The Geordie Tourist.: January 2015

Flashback Friday: That Time I went to Hogwarts.

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A Mysterious Woodland Walk.

I’m always on the hunt for different places to go walking. I mean I guess I kind of like walking, I have proper boots and everything. Mainly it’s to have somewhere different to take Poppy once in a while. I go crazy when I walk the same route day in and day out, I don’t know if the dog minds so much though.

I had never even heard of Ousbrough Wood before. My brother (Nayth) suggested it and it took us about five minutes to get there by car. You enter through a little dirt track after walking past a couple of lovely little farm houses, chickens clucking about. You immediately come to a little stream with a bridge going across it.

I love forests and woodland type places because (as sad as this sounds) it always makes me feel like I’m in some kind of fairy tale. Plus the air is always fresh and the sound of birds is nothing short of bliss.

There are just trees everywhere (as you would expect I can imagine.) They are just so tall though and you can be walking the path at one side, look up and be in awe at just how far they go up.

We crossed another little stream and walked up a lot of leafy trailed banks. When I say it’s steep I’m not joking. I, myself am not the fittest, but I managed it. It was very muddy too but I mean that’s all part of the fun. Do we ever really tire of getting a bit muddy every now and again?

As we reached the top (or as far as I could manage) we looked over the other side to see how far down the path was which we walked. It was crazy being up so high.

Getting up there was one thing but getting down was another. I’m terrified of heights and literally took the tiniest baby steps to make sure I didn’t fall on my ass.

It’s a lovely walk, even in the colder weather. There are numerous drops and muddy paths, steps leading in all directions, bridges leading to and from places. (I could go on)

Everything just seems to have this mysterious presence about it. The air looks foggy and the forest seems enchanted almost. That could just be due to frost in winter time, but I choose to believe its magic instead.

I would definitely go back, I mean there’s so much more left to discover. I might just have to prepare myself for the steep hills.

Have any of you been to Ousbrough Woods?

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Birthday Afternoon Tea at Lumley Castle.

Afternoon Tea 00:00

I’ve been to a couple of Afternoon Tea places, and none are as regal and posh and fancy and [insert any other appropriate words here] as Lumley Castle.

You’ll know the place; its façade has adorned many a wedding picture, as my Facebook has shown. I myself have been only once many many moons ago when I was a little kid. I think we were celebrating my step-mam's Graduation or something. Anyways that’s a whole other story...

So you go through a courtyard that has the most adorable little patch of green, voluptuous bushes and a stock just to add a medieval touch.

The uneven cobblestones and low doorways, even that castle-like smell was present and made me instantly fall in love with the place.

The actual tea is served in the Library Bar. (Library and bar, two of my favourite words) It was so quaint and cosy with its roaring fire and regal portraits embellishing the walls.

Little plush seats and dainty dark wooden tables were spread throughout the room. From there you could feast your eyes upon the masses of old books from the floor to ceiling bookshelves. We got the best spot in the place if I’m being honest. It was in a little alcove in the corner so you could see out of the window and spy on the rest of the room too. (I don’t know about you, but I’m a people watcher)

So the whole reason I was here was for my birthday. I dragged my mother and brother along to have a good ole family bonding session over cake. What nice cakes they were too. Éclairs and macaroons and carrot cake squares. (My mouth is watering just thinking about it again.)

We got plain scones. Normally they only do fruit but when we phoned up to book we asked to change and the lovely Lumley Castle people were more than happy to oblige. (Mega brownie points for that one)

The sandwiches were delectable too. Just overall it was a great tea experience and I really couldn’t fault anything.

The option we went for was the ‘Grand Afternoon Tea’ which comes in at £14.95 each. A bargain if you ask me. I’ve been to more expensive afternoon teas and not enjoyed it as much as this.

I would recommend this if you want to be transported somewhere else for an afternoon. The staff were friendly and even wear costumes to look the part. Classical music plays in the background too, I mean what more can I say? It's the whole package.

Have any of you been for afternoon tea at Lumley Castle?

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