The Geordie Tourist.

I live about ten minutes away from Riverside Park. Or Chester le Street park as I've always called it. It’s the place I used to go when I was younger with my brother and cousins. We would spend hours playing about. They have this massive paddling pool too, which as a kid doesn't get much better.

Now I’m older, the pool doesn't have the same appeal. I appreciate the other aspects of the park now.

There’s these amazing gardens. They have rose bushes and swirling hedges. It’s even better that it’s summer time as all of the flowers are in bloom too. I passed gorgeous arrays of pink and white flower beds. Even the wild flowers in the fields looked quite spectacular.

I love the shaded walkway they have. There’s twisting leaves covering it and it’s nice just walking through it. (It’s the little things after all.)

I went with my mam and Poppy and we had a nice little stroll. I love the fact there’s a river too.  I could see swarms of tiny fish as we walked by. There are swans too. I know what you’re thinking. ‘Ok, swans, a lot of places have swans what’s so special about swans?’ Well I bet you've never seen swans like these before.

To start with there are just hoards and hoards of them. There’s a little sandy beach bit on the river bank and they all congregate there. They come up so close to people and get fed and things. You’d think the beach would be for the kids, but no. It’s where the swans hang out. They just seem so friendly and laid back. The swans next to where I live are vicious. These on the other hand are placid. You just see groups of them waddling along, shaking their tail feathers.

I noticed blackberry bushes too. Some of them are starting to ripen. I cant wait for a couple of months so I can go blackberry picking. Which then means I can use them to make cakes and jams and things. (Sometimes I sound like a right old woman.)

There were loads of butterflies too. I managed to get a few pictures of them. The park itself was heaving. I saw the masses of kids playing in the pool. Not going to lie I felt a bit sad that I wasn't little anymore and could just run around and not give a crap, but hey that's life.

We found a nice spot on the grass and ate our fab lollies. £1 for a fab lolly though. I mean that’s shocking. Poppy liked it, so that’s all that matters.

I'm loving the sunshine and the summer weather. Sometimes it's hard to come by in the North East, but when you get it, everything is just wonderful. Parks, and gorgeous ornate gardens are definitely worth checking out.

Have any of you been to Riverside Park recently?

Casual Sundays are what it’s all about. Well some weeks anyways. I love lazy Sundays when you can just chill in your jarmies and watch trashy TV whilst munching on chocolate. (Hope I’ve set the scene a bit for you there.) When you have a dog though, you still have to take them out. I mean if they got on board with the whole Sunday lounging about ritual that would be grand too, but sadly they don’t.

Sometimes a nice little stroll in the sunshine is just as good; I mean the TV is still going to be there when you get back. Plus you never know how long the sun is going to be around for, so it’s best to just get out there while it’s here.

I took Poppy up to the lake next to where we live and we pottered about. I was taking photos whilst she sniffed every tree/shrub/bush/slither of grass in sight. I love walking around here, now its spring getting to summer time; grass has started to appear where there was just dirt roads. There’s a hill beside the lake and I love climbing half way up, plonking my bum down and just sitting for a bit watching the ducks in the water or listening to the birds. Hell, even watching Poppy run around like a crazy beast is better whilst sat there.

The tadpoles are out now too which I love. My friend Nic is obsessed with them; we scoop them out and watch them swim about in our hands before putting them back. It’s great when they turn into little frogs and you see them hopping about. Not so great when you're trying not to step on them or crush them with the wheels of your car. (Froggy massacre.)

I’d take bread for the ducks too if I could but one, I think they are supposed to have proper duck food (pellets) and two, it’s like a game, when you go to one side of the lake they swim to the other. It probably doesn’t help that Poppy chases them.

I like just walking about and watching Poppy playing with sticks and going in the water. I like it even more when I can get a couple of cheeky pics.

I don't get to take her out as much as I used to. I work a bit more and she also goes to doggy day care. A lovely lady called Ali from Barking Avenue comes and takes her out with a few other dogs. Ali works with her brother Chris and they are both lovely. She's told us Poppy is quite popular and has loads of mates. I know she loves going which is great. You can see her little tail going when we tell her that Ali is coming for her. 

I like just having a few hours for us two though, to muck about and go exploring. Jees sometimes I sound like a six-year-old instead of a twety-six-year-old. Haha never mind.

How do you like to spend your Sundays?

Today has been eventful. I’m sitting here shattered as I write this. I guess that’s what happens when you spend most of the day walking about. (The dog is currently snoring if that is anything to go by.) The first half of the day was spent walking in Newcastle and strolling along the Quayside. The second was spent at Beamish, but I’ll take about that another time.

Sundays are one of the best days to go to the Quay as they always have a market on. Think stalls selling goods and amazing street food. It’s been a while since I went so we thought (the family and I) we would take the dog and just have a little browse.

I was shocked by how different it was. I remember stands selling used books, DVDs and the like. Sure they are still there, but there was a huge amount of homemade things. We saw an amazing stand with mosaic mirrors, my god they were beautiful. You could walk into this little make shift room and stare at all of the pretty colours on them. There were various vintage chic type things. One had lots of plaques with quotes on them all laid out on the floor in different shades of blue. (Of course I took a picture.)

There was also lots of food stands. I’m talking chutneys, cheeses, cakes, fudge (I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.) There was even a cab that had been changed to hold a BBQ. I think it was selling pork. The place was chocker block full of food I loved it. I’m always looking for the next best foodie thing to try and I like discovering new brands.

We didn’t really get in amongst it today, as it was more about the walking. Just seeing all of the different things on offer and smelling them (gosh the smells) makes me want to go back pretty sharpish though, to start sampling everything.

I loved the atmosphere of the market. There were buskers, people playing instruments and singing. One guy in particular got a couple of laughs from his screaming voice. (I can’t even explain it.) I spotted a cartoonist and someone else doing henna art too. It was just great to see the Quay like that. It almost felt like a sort of artist community, where people were showing off their talents.

Afterwards we headed for a little walk further into town. I think Poppy was pleased to be away from the crowds. I loved it. I looked like a weird tourist taking photos of buildings. I managed to spot some places I’ve been wanting to go to for ages too, so I was pretty chuffed about that. I’m always finding places to go, but never knowing where abouts in town they are. Do any of you do that?

It's always strange seeing random people in the photos you take. It can't be helped when your're taking them in busy areas though. I don't even really notice until afterwards when I'm looking back at them. I hope people don't think I'm a weirdo just trying to get them in the frame.

The Quay market is on every Sunday from 9:30-4:00 and is free. I can't wait to go back. Next time I promise to take some envious foodie pics and eat as much as my stomach can handle. (That sounds mighty fine to me.)

Have any of you been to the market on the Quayside?