to what I’m guessing is the club house or one of the club houses. There was a gorgeous looking lake with a bridge going over it. It was filled with flowers and lily pads and swans and their babies just swimming about. There was a little rowing boat tied up at the side too. It was a great spot for some photo taking put it that way. I could have sat there all day just taking it all in.

There were a few statues of horses about too which I took a few cheeky snaps of.

We followed the players until hole 13 which probably doesn’t sound like a lot, but there’s plenty of walking up and down various sized hills. There’s just mounds everywhere, lots of people were falling on the slippery grass. It's all part of the experience though.

We went for hot chocolates and took up our spot next to hole 18. It seems to be a favourite of ours. We didn’t watch until the end, but it was still great seeing the various players take their turns. 

All in all I loved going to Close House to watch the golf. It was my first time seeing in not on TV and I think after this I'd love to go to more golfing events. This was a great one to get me started as there wasn't hoards and hoards of people there.

Wherever I go next time, I think I'll make sure to brush up on my knowledge of the players, and I'll definitely take a picnic or a blanket to sit on. You live and you learn.

Did any of you watch the PGA Seniors Championship Tour at Close House?

This past week has been the PGA Seniors Championship Tour. It was being held at Close House in Newcastle. I’m a fan of golf and thought it would be something fun to do. I’ve watched games on the TV before but have never actually seen it in real life. My knowledge of golf isn’t anything amazing. Basically I get the gist of the rules; I know a few players and I like watching it. To be honest you don’t even need to know anything. (As long as you like to watch it, then who cares about anything else.) We all know the end goal is to get the ball into the hole.

The tournament started on Thursday and finished yesterday. I went on the weekend with my mam and her fiancé Geoff. They are both quite fond of golf and have just recently come back from the BMW PGA at Wentworth. I think I’m going to go next year, so it was great to go here and get a taster of what it’s all about.

On the Saturday we spent time looking in the village. There were basically lots of tents with different golf-type things like merchandise and signing up to golf clubs etc. I like to watch golf, but I have no interest in playing it. (Not yet anyways) There were a few cars about the place too. Very geared towards men, but hey that’s to be expected. There was a little putting thing that had been built into a BMW which was cool.

We sat and watched people on the driving range for a bit, before heading over to play a bit of mini golf. I watched as my mam and Geoff tried to outdo each other. They then each had a little golf lesson from a professional. I think they’re going to go and get proper lessons which is great. It’s something they can do together.

Afterwards we went to hole 18 to watch the golfers as they finished. It’s surreal being where the action is instead of just watching it on TV. It felt a bit like being behind the scenes on a film or something.

They had food vans too and we stopped for fish and chips. They were £7 each which is mental. The chips tasted great though and the fish was top notch. (Still, for £7 though)

We weren’t really watching any players in particular. I’m not going to lie I didn’t know who any of them were. It was good just watching them tee off and putt though.

We left a little early to avoid the traffic and got an ice cream on the way out. I went for a sundae boat. It was two scoops of Mr. Whippy in a red plastic boat. The lady went wild putting on sprinkles and wafers and every kind of sauce they had available. I wasn’t complaining though. That was £3. So yeah if you ever find yourself watching the golf at Close House, take money and be prepared for the prices.

It was free to watch the golf itself and £10 per car to park. It's good value really considering the prices to go to some of the golfing events that are on. I was just pleased I got to try it out. Sunday was an even better day and I'll be telling you all about it tomorrow. 

Did any of you watch the golf?

On Sunday the family and I took a little drive to the beach for fish and chips. It’s been ages since I’ve had fish and chips, and on a hot day, eating them at the beach is just the best. Poppy (our lab) came too and I had to keep her quiet by feeding her to odd chip every now and again. (Bad I know.)

We went to Roker beach. I’ve been to Roker a few times. It’s a lovely beach, spacious, sandy and lots to see. There are a good few shops and restaurants near the sea front too. I’m told they have a bowling green and boating lake. Not too sure where they are. But I’m curious to find out on my next visit.

We normally stick to one side of the beach, this time though we walked next to the harbour and took a little walk to the lighthouse.

Roker harbour is great. There are cute little flower and plant arrangements, screaming kids playing in the park and the shops and restaurants look like beach huts to me. Like I said, it was a sunny day, the place was a little bit crowded, but it was nice just taking a stroll, seeing Poppy’s tail wag every time she saw another dog. I love a bit of people watching as much as the next person, and there was lots to see put it that way.

The walk along Roker Pier to the lighthouse was great. I love looking over the rails at the side and seeing if I can see anything in the water. I think its just something I’ll never grow out of. (I’m a big kid what can I say)  There were lots of people taking photos, myself included. Others fishing, others lost in conversation. The lighthouse is undergoing work at the moment so I tried not to focus too much on it. It’s the first time I’ve seen it. I googled some pictures of what it used to look like and I’ll definitely take another trip when it’s finished being restored.

One thing I will say is if it’s a sunny day and you are walking along the pier, wear sunglasses. I learnt the hard way. The floor is bright white and the sun reflecting off it made me squint a hell of a lot. Other than that though it was great. There were boats going up and down the sea at the sides and the sun reflecting off the water was dreamy. 

This part of the beach was dog friendly, I think other certain parts aren't but you'll just have to check if you have a pooch with you. It's free to walk along the pier, it probably costs money to go into the lighthouse, but no one will be doing that anytime soon. 

I love going to the different beaches in the North East. We have a great coast line and I love exploring it. Even after I've been somewhere and I'm writing up a post, I find out so many facts and things about where I've been which just amazes me. Sometimes the best places our right on our doorsteps. 

This will probably be known as beach week. (Or at least a beach week of sorts) I’ve been to two sandy destinations within the last few days and I feel myself getting ready for proper summer. (Well, the kind of summer we will get here in the North East anyways.)

I love going to the beach. It calms me and relaxes me, it sounds daft, but the sound of the waves makes me feel safe, like my troubles are drifting away. (Corny I know.) It also makes me feel like I’m in Spain or Greece when it’s a hot day too, not just Tynemouth or South Shields.

The first place I went to was Marsden Bay. I went with my brother Nathan and our lab Poppy. It’s in the South Shields region and it’s a regular ‘beachy’ spot that I like to go to. I call it Marsden Rock due to the massive boulder that is at the centre of its beach. Well one of many really, but that one is the main one.

Marsden Bay is known for its history of smugglers, its caves, its wrecks and there’s even a ghost that haunts the grotto. Marsden Grotto is a pub made into the side of the rocks. It is the only ‘cave pub’ in Europe I’ve read. I’m dying to go in and try the food. Whenever we go we always have Poppy, so it’s not really viable.

There are always lots of rock pools to explore at Marsden and if you don’t fancy braving the sand or the pebbles you can walk along the grassy roots of the cliff edges and look down on the beach below. One thing you will notice is the sheer amount of birds and gulls. Marsden is home to England’s most important seabird colonies. To me, I just hear a lot of squawking, and I mean a lot. You forget after a while though and it’s good trying to spot the birds as they sit on the side of the cliffs.

Normally when I go to Marsden I walk right along the beach dipping my feet in the sea as I watch the dog run about crazily. This time we went into the little caves and crevices and went straight for the rocks so we could explore the rock pools. We came across some little crabs but that was about it. We found a Frisbee for Poppy though, and she was more than happy to play with that for a good five minutes before getting bored. (Anyone else’s dog like that?)

Afterwards we drove along to South Shields beach and went to Minchella and Co. for massive ice creams. I can't stop eating ice cream at the minute and the ones from Minchella's are the best.

Marsden Bay is definitely worth a visit. There's just so many different things to explore. It makes you feel like a little kid again hunting for sea creatures in the pools and monsters in the caves. Plus just attempting the massive staircase to get onto the beach is a challenge in itself. 

There is plenty of parking around and it costs £1 an hour. Just don't do what I did and put £1.50 in hoping to get an hour and a half. It doesn't work like that haha.