The Geordie Tourist.

She's forever hiding in tall grass or behind bushes and things. I can't help but laugh when I turn around and have to find her.

The river is such a calm place, there is never anyone else around which I love. It was a relatively warm day, considering some of the colder ones we have had recently.

I threw sticks for Poppy and watched as one by one they skimmed past her in the water and went too far down stream. She managed to keep track of one though, and we spent a good bit of time just playing about in the water. 

I love walking. It gives me time to just reflect on things. It's particularly good if you have been worrying about something and want to get clarity, or even if you want to feel inspired. I'm trying to generate ideas for a book and the little stroll I had proved invaluable. Plus the sounds of the birds as you walk makes me feel like I'm in a Disney film.

I love how different the light is when you're out trying to take photos. One side can be all dark and grey and a bit mysterious, then you can look the other way and there's bright blue skies and colour everywhere. It always fascinates me.

Just beyond the lake, the masses of ducks and the over-friendly swans, lies a path going straight into the woods. Watergate Forest Park connects with Washingwell Woods which is the route we took. It was a beautiful place. You know I love a good nature walk, and this place was something special.

As soon as we went over the little wooden bridge, everything else behind us and out of sight. It was like we had stepped into another world. The masses of trees, sunlight coming through in patches. The sound of birds chirping away and the little running streams. (Have I set the scene for you yet?) I felt like we had walked straight into a fairy tale.

You are greeted by these huge stairs that go straight down to the valley below. We were stopped by a couple of little dogs that took a shine to Poppy. I remember one had a little cast on its foot and was jumping around enthusiastically. Betty, was her name, she followed us all the way down the stairs with her owner frantically running after her.

We went right and followed the path all the way along. The road was winding and you had great big trees on either side, the stream, continuing to follow us along. It was nice and peaceful and the scenery was just lovely.

You would look one way and it would be a bit drab, then you would turn the other way and the sky was bright blue, the trees glittering under the light. It felt like the most surreal thing. I also think taking pictures of trees against a bluey sky backdrop has became my new 'thing'. Last year was all about the converse on various floors, this year it seems its this.

On our way back we climbed up onto a verge and went down the other side. A full flowing water source was there, Poppy played and drank till her hearts content. We actually tried the water too. It was nice and fresh. My brother has been watching lots of Bear Grylls, so I blame that.

There was a tiny little waterfall gathering into a pool a bit further along. It would be a great spot to chill in the summer time. The top of it would have made a great hot tub. I could imagine floating in a bright rubber dinghy.

Watergate is a green flag winning forest park. It includes woodlands, wetlands, wildflower meadows and various routes. It connects with Washingwell Woods and Bucks Hill. It's based in the Lobley Hill area.

You enter and go along a little path before you are greeted with a massive lake complete with lots of ducks and swans. I fed them and they came right onto the water bank which obviously made me act like a squealing child. The swans were magnificent, I fed one from my hand and it pecked at my palm, which was something new.

As we walked further around the lake the ducks followed us which was hilarious. I felt like Dr. Dolittle or something. I love how there were loads of little bridges about, random bits of stream trickling away.

It was such a beautiful day, just looking out onto the water was perfect.

It’s rare that I get to go to Saltwell Park without a hyper dog pulling me along. So when the opportunity presented itself I pretty much ran there, nuts in hand (for the squirrels) and dragged my pal Nic along for a bit of park fun.

I actually got to go into Saltwell Towers for once too. We went and got a cuppa and cake. I went for a hot chocolate and the generous slice of carrot cake that I had was so tasty. The views from inside the café were great too. It was weird looking at the park from the inside instead of the other way round. We may have had a slight problem trying to leave when the place was shutting (lots of locked doors) but we got out eventually, with slightly red faces.

We went to feed the ducks. The lake looked amazing. The sky was so blue and the reflections from it onto the surface of the water was something else. Parts of it were frozen too, all of the ducks and swans were huddled together on one side.

We went for the classic afternoon tea. There was an option for sparkling or cocktail too. I wouldn't have minded trying the cocktail one, but I'm working later so no good.

We had:

English breakfast tea

Roasted veg/ cress and mayo/ cucumber and cream cheese/ tomato and pesto sandwiches

Scones with cream and jam

Lemon sponge cake with lemon icing and white chocolate topping

Banoffee cheesecake shot

Chocolate and orange macaroon

Chocolate brownie

I liked the sandwiches, the tomato and pesto was delicious and something I've never tried before. The roast veg was great too. I found the cress one slightly odd. It had a green sauce on it, but I couldn't for the life of me tell you what it was. I wish we had of been told by the server what we were actually eating. Half of the time it was a guessing game. It all tasted great though so I guess I can't complain too much.

We got three scones each. Never have I been anywhere and gotten three. They weren't massive which was great. We all opted for plain and they were nice and crumbly. I loved that you got given little pots of strawberry and raspberry jam. I never really have raspberry, but I preferred it to the strawberry. We managed a couple and took the rest home in a goody bag. (Which always seems to happen.)

The lemon cake was soft and creamy and the banoffee cheesecake just went beyond my expectations. It tasted amazing. I loved how the biscuit was loose on the top, the little spoon you got to eat it with. How it was nice and creamy, how sweet the toffee tasted. (So good.)