The Geordie Tourist.

I’ve decided to create my own little awards thingy (too professional) to give me a chance to look back on all that I did last year and to also pick out some of my best moments. This time of the year is all about the awards shows, such as the Oscars and what have you. I know my little blog is nowhere on the same scale, but I still want to celebrate it in a fun little way.

So I present to you my 'Top Ten' of 2015.

Beachy Day Out - Tynemouth

This was the day, me and Nic went exploring Tynemouth. We found a little secluded part of the beach where you could see over to Tynemouth Priory and King Edward's Bay. We climbed cliffs (nothing too dangerous) and looked at the remains of Tynemouth's outdoor pool. It was good weather for being the later part of the year too.
Runner Up - Marsden Bay

Flashback Friday - Paris.

I know Paris had a raw deal last year, such awful things that have happened. Whenever I think of Paris though I remember the good times that I had with my mam and brother. This is one of the best trips I've ever taken and I think it always will be. Paris is chocolate crepes and rustic buildings. It's spending time with the people that mean the most to you.
Runner Up - The Newcastle Bike Ride.

Nature Spot - Kielder Water.

Nothing can compare to Kielder, or even come close to it for that matter. (That's how passionate I am about the place.) We must have picked one of the best days of the year to go. The place took my breath away. I've never seen it looking so gorgeous. It was a fun little road trip with friends, we messed around and explored and just had such a great day.
Runner Up - Saltwell Park.

Fair - Lou Lou's Vintage Fair.

I went to a few different fairs last year, but there was just something special about Lou Lou's. I think it was probably the tea served in little china cups and the massive slice of cake I consumed. This was full of vintage treasures and a girl group singing catchy tunes. A great day out.
Runner Up - Living North Live.

Newcastle Moment - Climbing the Monument.

This was such a good experience, well maybe bittersweet. I was thrilled to do it, but also scared stiff as I hate heights and it was a windy day so the structure was moving a bit. I loved having the chance to look over Newcastle though and I'm so pleased I did it.
Runner Up - Quayside Seaside.

Monday just like Sunday turned into another one of those two adventures in a day kind of days. (If you managed to make any sense of that I applaud you.) So myself and my best mate Nic decided to go on a little adventure in the car. Like I said a few posts ago, I don’t usually drive places I don’t know how to get to, but we thought we’d throw caution to the wind and go somewhere different for a change.

We decided on Penshaw Monument for the first stop. The Earl of Durham’s Monument as it is also known, sits on the top of Penshaw Hill. It is a replica of a temple in Athens. (If you want to know more Google it.) You could see it coming a mile off, well after we went the right way. We had the sat nav on in the car and what was supposed to be a quick 19 minute journey turned into a bit longer. We got there in the end though and it was very impressive.

We had Poppy with us too, so after the initial dragging us half way up the steep steps, she calmed down a bit and we managed to catch our breath. There were people actually running up the steps, going back down and then back up again. We were walking up a couple and feeling like we were having heart attacks. (If you ever want to know if you’re fit or not, try walking the steps at Penshaw Monument) We did and came to the conclusion that our fitness could do with a bit of work. (Ever so slightly)

When you get to the top you can actually climb up onto the Monument. It was amazing. The grand columns and the open roof, the view of the countryside below was extraordinary. We sat for a good while just taking it all in. The sun was shining too which is always a plus. We took picture upon picture as you can imagine.

Afterwards we walked behind and found a nice little path. It took us all around and you could see the Monument from different angles. There were various trees and canyons. I've been to Penshaw before and never even knew about it so that was a bonus. It wasn't a case of just trekking up to the top and going straight back down again. We got to just take the dog for a nice little stroll too.

The next stop on the road was South Shields for a bit of sand action. (That's the beach, I don't know why I didn't just say the beach.) That's another adventure for another time though.

Penshaw Monument is definitely worth a little gander. You have to see it just once. Who knows you might fall in love with the view from the top. If not at least you can get a bit of exercise if nothing else.

Have any of you been to Penshaw Monument?

You know that nice statue in town, the one that overlooks Grey Street? The Monument, Grey’s Monument, well every so often it opens its doors to the public and you are allowed to climb its steps (168 to be exact) and behold the sights of Newcastle from above.

Not just a precious meeting point for the hordes of people that visit town every day, the Monument is there to celebrate the life of Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey for passing the Great Reform Act in 1832. (I won’t go into too much detail, but you can find it all on Wikipedia. It took me two seconds.) To me the Monument is a place of gathering. When I went on Saturday there was a big street market showcasing goods. There were buskers and even a man dressed as Darth Vader playing a keyboard. I mean only in Newcastle eh?

So yeah on Saturday myself, my mam and her Fiancé (Geoff) went to climb the monument. I read somewhere that the times were from 10:00-16:00 (half an hour slots with only 8 people being able to go up at a time.) We got there for quarter to ten. There were already people up the Monument. When we went to put our names down the earliest we could get was 12:00pm. I felt sorry for anyone getting there a bit later. There were already loads of people waiting for spaces when we went. When we came back at 11:45 to wait for our turn, the whole thing was completely booked up.

Definitely go early to avoid disappointment. We went for a nice fry up at Fenwicks to fill the time beforehand. I was pleased we got a later spot in the end because the sun was out by that point and although the strong winds were shaking the structure, I still managed to get some good pictures.

To go up, there was this little wooden door by the base of the Monument. You had to enter backwards and keep your head down as the ceiling was low. Then it was just a case of climbing up all of the steps on the stone spiral staircase. There were little holes in the walls all the way up. I chose not to look as I didn’t want to freak myself out. (I’m scared of heights, and for whatever reason unbeknown to me, it never occurred to me that I would be scared when I reached the top.)

As soon as I stepped onto the platform I was scared stiff. Don’t get me wrong it was absolutely breath-taking. There was a man up there to guide us and answer any questions that we had. I just kept myself as far back to the wall as possible. There were railings and mesh so it wasn’t like I could fall, but still. I t was amazing looking down at the tiny people and at the gorgeous buildings. We went around a couple of times snapping away, before leaving. After a while I wasn’t so scared, but every time the wind picked up and I could feel it shaking, I wasn’t so confident haha.

As you can see I found an old sign hidden away. It's crazy to think of it being open before quite regularly and at only 50p a pop.

Until Saturday I hadn't ever really paid much attention to the Monument. I don't remember looking at the figure on the top, or reading the quotes on the side of the base. I'm pleased I got a chance to really look at it and to climb it is something that I'll probably never do again, but I'm so pleased that I did it.

You can check out the page here it will keep you up to date with the next open day for Grey's Monument. It's priced at £4 each.

Did any of you climb the steps of the Monument?