tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35057167823090307582024-03-16T01:11:47.592+00:00New Girl in ToonInspiring Trips and Treats in the NorthNew Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.comBlogger916125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-56870474905936331292020-06-04T07:30:00.000+01:002020-06-04T07:30:00.788+01:00A New 3 Course Takeaway Menu - Hinnies at Home<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This is an advertisement feature with Hinnies at Home</i></div>
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Anyone else missing date nights? As we enter another month of lockdown, we're finding ourselves really beginning to miss dining out in our favourite restaurants. Nothing beats perusing a menu, ordering a glass of wine and having a gossip over something delicious. We can't wait to be able to enjoy eating out again. But until that time comes we have discovered the next best thing, <a href="https://www.hinnies.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Hinnies</b></span></a> at Whitley Bay have created a takeaway experience with a difference, a really special 3 course dine at home menu.<br />
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It's a challenging time for our local restaurants which has seen them having to suddenly come up with new ways to serve their food. With more and more takeaway and collection services available, I love that Hinnies have taken the time to really get together a fantastic idea which truly gives customers a proper restaurant quality meal at home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8p0pYEprdRV6Nk06wF5rewiXza98e5j11Vq61sUyuFuP3-5y9AzLg5JU4rEqpR_DlepxNnBYtZws3pa4va4wmF_JR85LZV2wp0O5kaKF2Kb7uzSJ9YsNJAItdwRcom_tEndaBLhNe-uQ/s1600/IMG_9137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A New 3 Course Takeaway Menu - Hinnies at Home" border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8p0pYEprdRV6Nk06wF5rewiXza98e5j11Vq61sUyuFuP3-5y9AzLg5JU4rEqpR_DlepxNnBYtZws3pa4va4wmF_JR85LZV2wp0O5kaKF2Kb7uzSJ9YsNJAItdwRcom_tEndaBLhNe-uQ/s1600/IMG_9137.JPG" title="A New 3 Course Takeaway Menu - Hinnies at Home" /></a></div>
Hinnies at Home is a lockdown takeaway with a difference, with freshly prepared meals collected cold so you can follow the heating instructions at home to ensure comforting hot dishes, the way that they are supposed to be enjoyed. Simply pick out your menu choices, place your order and collect from the restaurant for a date night with a difference.<br />
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Fed up of the same old boring dishes every weekend (it's getting very boring), Simon and I were keen to give Hinnies at Home a go. With a choice of three starters, four mains and two desserts we decided to go all out and order a full three course meal, we have really missed enjoying a lovely long meal together and the thought of being able to tuck into a starter and dessert as well as our main course had us giddy in anticipation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xAPw_d0YZ9F57OufHZoQz82QxuZ9M4FbTyQmDQg7FZ5eOs9gjVCvBcVx4itfFlQ9H4Gr0OuloR_QOw1E09VSOSLdxJ44D9kCk0dOdFmqG_kbaKSO7Rf5-MG0mft4yjqKDSPaBgppCo0/s1600/IMG_9134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="3 Course Takeaway Menu - Hinnies at Home" border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xAPw_d0YZ9F57OufHZoQz82QxuZ9M4FbTyQmDQg7FZ5eOs9gjVCvBcVx4itfFlQ9H4Gr0OuloR_QOw1E09VSOSLdxJ44D9kCk0dOdFmqG_kbaKSO7Rf5-MG0mft4yjqKDSPaBgppCo0/s1600/IMG_9134.JPG" title="3 Course Takeaway Menu - Hinnies at Home" /></a></div>
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With our order placed we were able to choose our weekend collection slot and decided to go for Friday at 5:00 pm so we'd have plenty of time to prep our table as soon as we got the food home. Having not been brave enough to go into any takeaways yet and having barely left our estate since lockdown began we were feeling pretty nervous as we made our way to Whitley Bay to collect our order.<br />
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Of course, there had been nothing to worry about, we easily found somewhere to park and I was happy to discover a sign on the Hinnies door with the reassuring instructions that only one person at a time could go inside to pick up their order. Tentatively looking through the window I could see no one else was there so made my way inside to the friendliest greeting.<br />
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Honestly, there was something so warm and comforting to be somewhere so familiar to me, and despite the empty restaurant I felt at home. I had no idea exactly how much I'd been missing restaurants until I was inside one. My collection was ready within minutes and before I knew it I was back in the car and heading home with my paper bag of treats sat by my side. In a way we felt kind of daft to have been so worried about everything but these are unnerving times and every slight change to our routines leaves us feeling anxious. I am so thankful that Hinnies ensured our first food collection experience felt so safe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedvZlmSnMHes48Mppmgf5uT0b5peR51nnO5IFDD50jRQX5qJW27XzOxoy54uSdXgy6YxRzNgx1hjVV2vyBA7UVVPQwYDs0CsbnqNQ6ZZxJSqudmGyDxLRARvjz-a2lHAYUACYE1RMw1Y/s1600/IMG_9132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Takeaway Menu - Hinnies at Home" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedvZlmSnMHes48Mppmgf5uT0b5peR51nnO5IFDD50jRQX5qJW27XzOxoy54uSdXgy6YxRzNgx1hjVV2vyBA7UVVPQwYDs0CsbnqNQ6ZZxJSqudmGyDxLRARvjz-a2lHAYUACYE1RMw1Y/s1600/IMG_9132.JPG" title="Takeaway Menu - Hinnies at Home" /></a></div>
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Setting the oven to preheat we unpackaged all of our containers, happy they were all labelled along with some clear instructions on how to prepare our food. Both our dishes required the same settings and cooking time so we simply popped them into the oven whilst we tucked into our starters which were both served cold with no prep time. Our main courses both took 25 - 30 minutes to cook, the perfect amount of time to crack open a bottle of wine and get to work.<br />
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Un-doing our containers we couldn't believe how beautifully presented the food was. I have never seen a takeaway box as perfect as the Hinnies offering. I was desperate to get it transferred perfectly on to the plate, and whilst I don't think Hinnies will be hiring me to plate up any time soon I'm pretty impressed with our efforts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8slTcWeKI7LH3NSqibhMIiMJIlHdcsRuB1TZU4l7NYx6hKzj5xIdkjy-cwbER27vlOjnz2Zu33-CZo56oYeLo7DBLMa2GBnz1sXwsK8IJSGSavRRlBhVXvRAbpXkZKZdJKzUmEZAAR-c/s1600/IMG_9135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Takeaway - Hinnies at Home" border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8slTcWeKI7LH3NSqibhMIiMJIlHdcsRuB1TZU4l7NYx6hKzj5xIdkjy-cwbER27vlOjnz2Zu33-CZo56oYeLo7DBLMa2GBnz1sXwsK8IJSGSavRRlBhVXvRAbpXkZKZdJKzUmEZAAR-c/s1600/IMG_9135.JPG" title="Takeaway - Hinnies at Home" /></a></div>
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Our meal began with Smoked Ham Terrine, Pease Pudding & Pickles for Simon and Smoked Mackerel Pate & Dill Pickled Cucumber for me. Having not enjoyed sitting down for a starter for so long it felt like a real treat having such a wonderful slow start to our meal. I'll admit we've had far too many "TV dinners" on lap trays recently so Hinnies at Home felt extra special.<br />
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Simon, who has never understood pease pudding, was quick to offer me a forkful after announcing that the Hinnies offering could easily change his mind. My Smoked Mackerel Pate was delicious and I really enjoyed the Dill Pickled Cucumbers as the perfect accompaniment. We spent most of our starters toasting to a wonderfully fancy evening in our kitchen (we couldn't quite get over how lovely it all was!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGobC7VpFt4RHfqJLwAuVHN6WJKeAlc5ucb-i6nLHsEBIOnuD_N356rpqQwPeQavergMi6sDGzAGSHYDJQb5Gu0AQffqJqzM22pxcN2_hwbECSHxoNj7YxyHqgzIcEEUzaUf_npv4RqM/s1600/IMG_9140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hinnies at Home" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGobC7VpFt4RHfqJLwAuVHN6WJKeAlc5ucb-i6nLHsEBIOnuD_N356rpqQwPeQavergMi6sDGzAGSHYDJQb5Gu0AQffqJqzM22pxcN2_hwbECSHxoNj7YxyHqgzIcEEUzaUf_npv4RqM/s1600/IMG_9140.JPG" title="Hinnies at Home" /></a></div>
It wasn't long before it was time to take our main courses out of the oven. Cooked in the packaging, we carefully lifted our food on to the plates, again giving ourselves top marks for presentation. Hinnies really do make it so easy to serve yourself incredible looking dishes with minimal effort. In fact if you are seriously wanting to impress the person you are "stuck indoors" with you won't beat this. Banish them to another room, serve up a surprise three course meal from Hinnies and I promise you they will think you are the best housemate and forgive you anything that you may have done (or not done) over the last few months.<br />
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My North Sea Fish and Seafood Pie was fantastic, a really generous portion, it completely covered my plate. Buried beneath my pile of perfectly fluffy mash I discovered deliciously flaky salmon and whole pieces of beautiful pink prawns. I know you shouldn't really play with your food but I couldn't resist.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo8A6z0GLUMpJpIi9Yjv1LXEbdbuWkXmX3n55XPeW6zFnNfc8QrQFD5yy7hNkpx2UmVQRKA0DtjH4QyrB2kj2ZfLP03r9lqnAboxX8My2cMxH1KquZz6xGGc3gl6dklpWzoK_43_jnvc/s1600/IMG_9158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hinnies at Home - Takeaway Menu" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo8A6z0GLUMpJpIi9Yjv1LXEbdbuWkXmX3n55XPeW6zFnNfc8QrQFD5yy7hNkpx2UmVQRKA0DtjH4QyrB2kj2ZfLP03r9lqnAboxX8My2cMxH1KquZz6xGGc3gl6dklpWzoK_43_jnvc/s1600/IMG_9158.JPG" title="Hinnies at Home - Takeaway Menu" /></a></div>
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However, it was Simon's Braised Beef Casserole, Horseradish Mash and Roast Carrots that really stole the show. The meat was so tender that I watched in envy as his fork pulled it apart. We spent most of our main courses saying nothing other than "Wow, this is so good!"<br />
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We both finished our dining at home experience with Sticky Toffee Pudding & Salted Caramel Sauce. It took only a couple of minutes to heat in the microwave and was even quicker to devour. It tends to be our dessert of choice whenever we're in a restaurant so it was such a treat to enjoy a restaurant quality pudding at home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7T0QOtjRKLsdyh5-oYJekGwPXAA_K7vKpXBiGEnZd0y6MN4i8f8iddbYRqqdw_9o5RikgxBrXDTnVNizVbY1LAOzEVW777rMkkusKiYU9wXwetqy_CJWe8dlXYwzV3PnTPTr41C6Lt4/s1600/IMG_9163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hinnies at Home - 3 Course Takeaway Menu" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7T0QOtjRKLsdyh5-oYJekGwPXAA_K7vKpXBiGEnZd0y6MN4i8f8iddbYRqqdw_9o5RikgxBrXDTnVNizVbY1LAOzEVW777rMkkusKiYU9wXwetqy_CJWe8dlXYwzV3PnTPTr41C6Lt4/s1600/IMG_9163.JPG" title="Hinnies at Home - 3 Course Takeaway Menu" /></a></div>
We were completely blown away by our Hinnies at Home dining experience. The idea has been so well thought out and everything from the collection of our dishes to the preparation and serving of our food was spot on. I never would have thought it would be possible to have such a high quality meal like this in the comfort of our own home, serving up dishes that not only tasted incredible but also looked beautiful on our plates was really something else.<br />
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If you're looking to celebrate a special occasion during lockdown or just fancy treating yourselves to a really lovely date night then I highly recommend trying Hinnies at Home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2_D9JDGc5VaOKgBtUin7B1EHgS1GLG1poIpz6coOjbmFon34f9xoUOHVAO0B-5zCYYDGLI3IPgqWGDK6UGOmUX_AF4xIaxs3Jgk_rj5NHrgTkHrfkVqGcQP-xOEZvYwypfhqbIJptY0/s1600/IMG_9155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="3 Course Takeaway Hinnies at Home" border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2_D9JDGc5VaOKgBtUin7B1EHgS1GLG1poIpz6coOjbmFon34f9xoUOHVAO0B-5zCYYDGLI3IPgqWGDK6UGOmUX_AF4xIaxs3Jgk_rj5NHrgTkHrfkVqGcQP-xOEZvYwypfhqbIJptY0/s1600/IMG_9155.JPG" title="3 Course Takeaway Hinnies at Home" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">What You Need to Know:</span></b><br />
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<li>Enjoy 2 courses for £16.00 or 3 courses for £19.00</li>
<li>You can order Hinnies at Home by calling 0191 447 0500 between 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm Thursday and Friday, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm on Saturday or 10:00 - 2:00 pm on Sunday. </li>
<li>Staggered collection slots are between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm Thursday to Saturdays and 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm on Sundays. </li>
<li>Food collection is from just inside the door of Hinnies. Please observe social distancing instructions on the door when collecting.</li>
<li>Orders must be made in advance. Payment is cashless </li>
<li>Sunday Roasts are also available (served hot) as well as takeout brunch and teas & coffees. </li>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Find Hinnies at:</b></span><br />
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East Parade<br />
Whitley Bay<br />
NE26 1AP<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_955664815"><br /></a>
<a href="http://hinnies.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;">hinnies.co.uk/</span></a><br />
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<i>We were treated to a complimentary three course meal for two in exchange for a review. </i>New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-25637162792667589922020-05-31T07:00:00.000+01:002020-05-31T07:00:09.287+01:00My May Days <div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This blog includes advertisement features with Nourish Bud and Cocoa Grace</i></div>
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In some ways I feel like these weeks in lockdown are flying by, yet if I stop and think back to the last time I was sat in a coffee shop or in the office it feels like a lifetime ago. This month has been a challenging one for me and I'll admit I've struggled a little over the last couple of weeks, mostly thanks to our Government whose actions, mixed messages and total disregard for their own rules has left me feeling pretty hopeless. Despite another four weeks of staying close to home our days have been filled with sweet treats and fun discoveries. Here's what we've been up to in May.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Cakes, Classes and Cutters</b></span><br />
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Giving up on the never ending mission to find flour on the supermarket shelves I finally got to rustle up some cakes in my kitchen thanks to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cakesclassesandcutters/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Cakes, Classes and Cutters</b></span></a>. Based just outside Gosforth this lovely little cake shop have produced their own cupcake making kits and diving into mine has been my favourite lockdown activity so far. The kits are perfect for kids (or adults who never grew up) and include everything you need to make picture perfect cupcakes. There are loads of different themes to choose from including Dinosaurs, Super Heroes and Flamingos, I couldn't resist ordering the Mermaid kit and despite my questionable icing skills (I attempted to use the piping bag provided but I definitely need a lesson) I am really impressed with my efforts. The cakes tasted so good and had me strolling about my house claiming I'm a baker! The kits cost £15.00 with free local delivery or pick up from Coppers in Gosforth.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Bees on my PJs</b></span><br />
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With Simon's side of the family all proud Mancunians it's no surprise I've fallen hard for the city and love to see it as my (other) adopted home. So as soon as I see anything with bees on I immediately think of Manchester and want to make it mine. My house is slowly filling with beautiful bee prints and after spotting this cute PJ set on the <a href="https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Tu Clothing</b></span></a> site I just couldn't resist. With the hot weather we've been having I was in desperate need of some Summer sets and these are the perfect addition to my nightwear collection.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Healthy Lunches from Nourish Bud</b></span><br />
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We've been ordering a lot of sweet treats in lockdown and who can blame us. In a world where every day begins to feel like the last, food deliveries have become the highlight of our week, and we were so pleased to discover a healthier option thanks to <a href="https://www.nourishbud.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Nourish Bud</b></span></a>. Their plant based delivery service provides freshly cooked dishes in and around Newcastle and they are perfect "working from home" lunches. If you order by 9:00 pm they arrive at your door the next day between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm and are perfect for eating at your desk. I went for the Nourish Bud'dha Bowl (£5.95) and Mediterranean Salad (£5.95)) - a great way to kick start a healthier week.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>I Wore Real Clothes</b></span><br />
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I knew eventually something would happen to convince me to ditch the loungewear. All it took was the arrival of the hottest May we've had in decades to make me forget all about my tracksuits and reach for my Summer wardrobe. Admittedly throwing on a lovely floaty dress is even less of an effort than putting on a tracksuit but it's felt nice to feel a little bit more put together. My extra large sunglasses and hat have been the perfect way to cover up the state of my hair and face. At this point in lockdown I don't think anything could ever convince me to start using makeup again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiwynzZi7GUBCvxfqIuVf3U1e_QtTx1EcsHjk33G_tq3h9P_ZqwDfNlTpjFTfbUJk-z4piFMh6aC5wYXe4OpRZUg6M8OICiSp5zyKiMluVbsg1RkzHrFj9UlWRtTImbxVaVxLODs4Tjo/s1600/IMG_6314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My May Days" border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiwynzZi7GUBCvxfqIuVf3U1e_QtTx1EcsHjk33G_tq3h9P_ZqwDfNlTpjFTfbUJk-z4piFMh6aC5wYXe4OpRZUg6M8OICiSp5zyKiMluVbsg1RkzHrFj9UlWRtTImbxVaVxLODs4Tjo/s1600/IMG_6314.JPG" title="My May Days" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Cocoa Grace Cupcakes </span></b><br />
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I hope no one is keeping count of how many sweet treats I've had during lockdown - it's hard to resist when doorstep deliveries look this good. These mouthwatering cupcakes arrived from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Product-Service/Cocoa-Grace-110413107244033/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Cocoa Grace</b></span> </a>with a box of Chocolate Caramel, Oreo, Coffee and Red Velvet which were demolished in one weekend. If you're looking for some lovely homemade treats and live in the South Gosforth area then you can order yourself a box of cakes to collect and enjoy at home. Prices start from £8.00 for 6 cupcakes and they are seriously good!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-4SzvqDqr0yoE3DmXY038fGC1F7vxaFYwovB6SY00P3wDHq6WVDKFrnsSYNjn-cSBwJhmstOrVGFuJrN6JBDJUOSBU5Gb3twmWP6oUszSeoU90ILHyiHRdwWq9yF4PA7N4i5CPRb9ok/s1600/IMG_6964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My May Days - Cocoa Grace Cupcakes" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-4SzvqDqr0yoE3DmXY038fGC1F7vxaFYwovB6SY00P3wDHq6WVDKFrnsSYNjn-cSBwJhmstOrVGFuJrN6JBDJUOSBU5Gb3twmWP6oUszSeoU90ILHyiHRdwWq9yF4PA7N4i5CPRb9ok/s1600/IMG_6964.JPG" title="My May Days - Cocoa Grace Cupcakes" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Afternoon Baths </b></span><br />
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I got this bath caddy at Christmas but it's taken lockdown for me to start using it regularly and now I can't imagine having a bath without it. It's been lovely to have so much time for long leisurely baths in the afternoon and suddenly sinking into some bubbles whilst sipping on a glass of wine at 3:00 pm on a Tuesday feels completely acceptable. I love diving into my bathroom cabinet, pulling out loads of products and taking a soak by candlelight - I'm sure water, wine, an open flame and a book are a recipe for disaster but so far, so good.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGwErAI72Z8b1b7NWWeZHuQLlG6K3sU_7kBz21CAdeOF2GnYTm69YWrODoGmDnJK0ISwjKDLM3oZQ06GLs_fD6Ceh9t3fG6f9F58ZdY3CtpHS-XhKkNYU9QIh72D8Nu-BkTOf6ob1aK0/s1600/IMG_7069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My May Days - Bath Caddy " border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGwErAI72Z8b1b7NWWeZHuQLlG6K3sU_7kBz21CAdeOF2GnYTm69YWrODoGmDnJK0ISwjKDLM3oZQ06GLs_fD6Ceh9t3fG6f9F58ZdY3CtpHS-XhKkNYU9QIh72D8Nu-BkTOf6ob1aK0/s1600/IMG_7069.JPG" title="My May Days - Bath Caddy " /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>The Cairns of Whitley Bay</b></span><br />
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Simon and I have decided to very cautiously start travelling out and about a little more, albeit on our own terms. We're not keen to go anywhere that's busy so for the moment our trips out will be early in the morning or later in the evening. We started with a late evening visit to Whitley Bay, stepping out of the car we were really nervous but as soon as we got to the sand our worries just vanished - it felt incredible to be back in our favourite place and the sea air really does do wonders. We finally got to see the cairns that have been built since lockdown began and I couldn't get over how many there were - the most incredible symbols of community spirit and hope decorating the shores. We'll be heading back soon to build our own.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk7Uz0u7o71Yo2Z9onRCUkaGwmoAwR9w68JQoh_Tt2cSRWCTiMK9gFE38OBB3e3Op2VO7hMRqvZcoW-D-5TmZMaNgMYAS5KEoYvyvFctk_R7v_uoPrMoi2qWEA2FtlGzWC7A770BRBHY/s1600/IMG_7377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My May Days - The Cairns of Whitley Bay" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk7Uz0u7o71Yo2Z9onRCUkaGwmoAwR9w68JQoh_Tt2cSRWCTiMK9gFE38OBB3e3Op2VO7hMRqvZcoW-D-5TmZMaNgMYAS5KEoYvyvFctk_R7v_uoPrMoi2qWEA2FtlGzWC7A770BRBHY/s1600/IMG_7377.JPG" title="My May Days - The Cairns of Whitley Bay" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Pimms O'Clock</b></span><br />
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In years to come when we look back at this time and all the things we achieved in lockdown, my proudest accomplishment will be perfecting my Pimms technique. With my Pimms jug fully loaded with mint, strawberries and cucumber, the trick is to freeze pieces of fruit into giant ice-cubes to have in your glass - it makes for a picture perfect cup and keeps you cool in the blazing hot sun. I'm not going to tell you how many of these I have got through.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHM2qDYX3GTcJ8kFnKa-cJAqOteUShdpWtLxvcJ9mZ9VHrrpvsvug-jltTXVQO4Z7SWHK-ieOk8UF6mVaJraN5rlqcIhMFSuDfGMpRMkl4a5Owj2xAr6yjnm7Ci9C9un9J9QpKz0ZB1s0/s1600/IMG_7296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My May Days - Pimms" border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="958" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHM2qDYX3GTcJ8kFnKa-cJAqOteUShdpWtLxvcJ9mZ9VHrrpvsvug-jltTXVQO4Z7SWHK-ieOk8UF6mVaJraN5rlqcIhMFSuDfGMpRMkl4a5Owj2xAr6yjnm7Ci9C9un9J9QpKz0ZB1s0/s1600/IMG_7296.JPG" title="My May Days - Pimms" /></a></div>
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Although I am pretty quiet across social media and my blog at the moment my addiction to Instagram continues so you will find a new photo every day on my grid. You can <a href="https://www.instagram.com/newgirlintoon/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>find me here</b></span></a>.New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-35535239296959318032020-05-28T08:00:00.000+01:002020-05-28T08:00:03.121+01:00Luxury Afternoon Tea Delivered in Newcastle with After-toon Tea<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This is an advertisement feature with After-toon Tea</i></div>
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When the reality of lockdown life began to sink in and I realised that we would probably be spending a lot of 2020 shut away in our house one of my first worries (after the state of the world, my sanity and my eyebrows of course) was afternoon tea. As an afternoon tea obsessive the thought of not being able to tuck into delicate sandwiches whilst sipping on a glass of fizz made me feel sad - we celebrate most special occasions with an afternoon tea. So I'm very happy to be able to share my new lockdown treat discovery - luxury afternoon tea delivered in Newcastle by After-toon Tea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorCOPHGWaoQX9f07bavLwca1twHdJvi155n99mvango1VTRlNBtO40GjUCnaZebV49a81YZWRb5B6rkYfkr8IFRZW6FwdSTfjI3Q6YwitOx3GxTcCsa5c5DL_Fq5dRRrOs6jPeh_FqBc/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Luxury Afternoon Tea Delivered in Newcastle with After-toon Tea" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorCOPHGWaoQX9f07bavLwca1twHdJvi155n99mvango1VTRlNBtO40GjUCnaZebV49a81YZWRb5B6rkYfkr8IFRZW6FwdSTfjI3Q6YwitOx3GxTcCsa5c5DL_Fq5dRRrOs6jPeh_FqBc/s1600/12.jpg" title="Luxury Afternoon Tea Delivered in Newcastle with After-toon Tea" /></a></div>
Although there are a few afternoon tea delivery services operating in Newcastle during the lockdown, <a href="https://www.after-toontea.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>After-toon Tea</b></span></a> have created something a little different and are offering a more luxurious experience with a quality afternoon tea that you'd usually only find in the city's finest hotels. Created and prepared by Cal Byerley (best known for his time as Head Pastry Chef at Michelin-starred Forest Side in Cumbria), After-toon Tea is the perfect afternoon treat if you fancy something a little special whilst you're stuck at home.</div>
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In life before lockdown (remember that?) I loved the whole experience of treating myself to a luxurious afternoon and would use it as an excuse to put on a dress and spend a lovely afternoon in the beautiful lounge of one of my favourite hotels. Of course afternoon tea at home is a little different but in some ways even more enjoyable. The freedom to be able to dine in your best pyjamas from the comfort of your own home has to be one of the perks of this messy situation. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckvDSEvL4d3hb4Ac6P-6Yxuoyez0tjJcTE2yzQns4lycJK9bTRG6F5LjjrjbZUjuxVeP6V532vpJT2-t4mvkODUK_VvDyvm-Q2vT3zkPN6zUdMYi_EV4uZ_iJ6o1_h5UbpKWKK61J1OA/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Afternoon Tea Delivered in Newcastle with After-toon Tea" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckvDSEvL4d3hb4Ac6P-6Yxuoyez0tjJcTE2yzQns4lycJK9bTRG6F5LjjrjbZUjuxVeP6V532vpJT2-t4mvkODUK_VvDyvm-Q2vT3zkPN6zUdMYi_EV4uZ_iJ6o1_h5UbpKWKK61J1OA/s1600/11.jpg" title="Afternoon Tea Delivered in Newcastle with After-toon Tea" /></a></div>
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I considered perhaps taking my tea on the coffee table in my lounge, outside on my garden furniture or maybe even in bed before deciding on the kitchen (it has become one of my favourite rooms since we started spending so much time indoors.) With no cakestand to hand I decided to get a little creative with my set up and muddle together a stand for my cakes using things from my kitchen cupboard. As someone who isn't great at arts and crafts I'm pretty impressed with my efforts - who knew a wooden chopping board balanced on two empty coffee jars would make such a lovely stand.<br />
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My afternoon tea had been delivered to my front door the day before, conveniently boxed up and ready to pop into the fridge for up to three days, it gave me the freedom to enjoy it whenever I wanted over the weekend. In all honesty if I'd been feeling lazy I could have just devoured the lot straight out of the boxes, but after the success of my makeshift cakestand I decided to rummage about my kitchen cupboards pulling out any decorative plate I could find to lay out my afternoon tea. If you want an excuse to use your finest china, mismatched plates or untouched wedding gifts this is it.</div>
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All set up and ready to go I tucked into my plate of delicately prepared finger sandwiches - Smoked Salmon & Cucumber, Egg Mayonnaise and Coronation Chicken, all afternoon tea classics and the perfect way to start off my experience, especially washed down with a glass of fizz.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kQTpnk2UkWj0-3qn16PEgZ5B4-TSDPZ3-kOPVDrQN_gbe4PlIBYIFFqQOLEksqdIaH-cfZDz0WLQskFRINEq78kzIjB_Ze30NzGrubI_3u62exhJv6v-NLSv6KbiQqwRj7QbTEchETs/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Afternoon Tea Delivered Newcastle" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kQTpnk2UkWj0-3qn16PEgZ5B4-TSDPZ3-kOPVDrQN_gbe4PlIBYIFFqQOLEksqdIaH-cfZDz0WLQskFRINEq78kzIjB_Ze30NzGrubI_3u62exhJv6v-NLSv6KbiQqwRj7QbTEchETs/s1600/15.jpg" title="Afternoon Tea Delivered Newcastle" /></a></div>
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I love when an afternoon tea has something extra as a savoury offering and my After-toon Tea also included a slice of Quiche Lorraine which was easily one of the loveliest slices of quiche I have every had. It was so creamy and I found myself running about the house with a forkful eagerly looking for my husband just to make him try a bit. So good!<br />
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After sandwiches comes scones and I had two to tuck into. I started with the Dale End Cheddar Cheese Scone which I was very happy to see on the menu. Perhaps not a popular thing to say, but I am such a fan of cheese scones I'd choose them over a traditional cream tea! Unfortunately the afternoon tea didn't arrive with butter for the scone which was a shame because I love proper butter on a cheese scone and my low calorie margarine from my fridge didn't quite hit the spot. Still, it was a beautiful cheesy treat.</div>
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Feeling sorry for Simon that he was missing out on this experience I decided to let him tuck into the other scone - the Sultana Fruit Scone was served with Rodda's Clotted Cream and Strawberry Jam which he slathered on with great enthusiasm. Anyone who's ever read one of my afternoon tea reviews before will know that my husband likes to really pack on his jam and cream! Gone in a matter of seconds I managed to get a quick bite and it was truly delicious.<br />
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Saving the best for last and the After-toon Tea cakes were the real star of the show with an impressive display of sweet treats. Looking at them all laid out in front of me it was hard to believe that these had been delivered on my door step in a box, they were absolutely beautiful and the type of cakes you only ever see in the loveliest of hotels.</div>
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I started off with the Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Tart, deliciously sharp against the bitter chocolate, I was off to a great start and didn't really think it would get any better than that, until I slid my fork into the Glazed Lemon Mousse, the perfect hit of sweetness to follow the raspberries.<br />
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Having checked in advance about my nut allergy I was so excited to discover that the Layered Carrot Cake with Mascarpone Frosting was safe for me to eat. I am the biggest fan of carrot cake but can't have it very often as it always seems to contain nuts. It's been years since I've last been able to enjoy one so I enjoyed every forkful of this beauty.<br />
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I'm sure we can all agree that the most eye catching treat of this afternoon tea is that stunning apple. Since posting a sneaky look on my Instagram I've been inundated with people asking about it. Would you believe that this perfectly crafted cake is actually a White Chocolate and Madagascan Vanilla Cheesecake? I really can't get over how beautiful it is, imagine being able to create something as perfect as that. It was incredible and tasted just as good as it looked.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDlbfD6-TZQYFWhOPOjqL5wdwgHoz7ed1oC00R8-Ewjv4lcCIB4DTZfCDDOMDUOdtSsS6gKXsm4AD7BAcoz0MJZRoLWR6bd1cx-MZS9t2sB2CA0PlCg1T0cu4vaw7Rf-0Fdid-Y4LJLM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="After-toon Tea Newcastle Delivery " border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDlbfD6-TZQYFWhOPOjqL5wdwgHoz7ed1oC00R8-Ewjv4lcCIB4DTZfCDDOMDUOdtSsS6gKXsm4AD7BAcoz0MJZRoLWR6bd1cx-MZS9t2sB2CA0PlCg1T0cu4vaw7Rf-0Fdid-Y4LJLM/s1600/3.jpg" title="After-toon Tea Newcastle Delivery " /></a></div>
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I am so thankful that local businesses like After-toon Tea have given us all a reason to get up in the morning and with every day beginning to feel a little like Groundhog Day it's lovely to organise something like this to give yourself something to look forward to. </div>
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If you fancy ordering your own After-toon Tea to enjoy from the comfort of your house then you can <a href="https://www.after-toontea.co.uk/online-ordering" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>order here</b></span></a>.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>What you need to know:</b></span></div>
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<ul>
<li>Afternoon Tea costs £20.00 per person</li>
<li>Afternoon Tea with a 200ml bottle of Prosecco costs £25.00 per person</li>
<li>The menu is set, however can be amended to cater for vegetarians and pescatarians. If you have any allergies or dietary requirements please enquire in advance. </li>
<li>Afternoon Tea is delivered every Friday and Saturday to NE1 - NE6 postcodes from 10:00 am. NE13, NE15, NE18, NE20 and NE39-NE46 can also be included. If your postcode is not mentioned please e-mail to enquire</li>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Find After-toon Tea at:</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.after-toontea.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;">after-toontea.co.uk/</span></a></b></div>
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aftertoontea@hotmail.com</div>
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<i>I was treated to complimentary afternoon tea for one by After-toon Tea</i></div>
New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-91701775269560578162020-04-30T07:00:00.000+01:002020-04-30T07:00:06.906+01:00My April Days I can't believe it's been a month since I last put together a blog post. Next month this site will be seven years old and in all that time I've never gone so long without writing a little something to share with you. When I signed off last month I couldn't imagine being able to bring you a monthly update in April. How on earth would I find anything inspiring to write about or have new photographs to share?<br />
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I was wrong!<br />
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This past four weeks I have learnt so much. Things I thought I knew about myself were proved to be completely untrue , I've discovered that I quite like spending time at home and that it's possible to be blissfully happy living the simple life. I was furloughed from my job on 1 April and having a lot of time to myself has lead me down a path of self discovery, allowed me to appreciate my home and local area and my house has never looked so clean.<br />
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Here's what we've been up to in the weirdest month of our lives so far.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Love Where We Live!</b></span><br />
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As someone who lives life at full speed I've always kept my diary full - heading out on adventures and cramming as much as we can into our weekends. So being forced to stay at home has truly made us take a step back and appreciate where we live We head out for a walk around our housing estate every day and have discovered so much in our local area. From the heron who visits every day to the pretty country lanes and open fields. I hope this has taught me to enjoy what I have and stop wanting to always be somewhere else.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVwleVQVJyp41k9CVme0eFJAIozx8ranUmT2AWSAv8GNL5MLX0qVzu569UnPsNLfOqj6xJVT3Yz7d0pT1gk2M-vVEs6wR0LnrJ-z4UXFlXZqZcCVhwF7rjZBfo-LFx97-6Xh4tAgNLOc/s1600/IMG_5534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My April Days - Newcastle upon Tyne" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVwleVQVJyp41k9CVme0eFJAIozx8ranUmT2AWSAv8GNL5MLX0qVzu569UnPsNLfOqj6xJVT3Yz7d0pT1gk2M-vVEs6wR0LnrJ-z4UXFlXZqZcCVhwF7rjZBfo-LFx97-6Xh4tAgNLOc/s1600/IMG_5534.JPG" title="My April Days - Newcastle upon Tyne" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Afternoon Tea at Home with Cafe 1901</b></span><br />
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I'd love to claim that I have spent this time baking up loads of goodies but other than the two Banana Breads that I managed to just about pull off I have been relying on Cafe 1901 to satisfy my afternoon tea craving. As soon as I discovered that one of my favourite coffee shops in Jesmond were rustling up afternoon teas delivered to home I organised one to enjoy on a Saturday afternoon. Banishing my husband upstairs I set it all out on our kitchen table, put on some lovely classical music and surprised him with an afternoon tea to remember. We couldn't believe how many treats were included in our tea - huge doorstep sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and so many cakes we were still eating them the following day.<br />
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If you fancy ordering your own afternoon tea you'll find all the <span style="color: purple;"><b><a href="https://www.orderonline.1901caffe.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;">details here</span></a> </b></span>(they are also doing breakfasts, Sunday lunches and even have essential groceries)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VKLVX0dMY0gRUVhVFJQqzc0mOX-WQfXtbHkrEOE9ntBXEd83dpQKyZciHPu-hPJwKifoEj-uc84O6wmNyMJfmfX07LrTBl8iPV8xKhs5-iSEnbc_78cMJOBmpCny3mJPfotvV-msj20/s1600/IMG_5309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="April Days - Afternoon Tea at Cafe 1901" border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="1535" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VKLVX0dMY0gRUVhVFJQqzc0mOX-WQfXtbHkrEOE9ntBXEd83dpQKyZciHPu-hPJwKifoEj-uc84O6wmNyMJfmfX07LrTBl8iPV8xKhs5-iSEnbc_78cMJOBmpCny3mJPfotvV-msj20/s1600/IMG_5309.JPG" title="April Days - Afternoon Tea at Cafe 1901" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pastries from Pink Lane Bakery</b></span><br />
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We've not ventured into many shops during lockdown but my morning trip to Pink Lane Bakery in Gosforth will definitely be one to remember - it was the furthest I have ever walked for croissants but it was worth every step. It was my first visit to the new store and certainly wont be the last. With a counter full of croissants, danish pastries, bread and sausage rolls I returned home with paper bags full of treats and we breakfasted like royalty.<br />
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Pink Lane Bakery offer a really great social distancing shopping experience or you can <a href="https://mercari-direct.myshopify.com/products/pink-lane-bakery-box"><span style="color: purple;"><b>order their bakery box here</b></span></a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ty9SF4LUNVfFa-PhRzEEqyhK6irs1GyAtxeB9zg66aQjuaC2N_VQjsy0JnNa9aMzH9htNsA855rTcKDNLkXTf_y2gO9wSUrBj9buFMoF5gmAtGIvbYOOPDlWYUknwE7zRPWirsvg3Gc/s1600/IMG_5241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="April Days - Pink Lane Bakery" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ty9SF4LUNVfFa-PhRzEEqyhK6irs1GyAtxeB9zg66aQjuaC2N_VQjsy0JnNa9aMzH9htNsA855rTcKDNLkXTf_y2gO9wSUrBj9buFMoF5gmAtGIvbYOOPDlWYUknwE7zRPWirsvg3Gc/s1600/IMG_5241.JPG" title="April Days - Pink Lane Bakery" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cake Stories on our Sofa</b></span><br />
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The highlight of our lockdown so far? Discovering that Cake Stories are offering cake delivery - allowing me the luxury of sitting about in my PJs whilst cake arrives at my door. It's good to look for the silver lining in this crazy situation and having some of my favourite treats in Newcastle available for doorstep delivery is something I never thought would happen - living quite a way out of the city centre we've never been able to get much delivered out to us before so this has been really lovely. We enjoyed very generous chunks of Caramel Chocolate Smash to start our Easter weekend off the right way.<br />
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Discover how to enjoy doorstep<a href="https://cake-stories.myshopify.com/"> <span style="color: purple;"><b>delivery from Cake Stories here</b></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQXzS3LYaIMqE5pglNn1kFQUze5LIehSxgTc7e1EJlqrlreWIjruG9qvAj5TqqTK4pcMcchCPuT5F9Y9cImXcPZGDikOxq2ypek7aK7eQ4v0ySH6IynQzjR-s3onTD8cTLXZDY2bgr3c/s1600/IMG_5454.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="April Days - Cake Stories" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQXzS3LYaIMqE5pglNn1kFQUze5LIehSxgTc7e1EJlqrlreWIjruG9qvAj5TqqTK4pcMcchCPuT5F9Y9cImXcPZGDikOxq2ypek7aK7eQ4v0ySH6IynQzjR-s3onTD8cTLXZDY2bgr3c/s1600/IMG_5454.png" title="April Days - Cake Stories" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Love Will Get Us Through</b></span><br />
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My inability to draw has meant no beautiful handcrafted rainbows displayed at our windows, instead we have proudly put up this stunner from Love of The North who are selling an inspiring collection of "Love Will Get Us Through" prints that are perfect for your window. 25% of all sales go to Northumbria NHS Trust's Bright Charity. We are so happy with our Whitley Bay picture I'm now tempted to complete the set.<br />
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Take a look at the collection and <a href="https://www.fortheloveofthenorth.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>order yours here</b></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-JPaJgR0Zpd66WxW_zFDIPXsN1k9WguntDhZVSmrmkp_ClTdutorlirKzyuvmM6Fh6FmKXzFLKs6fFygFu4RQJ-gomtWG13o3ECnXuEo_0lOWFaYFcByvPcyEh6BqDIGySL1ivmQIRY/s1600/IMG_5428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="April Days - Love of the North" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-JPaJgR0Zpd66WxW_zFDIPXsN1k9WguntDhZVSmrmkp_ClTdutorlirKzyuvmM6Fh6FmKXzFLKs6fFygFu4RQJ-gomtWG13o3ECnXuEo_0lOWFaYFcByvPcyEh6BqDIGySL1ivmQIRY/s1600/IMG_5428.JPG" title="April Days - Love of the North" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>We Are Cookie Freaks!</b></span><br />
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Lockdown has turned me into a Cookie Freaks fanatic! Having talked ourselves out of trying their cookies so many times at Tynemouth Market (we're usually already full from scranning our way along the North Tyneside coast) we are now fully fledged members of the Cookie Freaks fan club having introduced their treats into our lockdown diet. The Cookie Pies are incredible served warm with a big scoop of ice-cream. A quick look at my Instagram reveals that we are already on our second cookie delivery of the month!<br />
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Want to become a Cookie Freak? Find out how to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cookiefreaks/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>order some here</b></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9JzUeBRlGSo2TVOWtSspHERar533SDX7JGu3vbSSP2qsm5Ys1vj9bkU133GAgHImaY3LxeUjKyu7J6Mrm_2ZjrziAqW6ndB_uG4cL-yYB5Tut6d2pokCbFo0ACjJZmUn9XJu4rGRu20/s1600/IMG_5379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="April Days - Cookie Freaks" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9JzUeBRlGSo2TVOWtSspHERar533SDX7JGu3vbSSP2qsm5Ys1vj9bkU133GAgHImaY3LxeUjKyu7J6Mrm_2ZjrziAqW6ndB_uG4cL-yYB5Tut6d2pokCbFo0ACjJZmUn9XJu4rGRu20/s1600/IMG_5379.JPG" title="April Days - Cookie Freaks" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pin Perfection</b></span><br />
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I have spent a large amount of my furlough so far cleaning my house but when I've found myself wanting a change of scene I've really enjoyed dedicating time to things I've been wanting to do for ages but never seem to have time. The loveliest of those jobs was definitely finding a home for my Pin Club pins which have been sitting in a bedroom drawer for a while now. With a worrying denim jacket obsession (I have far more than I care to admit it) I can now justify my full collection by customising each with my northern inspired pins. I had a lovely afternoon pinning and really love how they look on my jackets.<br />
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Buy yourself some <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PINCLUB?coupon=10NORTH"><span style="color: purple;">Pin Club Pins here </span></a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiA-USfb_E6wHB3wiTGBEzf9uEQEoR5wLHIdrcN6JclgaQU47hs5FRRoLEqUSiW3SfP_C5VD2vXMXubmm9JDNyjluBDojihYeDKu7SCZBNe4nrJovwBSmcYm_ASwcVL9BOS1FBWRJt_8M/s1600/IMG_5615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="April Days - Pin Club" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiA-USfb_E6wHB3wiTGBEzf9uEQEoR5wLHIdrcN6JclgaQU47hs5FRRoLEqUSiW3SfP_C5VD2vXMXubmm9JDNyjluBDojihYeDKu7SCZBNe4nrJovwBSmcYm_ASwcVL9BOS1FBWRJt_8M/s1600/IMG_5615.JPG" title="April Days - Pin Club" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Loungewear Life</b></span><br />
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Anyone else living in loungewear? Having never really understood tracksuits before I am now finding myself in them most days and am wondering how I'll ever return to normal life. Will it be acceptable for me to go back to work in a tracksuit? I climbed out of one to try on this beautiful new Summer dress from H&M but then was back in my glorious elasticated waistband and baggy hoodie within minutes. I don't want to wear regular clothes ever again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIVr63euV6kkq0D4GGAuxF7FZPRFQPEFoQmlWraF94Ftbs-19aqnnVZzk2mQ7a_upiF4Hg18gisTzhX8D-aaoKOiO5ji9YNWUjmNzUPX_4hYbEXs0dtC3E8I8MLZg7d_CrjbyvLuqy2s/s1600/IMG_5656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="April Days - Loungewear" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIVr63euV6kkq0D4GGAuxF7FZPRFQPEFoQmlWraF94Ftbs-19aqnnVZzk2mQ7a_upiF4Hg18gisTzhX8D-aaoKOiO5ji9YNWUjmNzUPX_4hYbEXs0dtC3E8I8MLZg7d_CrjbyvLuqy2s/s1600/IMG_5656.JPG" title="April Days - Loungewear" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Backyard Burgers Delivered with Grab</b></span><br />
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A quick scroll through my Instagram would probably lead you to believe that all I've been doing in lockdown is eating (I think you'd probably be right). I've been justifying it by telling myself how much I want to support local business and this is the perfect excuse to fill our days with local treats. A weekend takeaway from Backyard Burgers was on the cards as soon as I saw them on the Grab app. Grab is a new lockdown service offered by Blueline Taxis who are whizzing their way across the city delivering everything from takeaways and groceries to alcohol and skincare. It's such a brilliant idea and meant that we could get delicious burgers delivered to our door. I went for "The Jesmond" a fully loaded burger with Feta, Avo, Apple Chutney and Lettuce.<br />
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Fancy grabbing a takeaway? Check out <a href="https://www.grabnortheast.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Grab North East here</b></span></a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VUOoiGD55r6eQY_6wxPO5ORIy16uFdlaPP7gioS2S5_HKgonwOZRvtpRGRtmDh-EKmzOG8zJjDpoS8FKxZcsiFAaKOmhbUuhkqoPrxGCaU9M5jwtPb1IdQ8pnsVrt2ScGbFbsMvPnFo/s1600/IMG_5761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="April Days - Backyard Burger" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VUOoiGD55r6eQY_6wxPO5ORIy16uFdlaPP7gioS2S5_HKgonwOZRvtpRGRtmDh-EKmzOG8zJjDpoS8FKxZcsiFAaKOmhbUuhkqoPrxGCaU9M5jwtPb1IdQ8pnsVrt2ScGbFbsMvPnFo/s1600/IMG_5761.JPG" title="April Days - Backyard Burger" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fashun!</b></span><br />
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I thought I'd finish today's monthly round up with a bit of a giggle at my own expense. Thank you so much to my husband for taking this sneaky photo of me playing Animal Crossing whilst catching some rays in the back garden - allowing the world to see that I have become so lazy with my dressing that I have started wearing socks with sandals because I can't be bothered to put sunblock on my feet. Thanks for that Simon!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1P3GTl3qoOdwBIFFQiYl3qXenTfrfteLCGHhcC3uiKNhJCT3W8wbyZxUWHujpTF_rZq1Ki2OotClI_draF_Mxu4_tkSi8o0xy3I2LLfhbKgf0cSSLY6f4sCxhQMmgjccnyG8uhU_ExA/s1600/IMG_5843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="April Days" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1P3GTl3qoOdwBIFFQiYl3qXenTfrfteLCGHhcC3uiKNhJCT3W8wbyZxUWHujpTF_rZq1Ki2OotClI_draF_Mxu4_tkSi8o0xy3I2LLfhbKgf0cSSLY6f4sCxhQMmgjccnyG8uhU_ExA/s1600/IMG_5843.JPG" title="April Days" /></a></div>
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Although I'm pretty quiet across social media and on my blog at the moment I am doing daily stories on my Instagram offering some inspiration of how to structure your day if you're a furloughed worker as well as sharing a new photo every day on my grid. You can <a href="https://www.instagram.com/newgirlintoon/"><b><span style="color: purple;">find me here</span></b></a>.New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-28009020268774750252020-03-31T06:00:00.000+01:002020-03-31T06:00:00.281+01:00My March Days <div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This blog includes an advertisement feature with Calendar Club and Davenports Chocolates</i></div>
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I really don't know where to start with my March highlights, the start of the month definitely began in a very different way to how it has ended and it's hard to believe that only a few weeks ago we were all skipping about the countryside completely unaware of how much life was going to dramatically change. I don't think any of us can guess how long it will be before things return to how they were, and in some ways I wonder if they ever truly will. So with that in mind, this will be the last monthly update I'll be doing for a while. <br />
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Here's what happened this month before everything changed.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Calendar Club Challenge at Durham Cathedral</b></span><br />
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This month's<span style="color: purple;"> <b><a href="https://www.calendarclub.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;">Calendar Club</span></a> </b></span>challenge took us on an adventure to <a href="https://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Durham Cathedral</b></span></a>, somewhere we hadn't visited for many years. We had the best time exploring and I had no idea the cathedral had such an impressive collection of stain glass windows. If you were to ask Simon his favourite part of the day he would definitely say the huge lego replica of the cathedral but for me it had to be the 325 stair tower climb which rewarded us with views so incredible we could see as far as Penshaw Monument. Understandably the Calendar Club Challenge has now been put on hold until the Summer when hopefully we'll be able to get back out and carry on exploring.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeB2o4tWmzp84HASJqFnCEGP50j5SDlCJhPjUNERyAJW5D2psdAGKvsUhVsm6t5HkxRYaN9TypUn7wVH4AwlkzJBjUXv1-j7XEoU5a-ubdfI079-nd0NhGJCxtAegpOY2bIDfNaYYK9e0/s1600/IMG_4256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My March Days - Calendar Club" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeB2o4tWmzp84HASJqFnCEGP50j5SDlCJhPjUNERyAJW5D2psdAGKvsUhVsm6t5HkxRYaN9TypUn7wVH4AwlkzJBjUXv1-j7XEoU5a-ubdfI079-nd0NhGJCxtAegpOY2bIDfNaYYK9e0/s1600/IMG_4256.JPG" title="My March Days - Calendar Club" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Exploring the Northumberland Coast</b></span><br />
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I'm not sure what inspired me to plan a Winter coat photo shoot on the Northumberland Coast in March but when I headed to Embleton Bay with the lovely Laura from <a href="https://www.laurabeasley.photography/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Laura Beasley Photography</b></span> </a>we certainly had all of the elements. With blazing hot sunshine one moment and a snow storm the next we had the beautiful beaches to ourselves as we captured some beautiful shots in the sand dunes. It may have been the start of Spring but I was definitely glad to be wrapped up in something snuggly. I can't wait to share some more photos from this shoot on my Instagram soon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Zf_X6XhaaDqPzZDBvBEIaDpj64SIAYFMX3zdva14uC5fCCqBV4JGu_FlxuxLBIOh8CRYEZaZTpyyogppoPAY12mITgBIp3lv0jz7n8s4Nok8xDyDyAIxNHrt_oNQ0Of4WJlDbMwmnG0/s1600/IMG_5190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My March Days - Northumberland Coast" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Zf_X6XhaaDqPzZDBvBEIaDpj64SIAYFMX3zdva14uC5fCCqBV4JGu_FlxuxLBIOh8CRYEZaZTpyyogppoPAY12mITgBIp3lv0jz7n8s4Nok8xDyDyAIxNHrt_oNQ0Of4WJlDbMwmnG0/s1600/IMG_5190.JPG" title="My March Days - Northumberland Coast" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Easter Eggs from Davenports</b></span><br />
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Is it too soon to talk about Easter Eggs? With supermarkets rapidly running low on supplies I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the seasonal aisle starts to empty so if you fancy getting ahead and supporting local business can I point you in the direction of<a href="https://www.davenportschocolates.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"> <span style="color: purple;"><b>Davenports Chocolates</b></span></a> who create incredibly beautiful eggs which you can get delivered to your door. I'm very excited about tucking into their Gin and Tonic egg which is made with Northumbrian Hepple Gin and if you don't fancy one of those they also have Spring Salt, Hazelnut Praline and Strawberries & Champagne available. If you fancy ordering one you can find all the information you need <a href="https://www.davenportschocolates.co.uk/buychocolates.asp?select=type-eggs," rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>here</b></span></a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2l_hVYoG7rIn6acuPEfj_EGeIZWbtjORATFLYnK5HEc6u6vRpMfujtycbvj3HuvTndxZUXM8rXIyb5RLyOR2fK5vFlv-2BTSBj12OCAalyvCI04SzP2HB3F6WjLrajEODGtEaDufkFpE/s1600/IMG_4911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My March Days - Easter Eggs from Davenports" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2l_hVYoG7rIn6acuPEfj_EGeIZWbtjORATFLYnK5HEc6u6vRpMfujtycbvj3HuvTndxZUXM8rXIyb5RLyOR2fK5vFlv-2BTSBj12OCAalyvCI04SzP2HB3F6WjLrajEODGtEaDufkFpE/s1600/IMG_4911.JPG" title="My March Days - Easter Eggs from Davenports" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Breakfast at Fox & Finch</b></span><br />
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I'm so glad that one of our last meals out before social isolation began was an incredible breakfast at <a href="https://www.foxandfinchwhitleybay.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Fox & Finch</b></span></a> in Whitley Bay. We'd been meaning to pop by for ages after seeing endless mouthwatering photographs appear on Instagram and I'm very pleased that we made it. If there's one thing that the current situation has taught me it's to live in the moment and never leave things for tomorrow. I feasted on the most incredible Shakshuka and urge you all to visit as soon as we are able to freely wander out of our homes again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jq6SCxGXtLkXb-YAr3n1szNZJVBRFk9JBwVBBXy8oR7YdvOrgziQeG5CMtr3GPXMRDHS_p9jNCjaRk7zVg4-G26z_l4mGgPTJyERaJQhw4O5nDsKsAEBc2GAYTVINC3mgHrahxY_5AA/s1600/IMG_4373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My March Days - Fox and Finch" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jq6SCxGXtLkXb-YAr3n1szNZJVBRFk9JBwVBBXy8oR7YdvOrgziQeG5CMtr3GPXMRDHS_p9jNCjaRk7zVg4-G26z_l4mGgPTJyERaJQhw4O5nDsKsAEBc2GAYTVINC3mgHrahxY_5AA/s1600/IMG_4373.JPG" title="My March Days - Fox and Finch" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>A Social Distancing Birthday</b></span><br />
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Although I am sad that we decided to cancel my birthday trip to Edinburgh following the Government advice to socially distance ourselves, looking back now I realise how lucky I was that my birthday fell before "lock down" happened which meant one last jolly in Northumberland. Despite not being able to venture into coffee shops or tea rooms we had an incredible time exploring parts of Bamburgh that we'd never seen before. Needing to keep ourselves away from others we headed to the dunes and stumbled across this view of the castle that we never would have discovered for ourselves. A lovely reminder that light can be found in the darkest times.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlPzyQgvBhyphenhyphen-qTtr32A7CkEQoTmwUWjjA5N2g0B4zArZLaatc0ajvGZV_HA2kMXmSsSl5iYkUcLrMY-XFv2fSEuynglAUHB6-WxFjIFVov4R2v5G7tZa_qNDlAFe4BdQm9tLbymymKbM/s1600/IMG_4893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My March Days - Bamburgh Castle" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlPzyQgvBhyphenhyphen-qTtr32A7CkEQoTmwUWjjA5N2g0B4zArZLaatc0ajvGZV_HA2kMXmSsSl5iYkUcLrMY-XFv2fSEuynglAUHB6-WxFjIFVov4R2v5G7tZa_qNDlAFe4BdQm9tLbymymKbM/s1600/IMG_4893.JPG" title="My March Days - Bamburgh Castle" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Treats from The Travelling Spoon </b></span><br />
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As we begin to adjust to life within the walls of our home we have been so moved by everyones efforts to help out local businesses and although it's getting increasingly difficult to support the cafes and restaurants that we love as many begin to close their delivery offerings we've been doing what we can to help the local community. Wanting to retain some level of normality we've stocked our freezer with delicious sweet treats for the weekends thanks to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thetravellingspoon/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>The Travelling Spoon</b></span></a> who delivered some very tasty Mini Egg and Cookie Dough Brownies to enable us to play "tea room" in our kitchen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFfWk7NreTfGvy0dDp2zh5U1xS2drmO_PCS4Y1i0-IAgVsjPmKjUz9Czl34gTZ72tLspCr-8a1yH31-2K5Dqs5Da7jKIKc12InBE45IzGJ5-ngKJS-Zqd_68ZatSEa-YP8tdcjU-80J0/s1600/IMG_5158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My March Days - Travelling Spoon" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFfWk7NreTfGvy0dDp2zh5U1xS2drmO_PCS4Y1i0-IAgVsjPmKjUz9Czl34gTZ72tLspCr-8a1yH31-2K5Dqs5Da7jKIKc12InBE45IzGJ5-ngKJS-Zqd_68ZatSEa-YP8tdcjU-80J0/s1600/IMG_5158.JPG" title="My March Days - Travelling Spoon" /></a></div>
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Although it may well be a while before we are able to share our adventures with you on the blog, make sure you follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/newgirlintoon/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>New Girl in Toon on Instagram</b></span></a> where we will still be posting daily updates (even if they are pictures taken months before!)New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-32735391236947683462020-03-11T06:00:00.000+00:002020-03-11T06:43:47.923+00:00Discovering The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle Sometimes I get myself into quite a funk. I'm the kind of person that, even on a weekend, needs some kind of plan or structure to my day to stop myself falling into a negative frame of mind, whilst most people love to spend a Sunday lounging about in their dressing gown watching rubbish on TV it tends to leave me feeling very low. Despite knowing this about myself sometimes I make the mistake of not getting showered and dressed as soon as I get up and that is where I found myself recently - sitting under a blanket on the sofa, close to tears for no apparent reason. I had brunch plans with my friends but had got myself into such a bad place that I felt like I wanted to cancel on them.<br />
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If you're like me and find yourself getting into moods like this the number one piece of advice I can give you is to get up off the sofa (as much as you don't want to!), get showered and dressed and head out for a solo adventure somewhere that you find really calming and relaxing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcbgMuIyjO32qqFrZNdlUOmB8xUyzD1bMNDiPZ1B9ahMI7vm4yrIIdfDh-DCyUT99d39_peEGZzSbGbMAQp9l3eXo3XG0L0Ri1iE8bHetT-IGwsQXf8dPV6oAM8gq7V4R9GeQ12QYPrU/s1600/IMG_4080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Discovering The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle " border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcbgMuIyjO32qqFrZNdlUOmB8xUyzD1bMNDiPZ1B9ahMI7vm4yrIIdfDh-DCyUT99d39_peEGZzSbGbMAQp9l3eXo3XG0L0Ri1iE8bHetT-IGwsQXf8dPV6oAM8gq7V4R9GeQ12QYPrU/s1600/IMG_4080.JPG" title="Discovering The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle " /></a></div>
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Whilst I usually head off to the coast to chill out, I decided to try something a little bit different this time and instead went off in the direction of Ouseburn (one of my favourite parts of Newcastle for a mooch) and to the <a href="https://www.thebiscuitfactory.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Biscuit Factory</b></span></a>, the UK's largest independent commercial art gallery. Now I realise that I may have lost some of you at "art gallery" and believe me, I get you! I'm definitely not the kind of person that spends their free time wandering about looking at art - I'm no expert and if I'm being completely honest a lot of art just leaves me feeling a little baffled and confused. The Biscuit Factory, however, is unlike any other art gallery I have ever visited and if you're looking for somewhere really peaceful to unwind I highly recommend giving it a try.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgOmlhu_GDrWzywS-hbEGO_dBrMmruXZGMfmRX-1TOl9ecUHx2hLB4VM41xJ_j1eCsyb8dSv8EgONuZed0Mf7S6uRI22qT2u4pYpOzLu0cPLrJScSbmsh-SB0fG9VlAZ4MnHyBflF85s/s1600/IMG_4079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Discovering The Biscuit Factory Newcastle " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgOmlhu_GDrWzywS-hbEGO_dBrMmruXZGMfmRX-1TOl9ecUHx2hLB4VM41xJ_j1eCsyb8dSv8EgONuZed0Mf7S6uRI22qT2u4pYpOzLu0cPLrJScSbmsh-SB0fG9VlAZ4MnHyBflF85s/s1600/IMG_4079.JPG" title="Discovering The Biscuit Factory Newcastle " /></a></div>
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Although I perhaps don't always understand art, I do love a great building and The Biscuit Factory is housed in the most beautiful Victorian warehouse and is the loveliest place for a wander. With stunning red brick walls, huge windows and wooden beams it is a light space with some really lovely contrasting features and I could happily spend hours just wandering about admiring the architecture. Even if art isn't your thing as soon as you walk through the door I'm pretty sure this will become your new happy place too because it's impossible not to smile as soon as you enter the building.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbPf-gubwtaNv5oNtevAals7mh8orwK5v9e8dZ4qJI-L6N3pV1A7IdaU2RHIXNosPBSuXblpax0ex4UXshaCxIfytrBCg7JsXIzAICDwGe_DJTxMJHraiVEApa4DlqERk3iChYXAJOJ0/s1600/IMG_4081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Biscuit Factory Newcastle " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbPf-gubwtaNv5oNtevAals7mh8orwK5v9e8dZ4qJI-L6N3pV1A7IdaU2RHIXNosPBSuXblpax0ex4UXshaCxIfytrBCg7JsXIzAICDwGe_DJTxMJHraiVEApa4DlqERk3iChYXAJOJ0/s1600/IMG_4081.JPG" title="The Biscuit Factory Newcastle " /></a></div>
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Unlike a lot of other art galleries The Biscuit Factory has a really small collection of art which is perfect for the beginner like me and there really is something for everyone displayed on their walls. If you love the North East and are passionate about the beauty of our coastline and countryside you will definitely find something to admire in the gallery. There are always some truly beautiful paintings and drawings on display and during my visit I admired some lovely displays of paintings of Newcastle and the Northumberland coast, each one I could happily imagine would look rather lovely in my living room.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNfPxbvZEOowIo6oDI1UpKoFWobSC4CVTdQXFoMKgwn9sUsvE_cxrpPPwUhXTKuR0At6WOhmr4svAdf82GNNiTZo0xYVODOdWL0Og2Bkvc4Ug7qqjb6RY9y9E9J09DYZUCagb9a_W_7c/s1600/IMG_4078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Biscuit Factory - Newcastle " border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNfPxbvZEOowIo6oDI1UpKoFWobSC4CVTdQXFoMKgwn9sUsvE_cxrpPPwUhXTKuR0At6WOhmr4svAdf82GNNiTZo0xYVODOdWL0Og2Bkvc4Ug7qqjb6RY9y9E9J09DYZUCagb9a_W_7c/s1600/IMG_4078.JPG" title="The Biscuit Factory - Newcastle " /></a></div>
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My visit perhaps wasn't best timed as the gallery were busy setting up their Spring launch. With the displays changing every season some of the walls were a little bare ready for new pieces but I guess that just gives me a great excuse to go back really soon. <br />
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As champions of original and handmade pieces there are some really inspiring things to look at with a lot of the work being very affordable - I much prefer a gallery that showcases art that's attainable rather than looking at things that are way out of my price range. When we do eventually get round to buying some forever pieces for our home I will definitely be heading to The Biscuit Factory to start our collection.<br />
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My favourite part of the gallery on my visit were the incredible framed pictures by "<a href="https://www.lightupnorth.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Light up North</b></span></a>", originally featured in the Winter exhibition, you can find them tucked away round a hidden corner in a dimly lit room. The paintings all feature neon slogans and they really are fantastic and well worth checking out. The illuminated art is created in Saltburn and I love how eye catching and cheeky their pieces are.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOag5eifT3E0BPb_iktQry67ETJ7vw9Tji1UbSAIK0USyl1mz4-DS4sDxbliVvKQTozYSUskFNpPLT6sk2rxDGW6phLYkdo_0mWvEwXOx6fKyNwG1VeBtvBWESF15oZK5DXf58uFME4q8/s1600/IMG_4077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Biscuit Factory Newcastle - Light up North " border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="1535" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOag5eifT3E0BPb_iktQry67ETJ7vw9Tji1UbSAIK0USyl1mz4-DS4sDxbliVvKQTozYSUskFNpPLT6sk2rxDGW6phLYkdo_0mWvEwXOx6fKyNwG1VeBtvBWESF15oZK5DXf58uFME4q8/s1600/IMG_4077.JPG" title="The Biscuit Factory Newcastle - Light up North " /></a></div>
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However long you plan to spend mooching around the art it's easy to make a bit of a day trip out of a visit to the Biscuit Factory thanks to fantastic extra offerings. Bookworms will love the addition of "Forum Books", a small yet perfectly formed bookshop which makes for lovely browsing and foodies will definitely want to make their way to the <a href="https://www.thebiscuitfactory.com/pages/the-factory-kitchen-cafe"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Factory Kitchen</b></span></a>.<br />
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Even if you have no interest at all in art you really must plan a trip to Biscuit Factory if only to check out their food offering, the beautiful little café creates delicious dishes and has a very good menu filled with lunches, afternoon tea and the kind of cake counter that makes your mouth water. They have some great offerings for special dietary requirements with some delicious vegetarian and vegan options as well as gluten free.<br />
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After enjoying a lovely solo stroll round the gallery I met the girls at Factory Kitchen for a late brunch, served all day it's a great weekend treat with a menu so tempting I spent ages trying to pick between four dishes. In the end I went for the Sauteed Mushrooms on Toasted Sourdough (£7.50) and added a poached egg and merguez sausage for an extra £3.75 . If you have the option to leave the car at home it's worth knowing that they also have some incredible sounding brunch cocktails available. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5o9g6CJumt6XSsTkR8f8QNd_Iibw4SVnHaA_smiMsIu60CuAuCAfW_m892HkhyphenhyphenAUnC5t0swoYqalrvJahSjppT6nAmFJue3bc8_QIgHL7_EcgKoHcGNKMXh4_zHFbRuZpHXhLnFDqVg/s1600/IMG_4065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Factory Kitchen - The Biscuit Factory Newcastle" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5o9g6CJumt6XSsTkR8f8QNd_Iibw4SVnHaA_smiMsIu60CuAuCAfW_m892HkhyphenhyphenAUnC5t0swoYqalrvJahSjppT6nAmFJue3bc8_QIgHL7_EcgKoHcGNKMXh4_zHFbRuZpHXhLnFDqVg/s1600/IMG_4065.JPG" title="Factory Kitchen - The Biscuit Factory Newcastle" /></a></div>
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Factory Kitchen is quite the hidden gem in Newcastle and if you're looking for somewhere a little different for a catch up with friends it's a great option. With plenty of seats, the café is really light and decked out in loads of foliage which gives it the loveliest relaxed vibe. I am very keen to go back in the Summer and enjoy an afternoon tea on their sunny roof terrace and the afternoon teas that were being delivered to the tables around us looked really good.<br />
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I am so thankful to The Biscuit Factory for pulling me out of my bad mood and giving me somewhere new to call a happy place - they truly make art accessible to everyone and I don't think anyone could leave without a massive smile on their faces. I can't wait to go back!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu7wwyHYKqBHr7npcgmL-3qmZSM8ZAK_KDgAjYSgHO8kq2E6phXofF5XRaGfStPHNufyztANZXzufR0rJM2szAVYPbN8_Sk5GC5KoVm4XXtQFDjDolZTGnj00T8ceQyAuM8expyiu1MA/s1600/IMG_4062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Biscuit Factory Newcastle - Factory Kitchen" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu7wwyHYKqBHr7npcgmL-3qmZSM8ZAK_KDgAjYSgHO8kq2E6phXofF5XRaGfStPHNufyztANZXzufR0rJM2szAVYPbN8_Sk5GC5KoVm4XXtQFDjDolZTGnj00T8ceQyAuM8expyiu1MA/s1600/IMG_4062.JPG" title="The Biscuit Factory Newcastle - Factory Kitchen" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Find The Biscuit Factory at:</span></b><br />
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16 Stoddart Street<br />
Shieldfield<br />
NE2 1AN<br />
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0191 261 1103<br />
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<a href="https://www.thebiscuitfactory.com/">https://www.thebiscuitfactory.com/</a><br />
<br />New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-38239925002665753392020-03-04T06:00:00.000+00:002020-03-04T06:38:50.398+00:00RNS Nights Out at the Sage Gateshead - Music from the Movies <div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This is an advertisement feature with The Sage Gateshead </i></div>
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As someone who was forced to listen to Classic FM in the tea room I worked in as a teenager (I used to change the radio station whenever my boss left the room), I can't say that an evening at the <a href="https://sagegateshead.com/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Sage in Gateshead</b></span></a> has ever been something that I've considered when arranging date night. I have always presumed that the Sage was a venue for people with a real understanding of classical music and certainly not for someone like me.<br />
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So I'm very excited to be able to share our first ever musical experience at the Sage Gateshead and to let you know that not only was I very wrong in my judgements, but I have also found a new shared passion that I can enjoy with my husband - I'm really not exaggerating when I say that our evening at the Sage opened our eyes and quite possibly changed our world!<br />
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Although Saturday was our first ever experience of a concert at the Sage, I'm certainly no stranger to the building itself and have enjoyed many an afternoon there admiring the incredible views of the river and Tyne Bridge whilst indulging in a slice of cake and a cup of coffee. I've always loved spending time there, and if you're yet to venture inside the Sage then you are definitely missing out. The Sage is a really community focussed part of our city and even if you don't have tickets for an event you can pop in for some food and, if you're lucky, enjoy some free entertainment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmvcG2BiVN44asvlg15jyUdFFbZUd5O5DUsvopyZBkoHbpd8QuGEvaDl9vlJvVt9eAa2RaL6wmauubZnVIsxxke_aiW43xhbNe1L-aXDfAmijXWgGw_dR85c559S4hUZLRPsMBXuxLEM/s1600/Sage+Gateshead+%25C2%25A9+David+Tiernan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="RNS Nights Out at The Sage Gateshead - Music from the Movies " border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmvcG2BiVN44asvlg15jyUdFFbZUd5O5DUsvopyZBkoHbpd8QuGEvaDl9vlJvVt9eAa2RaL6wmauubZnVIsxxke_aiW43xhbNe1L-aXDfAmijXWgGw_dR85c559S4hUZLRPsMBXuxLEM/s1600/Sage+Gateshead+%25C2%25A9+David+Tiernan.jpg" title="RNS Nights Out at The Sage Gateshead - Music from the Movies " /></a></div>
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Unlike a lot of other music venues, the experience of enjoying live music at the Sage Gateshead makes for a really wonderful, relaxing evening from the moment you arrive. We loved that we could easily park at the venue with plenty of spaces available. It cost us £4.80 to park our car for the evening, and the machine in the carpark allowed us to pre pay to save queuing at the end of the night. Once through the doors we couldn't believe the amount of space we had as we waited for doors to open - with themed cocktails at the bar and delicious food available before the show it made the experience that little bit more special and I think next time we'd plan to arrive a little earlier just to give us time for cake.<br />
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For our first experience at the Sage we had tickets for an "RNS Night Out" - a regular series of shows that focuses on music from film and the world of pop. If you are yet to experience a night at the Sage and are curious to perhaps give something different a go, this really is a fantastic way to dip your toe in. The nights all feature Royal Northern Sinfonia ("RNS"), the full-time orchestra at the Sage who were founded in 1958 and have gained themselves a lot of fans through their beautiful performances. The RNS Night Out series have seen some really fantastic nights of entertainment including a Star Wars spectacular, ET in concert and Beatlemania. For our evening we were going to be immersed in the magic of the movies with "Hollywood Heroes".<br />
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My husband has to be the biggest fan of film soundtracks, I'm not talking about "Mamma Mia" style sing alongs here, he's all about the big dramatic movie scores and if you were to take a look at his Spotify playlist you'd find it full of his favourite composers like Hans Zimmer and John Williams. He can tell you what film a piece of music is from within one bar and whilst most people run on the treadmill to dance music, Simon sets his pace to the Batman soundtrack (maybe he's training to be a superhero). To say he was excited about the Hollywood Heroes night would be an understatement.<br />
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Taking our seats in Sage One for the first time was a pretty special experience, the auditorium was very different to any arena or theatre I have ever been in and I spent a lot of time just gazing around at how incredible it all looked. We were very lucky to find ourselves only a few rows back from the stage and as the orchestra entered and took their seats I was having the greatest time looking at all of the different instruments and the beautiful outfits each of the musicians were wearing. I had no idea exactly how big the Royal Northern Sinfonia would be with over 60 people on stage playing everything from Violin and Cello to Flute, Oboe, Trombone, Harp and Bass Guitar.<br />
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Our evening began with conductor Stephen Bell taking to the stage and kicking off the night with John Williams' "Summon the Heroes", a piece of music written for the 1996 Summer Olympics and very fitting for the night ahead. Having never seen a live orchestra before I was fascinated watching all of the musicians and the first thing that struck me was how beautiful the violinists looked, their bows moving in perfect sequence across the strings.<br />
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Turning to glance at my husband as the sounds of Hans Zimmer's "Gladiator" filled the room I couldn't believe how huge the smile was on his face. Hearing one of his favourite composers performed live was quite a moment for him and he was on the edge of his seat eagerly listening to every note. I have honestly never seen him so happy at a concert before.<br />
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For people like me who are perhaps not quite so familiar with movie soundtracks there were some great crowd pleasers within the set including Alan Silvestri's "The Avengers" and an extract from John Williams score from "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (instantly recognisable!). With plenty of families in the audience these were definitely both moments that the children appreciated too and if you are keen to introduce the younger members of your family to a fantastic live music experience the RNS Nights Out series are a great way to do that.<br />
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We were enjoying ourselves so much that the first half passed in what felt like minutes and before we knew it we were heading out of the Auditorium for interval drinks and a very special chance to meet a couple of members of the RNS orchestra. We had the loveliest chat with violinist, Alanna Tonetti-Tieppo who happily answered all of my "newbie" questions that had left me feeling curious in the first half. I was keen to know more about the role of the conductor and what all of those confusing looking hand signals mean and it was great to have a little bit of insight into life in the RNS. If you are interested in learning more about the RNS then The Sage have recently launched<span style="color: purple;"><b> <a href="https://www.rnsinsidestory.com/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;">RNS Inside Story</span></a></b></span> sharing all things chamber orchestra and focuses on learning more about the music, musicians and experience including recommended playlists, short reads and Q&As.<br />
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Back into Sage One for the second part and Simon's moment of the night arrived with Danny Elfman's "Batman Suite" and John Williams "Superman Love Theme", he was having a real "pinch me" moment at how incredible his favourite pieces of music sounded with a full orchestra. My moment of the show came at the very end listening to the most beautifully haunting music composed by John Williams for "Schindler's List" - with an incredible violin solo performed by Kyra Humphreys which almost moved me to tears. I had goosebumps all over my body and for those few minutes I honestly felt like the only person in the room. It was such an incredible experience.<br />
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Of course you can't be ending a show on a sombre note and the whole audience were delighted with the final piece of music from the set - Michael Giacchno ar. McEwan "The Incredibles". An absolutely incredible moment which seemed to include every instrument on the stage in a giant sound of tuneful chaos which, if you've seen the movie, you know is perfectly fitting. <br />
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The whole show was a couple of hours but passed in a flash, we were both so sad when it was over and would have happily sat there for days listening to the incredible RNS orchestra. We have well and truly caught the bug and now consider ourselves new fans of the RNS. We can't wait to go back and are both keen to try one of the main series of concerts next with the more intimate shows in Sage Two and the live performances at Wylam Brewery looking particularly special. <br />
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If you fancy experiencing a RNS Night Out at Sage Gateshead for yourself then the next in the series will take place on Saturday 28 March at 7:30 pm and will celebrate the work of Elton John. "The Music of Elton John: 50 Years of "Your Song"" will see the RNS joined by four stars of the West End in a tribute to one of the greatest songwriters which will include all of his best hits. Tickets cost from £16.50 and can be <a href="https://sagegateshead.com/whats-on/rns-nights-out-the-music-of-elton-john-50-years-of-your-song/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>purchased here</b></span></a>.<br />
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We will see you there!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Find The Sage at:</b></span><br />
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St Mary's Square<br />
Gateshead<br />
NE8 2JR<br />
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0191 443 4666<br />
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<a href="https://sagegateshead.com/">https://sagegateshead.com/</a><br />
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<i>We received complimentary tickets to the Hollywood Heroes Night at The Sage. </i>New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-5223029870498963212020-02-29T10:01:00.001+00:002020-02-29T10:06:54.601+00:00My February Days<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This blog includes an advertisement feature with Calendar Club</i></div>
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I've grown quite fond of February over the last few years, the sudden appearance of the snowdrops always coincides nicely with the lighter days and before we know it we're all chatting about Spring wardrobes, sunny holiday plans and everything seems far more manageable. It's been a busy month for us and I can't believe how much we've crammed in. Here's what I haven't already shared!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Penshaw Monument </b></span><br />
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We were quick off the mark with the<span style="color: purple;"><b> </b></span><a href="https://www.calendarclub.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Calendar Club</b></span> </a>challenge this month and found ourselves heading out on our adventure the day we turned the calendar over. Our February challenge sent us on a jaunt over the river to Penshaw Monument, somewhere I hadn't visited for many years. Not much had changed other than the beautiful ginger cows sitting at the bottom of the hill and my level of fitness (I do not remember the climb to the top being that hard on my legs). As the Calendar Club Challenge involves sharing a creative photo from the calendar location I spent much of my afternoon leaping about trying to get a jump shot - the outtakes are really something! Don't forget if you want to join in you just need to visit the location pictured in your travel calendar for the month and then share with #calendardclubchallenge for the chance to win a prize. We combined the visit with a sunny stroll round Herrington Country Park (it offers beautiful views of Penshaw Monument so is a must if you're doing the trip) and a visit to the Bakery at Penshaw Farm Shop which deserves an entire paragraph to itself ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTOmWfR1KYI-7LtAhSx57D5gxTsQu7Rasz4Mel0nJVesaGO1om69ieZ6fvnjcjlD7JdMrLD-wl2mwTRKf-F5rx_y_333cj73OlJIpDfAgR-ZTWioSK_IIJ9KsoTddvhvRdk5DJi7XYJA/s1600/IMG_3353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My February Days - Calendar Club Challenge" border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTOmWfR1KYI-7LtAhSx57D5gxTsQu7Rasz4Mel0nJVesaGO1om69ieZ6fvnjcjlD7JdMrLD-wl2mwTRKf-F5rx_y_333cj73OlJIpDfAgR-ZTWioSK_IIJ9KsoTddvhvRdk5DJi7XYJA/s1600/IMG_3353.JPG" title="My February Days - Calendar Club Challenge" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cakes for Giants!</b></span><br />
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Where do I even start with the cakes at the <a href="https://www.penshawfarmshop.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Penshaw Bakery</b></span></a>? You'll find the adorable little shop just next to the Penshaw Tearoom and its like a real life Aladdin's Cave if you love cakes as much as me. The counter is completely stacked with delicious homemade cakes and if you order a slice they are cut into very generous wedges that will fill you up for the rest of the day. Sitting alongside the sponges you'll find a massive selection of biscuits, cream buns, scones and cupcakes all so huge it's like being in a bakery for giants. Next time you're at Penshaw you really must go!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Afternoon Tea at Jesmond Dene House</b></span><br />
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We have had the afternoon tea at <a href="https://jesmonddenehouse.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Jesmond Dene House</b></span></a> more than any other in the region but when we heard that it had had a bit of a makeover we couldn't resist booking ourselves a table in the Garden Room for an afternoon of tea and cake. The tea has changed a lot over the years and the recent refurbishment of the restaurant in the hotel has made the experience feel even more beautiful and although the price has leapt up to £29.50 per person it honestly is worth every penny for the impeccable service and beautiful food. Our favourite parts of the new look afternoon tea included an Isle of Mulll Cheese Scone served with Whipped Butter and Red Onion Marmalade and the Granny Smith Apple and Madagascan Vanilla Cheesecake (shaped like an apple!)<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Knife Angel Visits Gateshead</b></span><br />
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The most incredible sculpture arrived in Gateshead this month. <a href="https://www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk/show-areas/the-knife-angel-official"><span style="color: purple;"><b>The Knife Angel</b></span></a> is made from 100,00 knives surrendered to the police across the country and has been created as a thought provoking piece encouraging discussion and education around the topic of knife crime. During its visit Gateshead committed to deputising 10,000 young people in becoming anti-violence champions and educating our youth on the negative impact that aggression and violence has on our community. We popped by to see it during a busy lunchtime and couldn't believe how quiet it was at the feet of the angel despite the visiting crowds.<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Sunday Brunch at The Mal</span></b><br />
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Anyone fancy an epic Sunday Brunch at <a href="https://www.malmaison.com/locations/newcastle/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Malmaison</b></span></a>? Served every week, the menu offers all you can eat Appetisers from the Chef's Table followed by a Main Brunch Plate for £19.95 with dessert added for an additional £3.50 and unlimited Prosecco for £15.00. After filling our boots with meats, fish, salad and fresh bread we tucked into Eggs California and a Mal Burger followed by the most incredible Sticky Toffee Pudding we have ever had (ordered by Simon but I definitely enjoyed a fair chunk of it!) Such a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Model for the Day</b></span><br />
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I got to play model for the afternoon this month when stylist <a href="https://helenleeloves.com/styling-services/digital-stylist-services/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Helenlee Loves</b></span></a> asked me to help out at her talk at the Grammers Event held at Ramside. Demonstrating her inspiring Style Code to a room of fashion loving ladies I got to strut about in the most incredible suit from Baukjen which really made me think I need to give smarter dressing a go. With makeup by <a href="https://www.amandabellmua.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Amanda Bell</b></span></a><b><span style="color: purple;"> </span></b>and a beautiful new hair do from the ladies at <a href="https://www.reefsalons.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Reef Salons</b></span></a> my taste of the limelight was so much fun, even if a lot of my evening was spent getting changed in a dining room and trying to hide from passing waiters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8GIeYXecfk5Oo-K5ykXAcIeKzYc6bqBPeR2XWEYLQl7EYPIbGizFSL_kt4cD2aPefiY9szbppowoSJMHPk6-OVvF2AaVe5yPUqvHUSQeIX9_tzvkApVmkfMRymYK2K3t-fJqFd5_29M/s1600/IMG_3121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My February Days - Grammers" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8GIeYXecfk5Oo-K5ykXAcIeKzYc6bqBPeR2XWEYLQl7EYPIbGizFSL_kt4cD2aPefiY9szbppowoSJMHPk6-OVvF2AaVe5yPUqvHUSQeIX9_tzvkApVmkfMRymYK2K3t-fJqFd5_29M/s1600/IMG_3121.JPG" title="My February Days - Grammers" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Treehouse Suite at Ramside</b></span><br />
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Whilst at Ramside I got to enjoy a sneaky look round the brand new <a href="https://www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk/rooms/treehouses/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>treehouse suites</b></span> </a>which have recently opened. The incredible rooms really are something else and different to anything else we have in the North East. Beautifully luxurious suites in the trees, the rooms have massive beds, outdoor hot tubs and the all important instagrammable copper bath tub. I have obviously been heavily hinting to Simon about booking a stay .... this place screams wedding anniversary treat right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FmHjJ_Dt1RPZwYdFqoDW0UpP_rFgQOYBZoSZHr7ulzD6kxtTfJaZVNCb42xzKBXiY4ks6IsZZmjMAaOVmRqdrdl4Q6sCpFF8nooAMXmCTm9GQcdYeo08TIj9d9zjBZEWbaccGSJtmls/s1600/IMG_3113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My February Days - Ramside Treehouse" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FmHjJ_Dt1RPZwYdFqoDW0UpP_rFgQOYBZoSZHr7ulzD6kxtTfJaZVNCb42xzKBXiY4ks6IsZZmjMAaOVmRqdrdl4Q6sCpFF8nooAMXmCTm9GQcdYeo08TIj9d9zjBZEWbaccGSJtmls/s1600/IMG_3113.JPG" title="My February Days - Ramside Treehouse" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dining at Leila Lily's</b></span><br />
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After declaring<span style="color: purple;"><b> </b></span><a href="https://leilalilys.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Leila Lilys</b></span> </a>our new favourite bar in Newcastle following <a href="https://www.newgirlintoon.co.uk/2019/12/instagram-guide-best-new-cocktail-bar-newcastle.html"><span style="color: purple;"><b>our cocktail crawl</b></span></a> a few months ago I had been keen to return to try the food. This month I finally made a plan thanks to a too good to ignore 50% off dining deal and popped along one evening after work. I had been a little worried that the flamboyant styling of the restaurant (if you love pink neon lights and eye catching interiors then this is the place for you) would perhaps overshadow the food but was really impressed with their offering and now I'm desperate to return to try out their afternoon tea. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxwZIKqeTo96YMiV4Nb2Fv9atiAkIAuLXcAb5HwaFjR4Gh9G65LM_jrEfyOhpJVevppQAVzgdci_2AtY3VsaDXRAje1B7bpUX3-4tPmvm2h7DKEjrKVYP-GnnBoPo02FE3BjMI05arwo/s1600/IMG_3245+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My February Days - Dining at Leila Lilys" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxwZIKqeTo96YMiV4Nb2Fv9atiAkIAuLXcAb5HwaFjR4Gh9G65LM_jrEfyOhpJVevppQAVzgdci_2AtY3VsaDXRAje1B7bpUX3-4tPmvm2h7DKEjrKVYP-GnnBoPo02FE3BjMI05arwo/s1600/IMG_3245+copy.JPG" title="My February Days - Dining at Leila Lilys" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Woods Coffee at Tynemouth</b></span><br />
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With so many amazing coffee shops along the North Tyneside coast I'm sure you can forgive us for taking so long to get ourselves to <a href="http://www.misterwoods.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Woods Coffee</b></span></a>, although now we have made our first visit we will most definitely be returning. What a beautiful place - we loved the industrial vibes, incredible looking cakes (I can't believe we didn't actually try one) and come Summer you will definitely find me lounging about in their courtyard, it's quite a sun trap!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBo322m5jtyeY7GoXefN521iJgm1q0G5hl41-uBkWiD9zuvsLyRId4I1iEsrxuIbsJUFJqj1qppRIAnuNqAStCv_JsGFRCKPighjhq0EfEvtCGucpVW-rzkpHj0Kt3lxyHImH2YaCMfE/s1600/IMG_3667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My February Days - Woods Coffee" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBo322m5jtyeY7GoXefN521iJgm1q0G5hl41-uBkWiD9zuvsLyRId4I1iEsrxuIbsJUFJqj1qppRIAnuNqAStCv_JsGFRCKPighjhq0EfEvtCGucpVW-rzkpHj0Kt3lxyHImH2YaCMfE/s1600/IMG_3667.JPG" title="My February Days - Woods Coffee" /></a></div>
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For more adventures from New Girl in Toon make sure you<a href="https://www.instagram.com/newgirlintoon/"> <span style="color: purple;"><b>follow me on Instagram</b></span></a>. I post a new photo every day and you will find vlogs from my favourite northern adventures on my highlights.New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-37296469772290090762020-02-12T06:00:00.000+00:002020-02-12T06:37:18.121+00:00Spa Day and Afternoon Tea at Slaley Hall <div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This is an advertisement feature with Slaley Hall</i></div>
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Driving through the stunning Northumberland countryside in the sunshine, singing (pretty badly) along to my favourite tunes as I made my way to <span style="color: purple;"><b><a href="https://www.slaleyhallhotel.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Slaley Hall</span></a> </b></span>for a Spa Day and Afternoon Tea, I honestly couldn't have been happier. Precious moments like these can be far and few between during the Winter months but when they happen wow do you feel happy to be alive!<br />
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If any of you have done the drive to Slaley Hall near Hexham you will know exactly what I'm talking about, the journey to the four star country hotel in Northumberland is spectacular with miles of rolling hills and beautiful countryside to admire as you make your way to the luxury hall. It had only been a month since my last visit for Festive Afternoon Tea but I was more than ready to get better acquainted and experience my first ever spa day there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTxa42MsJH8kng3km5mcqzMVTP4oX9qNsO8gcS11ca5snCRbpvZTLvZJ4NzuFRqqgmNGm9RMDKl6bkH2yWowztNGutJGelIbiAGgymdPTUq2QhfxYkMlScUv9F4eK8mZXuNemP0DsGHM/s1600/IMG_2550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spa Day and Afternoon Tea at Slaley Hall " border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTxa42MsJH8kng3km5mcqzMVTP4oX9qNsO8gcS11ca5snCRbpvZTLvZJ4NzuFRqqgmNGm9RMDKl6bkH2yWowztNGutJGelIbiAGgymdPTUq2QhfxYkMlScUv9F4eK8mZXuNemP0DsGHM/s1600/IMG_2550.jpg" title="Spa Day and Afternoon Tea at Slaley Hall " /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">The Spa at Slaley Hall </span></b><br />
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Wanting a full day of relaxation we arrived at Slaley Hall at 10:30 am keen to indulge in a Sunday of wellbeing. Welcomed at the spa reception by the loveliest ladies we were given our forms to fill in and shown to the Relaxation Room. <br />
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Wow! I have been to a lot of these rooms in spas across the North East but this one was definitely up there with the very best. Walking in from the cold, the Relaxation Room was a bit like receiving a lovely warm and comforting hug. Decked out in squishy sofas and chairs with plenty of magazines to flick through, the room made me wish that my lounge at home could look like that. I could have quite happily spent my entire day in there if the thought of poolside lounging hadn't been tempting me out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildP6HcJ8bpLeby5g_WP7ox1GEacYKghX62bNks0ziD8YG4SIJMJluzkJ-NXVQwCJX9QlV8LgreXFXaDbiSeP7f6OtqQUvwRy7u18RBBU2c7kw6_8xnAntTieNRMUiQ2aCGrY6RxPtNYk/s1600/IMG_2633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spa Day at Slaley Hall " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildP6HcJ8bpLeby5g_WP7ox1GEacYKghX62bNks0ziD8YG4SIJMJluzkJ-NXVQwCJX9QlV8LgreXFXaDbiSeP7f6OtqQUvwRy7u18RBBU2c7kw6_8xnAntTieNRMUiQ2aCGrY6RxPtNYk/s1600/IMG_2633.jpg" title="Spa Day at Slaley Hall " /></a></div>
I'm not always great at carrying cash (just call me the Queen!) so when I'd realised that I hadn't got the required £1.00 for the locker in the changing room reception were happy to loan me a coin and then gave us a bundle of fluffy extras to ensure the perfect spa experience. Cosy dressing gowns, slippers and towels at the ready we did a quick change into our cozzies and made our way into the spa.<br />
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Priorities first, we decided to visit the Spa Café to get ourselves a drink to enjoy. The small kiosk offers a variety of light snacks, drinks and even tubs of Ben & Jerry's for the very best kind of poolside lounging. As well as loungers round the pool there are also plenty of tables and chairs by the café which is a great idea - working our way through a pot of tea whilst sitting at a table in our swimming costumes gave us all of the holiday vibes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsw58CYia2fUzEjQaP6GDj2caEzM2o-TVgFX2iEWEkqAdf0aBuDVyAcUw3BgN-4LchbBCjSEGBwjAygDrPbr77ajZCUy3j6Tdk4wqy0t76KJhcOMnbU2PI7uKPXjQdpGB5xuUWlyGMHM/s1600/IMG_2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spa at Slaley Hall " border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsw58CYia2fUzEjQaP6GDj2caEzM2o-TVgFX2iEWEkqAdf0aBuDVyAcUw3BgN-4LchbBCjSEGBwjAygDrPbr77ajZCUy3j6Tdk4wqy0t76KJhcOMnbU2PI7uKPXjQdpGB5xuUWlyGMHM/s1600/IMG_2525.jpg" title="Spa at Slaley Hall " /></a></div>
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Once we'd finished gossiping over a cuppa it was time to explore the spa, starting off with a visit to the Sauna and Steam Room before taking a refreshing dip in the pool. We absolutely loved the design of the Spa at Slaley Hall, the rocks and foliage made it all seem pretty tropical and, perhaps the best part, there's a slide!<br />
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Yes the spa at Slaley Hall has a slide!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaH5-RXNtJOotGXUYvqNv5rdt1rRcMNdquUCBqcQxzyAuAPjv89y71o6gUkofaNkUOF0fh7Vx1mJGaEvUwalGXUIAtRCQE9nWe1wUJ6tQ3So8DrPLY8YA3yWORRq3Hzkx59Nl6NkcseZU/s1600/IMG_2551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spa Day Northumberland - Slaley Hall " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaH5-RXNtJOotGXUYvqNv5rdt1rRcMNdquUCBqcQxzyAuAPjv89y71o6gUkofaNkUOF0fh7Vx1mJGaEvUwalGXUIAtRCQE9nWe1wUJ6tQ3So8DrPLY8YA3yWORRq3Hzkx59Nl6NkcseZU/s1600/IMG_2551.jpg" title="Spa Day Northumberland - Slaley Hall " /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Afternoon Tea at Slaley Hall </b></span><br />
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Despite having over three hours to chill out in the spa the time seemed to vanish and before we knew it it was time for Afternoon Tea. We had the option of heading back to the changing rooms to put our clothes back on or dining in our dressing gowns and of course we went for the second option. There's something so lovely and cosy about eating Afternoon Tea in your dressing gown - it's the ultimate Sunday treat.<br />
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In the past I have been known to jump straight out of the pool dripping in water and then wrap myself up in my dressing gown but if you are planning on treating yourself to food in your gown I highly recommend attempting to keep it dry as you will be so thankful later. I had been very careful to ensure that my dressing gown and spa slippers had been kept completely dry (a skill it's taken me years to acquire!) so all we had to do was change into dry swimsuits and we were good to go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzZ530wqsgCgicP7clP2N4Cq3V7RuEEfQobrfv2UWd7QxsD_zJ0UlDXdi8R_NzV5Rw_5zPGaTkAPTEiFQlTE-hs0bSDY-PKYrA8wEci8yyUK1fGJl2cuUoYG0qZcuJigFZLOuqbRJXy0/s1600/IMG_2622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Slaley Hall - Afternoon Tea" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzZ530wqsgCgicP7clP2N4Cq3V7RuEEfQobrfv2UWd7QxsD_zJ0UlDXdi8R_NzV5Rw_5zPGaTkAPTEiFQlTE-hs0bSDY-PKYrA8wEci8yyUK1fGJl2cuUoYG0qZcuJigFZLOuqbRJXy0/s1600/IMG_2622.jpg" title="Slaley Hall - Afternoon Tea" /></a></div>
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There are three restaurants at Slaley Hall but if you are dining as part of a spa day your food will be served in Mr Kennedy's Brasserie which offers amazing views across the terrace (on the two occasions I've enjoyed Afternoon Tea there I've had some great squirrel spots). There were a few other tables dining in their gowns which meant we didn't feel awkward at all - it was a great touch ensuring that all of the spa guests were dining in the same area together. <br />
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The presentation of Afternoon Tea at Slaley Hall is fantastic with a few different variations on offer. The gentleman's style Afternoon Tea has been renamed "The Bookcase" and comes presented on its own little shelf crammed with treats including Mini Steak & Ale Pie, Cheese Scones and Doughnuts & Dips. If your appetite is a little smaller then "The Basket" is a perfect alternative, costing £10.50 per person it includes Warm Plain and Fruit Scones with Cream and Preserve with freshly made Madeleines.<br />
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We opted for the Traditional Afternoon Tea which is served in a beautiful chrome birdcage, costing £19.50 per person it was absolutely beautiful and laden with treats, deciding to add a tipple on the side we both enjoyed a glass of Prosecco for an extra £5.00 each, the perfect way to ensure our Afternoon Tea was extra special.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1gn_dKZuM4iS7F3KWZwbE6Y9VBU-xC7l-OXOxcVlNMHN2sj1_vQKMOsYrXnHwmXnZ-T81Q2bDP8vGj7GTEK-ipY_PuFRWJothbXYrU-C5xqpt3kQ01Cn2uVzVEUBsToM_WELWHyx3-I/s1600/IMG_2585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Slaley Hall - Afternoon Tea Cakestand" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1gn_dKZuM4iS7F3KWZwbE6Y9VBU-xC7l-OXOxcVlNMHN2sj1_vQKMOsYrXnHwmXnZ-T81Q2bDP8vGj7GTEK-ipY_PuFRWJothbXYrU-C5xqpt3kQ01Cn2uVzVEUBsToM_WELWHyx3-I/s1600/IMG_2585.jpg" title="Slaley Hall - Afternoon Tea Cakestand" /></a></div>
Starting off at the bottom we made our way through the sandwiches - Duck's Egg & Watercress Mayonnaise, Smoked Salmon & Prawn with Dill and Rocket "Salad Cream", English Salted Cucumber with Apple Crème Fraiche (it took us a while to work out what that one was!) and Poached Chicken with Lime & Coriander. Served on really lovely fresh bread they were absolutely delicious.<br />
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Moving on up it was time for the scones and we were thrilled to discover that they had been served warm and we had a plain and fruit scone each. They were served with proper Cornish clotted cream and red berry preserve which I spread across each so generously I ended up with jam all over my hands!<br />
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Of course my favourite part of any Afternoon Tea is always the sweet tier and the cakes at Slaley Hall really hit the mark. Beautifully presented and delicious we were treated to Chocolate & Caramel Opera Cake with Crisp Brandy Snap Tuille, Macarons and Lemon & Poppy Seed Cake with Lemon Curd Cream. I'm still not sure how we managed to polish all of those off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KjNpxwOVi-P4vrlB9D6uabDoHdTY8rSbWYPO0zYVb0oUv0-FeY6cEPJdGtyp_Q9my4Wwt08f2uRXmS5Ha_DQbkyFlcUPtfSHwYyvEVC-eIYBI8m_GHTntgVMxADpx8I8xhseY0FoC00/s1600/IMG_2611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Slaley Hall - Afternoon Tea Cake" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KjNpxwOVi-P4vrlB9D6uabDoHdTY8rSbWYPO0zYVb0oUv0-FeY6cEPJdGtyp_Q9my4Wwt08f2uRXmS5Ha_DQbkyFlcUPtfSHwYyvEVC-eIYBI8m_GHTntgVMxADpx8I8xhseY0FoC00/s1600/IMG_2611.jpg" title="Slaley Hall - Afternoon Tea Cake" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Treatments at Slaley Hall</b></span><br />
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As I'm always wanting a nap after afternoon tea I was more than ready to make my way from the brasserie back to the spa for a treatment.<br />
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There are nine beautiful treatment rooms at Slaley Hall and a huge variety of therapies to choose from with plenty of body treatments, signature spa rituals, nail treatments and facials. As partners of Elemis you are guaranteed the most luxurious experience if you book a treatment at the spa and as a huge fan of the skincare brand it was this collaboration that made me so excited to try Slaley Hall spa for the first time.<br />
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There's one treatment I can never resist - a hot stones massage. I've had it at multiple spas across the region, and if you've never tried one before please make it your 2020 resolution to book yourself in for one as they are honestly incredible. The Hot Stones Massage at Slaley Hall costs £79.00 for a 50 minute full body massage using aromatherapy oils and and warm volcanic stones.<br />
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The Hot Stones Massage at Slaley Hall was absolutely beautiful, I felt so relaxed I easily could have drifted off and then spent the rest of the afternoon just dozing on the bed - it was just what I needed to beat the January blues. If you're looking for a way to treat yourself this Winter then I highly recommend booking yourself in for a treatment.<br />
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If you fancy experiencing a spa day at Slaley Hall yourself then there are some really fantastic packages to choose from, making Slaley one of the most affordable spas in the region. Some of my favourite offers include:<br />
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Elemis Experience with Afternoon Tea (Mon to Thurs £75.00 / Fri and Sun £85.00) - 1 x 50 minute Signature Spa Ritual with Afternoon Tea and a glass of fizz<br />
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Twilight Spa (Weds and Thurs from 6:00 pm £42.00) - Spa Access with a 3 course meal and a glass of bubbly<br />
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Spa with Me Experience (Mon to Thurs £134.00 for two / Fri and Sun £154.00 for two) - 1 x 50 minute Signature Spa Ritual each with Light Lunch<br />
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<a href="https://www.slaleyhallhotel.com/spa-health-club/spa/spa-day-packages/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Click here</b></span></a> to see the full list of Spa Day Packages available<br />
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I really loved my first ever spa experience at Slaley Hall and will definitely be returning next time I'm need of a pamper day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZqk9btb1ymshlyNuIuywvHym_lGmnWwWtdcZQWTbKh6LDBFk9aA3AKDptTsyTgdNaFi8XUgJy0dLDTEhwul4OQNjMEhu2Zfjw3Pke_iHG9YckhhRRdZHw2QTrzAkta5BAvknXeZ1l30/s1600/IMG_2513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Slaley Hall Northumberland" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZqk9btb1ymshlyNuIuywvHym_lGmnWwWtdcZQWTbKh6LDBFk9aA3AKDptTsyTgdNaFi8XUgJy0dLDTEhwul4OQNjMEhu2Zfjw3Pke_iHG9YckhhRRdZHw2QTrzAkta5BAvknXeZ1l30/s1600/IMG_2513.jpg" title="Slaley Hall Northumberland" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Find Slaley Hall at:</span></b><br />
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Hexham<br />
Northumberland<br />
NE47 0BX<br />
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01434 673 350<br />
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<a href="https://www.slaleyhallhotel.com/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;">slaleyhallhotel.com/</span></a><br />
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<i>We received a complimentary spa day for two including massages and afternoon tea in exchange for this honest review. </i>New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-8823500875410138932020-02-05T06:00:00.000+00:002020-02-05T06:37:36.598+00:0010 of The Best Valentines Ideas in the North East<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>Includes advertisement features with Wild Northumbria, Ramside Hall, Walwick Hall, Malmaison and Crab Manor </i></div>
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I think many of us probably don't celebrate Valentines Day - overpriced chocolates, crowded restaurants and huge teddy bears don't really do it for us and I know most of you will agree. However, I do love an excuse to spend time with my husband so couldn't resist sharing the best Valentines ideas in the North East - not necessarily for February 14th, you can enjoy these with your love at any time!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDZ27449UqHueqoEEc9JHc-WR5FIlnNjfO2x3MWCHcX7xtt7AWAJiVIZwKNxd504IzYwSUq82HaQyOpuablI4BV4akIUFaWqKgEuSYk0h1A01r8hQKsI0SvbQ-CkDpMcFi7OorHiKC-0/s1600/blog+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="10 of The Best Valentines Ideas in the North East" border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDZ27449UqHueqoEEc9JHc-WR5FIlnNjfO2x3MWCHcX7xtt7AWAJiVIZwKNxd504IzYwSUq82HaQyOpuablI4BV4akIUFaWqKgEuSYk0h1A01r8hQKsI0SvbQ-CkDpMcFi7OorHiKC-0/s1600/blog+7.jpg" title="10 of The Best Valentines Ideas in the North East" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Snuggle on the Sofa at the Everyman Cinema</b></span><br />
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The<b><span style="color: purple;"> <a href="https://www.everymancinema.com/newcastle" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Everyman Cinema in Newcastle</span></a></span></b> has become our date night cinema of choice since it arrived in the Toon last year. Although not the cheapest place to catch the latest blockbuster it is definitely worth the extra pennies for a special occasion and ticks all of the boxes when it comes to the snuggle factor. The comfy sofas and cushions make it just as comfortable as your own home and the at seat waiter service means you can enjoy a very luxurious cinema experience. Be warned, once you've seen a film at Everyman it's very hard not to want to go every weekend!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Go Off Grid at Wild Northumbrian</b></span><br />
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I'm sure we can't be the only couple who sometimes ignore each other in favour of mindlessly scrolling on our phones. I dash out of work each night to get to Haymarket, just so I can meet my husband and we can sit together on the bus and ignore each other whilst playing on our phones. So perhaps the very best gift you can give yourselves this Valetnines is a chance to go off grid. <a href="https://www.wildnorthumbrian.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Wild Northumbrian</b></span></a> is the ultimate glamping escape in the wilds of Northumberland where you can shack up in a romantic yurt for two. With no phone signal and plenty of peace and quiet - cuddle up and enjoy an endless sky of stars as you cook out on the camp fire and spend time together with no distractions.<br />
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Read about our experience at <a href="https://www.newgirlintoon.co.uk/2020/01/glamping-treehouse-wild-northumbrian.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Wild Northumbrian here</b></span></a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoZBDMpyegbI9zBQfQRbnJtPRh_XQIauECeqI_xgarkDMkRPYZvfrL_BSttEl4EN-xJ3ybQSAG3osufkCcrT6TZwMbbMEjG1MMUK1Ni16FXo6qu6b3sKWslw_eo0jwmt5euuBkohrN_8/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Valentines Ideas in the North East - Wild Northumbrian" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoZBDMpyegbI9zBQfQRbnJtPRh_XQIauECeqI_xgarkDMkRPYZvfrL_BSttEl4EN-xJ3ybQSAG3osufkCcrT6TZwMbbMEjG1MMUK1Ni16FXo6qu6b3sKWslw_eo0jwmt5euuBkohrN_8/s1600/23.jpg" title="Valentines Ideas in the North East - Wild Northumbrian" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dip in the Ramside Hall Private Infinity Pool</b></span><br />
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I am more than a little obsessed with <a href="https://www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Ramside Hall</b></span></a> at the moment so when it came to sharing the best Valentines Ideas in the North East I just had to include them. Although the luxury hotel has so many options to make the perfect Valentines (have you seen their brand new Treehouse Suites?) it's the Private Infinity Pool at Ramside Spa that has me weak at the knees. Available to private hire you can enjoy uninterrupted chill time in your very own pool offering great views across the Ramside Hall estate. Available from only £30.00 for the two of you, if you're feeling extra fancy you can arrange to have yourself some nibbles from Fusion and a cheeky glass of Prosecco to enjoy poolside.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Indulge in Afternoon Tea at Walwick Hall</b></span><br />
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My husband had never had an afternoon tea until he met me and now he's quite the connoisseur of cake stands and it is one of our favourite things to do together. If you want some really lovely quality time with your other half, afternoon tea is one of the very best ways to spend an afternoon. We always have our best conversations whilst tucking into scones and sharing a teapot. One of the loveliest afternoon teas in the North East is at <a href="https://walwickhall.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Walwick Hall</b></span></a> - enjoy your cakestand in a beautiful lounge with views across Northumberland and the most incredible treats you'll ever experience. I promise the setting at Walwick Hall really does provide the most romantic afternoon tea for you and your love.<br />
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Read about our experience of<b><span style="color: purple;"> <a href="https://www.newgirlintoon.co.uk/2019/06/best-afternoon-tea-northumberland-walwick-hall.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">afternoon tea at Walwick Hall here</span></a></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ayyLi2jD3aJ4gH1Diw_UhrRd86LGvTn1-k8ynqAg5MWddaBahRXEOra1WMePK4ag6QAweM6MNQARxe0INUcRv8te0I6Uu2HuH1xL8XKLCJGXx_xME3Jomy9Z1mxmsINBu3ncwq3Zwaw/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Valentines Ideas in the North East - Walwick Hall" border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ayyLi2jD3aJ4gH1Diw_UhrRd86LGvTn1-k8ynqAg5MWddaBahRXEOra1WMePK4ag6QAweM6MNQARxe0INUcRv8te0I6Uu2HuH1xL8XKLCJGXx_xME3Jomy9Z1mxmsINBu3ncwq3Zwaw/s1600/18.jpg" title="Valentines Ideas in the North East - Walwick Hall" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Enjoy a Bar Crawl round the Toon</span></b><br />
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With so many incredible new bars in Newcastle sometimes the simplest Valentines ideas are the best. If you're yet to discover some of the newest watering holes in the Toon surely a big booze up with your Valentines is the excuse you've been waiting for? We have ice-bars and gin emporiums, flower walls and swing seats and don't forget the old favourites. Nothing beats a jaunt around Newcastle indulging in some day drinking and with Dry January a distant memory it's time to discover a new favourite for Valentines.<br />
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Read about our latest <a href="https://www.newgirlintoon.co.uk/2019/12/instagram-guide-best-new-cocktail-bar-newcastle.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>bar crawl round Newcastle here</b></span></a><br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Go on a Llama Trek </span></b><br />
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Taking a llama for a walk probably isn't the first thing that springs to mind when you're coming up with the best Valentines ideas but this is honestly one of the best things that Simon and I have ever done together and you really don't know romance until you've dashed up a hill with a llama. <a href="https://alpacalyeverafter.co.uk/our-activities/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Once upon a Llama</b></span> </a>do organised treks up Catbells which offers the most incredible views across Derwent Water - very romantic! Although climbing up hills in the Lake District isn't the most relaxing of walks, you will definitely be united in your adventure and if you are feeling extra romantic you can share a llama with your love.<br />
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Read about our experience of <a href="https://www.newgirlintoon.co.uk/2019/07/llama-trekking-lake-district.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Llama Trekking here</b></span></a><br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Hire Bikes at Wallington</span></b><br />
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If you're more of an adventurous couple then how about spending a Valentines inspired date cycling your way round the Dragon Cycle Trail at the National Trust estate at Wallington? Bike hire is available on site or you can take your own. Spend your afternoon whizzing up and down the Northumberland hills, speeding your way through woodlands and admiring the beautiful views. For an extra bit of romance pack a picnic and make a day of it!<br />
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Read about our experience of the <a href="https://www.newgirlintoon.co.uk/2019/07/bike-riding-cycle-hire-national-trust-wallington.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>cycle trail at Wallington here</b></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Splash out at Leila Lilys</b></span><br />
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I think we all have a list of fancier restaurants that we've been wanting to try for ages but have been putting off, I love that Valentines presents the perfect excuse to splash out and finally book a table somewhere lovely. My current obsession is <a href="https://leilalilys.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Leila Lilys</b></span></a> and since trying the food for the first time recently I have not stopped dreaming about a return visit. Perfectly presented dishes of delicious food in the most romantic setting, I can't think of anywhere better to celebrate Valentines.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Escape to The Crab & Lobster</b></span><br />
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A lovely hotel stay is our favourite way to spend time together and with so many beautiful places in the region to spend the night it can be tough to choose where to head. One of our favourite discoveries of last year was <a href="https://crabandlobster.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>The Crab & Lobster</b></span></a> in Yorkshire who have the most beautiful suites with private hot tubs if you really want to treat yourselves. With great decor, an incredible restaurant and a hidden bar tap (yes it really does exist!) Crab Manor is one of the most beautiful places to spend time away with your partner this Valentines.<br />
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Read about our experience of the<b><span style="color: purple;"> <a href="https://www.newgirlintoon.co.uk/2019/03/crab-and-lobster-hotel-review.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Crab & Lobster here</span></a></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Have Brunch at Malmaison</span></b><br />
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If you're a couple who have a shared passion for food then I need to point you in the direction of Sunday Brunch at <a href="https://www.malmaison.com/locations/newcastle/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>The Malmaison</b></span></a> on the Newcastle Quayside. Enjoy a "help yourself" feast at the Chef's Table with mouth watering appetisers including fresh salads, platters of seafood and charcuterie boards before settling down for a brunch dish, main or Sunday Roast. Share spoons and enjoy the incredible Sticky Toffee Pudding or treat yourself to bottomless Prosecco.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoO7WpKpFADB2PG4pMsukbvn7b33lZJQtToFgQxABf5NIcJKUnFcvVztaHyVVXP8v-OAj7JbEEbKcPem3rj2y-zNQXvy3w3zDWwuqCinJSdwH86MvuwRGONUx4U8AHkv2EV4gvlClB4o/s1600/IMG_3527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Valentines Ideas in the North East - Brunch at Malmaison" border="0" data-original-height="1540" data-original-width="1540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoO7WpKpFADB2PG4pMsukbvn7b33lZJQtToFgQxABf5NIcJKUnFcvVztaHyVVXP8v-OAj7JbEEbKcPem3rj2y-zNQXvy3w3zDWwuqCinJSdwH86MvuwRGONUx4U8AHkv2EV4gvlClB4o/s1600/IMG_3527.JPG" title="Valentines Ideas in the North East - Brunch at Malmaison" /></a></div>
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I hope this has inspired you to plan something a little different for Valentines this year and acts as a reminder that spending time with your loved one isn't just something for 14 February.<br />
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<i>This blog includes past collaborations with restaurants and we enjoyed complimentary overnight breaks with </i><i style="text-align: right;">Wild Northumbria and Crab Manor, a spa day at Ramside Hall and brunch at Malmaison. </i>New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-13598734720513986472020-01-31T06:00:00.000+00:002020-01-31T06:00:00.206+00:00My January Days <div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This blog includes an advertisement feature with Calendar Club</i></div>
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We are finally here. The last day of January! This month has definitely felt at least 75 days long and the wait for pay day has been pretty painful but we have made it and with February just round the corner I am living for the arrival of Spring. Whilst it may still feel a way off yet I have already spotted some greenery poking up from the ground and it wont be long until the flowers are in full bloom.<br />
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Here's what didn't make the blog this month.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Winter Walking at Hadrian's Wall</b></span><br />
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If you truly want to blow away the cobwebs in the Winter months may I recommend a visit to Hadrian's Wall, perhaps the coldest part of Northumberland but I promise you won't even care once you see the incredible views. We ventured to <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/walltown-crags-hadrians-wall/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Walltown Crags</b></span></a> where, despite the sunshine, it was so cold we had tears rolling down our cheeks. This section of Hadrian's Wall is really well preserved and with dramatic scenery as far as the eye can see, some say it is the most spectacular part of the Wall. I think I'd have to agree.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eW_1Im7ixvX9psLsextZ1vzeHeqE5ZbZ7FLjfndcsCoaQF8_3HiBr9bLiq2Y9aJEWeDzo_2Mkfsv8OxEuxQmu1lkubr33DN0fA64Mk4sTa7bWlD2lX96rj9TKcmNiMIOl2LYqp-n2zk/s1600/IMG_2432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="January Days - Walltown Craggs" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eW_1Im7ixvX9psLsextZ1vzeHeqE5ZbZ7FLjfndcsCoaQF8_3HiBr9bLiq2Y9aJEWeDzo_2Mkfsv8OxEuxQmu1lkubr33DN0fA64Mk4sTa7bWlD2lX96rj9TKcmNiMIOl2LYqp-n2zk/s1600/IMG_2432.JPG" title="January Days - Walltown Craggs" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Breakfast at Cake Stories</b></span><br />
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Who knew <a href="https://www.cakestoriesjesmond.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Cake Stories</b></span></a> do more than cakes? This month was the first time I'd ever been and not just automatically gone straight to the cake counter. Who can blame me when the cakes looks so good but next time you visit make sure you take a glance at their breakfast menu - it is definitely worth a look. I went for the "Posh Beans on Toast" covered in cheese - talk about the ultimate Winter comfort food.<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">The Calendar Club Challenge </span></b><br />
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We've kicked off our year by taking on a new challenge. This year I'm collaborating with <a href="https://www.calendarclub.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Calendar Club</b></span></a> on their Calendar Club Challenge and I'd love if you all joined me. I will be visiting the location pictured in my travel calendar each month and I'm so excited to embrace the challenge and hopefully discover some new places in the region. Our calendar is the North East Calendar (you can <a href="https://www.calendarclub.co.uk/travel/uk-and-ireland/north-east-a4-calendar-2020-r240524" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>buy it here</b></span></a> for £3.59 if you fancy visiting the same places) and the January challenge started with a visit to Prudhoe Castle, somewhere we'd never been before. Unfortunately it was closed for Winter but we can't wait to return when it reopens in a few months time. Calendar Club are offering a prize every month to the person with the most creative photo taken at their calendar location so if you want to join in make sure you share your photo on Instagram or Facebook and use the hashtag #calendarclubchallenge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaKMOdRMl0F4bPSYBr0R5iZouqrc2Xhq1qo2zayhQ6bSOj5jm9OieYf2VlaKbGyXXghk067PPDL58PEln4Zb5QTXqR8ImjQgz_bpc1yr5AgqkFHiLTwvY4Rz2uRCCN2ei34e7knH0aY4/s1600/IMG_2420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="January Days - Calendar Club Challenge" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqaKMOdRMl0F4bPSYBr0R5iZouqrc2Xhq1qo2zayhQ6bSOj5jm9OieYf2VlaKbGyXXghk067PPDL58PEln4Zb5QTXqR8ImjQgz_bpc1yr5AgqkFHiLTwvY4Rz2uRCCN2ei34e7knH0aY4/s1600/IMG_2420.JPG" title="January Days - Calendar Club Challenge" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Seaside Favourites at Fisherman's Bay</span></b><br />
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This month I finally tried Whitley Bay's newest "chippy". You'll find<a href="https://www.fishermansbay.co.uk/" target="_blank"> <span style="color: purple;"><b>Fisherman's Bay</b></span></a> on East Parade overlooking the sea and with takeout at the front and a lovely little restaurant at the back it's a great spot to indulge in a seaside favourite. You'll find all of the classics on the menu as well as flame grilled burgers and a "little fishermen" kids menu. I tucked into some damn good cod and chips (with bread and butter of course) and can't wait to go back and try more soon. We really are spoilt for choice at the coast now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngcMoNpcsWLlMhTcBDLiajKiyiY-ka1Or4_C5r_Wh6iRlQXoupkvieygPIoiwL2Qodf-9gXX8VJQolG0-2vVf_Mq-PXtwEFXVxpeMnLErxrNk5IJLjJMxyi05USkmdMK778FcfPT050c/s1600/IMG_2980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngcMoNpcsWLlMhTcBDLiajKiyiY-ka1Or4_C5r_Wh6iRlQXoupkvieygPIoiwL2Qodf-9gXX8VJQolG0-2vVf_Mq-PXtwEFXVxpeMnLErxrNk5IJLjJMxyi05USkmdMK778FcfPT050c/s1600/IMG_2980.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>My Micro Lottie</b></span><br />
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I am more than a little obsessed with<b><span style="color: purple;"> <a href="https://www.aspinaloflondon.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Aspinal of London</span></a></span></b> and had my eyes on this beauty for quite a while. I knew the Micro Lottie in Mustard Quilted Velvet would be the perfect addition to my wardrobe so as soon as I spotted it had gone down in the January sales by almost £200.00 I couldn't resist. I got to take it out on its first outing within days as it perfectly matched my jumpsuit for a family wedding. I love when patience pays off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnGCx7mnqFWQwx_1T3g1py_04gfqBdD8hpoolj9LfiWN36X1wh4gEow0vAU8eHk_xXz1OHv7Oszy-93-haOBcH_WhOZ02xBY6w9eCSFv3Gpa-JDR1j3Wk2-eIcMdh1jvT1v_NRHpXQtw/s1600/IMG_2749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="January Days - Aspinal of London" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnGCx7mnqFWQwx_1T3g1py_04gfqBdD8hpoolj9LfiWN36X1wh4gEow0vAU8eHk_xXz1OHv7Oszy-93-haOBcH_WhOZ02xBY6w9eCSFv3Gpa-JDR1j3Wk2-eIcMdh1jvT1v_NRHpXQtw/s1600/IMG_2749.JPG" title="January Days - Aspinal of London" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Lunch at The Sill</span></b><br />
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After months and months of talking about it we finally visited <a href="https://www.thesill.org.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>The Sill</b></span></a> on Hadrian's Wall. The National Landscape Discovery Centre features exhibits about the Northumberland National Park and Hadrian's Wall, has a shop specialising in local crafts and produce and offers probably the best cafe views you will find in Northumberland. Maybe I'm biased but lunch is so much better Northumbrian style. We enjoyed these massive Northumberland Cheese Focaccias with views of Hadrian's Wall at Once Brewed, the cafe at the Sill and it was the loveliest experience. Once we'd finished we headed off on a walk, assisted by the lovely people at The Sill who gave us loads of advice and maps to point us in the direction of the type of walk we were after. If you're new to walking the Wall I highly recommend popping in to The Sill before your walk for some advice on the best spots to go, they really were so helpful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABMVhuF_jbxb9SNXOK8_vwcwpoQaiQXHhHxWyQ81jqceOPIxIKGKD6WwzsVGUH6pDQMPX9X2kDIizE9uiXyBD58AfZaoIvlRaYnhTladNuFXKS2JZaxECJ6DN4Ks14ko6FGqa_rMq2gw/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="January Days - The Sill" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABMVhuF_jbxb9SNXOK8_vwcwpoQaiQXHhHxWyQ81jqceOPIxIKGKD6WwzsVGUH6pDQMPX9X2kDIizE9uiXyBD58AfZaoIvlRaYnhTladNuFXKS2JZaxECJ6DN4Ks14ko6FGqa_rMq2gw/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" title="January Days - The Sill" /></a></div>
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For more adventures from New Girl in Toon make sure you <a href="https://www.instagram.com/newgirlintoon/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>follow me on Instagram</b></span></a>. I post a new photo every day and you will find vlogs from my favourite northern adventures on my highlights.New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-34042131073377453652020-01-22T06:00:00.000+00:002020-01-22T06:00:00.814+00:00Cash for Old Clothes! Creating a more Sustainable Wardrobe with Enviroclothes<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This is an advertisement feature with Enviroclothes</i></div>
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What is it about New Year that has me reaching for the feather duster and desperately burying my head into cupboards and drawers? There's something about January that always makes me want to have a huge clear out and having spent the majority of New Year's Day tidying the kitchen I knew that next on my hit list had to be the disaster area that is my bedroom wardrobe. So when <a href="https://enviroclothes.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Enviroclothes</b></span></a> got in touch to ask if I fancied a clear out, I decided to challenge myself to create a more sustainable wardrobe (with the added incentive of getting cash for old clothes) it was my perfect opportunity to get started on a major January tidy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-dMReg4BF6Pic7qThyphenhyphen6U7_9NpL25wlUoqLgMUZZiDqTAWHxPnSQAHot9M_v1Au2iWTS_daP7-O5QlylKsiHro34CAdYc0MENtNh-vjomvCF-8fV8Vmwf8Lb8nuu22p_OfFd3pIiYJwk/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cash for Old Clothes! Creating a more Sustainable Wardrobe with Enviroclothes" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-dMReg4BF6Pic7qThyphenhyphen6U7_9NpL25wlUoqLgMUZZiDqTAWHxPnSQAHot9M_v1Au2iWTS_daP7-O5QlylKsiHro34CAdYc0MENtNh-vjomvCF-8fV8Vmwf8Lb8nuu22p_OfFd3pIiYJwk/s1600/6.jpg" title="Cash for Old Clothes! Creating a more Sustainable Wardrobe with Enviroclothes" /></a></div>
Over the last year or so I have learnt a lot about my personal style and how to maintain a more streamlined wardrobe which has seen me buying far less clothes and working hard to choose outfits that compliment my figure and lifestyle. That said, I have still made mistakes and when it came to my yearly clear out I had a few things that desperately needed a new home.<br />
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With capsule wardrobes becoming more and more popular it's perhaps no surprise that 350,000 tonnes of clothes find their way into landfill each year - a statistic that I'm sure we can all agree is pretty horrifying. Like many others, I am becoming more and more aware of the effects of my actions so when it comes to clearing out my wardrobe I want to ensure that I am getting rid of clothes in a sustainable way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jZC_8IhhAhOKrH_W7phlZz_VM0Ilo4Ud9DPQzmOqGz_legejb-HWU-LF8VvXUX46F-kopXITDGVksh56jF_KaWNgkuHo43_0i6YM-UQchljpesGiY8Czh3BzWj7s4lI8n__mlrQ1R4o/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cash for Old Clothes! Sustainable Wardrobe with Enviroclothes" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jZC_8IhhAhOKrH_W7phlZz_VM0Ilo4Ud9DPQzmOqGz_legejb-HWU-LF8VvXUX46F-kopXITDGVksh56jF_KaWNgkuHo43_0i6YM-UQchljpesGiY8Czh3BzWj7s4lI8n__mlrQ1R4o/s1600/2.jpg" title="Cash for Old Clothes! Sustainable Wardrobe with Enviroclothes" /></a></div>
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So I was very happy to discover Enviroclothes, a local company who believe that unwanted clothes deserve a second chance at life. Offering the chance for your preloved items to be reloved, Enviroclothes have made getting rid of your clothes environmentally friendly with just a few simple steps. With an added cash incentive to finally tackle the clear out, there really is no excuse not to have a huge tidy.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Step One</b></span><br />
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Perhaps the most fun part of a clear out is pulling everything out of your wardrobe to discover what you actually have in there. Although it's messy I recommend getting every item off the rail so you can see all of your clothes properly. It's incredible how many clothes you will find that you'd completed forgotten about. I've now got myself some great new outfits for work, made up entirely of things from my wardrobe that I didn't know I had.<br />
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When deciding which items to keep in my closet I made sure that everything I own creates a variety of different outfits, suits my personal style and compliments my lifestyle and then sorted my rail into something a little more manageable with jeans, work outfits, shirts, skirts and tops all sorted together to make life a bit easier.<br />
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It is definitely worth taking the time to properly organise your clothes as it is so much easier to get ready in the morning when you can just grab and go. Taking forgotten items like t-shirts out of drawers and into your wardrobe instead means you're more likely to see them and wear them and I try to put as much as I can into my closet rather than my drawers so that I can really see what I'm working with.<br />
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Creating a sustainable wardrobe is all about maximising the clothes that you have, taking good care of them to make sure that they last and ensuring that every single item you own you are wearing. Having a good sort out is definitely a great first step in ensuring your wardrobe is working for you and is sustainable.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9Idxy4gmaepnCwi3yXEUJK9aCT9mnjpVhAo79wnPkmZ47mb5OovYrVc6N2PN6GHqJRQXuctzDlVZcBKS8BzruqUem_kVVGVUsEFACoRHSGXUnlOH4v-HDGvfPUqB1Zu2Zx9xMMaXebo/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sustainable Wardrobe with Enviroclothes" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9Idxy4gmaepnCwi3yXEUJK9aCT9mnjpVhAo79wnPkmZ47mb5OovYrVc6N2PN6GHqJRQXuctzDlVZcBKS8BzruqUem_kVVGVUsEFACoRHSGXUnlOH4v-HDGvfPUqB1Zu2Zx9xMMaXebo/s1600/4.jpg" title="Sustainable Wardrobe with Enviroclothes" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Step Two</span></b><br />
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Once I'd sorted out everything that I wanted to keep and it was back in my wardrobe I had a good pile of things to pass to Enviroclothes. They accept good quality adult clothes, children's clothes, baby clothes, swimwear, bras, shoes, accessories and stuffed toys. Items that are worn out, damaged or dirty won't be accepted so I made sure that once I'd decided to get rid of somethingI gave it a quick inspection to ask myself if the quality of the item was good enough for someone else to reuse.<br />
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Before you get carried away diving into every drawer in your house, it's worth knowing that school uniforms, branded work or sports team uniforms, household textiles and underwear aren't accepted by Enviroclothes.<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Step Three</span></b><br />
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With my pile of unwanted items ready all I needed to do was bag them up. We had decided to visit the drop off point in Cramlington but they also have points at Team Valley and Durham if those are closer to you. If you decide to take your bags to one of the drop off points there's no need to book an appointment, just turn up during their opening hours.<br />
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If you aren't near a collection point or don't have the time or means to travel you can also book a collection online<span style="color: purple;"> <a href="https://enviroclothes.co.uk/booking" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>here</b></span></a></span>. Simply type in your collection address and then select a pick up date, a 2 hour time slot and an Enviroclothes van will pop round to weigh your bags give you some cash and relieve you of your unwanted items.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOgCLDiTjo23uRPqcACUNg0vobaU4ThVVCuxHd-wyemX50tVJOn6Y_ss8C31fYzyd7-YvrG38F1izXBlAkSqPLT4eIChwjf-50PC6lqWG1igFgs0Xzpkn-tfWCJBqvr7G7xtQyRtVxCo/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sustainable Wardrobe - Enviroclothes" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOgCLDiTjo23uRPqcACUNg0vobaU4ThVVCuxHd-wyemX50tVJOn6Y_ss8C31fYzyd7-YvrG38F1izXBlAkSqPLT4eIChwjf-50PC6lqWG1igFgs0Xzpkn-tfWCJBqvr7G7xtQyRtVxCo/s1600/7.jpg" title="Sustainable Wardrobe - Enviroclothes" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Step Four</b></span><br />
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Simon and I had both been through our wardrobes and ended up pulling together two pretty large bags full of unwanted clothes - whether they were too small, no longer practical for our wardrobes or had perhaps never really suited us in the first place, they were all bagged up and we drove them the short way to Cramlington where we parked in one of the handy parking spots right outside the Enviroclothes drop off point.<br />
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The Enviroclothes kiosk was really welcoming and the ladies serving us were lovely - we had a good natter about some of the clothes that we had brought with us (I suddenly spotted that Simon had included a shirt that he'd worn on our first date so that was quite a talking point!) Everything was really tidy, clean and well organised so the whole process only took a few minutes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3HXF2ePG3Olelr3BCm4LZyWMGD0JmsG66-cJOzTN_T6DLgxn_HHIM5a4fugOxngQOmcoqPWdazVoc-0hQFZAiIq4jo-9DlpXSm31p8oHzQB4fV0LddebvBPFcSBBLWFxSO3K1hZTPQY/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Capsule Wardrobe - Enviroclothes" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3HXF2ePG3Olelr3BCm4LZyWMGD0JmsG66-cJOzTN_T6DLgxn_HHIM5a4fugOxngQOmcoqPWdazVoc-0hQFZAiIq4jo-9DlpXSm31p8oHzQB4fV0LddebvBPFcSBBLWFxSO3K1hZTPQY/s1600/10.jpg" title="Capsule Wardrobe - Enviroclothes" /></a></div>
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All of our items were checked before being placed into a large container on the scales. In a matter of minutes everything had been weighed and sorted and we were being handed over our cash. Enviroclothes buy your clothes for 40p per kg and pay you on the spot for your items. We were really chuffed to be going home £6.90 richer and with a much more manageable wardrobe.<br />
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As well as earning yourself a little extra cash there is also the option to donate all or part of your money to local charity <b><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.nehwg.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">North East Hearts With Goals</span></a> </span></b>who place life saving defibrillators into schools, colleges and sports clubs across the region.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudPeaoNPZiI1dKGousV9w0sEZJO9HTqgX2rjR0kjdyRLIAeCF9B3uwMK-fUmtVCa_1vwzBcQ4-wrUpFfnUsbVfpAKnzAcnsTTXuZGnxKnkbzSQuqjp76AXyvVBqDsum5jYxwm54bp_Aw/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Enviroclothes North East" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudPeaoNPZiI1dKGousV9w0sEZJO9HTqgX2rjR0kjdyRLIAeCF9B3uwMK-fUmtVCa_1vwzBcQ4-wrUpFfnUsbVfpAKnzAcnsTTXuZGnxKnkbzSQuqjp76AXyvVBqDsum5jYxwm54bp_Aw/s1600/8.jpg" title="Enviroclothes North East" /></a></div>
Going into the New Year with a tidy wardrobe really is the best feeling, getting ready in the morning without having to hunt through a pile of unwanted clothes makes everything far easier and it's incredible how having a tidy space can make so many other areas of your life seem so much more manageable.<br />
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If you're planning your own clear out and want even more pence for your kg, Enviroclothes are offering New Girl in Toon readers a special promotion - quote "NEWGIRLINTOON50" to receive 50p per kg up to 11 February 2020.<br />
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I'm going into 2020 with just the clothes that I love and I LOVE that!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfb6URE6pC7pTLsMUTbQVlSPL3YlEuUec47nqPHaDQnt34vW8xGScDXe8UN-VTHvRgMW75i_udDd9XLCZCQAWn1MWpomZikouwUZqwLwWAFxxvMPblDd7lvHuGfaaLkOfs48tZ_HHDfQ/s1600/DSC_1845-2+copy-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Enviroclothes North East Clothes Dontation" border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfb6URE6pC7pTLsMUTbQVlSPL3YlEuUec47nqPHaDQnt34vW8xGScDXe8UN-VTHvRgMW75i_udDd9XLCZCQAWn1MWpomZikouwUZqwLwWAFxxvMPblDd7lvHuGfaaLkOfs48tZ_HHDfQ/s1600/DSC_1845-2+copy-2.jpg" title="Enviroclothes North East Clothes Dontation" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Find Enviroclothes at:</span></b><br />
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Durham: Arnison Retail Park (next to KFC), DH1 5GB<br />
Gateshead: Retail World, Team Valley (Outside Next) NE11 0BD<br />
Cramlington: Manor Walks (outside Gala Bingo), Forum Way, NE23 6UY<br />
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All units are open Monday to Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and on Sundays 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.<br />
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To get 50p per kg for your clothes quote "NEWGIRLINTOON50"<br />
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<a href="https://enviroclothes.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>enviroclothes.co.uk/</b></span></a><br />
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0191 265 5551<br />
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<i>This is a sponsored feature with Enviroclothes. </i>New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-32780718196844623692020-01-15T06:00:00.000+00:002020-01-15T06:53:06.541+00:00A Weekend with the Girls at Ramside Hall and Spa<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This is an advertisement feature with Ramside Hall</i></div>
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Whilst New Year can mean a fresh new start and positive vibes I can't be the only person that sometimes wakes up in January feeling a little frazzled and like I need a break to recover from Christmas? With our nearest and dearest spread across the country Simon and I spend a lot of our Festive break between families with very little time at home to recharge. So when the opportunity came along to spend a post-Christmas weekend with the girls at <a href="https://www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Ramside Hall</b></span> </a>I packed a case and kissed my husband goodbye without hesitation. A luxury weekend escape with plenty of gossip and some relaxing in the spa was just what I needed to start my January in the right way.<br />
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With my addiction to luxury hotels in the North East you may be surprised to hear that I'm not really overly familiar with Ramside Hall and have only ever visited once before for an afternoon in the spa - this was going to be my first overnight stay at County Durham's most famous luxury hotel. A proper nose round with a room for the night was long overdue and I couldn't wait for my first proper Ramside Hall experience.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVnTSGJlGDPZmwxL2Byo-1kOzwc7M80q_6r2PCOru7hWi6kuMagMTLimNHP2qIHjl77SYdgEx1hVzOZlzjScoGuh2xpr9dyG8imPx54ZvcvKicHMMqP5u4L_up8yPpTTLUUAZBNrrCYE/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Weekend with the Girls at Ramside Hall and Spa" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVnTSGJlGDPZmwxL2Byo-1kOzwc7M80q_6r2PCOru7hWi6kuMagMTLimNHP2qIHjl77SYdgEx1hVzOZlzjScoGuh2xpr9dyG8imPx54ZvcvKicHMMqP5u4L_up8yPpTTLUUAZBNrrCYE/s1600/4.jpg" title="A Weekend with the Girls at Ramside Hall and Spa" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Staying at Ramside Hall</b></span><br />
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Ramside Hall is the only Silver Awarded AA Rated and 4 Star Spa in Durham, making it a pretty special place to spend time. A highly sought after wedding venue with championship golf courses, beautiful spa and home to perhaps the best steak in the North East, Ramside has a lot of accolades to its name and is a great spot to celebrate any occasion. Ideally located on the outskirts of Durham the hotel has 127 luxuriously furnished bedrooms and suites, 350 acres of grounds and a state of the art gym.<br />
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If all that wasn't enough to make you want to pay them a visit, their brand new luxury treehouses are set to become the best North East getaway with the luxury suites offering opulent decor, incredible views and the perfect escape. Their current offer has got me heavily hinting to my husband with a romantic night in a one bedroom luxury Treehouse including chocolate, champagne and breakfast for £499.00 (I really hope he's reading this!) If you don't believe me then check them out for yourself <a href="https://www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk/rooms/treehouses/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>here</b></span></a> - aren't they dreamy?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFxewcRMGwGPo0JyN8_w22n7D5bw6hbcUmSdbBkr_yWouIswHUBX9CKinI4yhg97CaVkXzygUD45WNgYenu9otSJyISSGmn4qK05aI7JsDyL25pUOtyYn0fMED-yrPILdjB2ixc3c5-c/s1600/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ramside Hall Treehouse" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFxewcRMGwGPo0JyN8_w22n7D5bw6hbcUmSdbBkr_yWouIswHUBX9CKinI4yhg97CaVkXzygUD45WNgYenu9otSJyISSGmn4qK05aI7JsDyL25pUOtyYn0fMED-yrPILdjB2ixc3c5-c/s1600/29.jpg" title="Ramside Hall Treehouse" /></a></div>
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The drive down to Ramside Hall from my home in Newcastle was simple and with a lot of free parking at the hotel, arrival was effortless. I couldn't believe my eyes once we'd unpacked the car and made our way to reception - the queue for 3:00 pm check in was out of the door, I'd never seen anything like it. Seems a lot of other people were in need of a luxurious January break!<br />
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Check in was very efficient and speedy and before we knew it we were excitedly making our way to our rooms. Having never seen any of the bedrooms at Ramside Hall before I couldn't wait to see my home for the night.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdlgdjTfZS-uVP3FlAE9YWfepf0iFgRFBdweXpVEaMsbCYkX7WYHXobxvDh23T7tJ7LGYFDf0PweZhnsAdvAhJHOV8IABd0zHbifRj3kARPv_dbEH_AWeyJBBH48EEVsEFnzaGRPzEX8/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ramside Hall - Premier Double Bedroom" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdlgdjTfZS-uVP3FlAE9YWfepf0iFgRFBdweXpVEaMsbCYkX7WYHXobxvDh23T7tJ7LGYFDf0PweZhnsAdvAhJHOV8IABd0zHbifRj3kARPv_dbEH_AWeyJBBH48EEVsEFnzaGRPzEX8/s1600/10.jpg" title="Ramside Hall - Premier Double Bedroom" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>My Room at Ramside Hall</b></span><br />
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With five of us visiting Ramside Hall for our girls weekend we booked rooms next door to each other which was perfect for our stay as it meant we could easily run back and forward to see each other and use one room for our gossip sessions. It has been so many years since I've been away with the girls and honestly if you get the chance to leave your husband, partner and kids at home and escape I highly recommend planning a weekend like this - it's good for the soul!<br />
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I was the one lucky enough to have a room all to myself which meant experiencing an incredible Premier Double bedroom for one. Based in the new wing of the hotel, the rooms are stunning and offer snuggly dressing gowns, ESPA products, huge luxury bathrooms with mammoth walk in showers and a Superking Bed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8vguor-14pwlrG3mjwx3SIP4YmCiNiPgylLS7N5W8Psu6HIO9Vgr_aLlyYXSf4ktEJl50n0VaEJzlNK0TnwBqDVSTWZONoNLtJZihHSopF7yp1wFrO6vaPbEEQaoLD49C1SRRpIBMDg/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ramside Hall - Premier Double Bathroom" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8vguor-14pwlrG3mjwx3SIP4YmCiNiPgylLS7N5W8Psu6HIO9Vgr_aLlyYXSf4ktEJl50n0VaEJzlNK0TnwBqDVSTWZONoNLtJZihHSopF7yp1wFrO6vaPbEEQaoLD49C1SRRpIBMDg/s1600/13.jpg" title="Ramside Hall - Premier Double Bathroom" /></a></div>
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Running about my new home like the Princess I was born to be I couldn't believe how huge the room was, definitely one of the largest double rooms I have ever stayed in and with so many fantastic extras. The complimentary fruit platter went down a treat and I was so taken with the cups and saucers I had to look them up to see where I could purchase some for myself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2VHMl6VpcdZXHhNaM8nhIYAs3ik8wc78Za6aUlD4felbyft7VFG_KV4EiGCSuAkk7Z04x8pjgBEBP23INIJAwtSDUEk53F7U9AbxRYtv50aavbw8FDbHcIWeuM7m2P9t4uu6D282Ejw/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ramside Hall - Premier Double " border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2VHMl6VpcdZXHhNaM8nhIYAs3ik8wc78Za6aUlD4felbyft7VFG_KV4EiGCSuAkk7Z04x8pjgBEBP23INIJAwtSDUEk53F7U9AbxRYtv50aavbw8FDbHcIWeuM7m2P9t4uu6D282Ejw/s1600/14.jpg" title="Ramside Hall - Premier Double " /></a></div>
It would have been all too easy to just spend an entire afternoon enjoying the luxuries of my bedroom, the room service menu serve lunch and dinner from 12 noon until 10:00 pm or if you really want to be pampered you can enjoy a blow dry from the comfort of your own room from £25.00. Living the dream!<br />
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On this visit I had to avoid the urge to jump straight into my PJs and snuggle up in my giant bed - we had somewhere important to be, but believe me next time I visit Ramside Hall I am going to spend hours and hours hiding away in my room - it would be a truly amazing way to enjoy an afternoon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxivElJKASo4IqYgLmbni5uzFI-QJHqgprtPcXqn04mHlQv5RiaFaIX21xbXWcs7UHr8_FsE-PRNKOOH3hxfx40AXnu7i4HFQp0RiENiO7rNAZvVJsd38N8uw6g6s6JF6rveO1NM9isg/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ramside Hall - Premier Double Room" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxivElJKASo4IqYgLmbni5uzFI-QJHqgprtPcXqn04mHlQv5RiaFaIX21xbXWcs7UHr8_FsE-PRNKOOH3hxfx40AXnu7i4HFQp0RiENiO7rNAZvVJsd38N8uw6g6s6JF6rveO1NM9isg/s1600/8.jpg" title="Ramside Hall - Premier Double Room" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disco Party Nights at Ramside Hall</span></b><br />
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Wanting to let our hair down we planned our stay at Ramside Hall on a<a href="https://www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk/whats-on/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> <span style="color: purple;"><b>Disco Party Night</b></span></a>, part of their amazing events schedule, we enjoyed a night of tunes from the 70's, 80's, 90's, Noughties and Now. Party Nights are held throughout the year at Ramside Hall and the Disco Nights cost £14.95 for a two course meal and disco.<br />
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Making our way to our allocated table we were delighted to find ourselves right next to the dance floor - the prime spot for people watching and DJ requests. Before we could get our dancing shoes on it was time for the food and, we all tucked into a delicious chicken dish followed by a zingy lemon tart. Before our meals had arrived we'd been discussing how food at these type of events isn't always great, but we were soon made to eat our words - we honestly couldn't fault a thing. Service was super speedy, the food was hot and really great quality.<br />
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Perhaps my favourite part of the night though was the bar, as a huge ginthusiast I was so impressed with the variety of gins they had on offer, a glass of Malfy Blood Orange Gin & Tonic only set me back £6.60 and the "help yourself" garnish shelf was my idea of heaven. I love being creative with my G &Ts so creating myself some perfect drinks during the night was so much fun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5gGcPq4r4JTq6Msn6Wyp6X7pGDFitTf3opzpWFAeS-Mv_7Wx6TB9NLDfTudqXJndCs49I9tviUUMIHmq6NLqDSbM83-_BlKPJjyiF1C3qg0coPle90UIUdC-x2eh9WaotfQHrJZQFIk/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ramside Hall - Disco Party Night" border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="1098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5gGcPq4r4JTq6Msn6Wyp6X7pGDFitTf3opzpWFAeS-Mv_7Wx6TB9NLDfTudqXJndCs49I9tviUUMIHmq6NLqDSbM83-_BlKPJjyiF1C3qg0coPle90UIUdC-x2eh9WaotfQHrJZQFIk/s1600/31.jpg" title="Ramside Hall - Disco Party Night" /></a></div>
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Of course, if you don't fancy a Party Night and prefer a quieter evening at Ramside Hall there are also some amazing dining experiences at the hotel and I am very keen to visit the Rib Room Steakhouse and Grill on my next visit. Serving up Premium Steaks from Durham Farms, Lobster, Halibut and some incredible looking Specials - I can't believe I'm yet to visit!<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Ramside Spa</span></b><br />
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Despite a pretty late night we set alarms the following morning because we were so keen to get ourselves to the spa. As a hotel guest you can enjoy complimentary access to some of the facilities from check in until check out during your stay. The free for guest facilities are all fabulous and offer plenty of space to sit and chill.<br />
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However, if you want the very best Ramside Spa experience I highly recommend booking yourself on a spa residential or day package so that you can access the Thermal Suites, Hydrotherapy Pool, Spa Garden and Outdoor Heated Bubble Pool because these beautiful facilities really do make Ramside one of the very best spas in the North East (and are the reason I have become obsessed)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgtYHERe6J04tQXDOy7Ln-OsqF3i6sCxxKpjUTxgMKg_5Pl0NUew7AB2OucRtpZPWHr-oWnmQSoCu9iS9s9h9vwFJadzbuiN3ENoSY922jFJvrkLgBcLINWb4WrOb6vWfcFpZGS9yyjY/s1600/27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ramside Spa" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgtYHERe6J04tQXDOy7Ln-OsqF3i6sCxxKpjUTxgMKg_5Pl0NUew7AB2OucRtpZPWHr-oWnmQSoCu9iS9s9h9vwFJadzbuiN3ENoSY922jFJvrkLgBcLINWb4WrOb6vWfcFpZGS9yyjY/s1600/27.jpg" title="Ramside Spa" /></a></div>
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They say its the simple things in life that give you the most pleasure and there are two very simple things about Ramside that make it one of my favourite spas in the region - rather than handing you slippers when you arrive (soggy slippers in spas are one of my biggest pet peeves) you get flip flops which are so much more practical (honestly, why don't all spas have them?) and access in and out of the spa is with a wrist band that you use to open all the doors - hands free and no worry of losing any keys! Bliss!<br />
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The part of Ramside Spa that I am beyond obsessed with is definitely the Outdoor Bubble Pool, on my very first visit last Summer I was very lucky to experience a really hot sunny day and we spent a blissful afternoon lounging in the sunshine - heaven! The Bubble Pool is pretty big meaning that you don't often need to "wait your turn" and there's plenty of room for everyone to chill out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ-hRTKbcdT_fhcSFPZKDnEHZgQbjQ6UNu3ZGrqCloMa0tkm1-yYUia_xsLDOPam27BIp4Ds70xpIBUJEGVWYKmeTOw3kSgOCfGbAkYjch85Evbk1Z6PpBCcDx_qSVVRWGe0rAzFxIgo/s1600/26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ramside Hall Spa" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ-hRTKbcdT_fhcSFPZKDnEHZgQbjQ6UNu3ZGrqCloMa0tkm1-yYUia_xsLDOPam27BIp4Ds70xpIBUJEGVWYKmeTOw3kSgOCfGbAkYjch85Evbk1Z6PpBCcDx_qSVVRWGe0rAzFxIgo/s1600/26.jpg" title="Ramside Hall Spa" /></a></div>
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When we weren't in the Spa Garden enjoying the Bubble Pool we were snoozing pool side, helping ourselves to the pile of magazines and loving life with the complimentary juice shots that were coming round. There are some really amazing little extras at Ramside Spa and as well as trays of juice shots, you'll also be treated to some complimentary nibbles poolside if you're lucky.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPmdDLjjU6Zod0-XN57NyswQdg0fG9NO-lqNffwv6VqaHGTwVbFfQ2cG1H5D_-mSpyOuwdSz9Mb9CZY-64xSxnZF3Cj4ShG_iwNjocnF2Qq7BKQvTtCAj_LcfaF_hGZMrVEK_ScYJnck/s1600/28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ramside Hall Spa County Durham" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPmdDLjjU6Zod0-XN57NyswQdg0fG9NO-lqNffwv6VqaHGTwVbFfQ2cG1H5D_-mSpyOuwdSz9Mb9CZY-64xSxnZF3Cj4ShG_iwNjocnF2Qq7BKQvTtCAj_LcfaF_hGZMrVEK_ScYJnck/s1600/28.jpg" title="Ramside Hall Spa County Durham" /></a></div>
With five pools to choose from at Ramside Spa, there's plenty of space for guests to spread out and I'd say that the spa has the most amount of loungers I have ever seen - despite visiting on a weekend there was plenty of room and available seats with everyone getting to enjoy the experience. If you love to swim the 25 metre swimming pool will impress or if you prefer to just relax the Hydrotherapy Pool has swan necks and massage jets.<br />
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If all that wasn't enough, I have something amazing that I have to share with you, and it's what makes Ramside Spa truly unique in the North East.<br />
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They have a private balcony Infinity Pool!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRunrXReSfObamDqLabOFtqYBYrvt65me8DHyL9B8IMYieilgZVfmtnb9wL8FamlVWlQGEJW4LBuqQHr8w8Kq1MQVws2bVh7VMTVDVJ2bcfaffmiK_H-_szptTJ2Hn0IB-pxnVCno5j5k/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ramside Hall Spa - Infinity Pool" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRunrXReSfObamDqLabOFtqYBYrvt65me8DHyL9B8IMYieilgZVfmtnb9wL8FamlVWlQGEJW4LBuqQHr8w8Kq1MQVws2bVh7VMTVDVJ2bcfaffmiK_H-_szptTJ2Hn0IB-pxnVCno5j5k/s1600/1.jpg" title="Ramside Hall Spa - Infinity Pool" /></a></div>
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Available for private hire only you can enjoy uninterrupted chill out time in your very own pool offering great views over the Ramside Hall Estate and the ultimate spa selfie opportunity (if, like me, you are a little Instagram obsessed).<br />
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I have never seen anything like this in any other spa in the North East and it is yet another thing that makes the spa at Ramside Hall so special, the private Infinity Pool is the ultimate luxury spa experience and available for only £15.00 per person for an hour it is well worth booking yourself in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV8_qutGahniu7ybVU2u7tUrgiY7AztovOwpw4-ugi-jlmMXTQRLfMBbexqItjml9ip2VthALG6bxTXmlCAWSortfeBNMiqcwOTcxvSEkwmDVzRbNlAXOK7z7HKFgJv-68yz5Lo0ZTnI/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ramside Hall and Spa - Infinity Pool" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV8_qutGahniu7ybVU2u7tUrgiY7AztovOwpw4-ugi-jlmMXTQRLfMBbexqItjml9ip2VthALG6bxTXmlCAWSortfeBNMiqcwOTcxvSEkwmDVzRbNlAXOK7z7HKFgJv-68yz5Lo0ZTnI/s1600/22.jpg" title="Ramside Hall and Spa - Infinity Pool " /></a></div>
If you are feeling a little bit "extra" you can also arrange to have a selection of nibbles from Ramside Spa's tasty restaurant Fusion who serve traditional recipes from South East Asia - with our own private lounge area perfect for relaxing we had a great spread with a Deluxe Fusion Platter which included Honey Ribs, Thai Fish Cakes and Tempura of King Prawns. Private hire of the Infinity Pool would be a great idea for a hen weekend or birthday and you can also order bottles of Prosecco or even a Gin Tree to enjoy poolside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfHoVYQ0WWIPSYDUbQIibmgcsoUArb0KJTismKfA8OdRNy-K6zDaK_ow-baKo6bpx2GT2nRHEQLdHqsfwbLksJj9i8r0v-46N1U0nIc2PdaYSWW21kaoR7mAsFrJQ94StlfTZOUniYaE/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Weekend with the Girls at Ramside Hall and Spa - Infinity Pool" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfHoVYQ0WWIPSYDUbQIibmgcsoUArb0KJTismKfA8OdRNy-K6zDaK_ow-baKo6bpx2GT2nRHEQLdHqsfwbLksJj9i8r0v-46N1U0nIc2PdaYSWW21kaoR7mAsFrJQ94StlfTZOUniYaE/s1600/25.jpg" title="A Weekend with the Girls at Ramside Hall and Spa - Infinity Pool" /></a></div>
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I enjoyed myself so much at the Infinity Pool I will definitely be booking it again for my next visit to Ramside Spa, it's such a great way to make your spa visit extra special.<br />
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We had such an amazing overnight stay at Ramside Hall and it was over far too fast. As you can imagine since returning home I have been chatting to Simon non stop about having a romantic break in a new treehouse, enjoying a meal at the Rib Room or booking ourselves a spa day. I can't wait to return and introduce my husband to this incredible place!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaKasvsD0O2He6GWS-8Nc0JZwIodot22XjcHMrwGUhn74eHMIEL-_rYjbY07Io-kZlNv2Qwk8fb0ucTNqMtePKlN2SO8wLqk5EpII4WnsFrmm9pahO6nizOKTkkfma6NnUryEWC3sJaU/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Weekend with the Girls at Ramside Hall and Spa" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaKasvsD0O2He6GWS-8Nc0JZwIodot22XjcHMrwGUhn74eHMIEL-_rYjbY07Io-kZlNv2Qwk8fb0ucTNqMtePKlN2SO8wLqk5EpII4WnsFrmm9pahO6nizOKTkkfma6NnUryEWC3sJaU/s1600/9.jpg" title="Weekend with the Girls at Ramside Hall and Spa" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Find Ramside Hall at:</b><br />
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Carville<br />
Durham<br />
DH1 1TD<br />
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<a href="https://www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>ramsidehallhotel.co.uk/</b></span></a><br />
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0191 386 5282<br />
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<i>We received a complimentary overnight stay including Disco Party Night, Spa Access and Private Infinity Pool with Platter and Prosecco in exchange for this honest review. </i>New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-23506653945877250832020-01-08T06:00:00.000+00:002020-01-08T06:00:01.370+00:00Glamping in a Treehouse - Our Adventure at Wild NorthumbrianMy greatest joy in life is escaping to the great outdoors and losing myself in the beautiful countryside of Northumberland. No matter the weather, time of year or temperature nothing beats forgetting about real life for a few hours and enjoying the incredible rolling hills, coastal views and woodlands of my favourite county. If it involves a night away glamping at the incredible <span style="color: purple;"><b><a href="https://www.wildnorthumbrian.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;">Wild Northumbrian</span></a> </b></span>even better.<br />
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Now when you're planning a great Winter escape, camping in a yurt might not immediately spring to mind, but I'm hoping sharing our recent trip with you will show you how great it is to be off-grid at this time of year, because believe me, wild glamping in the Winter months is such a beautifully cosy experience and the perfect way to banish the January blues and start off the New Year in the best possible way.<br />
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We first stumbled upon Wild Northumbrian a couple of years ago when we were invited to a <a href="https://www.newgirlintoon.co.uk/2018/07/wild-northumbrian-bats-pizza-wild-intrigue.html"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Bat and Pizza Evening</b></span></a> hosted by Wild Intrigue. The most picturesque campsite with a difference, I was instantly smitten and have spent a lot of time since trying to convince my indoor loving husband to entertain the idea of staying for the night. It was quite different to any other camping site I'd seen before and I was desperate to experience it properly for myself.<br />
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Working with the landscape, wildlife and local community to create a truly unique glamping site, Wild Northumbrian is the perfect way to escape the trappings of modern day living and truly switch off. Unplugged and off-grid surrounded by incredible views and nature, their 25 acre site was just made for adults and children alike to run free and create the most special memories.<br />
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Camping at Wild Northumbrian makes a great adventure for everyone and if you love to share your adventures with your dog then this is one of the few glamping sites in the area that welcomes four legged furry friends! If your little ones are great adventurers then it's also a brilliant place to bring kids who will love running wild in the countryside and cooking on the camp fire. It's also quite the spot if you happen to be visiting for a special occasion with the loveliest little hampers available to help you celebrate which can include champagne and flowers for a romantic moment or a startgazers picnic for a night under the stars.<br />
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Although staying at Wild Northumbrian does feel like a proper wild experience there are some great facilities to make your stay that little bit more comfortable if you like your creature comforts. Although there are outdoor compost toilets and an outdoor shower available, at the main site you will also find a little communal kitchen area complete with plug sockets to charge your phone, microwaves, fridges and washing facilities as well as indoor toilets and showers. The kitchen is a great place to spread out if you're wanting to prep food and also fantastic if you want to get chatting to some likeminded glampers, I met some really lovely people on my visits.<br />
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Each hut lies in its own secluded location with seven to choose from - Swallow Hut the cutest little wooden cabin sleeps four and is the closest to the camp's facilities or if you prefer a more wild experience Tod Yurt is nestled away overlooking the River Tarset with views over the valley and has a compost loo and incredible outside shower. For the romantics Corbie Shepherd Hut will be your perfect choice with its outdoor wood fired hot tub in a secluded position below the Scots Pine trees.<br />
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Our home for the night was the Houlet Yurt, a little different to the other accommodation around the site and something truly special, our Yurt was the most beautiful little tree house sitting above Brierhill Sike where you can enjoy a Wild Northumbrian experience like no other. Climbing the wooden steps up to our home we were living amongst the trees with our very own private stargazing platform.<br />
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Opening the door to our treehouse for the first time I was overjoyed at how beautiful it was inside. The wood burning stove was already lit to welcome us and I couldn't believe how toasty it was once we were in with the door shut, the perfect little cosy home for two and a great chance to shut ourselves away from the world for a rare moment of peace and quiet.<br />
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Furnished with beautiful reclaimed furniture we had everything that we needed for a comfortable night away including an abundance of tea light holders, lanterns and candlesticks to give our treehouse the most welcoming glow.<br />
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My favourite part of our treehouse was the Birch Tree bed which was easily the most beautiful bed I have ever seen. What a special place to spend the night. Covered in fairylights and sitting pretty under a candle chandelier can you imagine a more romantic place to spend a night?<br />
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Perfectly cosy, Houlet is great for the Winter months - snuggle up by the wood burning stove, play a few board games, read a magazine by candle light or simply curl up with your other half and discuss those important things that real life just never gives you time for. Of course if you are lucky enough to visit Wild Northumbrian in the Summer months there's also plenty to discover outside Houlet with a ground level fire pit with a seating area and a hammock under the shade of the yurt for those sunny days.<br />
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With my husband not exactly the adventuring type, we had to do a bit of a compromise on our visit and I promised him an evening in the pub rather than making our own tea out in the wilds. One day I will convince him to give campfire cooking a go, but on this occasion I happily booked us a table at nearby pub, <a href="https://www.thepheasantinn.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>The Pheasant Inn</b></span></a> who do really delicious dishes with their pies being particularly good. If you prefer a pub without a drive then The Hollybush Inn is only a 15 minute walk away from Wild Northumbrian.<br />
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After our pub grub we returned to Houlet under cover of darkness allowing ourselves a quick visit to the indoor loos (yes we really are the Prince and Princess of Glamping!) before tucking ourselves in for the night.<br />
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Although Houlet certainly wasn't uncomfortably cold it's definitely worth packing a few layers of clothes if you are staying over in the Winter months. In my knee high wooly socks. thick tracksuit and bobble hat (yes, I slept in a bobble hat) I was so snug under the duvet and although my face did feel a little cold when I woke up in the morning I had a really comfortable night's sleep and would happily glamp at Wild Northumbrian in the cold Winter months again.<br />
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It felt like our adventure was over as soon as it had begun and I honestly can't wait to return to Wild Northumbrian some time, I'd love to tick all of the yurts off my list and that sounds like the kind of challenge that I would happily accept.<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">What you need to know:</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li>there is a 10% discount for couples when two people are sharing (select YURT COUPLES option when booking) and a 20% discount to single parents - use SINGLEPARENT discount code when booking</li>
<li>Ensure to have a copy of the directions when you travel to Wild Northumbrian for the first time - it isn't the easiest place to find on your first attempt and there is very limited phone signal in the area.</li>
<li>All yurts and huts are dog friendly </li>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Find Wild Northumbrian at:</span></b><br />
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Thorneyburn Old Rectory<br />
Tarset<br />
Hexham<br />
NE48 1NZ<br />
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01669 650 166<br />
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<a href="https://www.wildnorthumbrian.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><b><span style="color: purple;">wildnorthumbrian.co.uk/</span></b></a><br />
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<i>We were treated to a complimentary overnight stay at Wild Northumbrian.</i>New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-50451155161166506682019-12-31T07:30:00.000+00:002019-12-31T08:08:02.136+00:00My December Days<div style="text-align: right;">
<em>This blog includes advertisement features with Gaston Luga and Stellar Projects</em></div>
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Well that went fast didn't it? Whilst there's probably something pretty depressing about looking at Festive photographs once the big day has passed I couldn't end December without sharing our highlights that didn't get featured on the blog. Prepare yourself for an abundance of Christmas - here's what didn't make the blog this month.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Christmas at the Post Box</b></span><br />
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When it comes to beautiful spots to dine at Christmas you wont find anywhere cuter than the <a href="https://www.postboxcoffee.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Post Box</b></span></a> in Ponteland. The stunning festive garlands hanging from their windows catch your eye as soon as you drive through the village and believe me it looks just as lovely inside. Wanting the full experience we booked ourselves in for Festive Afternoon Tea and couldn't believe our eyes when we were presented with the largest cakestand of treats we have ever seen. We feasted on giant sandwiches filled with Turkey and Cranberry, enjoyed homemade mince pies and mulled wine jelly. It's not often an afternoon tea defeats us but this one saw us taking a box of cakes home to enjoy later.<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Adventures with Gaston Luga</span></b><br />
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Adventures in 2020 are going to get off to a great start now that I'm the proud owner of a brand new <a href="https://gastonluga.com/gb/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Gaston Luga</b></span> </a>backpack. I've had the same tired looking cheap backpack for years so am very excited to have something so practical and stylish to add to my wardrobe. The beautiful Scandinavian designer ticks all my boxes and my Parlan backpack in brown & sand really suits my personal style. I'm so happy that it fits in all of my every day essentials (plus all my husbands bits and bobs that he can't be bothered to carry!). It's water resistant, has hidden pockets and is made from really lovely quality Nylon and Leather.<br />
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<em>If you fancy grabbing one for yourself you can check out the <b><span style="color: purple;"><a href="https://gastonluga.com/gb/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;">full range here</span></a> </span></b>and get yourself a 15% discount by using my code NEWGIRL</em><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Breakfast at Cafe Royal </b></span><br />
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I'm really going to miss having breakfast by the Christmas Tree! This delicious Clementine and Vanilla French Toast was served up during a pre Christmas shopping visit to <a href="http://sjf.co.uk/our-pubs/cafe-royal/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Café Royal</b></span></a>. Before anyone asks those are not baked beans they're tea soaked sultanas and they were the most incredible addition to my breakfast plate. Having only ever stopped at Café Royal for cake dates before it was fantastic to finally try their early morning offering and we will definitely be returning for more. Breakfast destinations in Newcastle are just getting better and better.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Festive Flicks at The Jam Jar Cinema </b></span><br />
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Being huge movie buffs I can't believe it has taken us so long to get to <a href="https://www.jamjarcinema.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Jam Jar</b></span></a>, the lovely little independent cinema in Whitley Bay. It's been on our "must visit" list for years but it took a festive trip to the seaside to finally get ourselves into gear and make a plan. We went on a wet and miserable day in December to see "Last Christmas" and had a brilliant afternoon. I will always prefer small cinemas to big multiplexes and Jam Jar was everything I had dreamt it would be - comfortable seats, a perfect sized theatre and brilliant value for money. Jam Jar actually run a "pay what you wish" admission scheme making the cinema a real community lead experience. We can't wait to visit again, in fact we enjoyed our time at Jam Jar so much we've decided we won't be renewing our Odeon cards in 2020 and will instead support our amazing local independent cinemas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHii8N9DdTMRzY_gdtZBKTWPgTXmkzaoB-G3zFhUqd9FctP6GG-5YwbgdX6IyEV3zHElcdjPQqV2NVBCOT1WbCwDW06mEoyYgQBblKNDvaHwIM5Pxi3-UPR8BY2cr8qNpGYjpWVx7Rpg/s1600/IMG_0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My December Days - Jam Jar" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHii8N9DdTMRzY_gdtZBKTWPgTXmkzaoB-G3zFhUqd9FctP6GG-5YwbgdX6IyEV3zHElcdjPQqV2NVBCOT1WbCwDW06mEoyYgQBblKNDvaHwIM5Pxi3-UPR8BY2cr8qNpGYjpWVx7Rpg/s1600/IMG_0771.JPG" title="My December Days - Jam Jar" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Nightfall</span></b><br />
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We discovered the magic, myth and beauty of the moon at the first ever "Nightfall", an incredible collection of art installations using lights and sounds to tell stories of the moon. Organised by <a href="https://www.stellar-projects.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Stellar Projects</b></span></a>, we had the most wonderful night following the colourful lights round <a href="https://www.prestonparkmuseum.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Preston Park</b></span></a> and seeing Luke Jerram's "Museum of the Moon" which was absolutely incredible. We couldn't believe how popular the evening was and locals were out in force to support this fantastic new event - hopefully this will become an annual thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkyHFuU5UwlTnqpBJZozzlmTN82rU_6ZSGxyMapupBlvkjVwThR7QRxROFqdT1YzI9uhXLYFp_7UaPYbqSpNkDzjl1hmEXkZ4CTXu8pUEdlnD2HiCD3sG3N5iixw__G8ULe_c8LAdtzQ/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My December Days - Nightfall" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkyHFuU5UwlTnqpBJZozzlmTN82rU_6ZSGxyMapupBlvkjVwThR7QRxROFqdT1YzI9uhXLYFp_7UaPYbqSpNkDzjl1hmEXkZ4CTXu8pUEdlnD2HiCD3sG3N5iixw__G8ULe_c8LAdtzQ/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" title="My December Days - Nightfall" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Festive Cocktails at Jalou</span></b><br />
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You can always count on<span style="color: purple;"><b> <a href="https://www.jalou.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;">Jalou</span></a> </b></span>to deliver when it comes to seasonal cocktails and this Christmas they went all out with their Butter Beer, Frosty the Snowman, Tinsel Tini and the exciting return of their delicious Rudolph. With ten Christmas cocktails to choose from we managed to work our way through six and they were so delicious we're now counting down the weeks for December to roll round again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjIfVr_IUj2qjOOzaWRlzUKm-_RaLmd7t-3nGbLKzto6se4AlogfpYcyL3XN1uJfgkrmxrueH0ptGEilKDZB6T_lyJR-Dir1C1ol-_C2eFBv4XoAg5yMQNcHAGz4ivFXE9wFT0Ax9LHw/s1600/IMG_1648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="December Days - Jalou" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjIfVr_IUj2qjOOzaWRlzUKm-_RaLmd7t-3nGbLKzto6se4AlogfpYcyL3XN1uJfgkrmxrueH0ptGEilKDZB6T_lyJR-Dir1C1ol-_C2eFBv4XoAg5yMQNcHAGz4ivFXE9wFT0Ax9LHw/s1600/IMG_1648.JPG" title="December Days - Jalou" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Christmas at Helmsley </b></span><br />
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Christmas this year was a little different for our family, the first Christmas without Dad and as it was only four short months ago he left us it all still feels very raw. So this year we decided to do something a little different for Christmas and rented a holiday cottage in Helmsley in the North Yorkshire Moors - the perfect place to escape. There were seven of us sharing a beautiful house at the edge of the village with an abundance of lovely pubs, tea rooms and shops just a few minutes stroll away. Having only ever passed through Helmsley before it was lovely to finally spend some proper time there and I know we will definitely visit again one day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRh2sRiwCoMjwaWhZ2U2A6p43iHJ7WuzRkaEalkXajgFqoWCI2rQL2qqUK_wzSiyj_Y3DdAUEZIYvvXxm5LDX0nfr589fMNcmtXXMSdfCBqO8iAEVPD3rMbBje2-6xj7Zq9wNSeK8XII/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My December Days - Helmsley" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRh2sRiwCoMjwaWhZ2U2A6p43iHJ7WuzRkaEalkXajgFqoWCI2rQL2qqUK_wzSiyj_Y3DdAUEZIYvvXxm5LDX0nfr589fMNcmtXXMSdfCBqO8iAEVPD3rMbBje2-6xj7Zq9wNSeK8XII/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG" title="My December Days - Helmsley" /></a></div>
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For more adventures from New Girl in Toon make sure you<a href="https://www.instagram.com/newgirlintoon/"><span style="color: purple;"><b> follow me on Instagram</b></span></a>. I post a new photo every day and you will find vlogs from my favourite Northern adventures on my highlights.New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-3324350899573998692019-12-11T06:00:00.000+00:002019-12-11T06:57:43.931+00:00An Instagram Guide to the Best New Cocktail Bars in NewcastleI realised during a short stroll round Newcastle recently that a lot of new cocktail bars have opened over the last couple of months and we hadn't visited any of them. Slightly worried that we were perhaps turning into Nanas we made it our mission to head into Toon for a spot of day drinking, our aim to get round as many of the new cocktail bars as we possibly could.<br />
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Whilst this may make us sound like the life and soul of the party, I promise my old lady reputation is still very much intact ... don't tell anyone but we completed this mission on a very sleepy Sunday afternoon and in the first bar I may, or may not have ordered a pot of tea!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeWkXmEatW6awSHGNlXndSsALGPSvujxSQIYktJYvA16JUBXldmoTpfph9sBa7CtwdmjV-1QT0a5pa5XFbQy94Gst8Sn37OicH3DwpS9xV7oPH7ss8YUOxZadIM9y_delRNhOnm5zXIc/s1600/sq2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An Instagram Guide to the Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeWkXmEatW6awSHGNlXndSsALGPSvujxSQIYktJYvA16JUBXldmoTpfph9sBa7CtwdmjV-1QT0a5pa5XFbQy94Gst8Sn37OicH3DwpS9xV7oPH7ss8YUOxZadIM9y_delRNhOnm5zXIc/s1600/sq2.jpg" title="An Instagram Guide to the Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle" /></a><br />
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As with most new arrivals these bars tick a lot of the boxes when it comes to Instagrammable interiors so I thought it only right to share our new discoveries as an Instagram Guide to the Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle! The perfect spots for a selfie or two, a few drinks with friends or a date night with your other half.<br />
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Get ready to plan your Christmas parties!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOQOkuYq2vB4sAIAIxS6U_GxruuBGqgBjNItEkU-gABRuqPu1dNriXIw20PU06m9pbJjuqZyYfZw_jttmw5b3hhp-Tnxme3T-Au7cDhRkqzx_VyGHD2tr2Zkazf7ndPL7S3xJRJxS32E/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="nstagram Guide to the Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOQOkuYq2vB4sAIAIxS6U_GxruuBGqgBjNItEkU-gABRuqPu1dNriXIw20PU06m9pbJjuqZyYfZw_jttmw5b3hhp-Tnxme3T-Au7cDhRkqzx_VyGHD2tr2Zkazf7ndPL7S3xJRJxS32E/s1600/9.jpg" title="nstagram Guide to the Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Slug and Lettuce</span></b><br />
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When I'm walking about claiming that <a href="https://www.slugandlettuce.co.uk/central-newcastle"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Slug and Lettuce</b></span></a> is a new bar to Newcastle, let's just remember that the city's second branch of Slug and Lettuce actually opened a whole 4 months ago - I think I surely have to be the last person in Newcastle to the party!<br />
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The affordable chain has had more than a lick of paint over the last couple of years with Slug and Lettuce bars across the country having complete refurbishments, taking the bars from pretty tired, dingy forgotten about spaces into some of the most "must visit" Instagram locations.<br />
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You will find the new Slug and Lettuce on Grainger Street, where Yates once was and the interiors are very much designed with hashtags and filters in mind with bird cage booths, neon lights, floral chairs and cocktail trees. Although not for everyone, it's a great destination for a girls night out or hen weekend where photo opportunities and affordable drinks are top of the priority list.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FpMwLzjMCSOqSor3XUvmeuEQKPWZn83T_44rgb0W0oU2go7-3W5RaDBR6uqZdq3HUjGd_RaQfojsTWXVUk_AOWfOvxQsU2XEO7j2XRFWgqeR8Fd6Lz1BRJAzC2x_3_cqSMLDkc7buEU/s1600/IMG_9967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Instagram Guide Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Slug and Lettuce" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FpMwLzjMCSOqSor3XUvmeuEQKPWZn83T_44rgb0W0oU2go7-3W5RaDBR6uqZdq3HUjGd_RaQfojsTWXVUk_AOWfOvxQsU2XEO7j2XRFWgqeR8Fd6Lz1BRJAzC2x_3_cqSMLDkc7buEU/s1600/IMG_9967.JPG" title="Instagram Guide Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Slug and Lettuce" /></a></div>
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A great spot for the cocktail lover you'll find one of the largest cocktail menus in the city at Slug and Lettuce with an impressive selection including an entire menu dedicated to the Pornstar which includes a Pornstar Tree, a Giant Pornstar and Strawberry Pornstars. With long drinks, shots and bombs, plenty of gins, martinis and classics there is plenty on offer to get your night started with a bang and lots of offers to be found including Two for One Cocktails, Tipsy Tapas, Wine Down Wednesdays and Fizz Friday.<br />
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The Slug caters for every food occasion from Breakfasts (dishes start from £1.99!), to small plates, £5.00 lunch deals, Afternoon Tea and Cocktails & Cakes. Affordable with plenty of choice, if you're bar crawling on a budget this is the place for you!<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">Perfect for: Girls Night, Hen Weekends, a Night Out Before Pay Day and Hangover Breakfasts </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">Find Slug at Lettuce at:</span> </b>30 Grainger Street, NE1 5JG<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b><a href="https://www.slugandlettuce.co.uk/central-newcastle" target="_blank">slugandlettuce.co.uk/central-newcastle</a></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqh3xQE71qgmEhIcuzaR7i7EjcZOWgLhoU2LzVt3bulc6gQbcwHIH-xEjbV_OXjbvE_wO-MaMHkjJ3Ka71blhDTY3PPOnth_L7uitR1XLvTYcrbylbyWvw8eNADvZ4dXiOJPTO_wRXy0/s1600/sq3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Instagram Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Slug and Lettuce" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqh3xQE71qgmEhIcuzaR7i7EjcZOWgLhoU2LzVt3bulc6gQbcwHIH-xEjbV_OXjbvE_wO-MaMHkjJ3Ka71blhDTY3PPOnth_L7uitR1XLvTYcrbylbyWvw8eNADvZ4dXiOJPTO_wRXy0/s1600/sq3.jpg" title="Instagram Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Slug and Lettuce" /></a></div>
<b style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">All Bar One</span></b><br />
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When I lived and worked in London, <a href="https://www.allbarone.co.uk/national-search/northeast/all-bar-one-newcastle"><span style="color: purple;"><b>All Bar One</b></span></a> was pretty much the place to head to for Friday night drinks after work. With a branch on most street corners in the City I couldn't quite believe it when I arrived in Newcastle to discover that All Bar One didn't exist! Where on earth did thirsty office workers gather at 5:00 pm?<br />
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I'm pretty sure Newcastle is the last major city in the UK to get an All Bar One, but in September it finally arrived in the Toon, bringing with it a huge refurbishment of what used to be Browns and a large bar decked out in golds with a ceiling full of greenery and plenty of large tables to gather with your friends.<br />
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With a real focus on wine there are plenty available with many recommendations throughout the drinks menu if you fancy trying something new. If cocktails are more your thing the Blossom Birdcage Sharer serves four people fruity cocktails in an ornate floral bird cage.<br />
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The menu offers a well selected range of lunch, main dishes and desserts or, if you're feeling very healthy, nutritious power foods. It's the brunch that's caught my eye though with a lovely menu of classic dishes - perfect for a pre shopping treat.<br />
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There are plenty of offers to be found including Fizz Friday, Tapas Tuesday, 5 O'Clocktails, Set Menus and 2 for 1s. They also have an app which includes a loyalty card, birthday treats and a complimentary cocktail on download.<br />
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<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: orange;">Perfect for: After Work Drinks and Catching up with Friends </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">Find All Bar One at:</span></b> 51 Grey Street, NE1 6EE<br />
<a href="https://www.allbarone.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>allbarone.co.uk/</b></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42a7f0hO4PctQSDMNXveQMa1aFlPHau4fIVnfu6Poyjbqqx33lV9eBeFmKLhjk7LkKVVEMXF-hf8IF0bt9OTF7RMrVkkVUU4abu8wO_Zp9crtxrHvgqCHaFcYIm8qYOZ0X3uiM9NfOvU/s1600/sq7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Instagram Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - All Bar One" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42a7f0hO4PctQSDMNXveQMa1aFlPHau4fIVnfu6Poyjbqqx33lV9eBeFmKLhjk7LkKVVEMXF-hf8IF0bt9OTF7RMrVkkVUU4abu8wO_Zp9crtxrHvgqCHaFcYIm8qYOZ0X3uiM9NfOvU/s1600/sq7.jpg" title="Instagram Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - All Bar One" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Horticulture</b></span><br />
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I had heard a lot about new bar <span style="color: purple;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/horticulturencl/"><span style="color: purple;">Horticulture</span></a> </b></span>following its recent opening so couldn't wait to check it out for myself. Hidden down a little alley off Pilgrim Street, step inside and suddenly you're in a beautiful little bar that instantly gave us all of the loft apartment vibes - definitely more New York than Newcastle upon Tyne!<br />
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Spread across three floors you will find you're first welcomed into a cosy bar before heading upstairs to the small restaurant who specialise in small plates served from their open kitchen. The top floor of Horticulture houses the Aviary, a function space perfect for a private party or event.<br />
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We spent our time in the bar, grabbing the last available table (be warned, it's pretty tiny in there!) and feeling slightly gutted that I didn't manage to bag myself one of the super instagrammable swing seats! I have to say out of all the new bars we visited this one was definitely the "coolest" and perhaps a little too cool for us!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ef5jAU_cR-mPmc81O4vZ7SDlbjS6OIG8WA3_VTek0jQG7wRE-ytR1Aje_nSxki_CwPfot7OtEQFVF0mS7ZQb5kyIyU_IVZGopJJenKYlL24f93mksyj0l6eU5AfoKkUcSiPdlD4NRfA/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Instagram Guide Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Horticulture" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ef5jAU_cR-mPmc81O4vZ7SDlbjS6OIG8WA3_VTek0jQG7wRE-ytR1Aje_nSxki_CwPfot7OtEQFVF0mS7ZQb5kyIyU_IVZGopJJenKYlL24f93mksyj0l6eU5AfoKkUcSiPdlD4NRfA/s1600/1.jpg" title="Instagram Guide Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Horticulture" /></a></div>
I opted for a Gin and Tonic which was noticeably cheaper than anywhere else in Toon which surprised me considering the beautiful setting, I could be wrong, but I think they probably serve single measures of gin rather than the usual double!<br />
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I have heard great things about their food and the breakfast plates look particularly good with Turkish Eggs, Vegan Hash and the Muckle Breakfast all on the menu so I'm sure it's only a matter of time before we swing by earlier in the day.<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">Perfect for: Hanging out with your Coolest Mates and Intimate Drinks </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">Find Horticulture at:</span></b>1 Market Lane, NE1 6QQ<br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/horticulturencl/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>facebook.com/horticulturencl/</b></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF6qhHsEzMKlbjwaZ3lDlyN7HbNBZXPtBzYwltXuaQAjzbU-GGx_kbCeveZdB16OpsVU4uWpNC0Sql4AESnhpFQq4qsfzyL1Egv7m8Bv17B5eP1pLZ_9s9VcqhyIG90lIKoPXDWZZVkM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Instagram Guide to Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Horticulture" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIF6qhHsEzMKlbjwaZ3lDlyN7HbNBZXPtBzYwltXuaQAjzbU-GGx_kbCeveZdB16OpsVU4uWpNC0Sql4AESnhpFQq4qsfzyL1Egv7m8Bv17B5eP1pLZ_9s9VcqhyIG90lIKoPXDWZZVkM/s1600/3.jpg" title="Instagram Guide to Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Horticulture" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Purple Peacock</b></span><br />
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If you love your bar filled with vibrant colour then you will love <a href="http://www.purplepeacockncl.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>The Purple Peacock</b></span></a>, surely the most decadent place in the Toon for a cocktail. The bar and restaurant is pretty eye popping with gold details, colourful pillars and flower garlands - it's the closest that Newcastle has to a palace and if you need an excuse to dig out your tiara, I'd say this is it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfV576tc8YftXBV2bFtMWLdSGpc4CxitpF169CBhLtpMWZAOpEB3ae1TojhhsA5V2xKjDchsBlkjLD03rZO0ddYspwUn-S7kaNmSzO6cOYI2xnmwWolI-OvSsnKnEjdBEPYxI2DSxPyQ/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Instagram Guide to Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Purple Peacock" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfV576tc8YftXBV2bFtMWLdSGpc4CxitpF169CBhLtpMWZAOpEB3ae1TojhhsA5V2xKjDchsBlkjLD03rZO0ddYspwUn-S7kaNmSzO6cOYI2xnmwWolI-OvSsnKnEjdBEPYxI2DSxPyQ/s1600/12.jpg" title="Instagram Guide to Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Purple Peacock" /></a></div>
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The drinks menu hosts the usual range of champagne, wines, gins and beers but it's the cocktails that are something to write home about. The signature cocktail, "The Purple Peacock" mixes Ketel One Citroen with Port, Lemon Juice, Pineapple and Blackcurrant topped with a colourful peacock feather which will have you grabbing for your camera before it's even hit the table. We were particularly impressed with the bar's efforts to create well loved classics that don't feature in the menu and Simon decided that the Old Fashioned they served him was the best he's ever had in Newcastle!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwcK7TqGR1UbkpmgRQhxASkFJqerLC8M89FUBDPG7fYfdj4KxTUKi3-x_-jFs_z95If9_3sioXBLjIe_o-IZjkjBuNym4yHxqtZWOcC4O2SP6ayFuO8htJiCayllfD1TSU5zlTifNGfg/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Instagram Guide to Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - The Purple Peacock" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwcK7TqGR1UbkpmgRQhxASkFJqerLC8M89FUBDPG7fYfdj4KxTUKi3-x_-jFs_z95If9_3sioXBLjIe_o-IZjkjBuNym4yHxqtZWOcC4O2SP6ayFuO8htJiCayllfD1TSU5zlTifNGfg/s1600/13.jpg" title="Instagram Guide to Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - The Purple Peacock" /></a></div>
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If you really want to get the party started then The Purple Peacock has some great concepts on offer including "Drunch" (three small plates and bottomless fizz for 90 minutes) and Pick and Mix Gin offering four gins, four tonics and four fruits for you to create your own perfect G&Ts (I'm definitely looking forward to giving that a go!)<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">Perfect for: Starting the Night</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">Find Purple Peacock at:</span> </b>55 Degrees North, Pilgrim Street, NE1 6BJ<br />
<a href="https://www.purplepeacockncl.co.uk/"><b><span style="color: purple;">purplepeacockncl.co.uk/</span></b></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7GkTXuLVdYPy1wkMavfaB835PAqACPsJUlUjKmzs6AH2KsvKzQD5r-rGkzxlBnREFFRTp0hZ5Pb9SCmxjFJqHQigTr1sdUaRPwtjJ1XAES1aAkrw136cfAHGWhYwobnH0o7_SLwQPsA/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Instagram Guide to the Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - The Purple Peacock" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7GkTXuLVdYPy1wkMavfaB835PAqACPsJUlUjKmzs6AH2KsvKzQD5r-rGkzxlBnREFFRTp0hZ5Pb9SCmxjFJqHQigTr1sdUaRPwtjJ1XAES1aAkrw136cfAHGWhYwobnH0o7_SLwQPsA/s1600/16.jpg" title="Instagram Guide to the Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - The Purple Peacock" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Leila Lilys </b></span><br />
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Saving our favourite for last, I have not stopped going on and on about how much we loved <span style="color: purple;"><b><a href="https://leilalilys.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;">Leila Lilys</span></a> </b></span>since our visit. Simon and I were both blown away by the beautiful interiors, lovely atmosphere, friendly bar staff and amazingly presented cocktails. This place really is something special!<br />
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A complete transformation to what was there before, the restaurant and bar have swapped places meaning more room for drinks and a more intimate offering for those wanting to dine. We were impressed by the live music that greeted us as we stepped through the door and sipping our drinks with a pianist playing in the background was the very best way to end our evening.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lomxpJyPf7mSHjWaWLl2qH6LQhjrQmHM-SU0uXQSIX82slHANDsTbniQtqBDD_Tp_LA2dOi-7fuc5OV77IOAPIhyD-_Y0bfDkAK4k-zljZL_JRReVp5kr-5mQfG7JJ2E1dX3DhqriF4/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Instagram Guide to the Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Leila Lilys" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lomxpJyPf7mSHjWaWLl2qH6LQhjrQmHM-SU0uXQSIX82slHANDsTbniQtqBDD_Tp_LA2dOi-7fuc5OV77IOAPIhyD-_Y0bfDkAK4k-zljZL_JRReVp5kr-5mQfG7JJ2E1dX3DhqriF4/s1600/5.jpg" title="Instagram Guide to the Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Leila Lilys" /></a></div>
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We felt spoilt for choice when it came to picking a table at Leila Lilys, with cosy corners, private areas, plush bar stools and beautiful booths - every area of the bar has been beautifully designed and I will not be happy until I've sat at every single table to work out which is my favourite.<br />
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We hid ourselves away in a corner almost concealed by velvet curtains where we grabbed a comfortable booth with views out over Grey Street, with our own small bar this would be a really lovely area for a private party and I'm now trying to come up with any excuse to throw my own.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_hvPb5lrUYpM-EyM7F8f3ggkStQzdUFym8kqYFvl8YkVCEskz4yamOKqyReRUC7uatk7rdUQYk92iRDrkEkW1QK4QUrvJCAah8Q32cs1HM755VqH9PjYeCE5viXjQcsPLRJyXAceaR8/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Instagram Guide to Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Leila Lilys" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_hvPb5lrUYpM-EyM7F8f3ggkStQzdUFym8kqYFvl8YkVCEskz4yamOKqyReRUC7uatk7rdUQYk92iRDrkEkW1QK4QUrvJCAah8Q32cs1HM755VqH9PjYeCE5viXjQcsPLRJyXAceaR8/s1600/7.jpg" title="Instagram Guide to Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Leila Lilys" /></a></div>
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Cocktails at Leila Lilys don't come cheap and this is easily the most expensive bar out of all the places that we visited on our tour. Probably best saved for a special occasion this is going to be our go to for anniversaries, birthday treats and when we really want to impress someone. The cocktail menu is wonderfully presented with creatively named cocktails displayed in the colourful pages, it's easy to lose a lot of your evening just trying to decide what to order.<br />
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I opted for the "Not Every Rose Has a Thorn" - presented in this truly incredible glass (when Simon appeared with it I honestly thought he was balancing a plate on top of my glass) - Briottet Rose Liqueur and Rose Sugar Syrup are mixed with Hibiscus Tonic, Lemon Juice and Elder Flowers.<br />
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Now that we've been to this lovely spot for drinks, I can't wait to visit again and try some food, headed up by Chef of the Year 2019, Ronnie Robson, Leila Lilys menu looks incredible and it's only a matter of time before we try it out for ourselves.<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">Perfect for: A treat with your Best Mate, Romantic Date Night and When you want to Impress </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">Find Leila Lilys at:</span></b> 2-12 Grey Street, NE1 6AE<br />
<a href="https://leilalilys.co.uk/#1"><b><span style="color: purple;">leilalilys.co.uk</span></b></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr_JxTiD4WJJi932JDsoiUgpq8wsAgSugFzErOXy1IOBg8U9JWlfOfFetBl00K2L7ODDt5tlyh5UrsmLSfRaBtSLsvIg4yvaw52sQsBcQWL3MU4uzkjZc4072w78RAdfvZpFLMxHAnZ4/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Leila Lilys" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr_JxTiD4WJJi932JDsoiUgpq8wsAgSugFzErOXy1IOBg8U9JWlfOfFetBl00K2L7ODDt5tlyh5UrsmLSfRaBtSLsvIg4yvaw52sQsBcQWL3MU4uzkjZc4072w78RAdfvZpFLMxHAnZ4/s1600/15.jpg" title="Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle - Leila Lilys" /></a></div>
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Can you believe that there are even more new cocktail bars in Newcastle that have opened over the last few months that we still haven't made it to yet? It's a good job that party season has arrived so we have plenty of excuses to carry on ticking new bars off our list.<br />
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Something tells me Christmas is going to be extra fun this year!New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-51952962320100785892019-12-05T06:00:00.000+00:002019-12-05T06:39:37.895+00:00Celebrate Christmas at Cragside <div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This is an advertisement feature with National Trust Cragside</i></div>
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I always love to fill the first day of December with plenty of Christmas fun, it's usually the day that I convince Simon to pull the Christmas tree out of the cupboard and I love to ensure that our whole day is filled with plenty of Christmas cheer and festive activities. This year we decided to celebrate the start of Christmas at <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Cragside</b></span></a>, one of the most beautiful National Trust sites in the North East and somewhere that we have never visited during December before.<br />
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Visiting Cragside is the perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations with plenty of seasonal activities to keep your whole family entertained for a full day. So whether you want a great place to blow off the cobwebs, a delicious mince pie or to meet Father Christmas there is something to suit everyone at Cragside.<br />
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Driving down the road into the Cragside Estate we were greeted to the most beautiful Winter Wonderland of frost tipped trees, we felt like we'd jumped into a Christmas Card Mary Poppins style, the views were so incredible it almost didn't seem real. If you are looking for a really stunning place for a Winter walk this Christmas time then I would definitely recommend heading to Cragside.<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Christmas at Cragside</span></b><br />
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We began our Christmas at Cragside with a visit to the house, somewhere that we have never actually been into before (shocking really when you consider its rich North East history!). Used as an external filming location for Jurassic Park, my husband was particularly excited to step inside although I did have to tell him we were on the look out for Christmas decorations, not dinosaurs!<br />
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If you are visiting Cragside this month then popping into the house is a must. Parts of the ground floor and some of the bedrooms have been decorated for a traditional Victorian Christmas. Dimly lit with fires and fairy lights, the upstairs bedrooms transport you back to Christmas Eve where children are getting ready for bed, hanging their stockings out for Father Christmas whilst the adults in the neighbouring room are getting ready for the party downstairs.<br />
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Following the holly garlands down the staircase we explored the rooms on the ground floor, each more impressive than the last in their seasonal decorations. I loved the pretty paper decorations then, just when I'd decided to maybe keep our own decorations simple this year, we found our way into the most beautiful dining room complete with a huge tree and very decadent spread. Just imagine having your Christmas lunch in a room like this.<br />
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Every weekend at Cragside house you have the opportunity to meet the Victorian Cooks and following our well trained noses we found our way into the kitchen where mince pies had just been taken out of the oven. The smell was absolutely incredible and made my tummy growl.<br />
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<i>The house at Cragside is open between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm (last admission at 2:30 pm) </i><br />
<i>Normal Admission charges apply. </i><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Wreath Making Workshop</b></span><br />
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Next on our Festive agenda was a Wreath Making Workshop inside Cragside house. Having tried wreath making a couple of times before I have to say it's definitely not my greatest skill but if, like me, you struggle to make things look beautiful please don't let this put you off. Creating your own wreath is such an incredible way to spend your time, truly gets you into the mood for Christmas and is so much fun.<br />
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The Wreath Making Workshop at Cragside is extra special as wreaths are created using a traditional method, natural materials from the gardens at Cragside and lead by one of the gardeners of the Estate. I loved asking questions about all of the different festive foliage that can be found round the Estate and the abundance of red berries this year has meant that the collection for the wreaths are particularly spectacular.<br />
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The best thing about wreath making is that once you've got the basics there really isn't a right or wrong way to create your design. Every single wreath in our workshop looked different and each one looked so effective. That said, I'm really not joking when I say that I'm beyond useless at crafting so I ended up helping Simon with his, although in reality I was bossing him about whilst drinking mulled wine.<br />
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Yes, I did say mulled wine! The Wreath Making Workshops include a cup of mulled wine and a mince pie which you can enjoy half way through the class - just be careful not to drop your foliage into your cup!<br />
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Considering how much homemade wreaths cost to buy in the shops creating your own at Cragside is such a cost effective way of making your home look really lovely this Christmas time. I never thought we'd be able to make something we'd be happy to display but we actually do have our creation hanging with pride from our front door. It'll certainly be a talking point this Christmas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sWZhXtpo6PRVMJ5Xf5Jgg1a1fXgl0hKtf2vP4dX_vlSp8LO7T_6jhyc7rGvwY0UDZ9mRHY1xBSGKtb8AKNFJk-biYfvVgrrDTe6TWH0SNOZMdDWaNU-K7WfL7LXdT46N0NCvyyDFtSk/s1600/61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at Cragside - Wreath" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sWZhXtpo6PRVMJ5Xf5Jgg1a1fXgl0hKtf2vP4dX_vlSp8LO7T_6jhyc7rGvwY0UDZ9mRHY1xBSGKtb8AKNFJk-biYfvVgrrDTe6TWH0SNOZMdDWaNU-K7WfL7LXdT46N0NCvyyDFtSk/s1600/61.jpg" title="Christmas at Cragside - Wreath" /></a></div>
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<i>Wreath Making Workshops take place on 7, 8, 14 and 16 December and are adult only. </i><br />
<i>The workshop costs £28.00 to join - call 0344 249 1895 to book your place</i><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Christmas Lunch at Cragside</b></span><br />
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Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a Festive Lunch and we ended our visit to Cragside with a three course feast with all of the trimmings. Served up in their tea room in December, the menu offers a perfect little choice of traditional favourites and a complimentary hot punch to welcome you in from the cold. We enjoyed ours by the fire, the perfect way to warm our fingers, tummies and toes on such a cold day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-wuQsSsTJx5LMgMj4PzaOe5NLwIDe5-vy2AlrmtBj_Msb8qdMB5F0MXcSsAu3wXnZwcm2wMc4yCiYBLilVT_zy5V4mlzot3dWyHLsJHtKBI03esKxBVdTebcOm1pASn_rI7tkUXpWj0/s1600/65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at Cragside - Punch by the Fire" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-wuQsSsTJx5LMgMj4PzaOe5NLwIDe5-vy2AlrmtBj_Msb8qdMB5F0MXcSsAu3wXnZwcm2wMc4yCiYBLilVT_zy5V4mlzot3dWyHLsJHtKBI03esKxBVdTebcOm1pASn_rI7tkUXpWj0/s1600/65.jpg" title="Christmas at Cragside - Punch by the Fire" /></a></div>
There's nothing better on a cold Winter's day than a nice hot soup so we both opted for Soup of the Day (£4.75) to start our Festive Lunch. The delicious bowl of vegetable soup was spot on (I often order soup from National Trust as it's always so good) and served with a very generous hunk of bread. It was a pretty filling start to our meal so I'm glad we went in hungry - if you're planning on heading to Cragside for a Christmas lunch, make sure you leave yourself plenty of room!<br />
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It wouldn't be Christmas without Turkey and so Simon decided to go for the Traditional Roast Turkey with all of the Trimmings (£11.95) as his main course. It was served with what was definitely the largest jug of gravy I have ever seen. I couldn't believe the jug was for just one person and it was so welcoming to not have to ask for more. There's nothing worse than a Christmas lunch with a stingy allocation of gravy. I definitely picked myself one of the good guys because my husband voluntarily passed me one of his pigs and blankets and it was delicious! If you're after a good traditional festive lunch then this one ticks the boxes.<br />
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Although not a vegetarian I do find myself sometimes getting a little tired of turkey at this time of year so I decided to go for the equally festive alternative of Cranberry and Mushroom Wellington (£9.95). Served with a large jug of Vegetable Gravy it was huge, stuffed full and absolutely defeated me - it was hard to stop but I needed to save myself for the all importation dessert.<br />
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The temptation of Classic Christmas Pudding served with Orange and Mead Sauce was almost too much to resist but in the end we both decided to finish our meals with the Chocolate Tart, Passionfruit Sorbet with Caramelised White Chocolate (£4.95). It was very indulgent and rich and perhaps a little too heavy after a full two course meal but there were no regrets, we both managed to polish the whole lot off.<br />
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Christmas Lunch at Cragside is the perfect way to celebrate the festive season and is particularly great for families. As we tucked in to our meal several larger groups were also sitting down to eat and it was lovely to see tables filled with family members spanning generations. The tea room is very child friendly so the best place to bring the whole family for a sit down meal.<br />
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<i>Christmas Lunch is served every day up until 22 December. Booking is essential on 01669 622 038 or e-mail joanne.clues@nationaltrust.org for a booking form. </i><br />
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We absolutely loved our Christmas day trip to Cragside, it was the most special way to spend a cold Winter's day and to kick off December. If I wasn't feeling Christmassy before I certainly am now. If you're looking for somewhere to enjoy some Festive fun with friends or family then a trip to Cragside really is a must for your diary. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5Vt4gButlu7VEgPapexr4FW1ea7OMbLzEj-IQyC1KqIfpIwI91TFtnvdzpF0b3gSa5czob-zxL7SF4aQjQCN-WCJ3R_YjHPQ9zFBZ65XshH5lCnSmjw6mbbBPABC0Kd1qzYQjuV96gQ/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at Cragside Rothbury" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5Vt4gButlu7VEgPapexr4FW1ea7OMbLzEj-IQyC1KqIfpIwI91TFtnvdzpF0b3gSa5czob-zxL7SF4aQjQCN-WCJ3R_YjHPQ9zFBZ65XshH5lCnSmjw6mbbBPABC0Kd1qzYQjuV96gQ/s1600/10.jpg" title="Christmas at Cragside Rothbury" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Find Cragside at:</span></b><br />
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Rothbury<br />
Morpeth<br />
Northumberland<br />
NE65 7PX<br />
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<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside" rel="nofollow"><b><span style="color: purple;">nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside</span></b></a><br />
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<i>This is a sponsored feature with National Trust. We also received a complimentary Wreath Making Workshop and Festive Lunch for Two.</i>New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-57736672072639448752019-12-03T06:00:00.001+00:002019-12-03T06:48:04.872+00:00Newcastle Theatre Royal Pantomime 2019 - Beauty and the Beast Review <div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This is an advertisement feature with Newcastle Theatre Royal </i></div>
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As a couple without children you may be wondering why a trip to the<span style="color: purple;"><b> <a href="https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;">Newcastle Theatre Royal</span></span> </a></b></span>to see this year's Pantomime, Beauty and the Beast was a must in our Festive calendar. I mean, Pantos are for kids right? The silly songs, boos & hisses and cheesy lines are surely something that we have all grown out of?<br />
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Wrong!<br />
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If you are yet to experience a Pantomime as an adult I honestly believe that you are missing out. Adult life is not fun - the house chores, budgeting dramas and office politics - by the time I get to December I'm usually feeling pretty drained and in the need of a really good laugh and a night out with my husband - which is why the Newcastle Theatre Royal Panto is an essential part of my Christmas.<br />
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I have been to a number of pantomimes in the region and, between you and me, the Newcastle Theatre Royal offering is the very best with a high quality production that always delivers impressive choreography, beautiful sets, great special effects and catchy songs. It is also the only Panto that actually makes me laugh out loud with plenty of jokes for the grownups, slap-stick that is actually funny and some hilarious ad libs when things go a little wrong. It is bonkers silly mayhem from start to finish and is guaranteed to put a smile on my face.<br />
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This year was Simon's first ever experience of the Newcastle Royal Pantomime, and having had to put up with me going on and on about how great it was when I went without him last year he wasn't going to miss out this time round.<br />
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It's become a Geordie Christmas tradition to see the legendary father and son team Danny Adams and Clive Webb who are appearing in their fifteenth consecutive Theatre Royal pantomime this year. Forget the soap actors and 90s pop stars, the Theatre Royal Newcastle turn their back on the usual gimmick casting, instead bringing us true icons who we've been loving in the Panto for years. This is what brings the crowds of happy people into the theatre to enjoy the Panto every Christmas. It's no surprise that over 78,000 tickets have been sold this year.<br />
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The scene was set as we were introduced to the village of Geordieville, an immediate clue that this Panto was going to be full of local humour which, of course, we all love. In fact it wouldn't be a Theatre Royal Panto without the famous "Hiya Hinny" would it? Shouting that out whenever Chris Hayward steps onto the stage makes you feel like you're part of some kind of exclusive Geordie club albeit with a few thousand other people. Combine that with some great Geordie characters, local gags and two original Geordie songs and we're in for a night that makes us feel as proud as punch to be in the North East.<br />
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Although the Pantomime more or less follows the traditional story of Beauty and the Beast complete with the beautiful Belle (performed brilliantly by the fabulous Laura Evans), a Beast and, of course, a rose the story is intertwined with the most amazing comedy sketches and gags from Danny, Clive and our favourite castle idiot, Michael Potts (whose deadpan face never fails to crack me up). You can expect plenty of rude jokes for the adults, a lot of slime, great gags for the kids and hilarious audience participation.<br />
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The Newcastle Theatre Royal Panto isn't all just "she's behind you" and daft gags, in fact I would say it's the only Panto I have ever seen that is full of original content. A lot of Pantos in the region use the same songs and jokes as each other and it all gets a little predictable! The Theatre Royal always takes its Panto to the next level and the West End style production means there's plenty of on the edge of your seat drama - this year's chase in the woods with the wolves was particularly great to watch.<br />
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I'm always slightly nervous sitting at the theatre with my husband who isn't as mad for the stage as I am and will sometimes sit there, arms folded looking like he wants to be somewhere else. But he was roaring with laughter all evening, in fact he has been quoting Danny Adams' lines since we got back (which is beginning to get on my nerves!). As we headed into the interval I couldn't wait for the lights to come back up so we could discuss our favourite parts, there were just so many.<br />
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The absolutely highlight for us though came at the very end during Danny's Song Sheet - an opportunity for the kids to get on stage and join in. The whole thing had us crying with laughter and the set finished with the most hilarious twist that I honestly can't wait for you all to see - it is brilliant and one of the funniest things I have ever seen on stage. Just you wait!<br />
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If you have tickets for this year's Pantomime at the Newcastle Theatre Royal you are in for a truly incredible night and I am very jealous. I am desperate to go again and am already counting down the months until next year's offering. Christmas really isn't Christmas until you've been to the Panto and this year's really is the best that I have ever seen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlOi2aOp0Ve1E8Cede2udP1iiO8bpZgJFryOCejPjZHRHCKGRzNtoqjYuBiM-L_pQ8sTWy06BR6Y8KjMiGQwlfax1Gw906clyZPPMW4mV_aQTAschHfvAcDc2dRB3ZHppoScBa9-PUh8/s1600/Beauty+%2526+the+Beast+hi+res+1610+retouched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Newcastle Theatre Royal Pantomime - Beauty and the Beast " border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlOi2aOp0Ve1E8Cede2udP1iiO8bpZgJFryOCejPjZHRHCKGRzNtoqjYuBiM-L_pQ8sTWy06BR6Y8KjMiGQwlfax1Gw906clyZPPMW4mV_aQTAschHfvAcDc2dRB3ZHppoScBa9-PUh8/s1600/Beauty+%2526+the+Beast+hi+res+1610+retouched.jpg" title="Newcastle Theatre Royal Pantomime - Beauty and the Beast " /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">What you need to know:</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li>Beauty and the Beast runs from Tuesday 26 November to Sunday 19 January</li>
<li>Running time is approx 2 hours 15 mins (including an interval)</li>
<li>Tickets cost from £14.00 and selling fast! Get yours at the Theatre Royal Box Office, on the phone on 08448 112121 or online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk </li>
</ul>
<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Find Newcastle Theatre Royal at:</b></span><br />
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100 Grey Street<br />
NE1 6BR<br />
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08448 11 21 21<br />
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<a href="https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>theatreroyal.co.uk/</b></span></a><br />
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<i>We attended Press Night with complimentary tickets. </i>New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-70412885191063540822019-11-30T07:33:00.000+00:002019-11-30T07:33:14.247+00:00My November DaysUsually in November I try very hard to hide away from all of the early festivities in an effort not to hit peak Christmas too early but this year I am throwing myself into it and I think after the year I've had it's completely acceptable. I have spent a lot of my month sitting on my sofa snuggled up under a fleecy throw watching the cheesiest of Christmas films on Netflix and it's become a bit of a happy haven to me as the darkness of Winter begins to hit.<br />
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Here's what happened in November that didn't make the blog.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Thornley Woods</strong></span><br />
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We have been meaning to explore more of the <a href="https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/4393/Derwent-Walk-Country-Park-and-Derwenthaugh-Park"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Derwent Valley</b></span></a> for many years now yet never seem to make it past Gibside (you can't really blame us, when you have National Trust membership it does tend to influence most of your walk decisions). So I'm so happy that this month we finally made it to Thornley Woods for a short stroll through the Country Park. There's miles and miles of countryside to explore across the Derwent Valley and our short stroll took us to some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen in the North East with stunning views across the leafy landscape. Eating our sandwiches on a bench in the sunshine and watching the Red Kites fly overhead was quite a moment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnesJKRYLFPCLRwEPaqngPeBQ5m-J3z2h9UVVHqZtBJ4-OyNmmVpNdYrEXTqlbDYxXNJCq65j0gMjmjRjgblugi_dndNlfNdBx7ezcySLSbG-A5sPdKvPBDILH4Mi7MSXdMXa5IXcgdAA/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="November Days - Thornley Woods" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnesJKRYLFPCLRwEPaqngPeBQ5m-J3z2h9UVVHqZtBJ4-OyNmmVpNdYrEXTqlbDYxXNJCq65j0gMjmjRjgblugi_dndNlfNdBx7ezcySLSbG-A5sPdKvPBDILH4Mi7MSXdMXa5IXcgdAA/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" title="November Days - Thornley Woods" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><strong>The Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel</strong></span><br />
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Whilst hanging about in a tunnel may not be everyone's idea of a fun Saturday morning, my visit to the recently reopened <b><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.tynepedestrianandcyclisttunnels.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;">Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel</span></a> </span></b>was one of my highlights of the month and I'm so glad that I went for a little nose about. The Grade II listed tunnel reopened this year following a 6 year restoration project and I am so glad that this little piece of history is now open for us all to enjoy. The tunnel takes pedestrians and cyclist under the River Tyne from Jarrow to Howdon and the wooden escalators down to the tunnel transport you to the most fantastic place if you are into photography or exploring more of our local history.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><strong>For the Love of the North</strong></span><br />
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Just when I thought Spanish City could get no better <a href="https://www.fortheloveofthenorth.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>For the Love of the North</b></span></a> arrived. With stores already in Whitley Bay town centre, Stack at Newcastle and Corbridge, the northern inspired shop now has a beautiful space next door to The Split Chimp and sells the most incredible collection of prints, pins, mugs and totes all created by and inspired by the North. I dragged poor Simon round the store dropping endless hints about what I'd quite like for Christmas!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Hive Coffee</strong></span><br />
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I finally returned to <a href="https://www.hivecoffeecompany.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Hive Coffee</b></span></a><span style="color: purple;"><span style="color: purple;"><b> </b></span></span>in Jarrow this month for a breakfast catch up with the lovely <a href="http://plainsarahjayne.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Sarah</b></span></a>. Getting there super early (I'd forgotten how many tables they have and so panic rushed to get a seat!) we enjoyed a lovely quiet start with matching breakfasts of Avocado, Salmon and Poached Eggs on Toast. This place is so special and if you're yet to check it out it's a must visit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65u6_89XNU6kEGVUjZisNx4yNIUOi9LDfLha0iSbyvLlbOO4SqK2y4CcCHL_QYUTk8eqSLFNDC9UTEe__zpf7HRULnA-DTlk3Pdwid1zhS3eSKNbYvomMUpwrF7XDbp8qlnbkITnwJ0E/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="November Days - Hive Coffee" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65u6_89XNU6kEGVUjZisNx4yNIUOi9LDfLha0iSbyvLlbOO4SqK2y4CcCHL_QYUTk8eqSLFNDC9UTEe__zpf7HRULnA-DTlk3Pdwid1zhS3eSKNbYvomMUpwrF7XDbp8qlnbkITnwJ0E/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" title="November Days - Hive Coffee" /></a></div>
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<strong style="color: orange; font-size: xx-large;">Feasting at Central Oven and Shaker</strong><br />
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Now that it's getting very dark, pretty soggy and quite cold I am all about pizza parties and carb loading so I was more than ready for a night at <a href="http://www.centralnewcastle.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Central Oven and Shaker</b></span></a>, somewhere I hadn't actually been since it very first opened (shame on me!) To celebrate the launch of their new Autumn Winter Menu we feasted on some incredible warming dishes and I am still dreaming about the Wild Boar Lasagne Bites and Goats Cheese and Jam Pizza.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Festive Afternoon Tea at Spanish City</strong></span><br />
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I'm not sure I should confess to you exactly how many Festive Afternoon Teas I have booked in this Christmas. The fact that we're not even in December yet and I've already had two says it all really doesn't it? This month saw the first ever Festive Fayre at <a href="https://spanishcity.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Spanish City in Whitley Bay</b></span></a> and arriving on a very wet day at the coast hoards of eager Christmas fans piled their way into the Dome to mooch around the little stalls and admire the beautiful Christmas Tree that's become one of my favourites in the region. We decided to go all out for our visit and booked ourselves in for a Festive Afternoon Tea. Priced at £25.00 per person the cakestand was a thing of real beauty with mini Father Christmas, Reindeer and Christmas Trees all carefully created out of cakes. If you're looking for something really lovely to do this Christmas time I highly recommend checking it out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjSlZSXG8V9hDOjJbXbO9BIRm_skP-o5K8NQJJ3j06Eis4IVtDMmOdOBn0Txyw_Syy2fLzjBRsgofEKviPhfYmhibu6PHe1GcU3RdtxPi8f8zBX8bXs7CHYEl6YTPyKYGGJHFjrBrXHo/s1600/IMG_0764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="November Days - Spanish City Festive Afternoon Tea " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjSlZSXG8V9hDOjJbXbO9BIRm_skP-o5K8NQJJ3j06Eis4IVtDMmOdOBn0Txyw_Syy2fLzjBRsgofEKviPhfYmhibu6PHe1GcU3RdtxPi8f8zBX8bXs7CHYEl6YTPyKYGGJHFjrBrXHo/s1600/IMG_0764.JPG" title="November Days - Spanish City Festive Afternoon Tea " /></a></div>
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For more adventures from New Girl in Toon make sure you <a href="https://www.instagram.com/newgirlintoon/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>follow me on Instagram</b></span></a>. I post a new photo every day and you will find vlogs from my favourite North East adventures on my highlights.New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-65016200444182046922019-11-27T06:00:00.000+00:002019-11-27T06:31:59.938+00:00Christmas Events at Wallington<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This is an advertisement feature with National Trust Wallington </i></div>
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I am throwing myself head first into all things Christmas this year and as the festive season begins my diary is crammed full of so many afternoon teas, carol singing and wreath making I'm not sure when I'm going to get a chance to finish shopping for presents! If there's one place guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit this year it has to be <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Wallington</b></span></a> whose programme of seasonal treats has got me thinking I should perhaps just set up camp there throughout December so I don't miss anything. <br />
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National Trust always know how to celebrate at this time of year and Christmas at Wallington looks set to be bigger and better than ever. <br />
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Simon and I were like two excited kids on Christmas Eve when we got invited for a little look behind the scenes as Wallington prepare for the festive season. The house is currently closed as the team are hard at work carefully decorating the rooms ahead of the great reveal on 30 November so we felt very honoured to be allowed a little preview of what we can expect at Wallington this Christmas time. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EjoMENtv0bcx2YU8uomFFsAB2Vvq2aQ6r1FrosnR_DmN3oiGc6SnevdE4DeuNdCsGsP-yPIYH_pYOq1joSmlcfeDpOKwtcG_5v9IxeFL3XeJ5omR3C0wbN4DoEdIj0nvnlSQSyIrRdQ/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Experience Christmas at Wallington " border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EjoMENtv0bcx2YU8uomFFsAB2Vvq2aQ6r1FrosnR_DmN3oiGc6SnevdE4DeuNdCsGsP-yPIYH_pYOq1joSmlcfeDpOKwtcG_5v9IxeFL3XeJ5omR3C0wbN4DoEdIj0nvnlSQSyIrRdQ/s1600/11.jpg" title="Experience Christmas at Wallington " /></a></div>
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<b style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Christmas at Wallington</span></b><br />
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Christmas is a really special time at Wallington and from 30 November you can fully immerse yourself in the festive season with plenty happening in and around the house.<br />
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Visitors will be greeted into Wallington by a very special Christmas Tree - the 30 ft tree has been sourced from Harwood Forest at the top of the Wallington Estate and will be illuminated with thousands of lights. The Courtyard comes alive at Christmas time and if you still have some gifts to purchase the Christmas Shop at Wallington is a beautiful Winter Wonderland of seasonal goodies and local produce which make perfect gifts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO1XjimfSc6zkAvSUpIFFupE5sXHt5-e1NuXBcilEq8OBYfNNqw29RFicqh1KIlIeXypYg8KWv3TKws2XcQmIrjfXrTBbZNWJ43hUMQPH5JDSAowpJU2SNCZ8NjWKzJwTY51VJkVtKd0/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at Wallington " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSO1XjimfSc6zkAvSUpIFFupE5sXHt5-e1NuXBcilEq8OBYfNNqw29RFicqh1KIlIeXypYg8KWv3TKws2XcQmIrjfXrTBbZNWJ43hUMQPH5JDSAowpJU2SNCZ8NjWKzJwTY51VJkVtKd0/s1600/30.jpg" title="Christmas at Wallington " /></a></div>
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I can't believe that this was our first ever trip inside the house at Wallington to see the Christmas decorations. Despite having been National Trust members for years we've somehow always missed it so if you're finding that your diary is already beginning to fill up make sure that you get a date at Wallington in there before you run out of days because believe me, it's the most beautiful place to get into the Christmas spirit.<br />
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Entering the house we made our way round each beautifully decorated room. There's nothing like a festive trip to Wallington to inspire you to really up your decorating skills, why can't our house look this beautiful at Christmas? Each room is being perfectly decorated with fireplaces decked with garlands, baubles and fairy lights.<br />
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My favourite was the incredible dining room decked out in white feathers, tiny little angels, paper Christmas trees and a table to be truly jealous of. Just imagine having your Christmas lunch somewhere as beautiful as this - the views over the Northumberland countryside to enjoy as you tuck into your turkey are something else.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSwbqDNAo20JovPMaUDNhX95RUttDE2FitRofChT7bM2HB8JX0Y8mq7ncpBJccU-4BovNwv4ys-kzSYdxbzc-PAISGuzTYq_Fwko7UIxn_JVAkM-WqLml8Bso0gQkjhZFekpJynGfdjs/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at Wallington House" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSwbqDNAo20JovPMaUDNhX95RUttDE2FitRofChT7bM2HB8JX0Y8mq7ncpBJccU-4BovNwv4ys-kzSYdxbzc-PAISGuzTYq_Fwko7UIxn_JVAkM-WqLml8Bso0gQkjhZFekpJynGfdjs/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG" title="Christmas at Wallington House" /></a></div>
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If all that wasn't impressive enough the Central Hall truly took my breath away, it's a very impressive room at any time of the year but with the addition of an incredible 20 foot high Christmas tree dressed with 3,000 lights it really is a sight to see.<br />
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We were so honoured to be the first people to see this years Christmas tree and it gave me goosebumps. For someone who loves Christmas as much as me this really was quite some moment and this beauty really is a must see this Festive season.<br />
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If you want to enjoy the house dressed for Christmas yourself then you will not only discover all of the beautifully decorated rooms like we did but you'll also be able to enjoy music in the Central Hall, Christmas baking in the kitchen (if you've ever been to Wallington you'll know how incredible that will be!) and stories with Mrs Christmas.<br />
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Perhaps the most exciting part for me though, and the reason we will definitely be going back before the end of Christmas, is that the house is also open for twilight hours, giving you an amazing opportunity to see the house lit for Christmas after dark.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_uN2PNU7zwCkVzYZ9hUqAFFNsxQOFhwvAhj84xbnaWermXYiBqfGCey_opdBM7Zbg4SPMy4FNffdMNKlIVe3JwKw83IpLn2zvFNyqxbkjp8kyc4Sh-PnCXeQUeQ7XGVmDNMGY427Puk/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at Wallington - National Trust" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_uN2PNU7zwCkVzYZ9hUqAFFNsxQOFhwvAhj84xbnaWermXYiBqfGCey_opdBM7Zbg4SPMy4FNffdMNKlIVe3JwKw83IpLn2zvFNyqxbkjp8kyc4Sh-PnCXeQUeQ7XGVmDNMGY427Puk/s1600/4.jpg" title="Christmas at Wallington - National Trust" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange;"><b>Experience Christmas at Wallington:</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Daytime: </span>30 November, 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 and 23 December 10:00 am - 4:00pm<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Twilight: </span>30 November, 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 December 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm <br />
<span style="color: orange;">Admission:</span> Normal admission charges apply with discounted admission after 4:00 pm to £5.00 per adult and £2.50 per child.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Festive Afternoon Tea at Wallington </span></b></span><br />
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A first for Wallington this Christmas is the chance to enjoy Festive Afternoon Tea in the Central Hall. A truly exclusive experience, the house will be closed to the public during the Tea allowing you the opportunity to explore the house dressed for Christmas in an intimate setting.<br />
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Settle yourself down at a table in the Central Hall and admire the beautiful Christmas Tree as you enjoy your cakestand of treats whilst listening to a pianist playing seasonal music. Such a great treat to take a few hours away from the endless merry-go-round of present wrapping and school plays.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-bDPnnt0rWPaLHBkiqtI_8gVtuB5VrpYIodplhXldtH5LUkrZn0cihxF4apjdmAT1yDsIO_tIUFXPj2zbEnM4VbBkOnGOSD18gLjLqx4Yut_RkOgfR1GzaJfvfCI4kOGuqXs2NluJFs/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at Wallington - National Trust Festive Afternoon Tea" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-bDPnnt0rWPaLHBkiqtI_8gVtuB5VrpYIodplhXldtH5LUkrZn0cihxF4apjdmAT1yDsIO_tIUFXPj2zbEnM4VbBkOnGOSD18gLjLqx4Yut_RkOgfR1GzaJfvfCI4kOGuqXs2NluJFs/s1600/14.jpg" title="Christmas at Wallington - National Trust Festive Afternoon Tea" /></a></div>
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We took our Tea in the Parlour, originally used as a sitting room its beautiful fireplace and original William Morris wallpaper made it such a special place for our Festive Afternoon Tea and we couldn't believe how special it felt to be dining in such a unique space. It's not every day you get to have afternoon tea in a beautiful country house with so much history.<br />
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The Festive Afternoon Tea at Wallington is the perfect treat with the most delicious seasonal flavours packed onto the cakestand. We began with Finger Sandwiches - Smoked Salmon with Dill and Orange Butter (Simon hasn't stopped going on about that one!), Egg Mayonnaise & Watercress, Northumbrian Cheese & Red Onion Chutney (my absolute favourite) and of course, the must have Turkey, Cranberry and Chestnut Stuffing.<br />
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The scone tier was a delight with two scones each - a Plain and a Spiced Cranberry that made me feel instantly Christmassy as soon as I bit into it. Served with sticky sweet jam and indulgent clotted cream, they were some of the best scones we've ever had on an afternoon tea.<br />
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The sweet tier was Christmas on a plate with the cutest mini Christmas Cake, Mince Pie Filo Parcel, Rose & Almond Choux Bun and the very tempting Chocolate & Orange Tart. Such an incredible feast of treats and a great pre Christmas indulgence.<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">Experience Festive Afternoon Tea at Wallington</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Dates: </span>4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 December from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Admission: </span>£30.00 per person - Booking essential on 01670 773 606<br />
Adult Only<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Christmas Crafts in the House</b></span><br />
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If the Christmas prep is all getting a bit too much for you may I recommend a couple of hours in the house at Wallington partaking in some Christmas crafts. There are two craft lessons available and you can choose between creating a book folded Christmas Tree or a Ribbon Wreath which you can then take away to make your home look truly special this Christmas time. Crafting includes a cup of a tea and a mince pie and there really is no more relaxing way to spend a morning.<br />
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Those who have been reading my blog for a while will know that crafting is definitely not my strength. I'm really not very creative and usually struggle to follow the simplest of instructions so avoid arts and crafts as much as I possibly can. So let me just tell you that Christmas Crafts at Wallington was so much fun and I absolutely loved it.<br />
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I created my very own Ribbon Wreath and it was so easy to follow yet really beautiful and effective. Who knew you could create something so lovely with very little effort. I loved that I was able to craft and gossip at the same time and even said to Simon that I'd quite actually fancy a spot of crafting on Christmas Day after lunch, it's so relaxing!<br />
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Simon opted for the Book Folded Christmas Tree which I have to admit I was a bit scared of when I saw it, the finished decoration looks so beautiful and I wasn't convinced that I'd ever be able to create something that good, but it was actually another really fun and a simple creation using only two folds. Simon is now hooked and I'm a bit worried that if I leave him near my book shelf at home for too long I will return to find that he has turned all of my books into Book Folded Christmas Trees!<br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><b>Experience Christmas Crafting at Wallington</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Dates:</span> 29 November, 6, 13 and 20 December from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Admission: </span>£20.00 per person - please advise when booking which craft you would like to do<br />
Booking essential on 01670 773 606<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b>Other Activities at Wallington this Christmas</b></span><br />
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There are plenty of other activities happening at Wallington this Christmas including:<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Meet Father Christmas</span><br />
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Take a wander through the house at Wallington and admire the beautiful Christmas decorations before heading to see Father Christmas in his grotto who will be handing out gifts to children <br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Dates:</span> 30 November, 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 and 23 December between 10:00 am and 4:00pm<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Admission: </span>£12.00 per child including gift<br />
Normal admission applies to enter the house with after hours admission discounted after 4:00 pm to £5.00 per adult and £2.50 per child.<br />
Booking essential on 01670 773 606<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Jingle Bell Jog</span><br />
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A nice relief after all that chocolate - partake in either a 1 mile or 3 mile jog round the grounds at Wallington sporting your favourite Christmas jumper or fancy dress. Enjoy festive tunes and receive a Santa hat to wear as you run. A medal, certificate and goody bag await you at the end with the café open for warm drinks and breakfast afterwards.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Date: </span>15 December <br />
1 mile jog - 9:00 am registration for 9:30 am start<br />
3 mile jog - 10:00 am registration for 10:30 am start<br />
<span style="color: orange;">Admission: </span>£10.00 per child <br />
Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult<br />
Booking essential on 01670 773 606<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3ejlbv8ckw3itbA5Jig3f1Vyorx3PqFhDiYzl0mE3XQm4FhJOUnYyO0MKOFJbh-WMItSFj9Ww-5c7M7Ewx0I_rn5R6SQbNvK4t7FBJAQlF2uQkQGOJcfMdnL4iqDV2pjANebY0RtsnE/s1600/27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas at National Trust Wallington" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3ejlbv8ckw3itbA5Jig3f1Vyorx3PqFhDiYzl0mE3XQm4FhJOUnYyO0MKOFJbh-WMItSFj9Ww-5c7M7Ewx0I_rn5R6SQbNvK4t7FBJAQlF2uQkQGOJcfMdnL4iqDV2pjANebY0RtsnE/s1600/27.jpg" title="Christmas at National Trust Wallington" /></a></div>
With so many great Christmas events happening at Wallington over the next few weeks we are already planning a return trip before the big day. Hopefully we'll see you there!<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Find Wallington at:</span></b><br />
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Cambo<br />
Nr Morpeth<br />
Northumberland<br />
NE61 4AR<br />
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<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington"><span style="color: purple;"><b>https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington</b></span></a><br />
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<i>This is a sponsored feature with National Trust. We also received a complimentary afternoon tea and Christmas craft class </i>New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-45471544914799773752019-11-13T06:00:00.000+00:002019-11-14T06:40:06.973+00:0040 Things you must do in New York We have just returned from our first ever visit to New York City, somewhere that I have been wanting to visit for so long that being there felt like an absolute dream. I'm not sure anything could have prepared us for how much we would love the bright lights of the Big Apple and it's safe to say the holiday blues have hit us both hard - we are desperate to go back!<br />
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Many things about the city surprised me - I had been warned about its fast pace and told that New Yorkers could be rude but the reality was quite different. New York was busy but never felt overwhelming - the people were so lovely and I have never felt so safe in a new city before.<br />
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We are obsessed and so I couldn't resist sharing our new favourite place with you. Here are 40 things you must do in New York!<br />
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<b style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Enjoy banana pudding at Magnolia Bakery</span></b><br />
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Like many people my age I was first introduced to the <a href="https://www.magnoliabakery.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Magnolia Bakery</b></span> </a>thanks to a little show called Sex and the City, and I think it's fair to say that Carrie Bradshaw has influenced tourists to flock to branches of Magnolia Bakery in New York to feast on their cupcakes. But whilst the cakes do look delicious I would personally recommend that you grab yourself a banana pudding instead. Served in little pots I can't even begin to explain to you how good these sweet treats are!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>2. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge</b></span><br />
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Walking over a bridge probably isn't high on the agenda for many city breaks but when you are visiting New York a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge is a must. Walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan for the very best views of the skyline (or do what we did and spend the entirety of your walk looking behind you!) The views are epic, the beautiful photograph opportunities are endless and if you want to enjoy the bridge at its very best I highly recommend getting yourself on it by 9:00 am to avoid the crowds.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>3. Hit the supermarkets for US food</b></span><br />
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Please tell me we're not the only people who travel to the US and then can't resist spending hours of our holiday desperately hunting out supermarkets? We love to cram our suitcases full of the kind of Oreo and PopTart flavours we could only dream of in here in the UK. Whilst New York doesn't really have any large supermarkets, a visit to Trader Joes is highly recommended if you fancy taking some treats home - I was thrilled with my haul of pumpkin flavoured goodies.<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">4. Have a cone at Big Gay Ice Cream</span></b><br />
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If you love your ice-creams with plenty of personality and an extreme amount of toppings then a visit to<a href="https://biggayicecream.com/"> <span style="color: purple;"><b>Big Gay Ice Cream</b></span></a><span style="color: purple;"><b> </b></span>is a must. If you're feeling extra indulgent you can get the inside of your cone smeared with a generous helping of peanut butter or Nutella before covering it in rainbow sprinkles (their very own special blend don't you know!) and dipped in their very own customised chocolate dip.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>5. Enjoy a Bagel with Schmear</b></span><br />
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There are plenty of foods that you must tick off your list if you are visiting New York and one of the most iconic has to be the bagel. Perfect to grab on the go you'll find a bagel shop on every street corner and they come in all shapes, sizes and colours (I'm being serious, rainbow bagels are a thing!) If you want to be authentic go for a bagel with schmear (that's cream cheese if you don't talk New Yorker!)<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>6. Go to the Top of the Rock ... twice!</b></span><br />
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There's a bit of debate about whether Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building is the best climb in Midtown Manhattan. Personally if you love views I would pick <a href="https://www.topoftherocknyc.com/"><b><span style="color: purple;">Top of the Rock</span></b></a> every day as you can see the Empire State in the skyline making it a truly iconic view of the city. I would recommend getting yourself a "Sun and Stars" ticket which allows you to go twice in a day. Aim to do your first climb of the day as soon as the doors open at 8:00 am for a crowd free experience and then do the second around an hour before the sun is due to set to secure you the perfect spot to enjoy the pink skies over Manhattan. Be warned, it gets cold - no matter the temperature during the day you will need warm clothes!<br />
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<b style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;">7. See Times Square, and then avoid!</span></b><br />
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You can't really go to New York without seeing Times Square but whilst it's fun to see the bright lights and crowds for the first time, the area is way too crowded and an uncomfortable tourist trap of overly priced gift shops and restaurants. To enjoy it crowd free go first thing in the morning - see it the once and then avoid it for the rest of your holiday!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>8. Visit Carrie's Steps</b></span><br />
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If you're a Sex and the City fan a visit to Carrie Bradshaw's apartment on Perry Street is a must. Be warned, it's privately owned so you can't do your best Carrie pose on the steps and it is obviously pretty busy with TV fans wanting pictures. Take a quick snap for your holiday album and then hastily make your way to Magnolia Bakery round the corner to recover (don't forget to get a Banana Pudding whilst you're there!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQhiGhY_J0cG9QVPTpQ7fZJHalB2eTbaiTxUrwudyj5_68dQrnsQU_d6OFhfZxFdomtKdYERFrJRpyFMTsxMXfz8gDb5zmd0AMbl_GgKxyARNT3iLtVAuLouSdUFjYZgWNmXQFvVcJXs/s1600/53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="40 Things you must do in New York - Carries Apartment" border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="724" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQhiGhY_J0cG9QVPTpQ7fZJHalB2eTbaiTxUrwudyj5_68dQrnsQU_d6OFhfZxFdomtKdYERFrJRpyFMTsxMXfz8gDb5zmd0AMbl_GgKxyARNT3iLtVAuLouSdUFjYZgWNmXQFvVcJXs/s1600/53.jpg" title="40 Things you must do in New York - Carries Apartment" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>9. Explore Soho and buy a bag from Bag All</b></span><br />
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One of our favourite parts of New York to explore was SoHo - designer stores, art galleries, cute shops and endless brunch spots it's where the coolest of New Yorkers gather and gives you a little taste of life outside of the tourist traps. There are plenty of places to wander and explore but a great starting point is <a href="https://www.bag-all.com/pages/landing-page"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Bag All </b></span></a>who sell incredible tote bags in all shapes and sizes and a variety of fun prints. If you ever fancied a wine shaped tote for your BYOB evenings, somewhere to stash dirty underwear in your suitcase or a handy place to store your gadgets Bag All has the answer.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>10. Cool down with a treat at Milk Bar</b></span><br />
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Who doesn't love drinking delicious cereal milk from the bottom of their breakfast bowl? It has to be one of life's greatest pleasures! Thanks to<span style="color: purple;"><b> <a href="https://milkbarstore.com/"><span style="color: purple;">Milk Bar</span></a></b></span> you can indulge without getting milk down your chin or facing the glares off your Mum. The ice-cream at Milk is so unique and absolutely delicious, we agreed that it tastes a little like Frosties milk and the cereal crunch topping just adds to the fun.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>11. Spot the "Friends" Building</b></span><br />
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Being in New York is a little like being on a TV set 24/7 but that doesn't stop you wanting to see those iconic filming locations that you've grown up with. You'll find the exterior of the apartment from "Friends" on Bedford Street, although I must warn you that you won't find Central Perk underneath it. It's very popular so another snap and leave location and if you have some time I recommend wandering some of the surrounding streets for some really lovely classic New York buildings.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>12 Have a Gossip Girl moment on the steps of the MET</b></span><br />
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Of course if you are interested in art then I'd say visiting the MET is a must and not just to prance about on the steps like I did. But if you're more into your Van Der Woodsen than your Van Gough posing about on the steps like Serena and Blair makes for a great photo opportunity. We visited in the morning, beating the crowds and from there it's a short stroll to either Central Park or a wander down the beautiful Maddison Avenue.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>13. Visit the Ghostbuster's Fire Station</b></span><br />
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Now if I'd let Simon lose on this guide he would have had you visiting one of the two Lego Stores, living it up in the Microsoft Store or hanging about in the ridiculously huge Apple Store but as he's not I've selected just one location to keep the geek in your life happy - a visit to the Ghostbuster's Fire Station. The real life working fire station is on North Moore Street and has a really cool Ghostbusters sign on the pavement outside the building making it a great place to stop by.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>14. Go designer shopping on Fifth Avenue</b></span><br />
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Many people flock to New York for the amazing shopping and with an endless amount of shops I can see why but for something really special head to the designer stores around Fifth Avenue. They are huge, beautifully designed and filled with goodies that most of us can only dream about owning. I saved my pennies to have a Chanel moment on Fifth Avenue and although I couldn't afford the handbag of my dreams my beautifully packaged gift to myself made my holiday extra special.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>15. Enjoy a Doughnut from Dough</b></span><br />
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I really regret not taking a photo of my doughnut from <a href="https://www.doughdoughnuts.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Dough Doughnuts</b></span></a> because it was like nothing I've ever seen before. They are huge and completely covered and stuffed with gooey, sticky delicious flavours. They are often experimenting with new flavours and seasonal favourites so it's always worth stopping by for a coffee and a doughnut<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>16. Breakfast at Tiffanys</b></span><br />
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Long gone are the days of standing outside Tiffanys on Fifth Ave clutching a sorry looking croissant for your breakfast at Tiffanys moment, you can now book to enjoy a proper sit down breakfast at <a href="https://www.tiffany.com/blue-box-cafe/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>The Blue Box Cafe</b></span></a>, inside their iconic store. Bagging yourself a table isn't the easiest - booking opens exactly 30 days in advance at 2:00 pm (GMT) with all tables reserved within seconds. The menu is prix fixe with Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea on offer - of course if you're doing it properly it's breakfast that you want - it will set you back $32 per person and includes Seasonal Fruits, a Croissant and then your choice of a cooked main. Definitely worth it for the experience, it's not every day you get to have breakfast at Tiffanys.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>17. Enjoy the Views at a Roof Bar</b></span><br />
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If your budget doesn't stretch to climbing the Empire State or Top of the Rock there are some incredible roof bars all over Manhattan that offer great views of the city for a price of a cocktail. There's something to suit everyone - whether you're into a loud party scene, a garden oasis to chill out in or just want somewhere quiet to enjoy the epic views you'll find your thing. My list of bars to try was endless but in the end we only made it to one, the <a href="https://www.phdterrace.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>PHD Terrace at Dream Midtown</b></span></a> which has a very small roof bar with lovely views.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>18. Shop at Artists and Fleas</b></span><br />
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If you love supporting local then you will love <a href="https://www.artistsandfleas.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Artists and Fleas</b></span> </a>where local art, fashion and artisan food vendors gather together to sell their designs. New merchants arrive every other week making it a great place to discover something new and take home some truly lovely souvenirs from your trip to New York. I loved the beautifully colourful glitter prints from<span style="color: purple;"><b> <a href="https://verrier-handcrafted.com/"><span style="color: purple;">Verrier Handcrafted</span></a></b></span> and can't wait to get them up on my wall to remind me of our trip.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>19. Have brunch (with a movie star) at Jacob's Pickles</b></span><br />
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Whilst I can't promise you brunch with a movie star, I can promise you that <a href="https://jacobs.picklehospitality.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Jacob's Pickles</b></span></a> do absolutely incredible food and it's a great spot to go for a true New York experience, I knew we were the only tourists in the place when Anne Hathaway strolled in and took a seat on a neighbouring table and none of the other diners even batted an eyelid! The portions are huge and will keep you going all day - this was easily the best meal we had in NYC!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>20. Spend a whole day in Central Park</b></span><br />
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People aren't joking when they say that Central Park is huge, it is crazy huge and you will need an entire day to explore it properly at your leisure. Time will vanish as you explore all of the different parts, we didn't quite make it round to everywhere we wanted to (we may have got a little distracted spotting turtles and photographing squirrels!) but still left feeling like we'd had a really good explore. Climb the rocks positioned all over the Park for the most incredible views of the skyscrapers that tower overhead.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>21. Enjoy the best pizza slices in NYC</b></span><br />
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You can't go to New York without enjoying a pizza slice and there are plenty of places that claim to be the best. We tried two of the most iconic pizzerias during our trip with a slice at <a href="https://www.bleeckerstreetpizza.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Bleeker Street Pizza</b></span></a> and another at <a href="http://www.joespizzanyc.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Joe's Pizza</b></span></a>. Pizzas are served by the slice, are freshly prepared and when you get them in your hands they are piping hot. One slice is huge and it takes a fair amount of skill to eat without burning your chin and getting covered in toppings. Use your paper plate to fold the slice in half and hold your pizza to avoid accidents!<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">22. Explore the brownstones of Greenwich Village</span></b><br />
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I spent a lot of our trip to New York yelling "Ahhh Sesame Street" and rushing off with my camera, leaving a slightly bemused husband behind me. If, like me, you are obsessed with those classic New York brownstones there are plenty to be found all over Manhatten but some of my favourites were in Greenwich Village. I would have happily spent an entire day photographing people's doorways - they were truly stunning and if you're lucky enough to travel in October you'll love the bonus Halloween decorations.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>23. Enjoy lunch at Gansevoort Market</b></span><br />
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Whilst many people recommend Chelsea Market for the ultimate foodie tour, we much preferred nearby <a href="https://www.gansevoortmarketnyc.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Gansevoort Market</b></span></a>, much smaller and quieter but with some really great food options it was the loveliest little place to explore and it was great being able to properly see the counters and enjoy some food without fighting for space. Avoid Cheslsea Market at lunchtime, it's rammed and not enjoyable!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>24. Have a coffee at the Starbucks Reserve</b></span><br />
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You may be wondering why on earth I'm recommending Starbucks to you when the city is filled with some really lovely independent coffee shops, but hear me out! The<a href="https://www.starbucksreserve.com/en-us"> <span style="color: purple;"><b>Starbucks Reserve</b></span></a> next door to Chelsea Market is unlike any Starbucks you will have ever visited before. We loved it so much we visited twice during our week long trip to New York. They serve a variety of different coffees from their huge roastery and just wait until you see the pastries.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>25. See Manhattan from Pebble Beach</b></span><br />
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Yes, there really is a beach in New York! Head over the Brooklyn Bridge and into DUMBO for a little stroll along the shoreline of Pebble Beach - a real New York beach with amazing views of Manhattan. Despite the wonderful views it wasn't too busy when we visited so perhaps this is somewhere that's still yet to be discovered by some tourists.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>26. Get a bird's eye view at One World</b></span><br />
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I have enjoyed some pretty incredible views all over the world during my travels but none have impressed me as much as the view of New York from the <a href="https://www.oneworldobservatory.com/en-US"><span style="color: purple;"><b>One World Observatory</b></span></a> - I really can't put into words what it was like from the top of the viewing tower but we could see for miles and miles and it was absolutely incredible. Easily one of the highlights of our trip, if you see just one view in New York, make sure it's this one.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>27. Take some time to reflect at Ground Zero</b></span><br />
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Standing at Ground Zero made me cry - it didn't matter that I was surrounded by tourists, I forget them all as I stood at the place where the Twin Towers once stood. An event so huge and life changing, it feels like it happened only yesterday. It all felt too raw for me to even think about doing the Museum but standing at the memorial fountain was something I really wanted to do and I'm so glad that I did. It's a truly beautiful memorial.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>28. Explore the Upper East Side and get a coffee at Ralphs Coffee</b></span><br />
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The Upper East Side was one of our favourite areas of New York to explore. The perfect place to explore the designer shops, the stores are a lot quieter than the other stores on Fifth Avenue and it's a lovely place for a walk with some great people watching. If you can't afford to shop designer then definitely duck into <a href="https://www.ralphlauren.com/ralphs-coffee-feat"><span style="color: purple;"><strong>Ralph's Coffee</strong></span></a> in Ralph Lauren for a coffee in the store - it's a lovely place to rest your feet.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>29. Buy candles at Bath & Body Works</b></span><br />
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Simon looked slightly panicked when I picked up my fifth candle to take to the till at Bath & Body Works but I promise if you pack light it is easy to get them home. I could have fit even more in my case as I was still well under my luggage allowance. The three wick candles at Bath and Body Works are just incredible and we really don't have an equivalent in the UK, I have to stock up every time I'm in the US.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>30. See Lady Liberty on a Sunset Cruise</b></span><br />
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Every guide to New York that I read before we went said to never book an organised boat tour to see the Statue of Liberty and to take the free Stattan Island Ferry but I would definitely advise against this. The ferry gets so crowded so unless you want to fight for your spot to see the Statue I instead suggest booking a really good quality cruise. We sailed with <a href="https://sail-nyc.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><strong>Classic Harbor Line</strong></span></a> on their Sunset and Statues Tour, our ticket included a glass of fizz and it was a lovely relaxed way to see the sites. With plenty of room for everyone we had picture perfect views, travelling out during golden hour, seeing the Statue at sunset and then seeing the whole skyline lit up at night time. Such a brilliant experience!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>31. Do the NBC Tour</b></span><br />
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I will admit this was perhaps wasted on me a little as I don't really watch any of the US talk shows but Simon absolutely loved the <a href="http://www.thetouratnbcstudios.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><strong>NBC Tour</strong></span></a> at Rockerfellar and if you're a regular viewer of Saturday Night Live or the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon it's a great behind the scenes look at how TV is made. We were very lucky and got to see an SNL rehearsal during our visit and we loved the end of the tour where we got to create our own TV show.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>32. Play on the Subway at the New York Transit Museum</b></span><br />
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Even my husband didn't realise that I'm actually a bit of a secret transport geek - yes I'm the kind of person that watches documentaries about the London Underground - don't judge! The<a href="https://www.nytransitmuseum.org/"> <span style="color: purple;"><strong>New York Transit Museum</strong></span></a> is housed in a decommissioned subway station in Brooklyn and is such an interesting look at the history of the Subway. The very best bit of the museum is on the platform where you'll discover a very impressive collection of old Subway train carriages all set out in their original state complete with advertisements. It's great if you want to take photos on the Subway without annoying the commuters and if you're a secret geek like me you'll be in your element.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLJVcQtlWspJHV9j2vO9HY37otHKExJMreLol2FOBvY3BHX10oVUM0htwkeZefsAHQH-7P5DIhZ4yift6QTFBa2Wa5MB8Mc3eur3mWrdvOBOJinAnva9ZJCXRsrJF7NoxJCQqt-fCIMo/s1600/120a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="40 Things you must do in New York - Transit Museum" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLJVcQtlWspJHV9j2vO9HY37otHKExJMreLol2FOBvY3BHX10oVUM0htwkeZefsAHQH-7P5DIhZ4yift6QTFBa2Wa5MB8Mc3eur3mWrdvOBOJinAnva9ZJCXRsrJF7NoxJCQqt-fCIMo/s1600/120a.jpg" title="40 Things you must do in New York - Transit Museum" /></a></div>
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>33. Leave Midtown Manhattan!</b></span><br />
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Many tourists fall into the trap of just staying in Midtown Manhattan but our favourite places in New York were all of the incredible suburbs that are just waiting to be explored. We particularly enjoyed wandering the streets of SoHo and Greenwich Village and know that there are still so many places for us to explore on our next visit. We never made it to Williamsburg, Little Italy or Chinatown!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>34. Take to the skies on the Roosevelt Tramway</b></span><br />
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An absolute hidden gem, the <a href="https://rioc.ny.gov/302/Tram"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Roosevelt Tramway</b></span> </a>offers great views of the city all for the price of a Subway ticket. As we had our weekly ticket this didn't cost us any extra money at all and it was such a great experience. The cable cars make the short journey from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island regularly and it has to be the most fun way of photographing the skyline.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BxAazk_xkH3e_3nWztkNPqeSjnmARbywrpaxY5wl_DGxQWUBftpnEOqLbYNA-J5_gXqykXLLOKKF0zhma3FahCVOeGvh8zxKiUttDjVGYLckxyQHUIsssd0w5nefZhhQrRY4WAr6FXU/s1600/102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="40 Things you must do in New York - Roosevelt Tramway" border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1013" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BxAazk_xkH3e_3nWztkNPqeSjnmARbywrpaxY5wl_DGxQWUBftpnEOqLbYNA-J5_gXqykXLLOKKF0zhma3FahCVOeGvh8zxKiUttDjVGYLckxyQHUIsssd0w5nefZhhQrRY4WAr6FXU/s1600/102.jpg" title="40 Things you must do in New York - Roosevelt Tramway" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>35. Walk the High Line</b></span><br />
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Walking the High Line is a must on every visitors list and we could see why. The 1.4 mile stretch from Chelsea to Hudson Yards is the most beautiful escape from the streets below with beautiful urban gardens, art installations and views of the streets below. Filled with tourists, joggers and people relaxing in the sunshine, it's a spot very much enjoyed by all.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>36. Visit the Shake Shack at Maddison Ave</b></span><br />
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To say we are obsessed with Shake Shack would be a bit of an underestimate. Simon and I enjoyed four (yes four!) visits to Shake Shack during our trip to New York, we honestly couldn't get enough. I usually hate fast food burgers but honestly this is on another level. Their burgers are incredible, the fries are something else and Simon is hooked on their shakes. There are several locations across the city but Maddison Avenue is absolutely beautiful with a huge amount of outside seating all set underneath beautiful fairy lights.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8zM7YDPmVoma38J3Xbb7hdF1-JE-CO-5xdJfIHU0IS9Pf-DzpKdUDlGeNQr894jP0K-ME7PEt1pWNahoTC8wgS_JauvRYGVA4H0sP620ZVXLA9fDaQcgBSjEi_xSlC6iMHyBam_xWho/s1600/187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="40 Things you must do in New York - Shake Shack" border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="707" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8zM7YDPmVoma38J3Xbb7hdF1-JE-CO-5xdJfIHU0IS9Pf-DzpKdUDlGeNQr894jP0K-ME7PEt1pWNahoTC8wgS_JauvRYGVA4H0sP620ZVXLA9fDaQcgBSjEi_xSlC6iMHyBam_xWho/s1600/187.jpg" title="40 Things you must do in New York - Shake Shack" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>37. Grand Central</b></span><br />
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Having seen Grand Central featured in so many of my favourite movies it was quite surreal stepping into the busy terminal for the first time. It is exactly how you imagine it to be and so much more! It is definitely worth dedicating a bit of time to properly exploring, there's so much more to see and do than you first realise.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>38. Drink Frozen Hot Chocolates at Serendipity 3</b></span><br />
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Made famous by the film, Serendipity, the frozen hot chocolates at <a href="https://serendipity3.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Serendipity 3</b></span> </a>are a must if you are visiting New York. It's pretty hard to explain just how good the frozen hot chocolates are. A delicious drinkable treat (so thick you need a spoon) they fall somewhere between a melted ice-cream and a thick shake. Perhaps the biggest surprise was how lovely the place was, as a very popular tourist spot we had expected to queue for a table but instead got straight in and the friendly staff were some of the loveliest people we found in New York!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>39. See a Show on Broadway</b></span><br />
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You really can't go to New York without seeing a show on Broadway ... we ended up seeing three! Although a lot of people recommend the TKTS Booth on Times Square I'm not a fan - joining the queues of tourists in one of the busiest parts of the city where the chances of you getting a show you actually want are pretty slim is not the life for me. Instead I recommend getting yourself rush tickets for the show that you actually want to see. Most theatres sell a limited amount of cheap tickets for the same day when the box office opens at 10:00 am. With some keen beans queuing outside the box office from early in the morning if you are desperate to see a particular show get yourself there first thing but as a guide we joined the queue for Mean Girls at 8:30 am and the queue for Waitress at 9:45 am and managed to get tickets to both shows.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>40. Try and get"THE" photo in DUMBO</b></span><br />
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One thing you will notice everywhere you go in New York is people trying to get the most famous shots of the city and none more so than the iconic shot of the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street between Front and Water Streets in DUMBO. I have never seen so many people trying to take a photograph in one place, and although it was absolutely ridiculous you can't help but join in. If you're lucky enough to get this shot without a lot of people in the background you really are winning.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMfxaTGb5b97G1YQBLDU_jRr6BEgojpHKwcBAk7QI8BVKJ13UDHyRNeXgR99xXq7BPErtUEv8hIu0WKeul7cqjX-P9aF7a32L5sL_Tmj0P4pEuBOeAjTuwN0xK6f6VwYZ2trkKFgBSfE/s1600/61b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="40 Things you must do in New York - DUMBO" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMfxaTGb5b97G1YQBLDU_jRr6BEgojpHKwcBAk7QI8BVKJ13UDHyRNeXgR99xXq7BPErtUEv8hIu0WKeul7cqjX-P9aF7a32L5sL_Tmj0P4pEuBOeAjTuwN0xK6f6VwYZ2trkKFgBSfE/s1600/61b.jpg" title="40 Things you must do in New York - DUMBO" /></a></div>
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I hope you've enjoyed this little glimpse into our week in New York, it was easily the best holiday we have ever been on and we are really hoping we can go back one day. Now that we've done all of the tourist things we love the idea of exploring more of the suburbs and perhaps spending some slightly calmer days just pottering around.<br />
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If you've been to New York before I'd love to hear about your favourite spots in Manhattan! Where shall we visit on our next trip?<br />
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For more photographs from our trip to New York <a href="https://www.instagram.com/newgirlintoon/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>follow me on Instagram here</b></span></a>New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-58346028809601181392019-11-06T06:00:00.000+00:002019-11-18T19:52:03.445+00:00The North East Christmas Gift GuideWhen it comes to buying Christmas gifts I try very hard to shop local wherever I can, treating friends to presents that are made in or inspired by the North East. Believe me nothing beats presenting your loved one with something truly unique from under the tree (although I try and forget about the year I confused my entire family by buying them Stotties from Greggs in my determination to take a little piece of the North East back to Norfolk)!<br />
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I hope you take some inspiration from my North East Gift Guide and if you have any ideas yourself I would love to hear them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNik0j4YZKe8VJM5P477-o_FFRJMfbs3qx9jL2bKzpag-Z6AwXxCnO_6tLI5HNn6nC4XE3T-J27O2VxPi6u6d1StYcNrrLE8c3grI5lJJUIU0mxnkhsw83ipUxHuo4sBc1yXTWVOjlTaw/s1600/DSC_6382+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The North East Christmas Guide" border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNik0j4YZKe8VJM5P477-o_FFRJMfbs3qx9jL2bKzpag-Z6AwXxCnO_6tLI5HNn6nC4XE3T-J27O2VxPi6u6d1StYcNrrLE8c3grI5lJJUIU0mxnkhsw83ipUxHuo4sBc1yXTWVOjlTaw/s1600/DSC_6382+copy.jpg" title="The North East Christmas Guide" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>For the Bairns</b></span></div>
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Could there be anything cuter than a baby proudly sporting a "Shy Bairns Get Nowt" bib? I think not. <a href="https://www.geordie-genes.co.uk/store/c1/Geordie-Genes-Online-Store"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Geordie Genes</b></span></a> create baby vest and bibs and kids tees designed for kids with North East roots wherever in the world they may live. Their collection includes "Worky Ticket" hoodies, "Alreet Pet" tees and my personal favourite "Howay Mam" baby vests. Perfect for causing confusion as soon as you leave the county!</div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">For the Proud Geordie</span></b></div>
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Wear your Geordie Badge with pride with an eye catching pin from <a href="http://www.pinclub.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Pin Club</b></span></a>. These little cuties look so smart decorating a jacket or bag and their regional inspired pins include an Angel of the North, a Vegan Greggs Sausage Roll, a Radgie pin and one that simply says "Mint". I have my eye on so many of these, it's only a matter of time before I'm completely covered in them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajVco9epGzIhYY_e7_d8MggLAioE72IRE7l3tutAov1UtFLP0nVSYBrBVF-NjQ_-erWkxqLmi6DZJDSFMftQXqciVKoPjBAoegOC7wQ_lT7UuUtkkknJmUDY_PUbS-rgWxBehAsMBE08/s1600/shybairn-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The North East Christmas Guide - Pin Club" border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="982" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajVco9epGzIhYY_e7_d8MggLAioE72IRE7l3tutAov1UtFLP0nVSYBrBVF-NjQ_-erWkxqLmi6DZJDSFMftQXqciVKoPjBAoegOC7wQ_lT7UuUtkkknJmUDY_PUbS-rgWxBehAsMBE08/s1600/shybairn-3.jpg" title="The North East Christmas Guide - Pin Club" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>For the Gin fan</b></span><br />
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The popularity of gin doesn't seem to be fading and if you know a fan it really does make a great present. There are a number of gins made here in the North East so I was a little spoilt for choice when putting this Christmas Guide together, but I have decided that when it comes to pretty as a picture bottles and beautiful flavours you really can't beat <a href="https://poeticlicensedistillery.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Poetic Licence Gin</b></span></a>. Poetic Licence is a small independent distillery based in Sunderland who have some truly wonderful creations including Strawberry and Cream Gin and Fireside Spiced Gin as well as some delicious gin based liqueurs.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>For a North East Christmas Shopping Experience</b></span><br />
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Although buying pressies online is the most effortless way to shop I still love the buzz of getting out and about into the shops to purchase gifts and perusing some of my favourite local gift shops in the run up to Christmas is such a joy compared to the busy high street.<br />
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The National Trust is a great place to start if you're looking for the perfect present and <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/seaton-delaval-hall"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Seaton Delaval Hall</b></span></a> has some exclusive gifts created in the North East to celebrate the region's greatest party planners, the Delavals. They have some great stocking stuffers including a pocket mirror and tote bag but my personal favourite is their "you'll always find me in the stables at parties" tea towel. A cheeky little nod to one of their infamous parties where guests showed up to a party at the hall, only to find the place in complete darkness - cross and about to leave, the doors of the stable were suddenly thrown open to reveal an incredible feast ... now that's my kind of party!<br />
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Some of my other favourite local stores to delve into include <a href="https://www.fortheloveofthenorth.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><strong>For the Love of the North</strong></span></a> where you will find a great range of prints, tees and pins created in the North East and<span style="color: purple;"><b> <a href="https://www.theglamorousowl.com/"><span style="color: purple;">Glamorous Owl </span></a></b></span>(hidden down one of the cutest little cobbled streets in Newcastle) who stock some beautiful jewellery as well as ceramics, glass and textiles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyp53OIdPBlZ1rzE837iDYXIxMxTVq5bjTMo_4MTFjvAYrqUfgSZaub_AU40ZhzEMnAL2BU7Fcx9adZUOt5kVi8LIdcS7m2leHMyYacHIgLt_i0o-V-0mu0k8pUe7Y9Z1iK0c5rrw2Ts/s1600/teatowel+img+9876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The North East Christmas Gift Guide - Seaton Delaval Hall" border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyp53OIdPBlZ1rzE837iDYXIxMxTVq5bjTMo_4MTFjvAYrqUfgSZaub_AU40ZhzEMnAL2BU7Fcx9adZUOt5kVi8LIdcS7m2leHMyYacHIgLt_i0o-V-0mu0k8pUe7Y9Z1iK0c5rrw2Ts/s1600/teatowel+img+9876.JPG" title="The North East Christmas Gift Guide - Seaton Delaval Hall" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">For the Coffee Lover</span></b><br />
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If you have a coffee lover in your life then some goodies from <a href="https://www.pilgrimscoffee.com/collections/all"><span style="color: purple;"><strong>Pilgrims Coffee</strong></span> </a>will definitely be a great way to impress. We discovered Pilgrims on our adventures to Holy Island earlier this year and they roast some of the very best coffee in the North East. Their bags of coffee make a really great and unique present and although you can buy them from their online store, it's also a great excuse to head over to the island and try some of their fabulous coffee and cake while you're there.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>For the Fahonista</b></span><br />
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Top of my Christmas wish list this year is some new things for my wardrobe from <b style="color: purple;"><a href="https://www.acitybythesea.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;">A City By the Sea</span></a> </b>who celebrate Newcastle and its close proximity to the North Sea through the most beatiful visual storytelling. They do colourful prints featuring some of my favourite parts of the North Tyneside coast as well as tote bags and mugs but it's their collection of sweaters and t-shirts that have really caught my eye. With fun designs and cheeky little nods (only a true Geordie will understand the meaning behind their "HWTL" slogan tee!) I can't wait to stroll around the Toon in one of their creations!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>For your Love</b></span><br />
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Running out of present ideas for your other half? Why not treat them to something special at <a href="https://walwickhall.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Walwick Hall</b></span></a>? We discovered the boutique hotel hidden in the Hadrians Wall countryside this year and we have become more than a little obsessed. Treat your love to a massage, afternoon tea, five course tasting menu or, if you're feeling very generous, <a href="https://www.newgirlintoon.co.uk/2019/10/luxury-break-walwick-hall-northumberland.html"><span style="color: purple;"><b>a weekend away</b></span></a> in one of their beautiful suites. The best part about this present? You get to enjoy it too! You can take a look at all of their <a href="https://vouchforthat.co.uk/brands/walwick-hall/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>available gift cards here</b></span></a>.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>For the Home Interiors </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.linesbehind.com/"><span style="color: purple;"><strong>Lines Behind</strong></span> </a>have had some truly incredible collaborations this year - from decorating a coffee machine at Tynemouth Coffee to designing beer cans for Fat Hippo, the chances are you will have come across their designs perhaps without even realising it! Their quirky drawings and slogans make me smile every day and if you want a really special gift for someone their North East prints make eye catching gallery walls - perfect for anyone on your present list who loves styling their home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIK7B0llIm27AEYbe5tluQCFeDRBpdDqq1Kz44Jq1yBE-OMTbiLKFBOVHQZm3MX6-E5BYtjxtrKpiryaxc6e4M1DbC2pnZc9ARvfH4qMFG5uNQNdwOMQnfsOf6NINZSyQc2JwBlbaons/s1600/23519139_1837693512925677_6164278761552440169_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The North East Christmas Guide - Lines Behind" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIK7B0llIm27AEYbe5tluQCFeDRBpdDqq1Kz44Jq1yBE-OMTbiLKFBOVHQZm3MX6-E5BYtjxtrKpiryaxc6e4M1DbC2pnZc9ARvfH4qMFG5uNQNdwOMQnfsOf6NINZSyQc2JwBlbaons/s1600/23519139_1837693512925677_6164278761552440169_n.jpg" title="The North East Christmas Guide - Lines Behind" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I really hope my North East Christmas Guide has encouraged you to shop local this year and if you have any tips of your own to share, I'd love to hear them!</span></div>
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New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-92119697544274682382019-10-31T06:00:00.000+00:002019-10-31T07:11:23.677+00:00My October Days<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This post includes an advertisement (gifted) feature with The Malmaison </i></div>
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Happy Halloween! I'd love to pretend that we've thrown ourselves into the spirit of all things spooky but have to confess our house is the dullest in our street - maybe next year eh? This month's roundup is perhaps a little shorter than others, our month seems to have rushed by faster than most with a lot of time dedicated to planning, visiting and recovering from our trip to New York. Here's what happened in October that didn't make the blog.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Fisherman Cottages</b></span><br />
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Like most great discoveries I first saw these incredible colourful houses on Instagram and just couldn't believe they were in Cullercoats. How on earth had I not seen them before? Given how much time I spend on the North Tyneside coast it wasn't long before I'd set off on a little adventure to see them for myself and was thrilled I managed to track them down with minimal effort (I should be a detective right?) The most exciting part? One of them is available as a holiday cottage on <a href="https://www.cottages.com/cottages/pebble-cottage-27509"><span style="color: purple;"><b>cottages.com</b></span></a> - yes I am tempted!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdvPNyytMsQVsOZEem7Bgj0h4yK_OwRFtK_q7y31wgQvrZG1N8EoMcu7yNnOaoSgWD7KOA7fRriAIkRw2bSgegiJh8BE5DdOHwoEtOis7_BsMam-QqMNdLz-tOkLGcX5TyeO1O-g8yks/s1600/IMG_7932+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My October Days - Fisherman Cottages" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdvPNyytMsQVsOZEem7Bgj0h4yK_OwRFtK_q7y31wgQvrZG1N8EoMcu7yNnOaoSgWD7KOA7fRriAIkRw2bSgegiJh8BE5DdOHwoEtOis7_BsMam-QqMNdLz-tOkLGcX5TyeO1O-g8yks/s1600/IMG_7932+copy.jpg" title="My October Days - Fisherman Cottages" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>A Saviour on the A1</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.carnabyscafe.co.uk/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Carnaby's</b></span> </a>continues to be our saviour when we're on long road trips and beats any service station hands down. This absolute gem is like a shining light on days when we're putting in the miles on the A1 and I have to say they truly saved the day on our journey home from Edinburgh Airport following our overnight flight from JFK. We were so tired and this Lemon and Blueberry Sponge was the perfect pick me up!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqExrdhrfZdWOcs6zpr8zL1TpN30mewW7ggiZrquOCLBxTLBcongT7iUVng7RsQnkvkz4Pb-p3arWH40u6uBZ_0A7NaXSEiuGnrgEEAFSqutT55ilCf7UaTSt3V0hSd-osS9rpDkYnKy8/s1600/IMG_9294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My October Days - Carnabys" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqExrdhrfZdWOcs6zpr8zL1TpN30mewW7ggiZrquOCLBxTLBcongT7iUVng7RsQnkvkz4Pb-p3arWH40u6uBZ_0A7NaXSEiuGnrgEEAFSqutT55ilCf7UaTSt3V0hSd-osS9rpDkYnKy8/s1600/IMG_9294.JPG" title="My October Days - Carnabys" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Felt Hat Dilemma </b></span><br />
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Does anyone else have a little collection of felt hats that they're never brave enough to actually wear? I've had this one for ages and it's barely made it out of my wardrobe. I love it but it never seems to be the right time for it. I can hardly head off to Tesco to do the weekly shop in it can I? This month I finally dusted it off for a leafy walk at Gibside - and do you know what? It felt good! Expect to see me pushing my trolly round the supermarket in style very soon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbubpEm_ObclCegonfRTI86nWgOlTPfhy2VDZoQ8Y0vCxrqrv0a_EBp3Q2TfQXbkWVCuK1gWbtl_8WeATFg1XzdrGwxOBl7LXUwj4p0n7cEwbEPLcajGBDVvU-mo6X22By86D0NeLJN0/s1600/IMG_9555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My October Days " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbubpEm_ObclCegonfRTI86nWgOlTPfhy2VDZoQ8Y0vCxrqrv0a_EBp3Q2TfQXbkWVCuK1gWbtl_8WeATFg1XzdrGwxOBl7LXUwj4p0n7cEwbEPLcajGBDVvU-mo6X22By86D0NeLJN0/s1600/IMG_9555.JPG" title="My October Days " /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Golden Hour at St Mary's Lighthouse</b></span><br />
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I think I may have found the perfect Autumn activity! Next time we have a beautiful clear day I highly recommend you pack a flask of hot chocolate and take yourself down to St Mary's Lighthouse in the late afternoon to catch golden hour and, if you're very lucky, enjoy the incredible sight of pink clouds and dark stormy seas. When the tide crashes over the causeway it truly is something to see.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfxVCxVxCkl1r9xuwj-O77jyUs_Tb3mEEU0syvPdyExd7C5dnSCpZMtN2phTgkNVqsBhSqG5hWr9mONFYJJOxK1hd7LoIsWf2ZxVV6597AZzAVImojgxQRreisqc-nf1JjO0pvuG3SOE/s1600/IMG_8023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My October Days - St Marys Lighthouse" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfxVCxVxCkl1r9xuwj-O77jyUs_Tb3mEEU0syvPdyExd7C5dnSCpZMtN2phTgkNVqsBhSqG5hWr9mONFYJJOxK1hd7LoIsWf2ZxVV6597AZzAVImojgxQRreisqc-nf1JjO0pvuG3SOE/s1600/IMG_8023.JPG" title="My October Days - St Marys Lighthouse" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>What's in the bag?</b></span><br />
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You know when you're on the holiday of a lifetime and your shopping gets just a little out of hand? That's exactly what happened to me when I was on Fifth Avenue in New York and suddenly found myself in Chanel! Heart thumping out of my chest I enjoyed my time in store admiring their small leather goods before leaving with this stunning card holder. The leather is so soft and I have to say getting it out of my handbag is such a joy. I doubt I will ever be able to afford a handbag, so this is the next best thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Gj-TSWdYA-0a5nobqcs0-1MjwSIQ2I-s5vnbDijma_g0DpoeLxcEXpHepAQeUYsvn4Sv86U5e9jT1-_GXh7-AncX616p_rBKcAQ4qYQzZDvmYyy4LvXtGsJ-ORIzLPggrBVNX8ucsTE/s1600/IMG_9291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My October Days - Chanel" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Gj-TSWdYA-0a5nobqcs0-1MjwSIQ2I-s5vnbDijma_g0DpoeLxcEXpHepAQeUYsvn4Sv86U5e9jT1-_GXh7-AncX616p_rBKcAQ4qYQzZDvmYyy4LvXtGsJ-ORIzLPggrBVNX8ucsTE/s1600/IMG_9291.JPG" title="My October Days - Chanel" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Christmas comes early at The Mal</b></span><br />
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I ended the month with a fantastic night in the private dining room at <a href="https://www.malmaison.com/locations/newcastle/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>The Malmaison</b></span></a> on the Newcastle Quayside. I sat down to a little sneak preview of their festive offering and am happy to report my first Christmas meal of 2019 got a big thumbs up. The Turkey with Sage & Onion Stuffing, Bread Sauce and Cranberry Compote was amazing. The Private Dining Room at the Mal is available from 20 November to 30 December with prices starting at £34.95.<br />
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<i>I was treated to a complimentary three course Christmas dinner with no obligation to share. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZe87Ef6xkTynSnpTkw7acCyyew8pUs47Hat0XgCAFNH_fb-WzLOuyc6PKzrS-czsYCoPGBBTSMGq5RAerBTm3nK7aTXFexV2nNBQpjL8fvVIUTfjFwQgwOUENbSDcPB7owjQhNF_AUs/s1600/IMG_9559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My October Days - Christmas at the Mal" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZe87Ef6xkTynSnpTkw7acCyyew8pUs47Hat0XgCAFNH_fb-WzLOuyc6PKzrS-czsYCoPGBBTSMGq5RAerBTm3nK7aTXFexV2nNBQpjL8fvVIUTfjFwQgwOUENbSDcPB7owjQhNF_AUs/s1600/IMG_9559.JPG" title="My October Days - Christmas at the Mal" /></a></div>
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For more adventures from New Girl in Toon make sure you<span style="color: purple;"><b> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/newgirlintoon/"><span style="color: purple;">follow me on Instagram</span></a></b></span>, I post a new photo every day and you will find vlogs from my favourite North East adventures on my highlights.New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-36936638846881097142019-10-23T06:00:00.000+01:002019-10-23T06:50:57.727+01:00A Luxury Spa Break at Walwick Hall - The Best Boutique Hotel in Northumberland <div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This is an advertisement feature with Walwick Hall </i></div>
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We always make an effort to celebrate our wedding anniversary with a luxury break close to home and this year we were very excited to check in to <a href="https://walwickhall.com/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Walwick Hall</b></span></a>, the best boutique hotel in Northumberland. We first discovered Walwick Hall back in the Summer when we experienced the most<span style="color: purple;"><b> <a href="https://www.newgirlintoon.co.uk/2019/06/best-afternoon-tea-northumberland-walwick-hall.html"><span style="color: purple;">incredible afternoon tea</span></a></b></span> and decided instantly that when it came to our anniversary celebrations there was nowhere else we'd rather be.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFZOe5-r-g0xnE9a6BSv8oQ0VsIn2N7zwjmWQ19HJXPmfo96x_KRWAbr-FgpAJvmy6jrbcdSLFZ2PYkPyPwcOQXGTzUqrAnYly7lxwIL4hV0w8seT5OLbNTGoJOm1PuMKrHzj6NV58bI/s1600/53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Luxury Spa Break at Walwick Hall - The Best Boutique Hotel in Northumberland " border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFZOe5-r-g0xnE9a6BSv8oQ0VsIn2N7zwjmWQ19HJXPmfo96x_KRWAbr-FgpAJvmy6jrbcdSLFZ2PYkPyPwcOQXGTzUqrAnYly7lxwIL4hV0w8seT5OLbNTGoJOm1PuMKrHzj6NV58bI/s1600/53.jpg" title="A Luxury Spa Break at Walwick Hall - The Best Boutique Hotel in Northumberland " /></a></div>
We never could have known that this year's wedding anniversary would be a rather somber affair with the unexpected death of my Dad only a few weeks earlier. Our anniversary fell just a day after his funeral resulting in last minute changes to our booking. I can't thank Walwick Hall enough for being so supportive during this tough time, as soon as I spoke to them about having to move things around they were so accommodating and took all of the stress right out of my hands - they efficiently adjusted our bookings and immediately sent my new confirmations through so I didn't have to worry. They really do take customer service to the next level and I am so thankful to them for making a horrible time that little bit easier.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWw6I2vJqyc3gHfm-TM5YBosk72Zz1Cl2uBvarrrJ8KuJoZMuEsgHZj9NTPW_VHEGwGSaK2GYkyEJUF9cxCdJflbSu71Qw5kL8YwLyvmEf86q8k1Nf1eIwNrB75Lf4hsHfOwg7L5EiFM/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Luxury Spa Break at Walwick Hall " border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWw6I2vJqyc3gHfm-TM5YBosk72Zz1Cl2uBvarrrJ8KuJoZMuEsgHZj9NTPW_VHEGwGSaK2GYkyEJUF9cxCdJflbSu71Qw5kL8YwLyvmEf86q8k1Nf1eIwNrB75Lf4hsHfOwg7L5EiFM/s1600/7.jpg" title="A Luxury Spa Break at Walwick Hall" /></a></div>
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<b style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to Walwick Hall</span></b><br />
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I don't even know where to begin trying to introduce you to Walwick Hall, it is such a beautiful place I'm not sure I could ever find the words to do it justice but I'll give it a go!<br />
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Walwick Hall is everything you could ever want from a luxury hotel and a whole lot more. Beautifully furnished with amazing attention to detail, the friendliest staff and food to really shout about, Walwick Hall is a country boutique hotel a stones throw from Hadrian's Wall in the picture perfect Northumberland countryside. The Grade II listed country house is a home away from home and manages to capture that perfect balance of luxurious elegance and cosy comfort.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhC1lOUT1Jr5v9UvF7x3l7N-z57jGMAkkArbe_QKQawoMrn9tXpPQAMTCsGw6XFpquab5S5SbC50TWD-fbnY-9BqUjq_fI9tVGOXn1HceYQhYlGu3Ir0cbOuXIpjOPBaUBMNRF1rr8WDk/s1600/49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Luxury Spa Break at Walwick Hall " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhC1lOUT1Jr5v9UvF7x3l7N-z57jGMAkkArbe_QKQawoMrn9tXpPQAMTCsGw6XFpquab5S5SbC50TWD-fbnY-9BqUjq_fI9tVGOXn1HceYQhYlGu3Ir0cbOuXIpjOPBaUBMNRF1rr8WDk/s1600/49.jpg" title="Luxury Spa Break at Walwick Hall " /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Luxury Rooms at Walwick Hall</span></b><br />
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There are three types of rooms at Walwick Hall - Luxury, Deluxe and Standard each one beautifully furnished to a very high standard. Looking through the pictures on the website the Standard Rooms look anything but "standard" so even if you're on a slightly tighter budget you certainly wont be missing out by booking one of these rooms.<br />
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As we were celebrating a special occasion we checked into Hunter, one of the two Luxury Suites at Walwick Hall and as soon as we opened the door to our room we were truly wowed by how beautiful our home for the night was. Our private hallway had two doors, one leading to the most incredible marbled bathroom with a roll top bath overlooking the gardens and the other taking us into our bedroom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32iatOKqojQeDxinQ66D5gfrW_FJLY7jsueGASFxT9IqjoV0fmQQjRh60WXsU_O7Po2GmorVRuv6e9TECyMQ6r3Gw-Icc7ISFsOYUGgOj8QdzIj_4cbeG2Ki0o1kzu7XER8Tf2ubTKXI/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Best Boutique Hotel in Northumberland " border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32iatOKqojQeDxinQ66D5gfrW_FJLY7jsueGASFxT9IqjoV0fmQQjRh60WXsU_O7Po2GmorVRuv6e9TECyMQ6r3Gw-Icc7ISFsOYUGgOj8QdzIj_4cbeG2Ki0o1kzu7XER8Tf2ubTKXI/s1600/16.jpg" title="The Best Boutique Hotel in Northumberland " /></a></div>
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Immediately slipping off my shoes, walking barefoot over the soft carpet was an absolute dream, all of the furnishings in our room were such high quality - for a moment I did wonder if I could get away with just staying there forever. They wouldn't mind if I moved in would they?<br />
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As we were there for a special occasion the hotel had treated us to some lovely little extras and in our room we discovered a plate of chocolate covered strawberries with a "Happy Anniversary" message along with a balloon that was floating above our little window seats offering us incredible views over the gardens and surrounding Northumberland countryside.<br />
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I could have happily spent the entire afternoon just relaxing in our beautiful suite ... but the temptation to explore the rest of Walwick Hall was just too much to resist.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <b style="color: orange;">The Bar </b></span><br />
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After we had settled into our room we decided to head down to the bar for a few drinks before dinner. The bar is a great spot to spend the afternoon (and the best news is it's also open to non residents, so next time you're walking on Hadrian's Wall you know where to head after).<br />
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The well stocked bar serve up their own specially created cocktails as well as fine wines, malt whiskeys and gins. The bar at Walwick Hall is the place to be now that the days have turned darker - the cosy corners, comfy armchairs and open fire really come alive during the Autumn and Winter months - no prizes for guessing where you'll find me at Christmas time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxIb0Fyv_V26Tma3b21xe85qB1I0mB_pvDcxHEqMzWbnlWPiYgGwK1NKpH6IuMGwWn99XtW-D2Lphm7aI5hkZ4m17vhGGnWlxQqJEU6xsXTD1Ju8yGBt7N4rAPm6fZqjPNzgctYJlIh8/s1600/26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Luxury Spa at Walwick Hall - The Best Boutique Hotel in Northumberland " border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxIb0Fyv_V26Tma3b21xe85qB1I0mB_pvDcxHEqMzWbnlWPiYgGwK1NKpH6IuMGwWn99XtW-D2Lphm7aI5hkZ4m17vhGGnWlxQqJEU6xsXTD1Ju8yGBt7N4rAPm6fZqjPNzgctYJlIh8/s1600/26.jpg" title="Luxury Spa at Walwick Hall - The Best Boutique Hotel in Northumberland " /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Dining at Walwick Hall</b></span><br />
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There are two evening menu options at Walwick Hall - The Tasting Menu offers a five course menu for £65.00 (surely one of the best value tasting menus in the region!) with an optional wine pairing package for an additional £30.00. I love that during August and September the Tasting Menu featured dishes from the Relish (North East and Yorkshire) Cook Book - a book that's forever on my coffee table but I've always been too lazy to cook from myself!<br />
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As tempting as the Tasting Menu looked we decided to go for three courses from the a la carte with plenty of dishes to choose from we were spoilt for choice, I was so happy that we were given the menu to look at whilst we were in the bar as it gave us a good amount of time to properly look and make our choices.<br />
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The restaurant at Walwick Hall feels very fancy all decked out in gold chairs, ornate mirrors and lovely tableware but still has a lovely friendly atmosphere. There were plenty of others dining during our visit giving the room a great vibe.<br />
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I kicked off with the Ham Hock Terrine (£8.00) served with quail egg, haggis, apples and pickles. It was beautifully presented with incredible splashes of colour and was the perfect light start to the meal. Although the dishes look great on the plate Head Chef Steven Murray prides himself on serving up food that isn't pretentious and believes that "food art belongs in an art gallery not a restaurant", an ethos that I think any keen foodie can really appreciate.<br />
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For the main course I decided to go for the Roast Haunch of Venison (£22.95) served with rosti potato, textures of beetroot , kale, bitter chocolate sauce and Simon opted for the Tim Oliver Belted Galloway Fillet Steak (£32.95) served with portobello mushroom, grilled tomato, triple cooked chips, crispy onions and roast shallot butter. All of the beef and lamb served at Walwick Hall is sourced from Tim and Jack Oliver who farm from Great Whittington and Haltwhistle meaning that the meat served is 100% traceable from hilltop to table top and you really can taste the quality with each forkful.<br />
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We were pretty full by this point but when have you even known us to say no to dessert and with so many great options on the menu at Walwick Hall we couldn't resist going for the third course. I decided on the Blueberry Tart (£7.00) served with frangipane, blueberry compote, roasted almond and yoghurt sorbet and Simon chose the Sticky Toffee Pudding (£6.95) with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream. It was heavenly!<br />
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Our dinner at Walwick Hall was one of the best meals we've ever had in Northumberland and I haven't stopped recommending the restaurant to everyone I have seen since. We loved that the food was locally sourced and the twists on classic dishes made for a really tasty meal.<br />
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<b style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;">Waking up at Walwick Hall</span></b><br />
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After all of that delicious food we were more than ready to head for bed which was ready and waiting for us after a very impressive turn down service complete with a deep sleep pillow spray and a bottle of water each. Sinking into our Super-King bed we were asleep within minutes.<br />
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I had a great sleep and, despite having stayed in many of the region's loveliest hotels, I have never experienced sheets as incredible as the Egyptian Cotton offering at Walwick Hall. They really are something else.<br />
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Before heading downstairs for breakfast I decided I had to try out the beautiful tub in our bathroom - I just can't resist a soak in a bath tub with a view and carefully manoeuvring myself into the bubbles I enjoyed a lovely long bath whilst admiring the picture perfect Northumberland countryside. If you are celebrating a special occasion I really do recommend checking into Walwick Hall just to indulge in a luxurious bath - it is so relaxing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBTpUaiIODcMsloS49L3W81Sk_DzDAJY73Z9i-mpxAxioX2nZapWdgoAi2jOuKHMO4_X_-cvufnrZrc3jSutPJMddMLdg6gJd538LKsuT3vJMIgaoiDesJzid6dL70vTPKqR6PxqPzxo/s1600/43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Suite at Walwick Hall Northumberland" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBTpUaiIODcMsloS49L3W81Sk_DzDAJY73Z9i-mpxAxioX2nZapWdgoAi2jOuKHMO4_X_-cvufnrZrc3jSutPJMddMLdg6gJd538LKsuT3vJMIgaoiDesJzid6dL70vTPKqR6PxqPzxo/s1600/43.jpg" title="Suite at Walwick Hall Northumberland" /></a></div>
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Just about managing to climb out of the bath before I turned into a prune we made our way downstairs. Breakfast at Walwick Hall is served in the dining room and freshly prepared to order. I have to say it was one of the best menus I have ever seen at a hotel and we were spoilt for choice.<br />
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Unlike many other hotels there's no "help yourself" buffet, as much as I love those I will admit they tend to bring out a very greedy side of me so it was actually quite nice to just stay seated at our table and order just what we wanted. It felt really lovely not to be battling with other guests for the toaster or fighting our way through the restaurant balancing glasses of orange juice and bowls of cereal. Table service at breakfast is such a rare treat and really helped us to remain fully relaxed.<br />
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A lot of the produce served at breakfast is sourced locally including bespoke recipe sausages from Scotts of Ponteland, eggs from Lynup Farm in Ingoe and milk and cream from the prize winning herds of dairy Shorthorns and Ayrshires from Northumberland pedigree in Slaley.<br />
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We perused the menu with plenty of Tea and a Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice before ordering a<br />
Belgium waffle (£6.95) served with Berry Compote and Orange Creme Fraiche and a Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs on Toasted Bagel (£8.00). I loved that the menu included things you rarely see at hotel breakfasts (which is why I had to order the waffle!)<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>The Spa </b></span><br />
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Despite checking out after breakfast we definitely weren't ready to go home and so planned a full extra day at Walwick Hall starting with a visit to the Spa which I think may be Northumberland's best kept secret. It's beautifully intimate and boasts a unique pavilion pool overlooking the private walled garden and out to the Northumberland countryside beyond. The spa also offers a steam room and hot tub with a few loungers positioned round the pool and a really impressive stack of magazines to help yourself to.<br />
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We were very lucky during our visit to have the entire spa completely to ourselves so if you are visiting I'd highly recommend going during the week and out of school holidays to ensure you get a nice relaxing visit, the spa is very small and I think during busier periods it would get pretty crowded. We were over the moon that we had the whole place to ourselves and if I'm being honest I really wouldn't want to share the space with many more people.<br />
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As it was a special occasion we decided to book ourselves in for a massage each in the double treatment room. There are 30 different treatments and therapies with some really lovely Germaine de Capuccini face and body treatments available. If you want to make a day of it there are some great packages available combining treatments with lunch or afternoon tea and tailored to every need, I particularly love the sound of the "The Walwick Walker" the perfect treat after walking in the Northumberland fresh air.<br />
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I love treating myself to a massage and wish it was something I had the opportunity to do more often. There were some great options at Walwick Hall and some of their treatments are different to anything I've seen offered at other spas in the region. I opted for the 55 minute full body Mediterranean Candle Massage (£75.00). I got to choose between the Lavender, Olive or Citrus Mediterranean inspired candles to be burned while I enjoyed a Pinda massage. I decided to go for the Lavender, a scent that I always associate with pure relaxation. The warm oil from the candle is poured over the body for a soothing massage and wow did it leave my skin soft. The experience was absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to get booked in for another one.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Northumbrian Afternoon Tea</b></span><br />
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We decided to end our anniversary celebrations with an afternoon tea. As we'd tried the traditional tea last time we were at Walwick Hall we decided to go for the Northumbrian version for our second visit. The Northumbrian Afternoon Tea costs the same as the traditional (£24.95) and features some great northern alternatives to the usual afternoon tea stand including mini stotties and singin hinnies.<br />
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We were thrilled to get the same seats that we had last time - on the comfy sofa by the window overlooking the gardens. I don't know what I'd do now if I ever turned up and that table wasn't available, it is perfect and we love it.<br />
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I was so impressed that the chef remembered me from our last visit so knew about my nut allergy and had made me my very own nut free macarons - I was so touched and it really does show how incredible the service is at Walwick Hall is. Every single person that visits is treated like a special friend and I really do love that, it's so special.<br />
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We absolutely loved our return visit to Walwick Hall and I am over the moon that we've discovered such a great place for all of our future celebrations. There are plenty more Walwick Hall experiences I want to tick off my list including a stay in their luxury self catering suites (they look so beautiful) and of course I really want to see the Hall decorated for Christmas.<br />
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I can't wait to go back!<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">What you need to know</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li>Book your stay at Walwick Hall <a href="https://walwickhall.com/stay/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>here </b></span></a></li>
<li>Walwick Hall is open to all! Non residents can enjoying the dining experiences, bar and spa </li>
<li>If you prefer a self catering experience Walwick Hall also has Chester Stables, seven luxury self catering suites with suites available from 2 to 8 - take a look at the <a href="https://walwickhall.com/chestersstables/thestablesuites/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>beautiful spaces here</b></span></a>.</li>
<li>There are plenty of great packages at Walwick Hall - take a look at the<span style="color: purple;"><b> <span style="color: purple;"><a href="https://walwickhall.com/offers/" rel="nofollow">latest offers here</a></span></b></span></li>
</ul>
<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Find Walwick Hall at:</span></b><br />
<br />
Humshaugh<br />
Nr Hexham<br />
Northumberland<br />
NE46 4BJ<br />
<br />
<a href="https://walwickhall.com/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>walwickhall.com/</b></span></a><br />
<br />
01434 620 156<br />
<br />
<i>We received a complimentary overnight stay, drinks, dinner and breakfast in exchange for our honest review. We paid for our spa treatments and afternoon tea.</i>New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505716782309030758.post-37648038732260310992019-10-03T06:00:00.000+01:002019-10-03T06:00:03.801+01:00Brand New Light Show in Teesside - Nightfall 2019 By The Light of the Moon at Preston Park Museum <div style="text-align: right;">
<i>This is a sponsored advertisement feature with Stellar Projects</i></div>
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This is the time of year where I start to get really excited about fitting loads of night time events into my diary. I love nothing more than heading out on an adventure after dark - bundled up in my big coat complete with scarf, wooly hat and the promise of a hot chocolate under the stars. If there's one evening activity I love above all others it's a spectacular light show and I'm so thrilled to be telling you all about <a href="https://www.nightfallfestival.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Nightfall</b></span></a>, a brand new light-based event that is taking place in Teesside this Winter.<br />
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By The Light of the Moon is a bit of a first in Teesside, a brand new family friendly light show produced by Stellar Projects and coming to <a href="https://www.prestonparkmuseum.co.uk/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Preston Park Museum and Grounds</b></span></a> on 5 and 6 December between 4:30 pm and 9:30 pm. The self guided moon themed installation showcases a trail of beautiful art work made up of lights and complemented by music, performance and storytelling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWuAb5L-f99NKQNGWadlsWqHjZlph8W421QZFCZOibTT5KVEiWwFz6yrq-XbBOzaUI_pfUrSRuRpVmMKBBWII7SNhkFDFdx4N0XDBJIO6i6mmuucqnqQwzUPpFMlUBxJ7xFWnanYxcPg/s1600/h6Hix4uQ.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brand New Light Show in Teesside - Nightfall 2019 By The Light of the Moon at Preston Park Museum and Grounds " border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWuAb5L-f99NKQNGWadlsWqHjZlph8W421QZFCZOibTT5KVEiWwFz6yrq-XbBOzaUI_pfUrSRuRpVmMKBBWII7SNhkFDFdx4N0XDBJIO6i6mmuucqnqQwzUPpFMlUBxJ7xFWnanYxcPg/s1600/h6Hix4uQ.jpeg" title="Brand New Light Show in Teesside - Nightfall 2019 By The Light of the Moon at Preston Park Museum and Grounds " /></a></div>
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Celebrating 50 years since the moon landings, the show will explore the magic, myth and beauty of the moon - art works will include a kaleidoscope of butterflies and a sky full of stars with plenty of moon themed surprises to delight you on the night.<br />
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The most exciting part (other than the promise of hot chocolate, mulled wine and the street food served in the outdoor teepee of course) is that the trail will culminate with the most beautiful open space displaying the world famous "Museum of the Moon" - something that I have been wanting to see for years! The Luke Jerram designed large moon sculpture features actual detailed imagery of the lunar surface and is meant to be absolutely incredible.<br />
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If you have no idea what I'm talking about then you need to take a look at <a href="https://my-moon.org/"><span style="color: purple;"><b>The Museum of the Moon</b></span></a> to see some of the truly incredible photographs from its tours. It has been showcased in a variety of weird, wonderful and beautiful places including a swimming pool in Milan, suspended from a crane at Glastonbury and half submerged in the Bristol Docks.<br />
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I am thrilled that this beautiful piece of art is finally visiting us in the North East and that it will be making its home in Teesside for a couple of nights - this really is something not to be missed!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKRzRZD3JxPdDj1ZUa8QGoZBI_tu12stNU6k0mFRIc_ka9_TaHOSv267g8eWXn7c5Z5mB9RPIu2HZPN25ofuISrEt-rtP4_-UiUVlK1zZbrFEt8g7aZ1j9VtPtj2cpfshQs5iflDDHRo/s1600/7YZ69Wrw.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brand New Light Show in Teesside - Nightfall 2019 By The Light of the Moon at Preston Park Museum " border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKRzRZD3JxPdDj1ZUa8QGoZBI_tu12stNU6k0mFRIc_ka9_TaHOSv267g8eWXn7c5Z5mB9RPIu2HZPN25ofuISrEt-rtP4_-UiUVlK1zZbrFEt8g7aZ1j9VtPtj2cpfshQs5iflDDHRo/s1600/7YZ69Wrw.jpeg" title="Brand New Light Show in Teesside - Nightfall 2019 By The Light of the Moon at Preston Park Museum " /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>What you need to know:</b></span><br />
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<ul>
<li>Nightfall will take place on 5 and 6 December 4:30pm to 9:30 pm (last entry at 8:00 pm) at Preston park Museum & Grounds</li>
<li>The event is pre ticketed and entry is staggered into 15 minute time slots. No tickets will be available on the gate. Tickets can be<b><span style="color: purple;"> <a href="https://www.nightfallfestival.co.uk/tickets" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: purple;">purchased here</span></a></span></b></li>
<li>Tickets cost £5.00 for early bird (subject to availability), £6.00 for standard and Group of Four £20.00</li>
<li>Under 2s go free but will still need a ticket so please order an Under 2 free ticket when purchasing your tickets</li>
<li>Parking spaces are available to book alongside tickets but spaces are limited. Alternative Park and Walk spaces will be available once the main car park is full</li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><b>Where to find Preston Park Museum & Grounds</b></span><br />
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Yarm Road<br />
Stockton on Tees<br />
TS18 3RH<br />
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If using a Sat Nav please use the postcode TS18 3RJ<br />
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<i>This is a sponsored advertisement with Stellar Projects</i>New Girl in Toonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16656888897233646613noreply@blogger.com0