The Geordie Tourist.

On one of our little family trips to the beach to get fish and chips and take the dog for a walk (wow such a long winded sentence.) We decided to wander off the sandy track slightly and go to Roker park.

Firstly, I didn't even know there was a Roker park and secondly I didn't know it was literally seconds away from the main beach area. I love it when you get surprised like that and end up exploring somewhere new when you go to your favourite spots.

You pass under a little bridge and there are just massive caves and walls everywhere. It’s something different and kind of brings the park and the beach together in a way.

We saw these massive musical instruments. Well, not really instruments, but massive metal pipes and things that sound like music when you bang them. Me being the big kid that I am I just couldn't resist. I grabbed the biggest stick I could find and got to hitting them.

There was a gorgeous little house too. I don’t know if it belongs to the park inspector or something, but it just looked so quaint and the garden filled with flowers and buzzing bees.

There’s a lake. I can only describe it as being the colour of this limeade drink that I used to have when I was a kid. It looks so cool though. Kind of tropical/kind of toxic. The ducks didn't seem to mind though.

We let Poppy run crazy in the scented garden that we stumbled upon. It was filled with roses. The only smell in the air was curry. I don’t know how. Maybe there is a certain plant or leaf that gives off that kind of scent. Who knows… We found a stick and took it in turns throwing it. My attempts might have, maybe ended up in the rose bushes a couple of times. The poor roses. I like how it was enclosed so Poppy couldn't get distracted. I would have liked to smell a bit of lavender or even rose, considering the sheer amount of roses, but never mind.

Overall it was a nice park. I think it’s quite big, despite us only going to a few bits of it. The pond won me over if I’m honest. I’ve just never seen anything like it before. I also love how this park is just hidden away between the caves behind the beach. Sure you can probably get to it other ways, but just the way we entered seemed so magical almost.

I love spending time among nature and at parks. I’d definitely give this one a try again. I mean they have pipes that make music…who needs anything else…

Have any of you been to Roker Park recently?

To me, afternoon tea is a sophisticated affair. When I think about it, it reminds me of posh ladies who lunch. I, myself am not a posh lady, I rarely lunch, but sometimes when I go for tea I like to think that I’m just that. There’s nothing better than going to a luxurious place to have it. (It really adds to the effect of it all.)

That’s exactly what happened when I went with my mam for a spot of high tea at the Copthorne Hotel in Newcastle.  I’d never been inside before, only just seen it as I cycled past on one of my bike rides. (This makes me sound like a keen athlete, If only. I've been once or twice.) The lobby is gorgeous, huge and airy, just sleek and expensive looking. I felt a bit out of place, like pretty woman. (Minus the hooker though.)

The restaurant (Quay 7) part was lovely too, we were one of the only ones in there and we were given a table right near the window so that we could look out onto the Tyne. It was gorgeous if I’m being honest.  

The table itself had a clean white tablecloth and some fancy looking salt and pepper shakers and a flower in a stylish white vase. They were resting on top of a piece of slate. Honestly it’s the little details that change something from good to amazing. They really put the effort in and made the experience great.

Yes, you've probably guessed it already. I had a Living Social Deal to use so we got it for a fraction of the cost. It was just £17 for the two of us, which is just crazy. This time we went for the sparkling afternoon tea. Unfortunately (for her) my mam was driving, so I stepped up to the plate and drank both glasses. (When duty calls)

It was a total change to what we normally have. I don't know it just made it feel all that more special. It was a treat too as I didn't realise we had actually booked the sparkling option in the first place. Don't you just love it when that happens?

The sandwiches were great. You could tell that they were fresh. No hard edges or stale bits in sight. The ingredients were good quality too like the ham and things. I liked that they weren't too exotic. Sometimes you get flavours that just don't go together. It was good that they just went with the classics that most people like.

The scones were fab too. I'm not usually a fan of fruit scones but they tasted nice. I loved how the cream and jam were served in individual shot glasses. Again, it was a little detail that made a difference.

The cakes looked amazing. I'm not going to lie I only tried one and then we took the rest home. It seems to be a repeat pattern that's happening at the moment. I don't know if I've just had too many afternoon tea trips recently or if my sweet tooth isn't what it was, but I just can't seem to eat cake like I used to. Plus I think I'd rather not struggle and then enjoy them at a later time. I also like letting people at home try them too. (I'm just too nice eh)

Afterwards we went and sat outside for a bit and just watched the world go by. It was a nice sunny day and just being next to the water relaxes me. I like just people watching and thinking about things. 

Afternoon tea is served between 2pm and 5pm seven days a week.

Have any of you been for afternoon tea recently?

Have you tried what the Copthorne has on offer?

There’s nothing better than going for a nice little stroll in the sunshine. Poppy (my pooch) and I headed for the little lake next to where we live and just walked around and amongst the flowers.  I’m a homebody and as much as I like going out and exploring places, sometimes I like just sticking close to home. I live next to a nature reserve. There are always so many different trees and plants about and everything keeps changing from one day to the next.

As we’re right into summer now the grass is so green. Normally next to the lake there’s cracked dirt and bare patches, but slowly and surely it’s becoming greener. There were loads of different butterflies about. You should have seen how long it took me to get a picture of one. There were dragonflies too. There’s the massive brown ones that skim over the water and the tiny electric blue ones that glimmer in the sunshine. (I realise this is sounding more and more like a story, but it’s the beauty of the wildlife and I’m just going with it so shhh.) The bees are buzzing and you can hear the crickets in the grass. Honestly for a nature lover like me it’s the most perfect space.

Poppy played in the water and I found sticks to throw in for her. (She’s a big stick lover.) I’m not that fussed myself. I would love to have a little wooden rowing boat and just float out on the water though. I can’t afford a boat though, this isn't the Notebook and plus I don’t actually think the water is deep enough. Apart from that though it’s all good.

Later on in the day my friend Nic came and we ventured further afield. Last year we went down to the stream near the farmer’s fields, (still next to where I live) to swim. We paddled for ages, caught fish in plastic boxes and felt like kids again. We had planned to do the same again this summer but  It was so overgrown. I can’t believe how much. You can’t even walk the same paths. I’m a bit gutted, but there’s nothing I can do. I think were planning on going camping soon so hopefully we can find somewhere with a watering hole that will cure the wild swimming bug for a while.

We found frogs and watched them jump on our palms. They were teeny tiny and you could just catch a glimpse of them out of the corner of your eye. Nic is made on frogs so she was in her element.

It's great being able to just go with the dog and look around. I love that my best mate is into the same things as me too. The two of us just go on random walks everywhere and I love it. The older you get you realise what's important in life and being able to appreciate the little things with a good pal is at the top.

Have any of you been nature walking recently?

One of my goals for the year is to go for afternoon tea more. Ever since I went a couple of years back for my birthday I’ve been kind of hooked. I don’t go all of the time. I think that would spoil it and it wouldn’t be as special anymore. Every now and again though, I stop by somewhere for a cake and a cuppa. Or like this month I think I’ve been about three times.

Groupon and Living Social Deals are to blame. They just have offers on all of the time and I can't help myself. I leave them until last minute and sometimes forget about them, that’s why I end up going to a couple in a short space of time. (Anyways, I’ll stop with the babbling.)

I dragged my brother Nathan along to Grape and Bean (where I had a voucher) for some brother/sister bonding. It happens every so often. I usually bribe him with food.  He usually drives me places, it’s a win win situation really.

Grape and Bean is a wine and coffee house based in Jesmond. When we went in we were kind of the only ones there. It suited us fine as we got a nice big corner space to ourselves and could just chill without anyone bothering us. Inside is a pub. The little cosy part where we were had slouchy brown leather settees and little coffee tables. I loved the way the wood looked on the walls. It was like rustic with a blue/grey wash over it. There were some nice wooden furniture pieces too. Old fashioned sacks had been used for pillows and cushions which was a great touch. It was in need of a bit of TLC and isn't probably up to everyone's standards. I liked it anyways.

The woman that served us was lovely. She came straight over with our tea and was just really nice. I couldn’t fault her at all. As for the afternoon tea, it was alright. It is definitely not the best afternoon tea I’ve had. I didn’t like the sandwiches at all and it just didn’t really have the wow factor. I’m not going to sit here and bitch about it though. It’s not my intention to rate and slate places. I just like to document where I’ve been and write about the places I enjoy.

There was a nice little cake though and a great tasting chocolate mousse pudding. It cost £12 for the two of us using the Groupon code and although it wasn’t my favourite, I can’t really complain too much for that price.

This place for me was more about the décor. The little cubby where we was sitting was old and rustic looking, a bit unkempt, but nice. It was more about just having a catch up with my brother, about having a quick cuppa and a little bit of cake. Fair enough the afternoon tea as a whole wasn't amazing, but parts of it were ok.

Would I go back again? Probably not, but it's still worth experiencing it in the first place in my eyes.

Have any of you had afternoon tea at Grape and Bean?

For our last day in Manchester we took things nice and slow. We spent most of the day just walking around and doing a spot of shopping. Manchester’s Primark is massive and my mam and I just couldn’t resist having a quick perusal. It was quick as well, we aren’t the fondest of shopping and have you seen how many floors there are?

Whilst we were in the city centre we stopped by to have a quick look at the Royal Exchange Theatre. It’s so beautiful inside. There was a nice little snug corner, with a massive armchair and settees. They also had a little gift shop that stocks lots of cool and quirky things. The ceilings were gorgeous too.

On the night time we went to the Hard Rock Café for some grub. I have been to a few of them before and whenever I go somewhere new and they have one, I just have to go. Even just to have a little look inside. I wish I was one of those people that collected a t-shirt or some other form of merchandise from each place, but I’m not. I used to be though. Now I just keep the memory of it instead. (Gosh that got a bit weird.)

I love the interiors and the cool music. It reminds me of being in America whenever I go to one and I just love the atmosphere of the place and the food. I went for the Hickory Barbecue Bacon Cheeseburger. Oh My God! It tasted amazing. I wasn’t a fan of the onions though and everything was dripping everywhere, but apart from that it was top notch. My Mam and Geoff got a massive plate of nachos. I may have pinched a couple. For pudding I shared some chocolate molten cake with my mam. That was fifty times tastier than the burger. What can I say I have such a sweet tooth and I could have ate the full thing myself.

Afterwards we went to the arena to watch Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. I love, love, love Frankie Valli and he didn’t disappoint. It will probably be the only chance I get to see him so I’m so pleased that I went. When he sang 'Oh What A Night' I pretty much had goosebumps.

On our way over I took a few quick snaps of the cathedral too. We never actually went inside, but it’s a gorgeous building and just beside it is a little park with massive wooden planters painted in lots of pretty colours.

I think going to a concert in a different city is a great way to go and explore somewhere new. We went for a few nights, but even just going somewhere for the day would be great.

You can catch up with Day 1 and Day 2 of my Manchester trip if you fancy.

Have any of you been exploring somewhere new recently?