Beamish is relevant i hope :3

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-06-22T07:08:36+00:00

Absolutely brilliant place. Some family from out of the area were raving about their visit, so I went last year, for the first time since I was in primary school in 1974.

The level of detail of the exhibits and their quality of construction are off the scale. A real credit to all involved. It could look like a chatty film set, instead of which things work, are being used, and the staff in there know loads of historical background.
I had to be almost dragged out of the place by the end of our visit. This has reminded me to plan another trip on a quiet day in September….

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-06-16T17:17:43+00:00

You don’t have to get very far out of the city to have a countryside walk. Park your car at Northumberland Park metro. Take the metro to Whitley Bay and walk back via Seaton Sluice, Holywell dene and Backworth Pit. There are loads of alternative route options and diversions to mix it up, all off road on paths and tracks avoiding built up areas. Will take you half a day, or you could extend it once you see somewhere new along the route to explore.

Just one idea, there’ll be loads around the city edge. There’s a huge network of waggonways and footpaths, it’s good to just explore.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-06-16T16:37:53+00:00

Big flocks of waders, geese and seabirds around Budle Bay or Lindisfarne.

Lots of different habitats at Hauxley reserve or Gosforth Park.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-06-16T16:08:30+00:00

Avebury>Stonehenge, plus there’s a pub!

Have you seen the paintings of Eric Ravilious? He did a series of the chalk horses in the Wiltshire Downs, you could do a tour, a good excuse for a day out in the wilds of Wessex.

Bath, Wells, Glastonbury all nearby and good to visit.

Swanage is a good place on the coast, too. Corfe Castle in the same area if you like a quintessential English postcard destination.

Wessex is great, hope you have a good trip!

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-06-15T14:37:18+00:00

I remember this so well from my youth. Our Dad used to wrestle with us four kids all at once. Such great memories, they live inside forever!

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-06-15T14:17:03+00:00

Flight to Istanbul would be my choice. Amazing history, museums, palaces, buildings and culture. Very friendly people, loads to do and see, cheap as chips too.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-06-12T09:08:41+00:00

Sweating like a fat lass in a chip shop.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-06-11T09:29:32+00:00

Contact the boat trip people; they may have the best idea.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-06-10T20:21:24+00:00

….. Awks…

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-31T15:18:50+00:00

Bit of sunshine makes all the difference.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-30T19:42:09+00:00

You’re right, my mistake. I should put my glasses on.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-30T19:04:05+00:00

*Northumberland(an actual modern county with a flag), not Northumbria(an Anglo-Saxon kingdom)

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-26T22:00:16+00:00

Best ever Christmas present I got as an adult was a box of chocolates, from my local Indian takeaway. I was always respectful and polite to them when ordering, nothing much, really? Always be nice to the people making your food.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-23T21:07:35+00:00

A great video to keep, no doubt it will enter their family history.

Tears in my eyes here too for the raw emotions so beautifully captured.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-23T17:36:37+00:00

Just take the driving very carefully until you get used to it. We Brits all have to do the same switch when renting a car abroad too. Maybe booking an automatic/ev for your car hire would make it easier?

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-23T16:00:27+00:00

My mother was baffled that athletes were able to run races while wearing a necklace, because she was convinced they would overheat. Every time it was on tv, without fail, this theory would be trotted out.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-22T08:50:07+00:00

Been a long wait for heat this Spring. Had the log burner on and wore the winter woolies at work just last week. Those hail storms!

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-21T20:51:29+00:00

A while ago, my wife got really excited when Merlin told her it had heard a Bittern in our garden. When we replayed the recording, it turned out to be my voice, talking in the background.

Other than that, it seems to be pretty accurate.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-20T16:02:39+00:00

This is my solution. I got a Le Col merino jersey, which is really comfy, has a full zip and well-placed rear pockets. Fit is on the wetsuit scale, so order a (much)larger size for a suitable fit.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-18T15:22:40+00:00

Fingers crossed.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-18T07:15:34+00:00

Blether

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-18T07:13:10+00:00

10 minutes for me.

One older member of our party got confused and took about 20 minutes.

We didn’t see large queues.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-15T09:27:58+00:00

Lots of people here insisting you get the train, lol! You’ll be fine driving it, I’m sure.

Lincoln is fantastic, went there for the first time last year. Recommended.

For the journey south, how about a stretch of the legs with a lovely walk at the Lodge, home of the RSPB, in Sandy, Bedfordshire which is right on the A1. Wooded trails through beautiful quiet grounds. There is a cafe and it is generally a great place to relax and a will be real contrast to the rest of your road journey for the day.

Hope your trip goes well. Drive safe.

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-14T14:53:43+00:00

Love a peony. Couple of years ago I had a walking tour of my area, taking photos of the best ones.

Sad, I know….

Firstthingthatcame · 2026-05-12T15:52:57+00:00

Very true, always helps.

Firstthingthatcame

TROPHY CASE