21st October 2024, Newcastle, Gateshead, Angel of the North

This weekend away was not my choice but my husband's.   To be fair I've had my weekends away and it was his turn.   Of course,  it involved football.   BHA v Newcastle.  It's on his list of dreams.  What would my grandfather,  a supporter,  think of us flying to Newcastle to watch a match?

We flew with Easyjet, cabin bags under our seats, and limited amount of cloths.  I've never travelled for a weekend before knowing that I would need to wash undies.  My meds (not TTP related) took up more space than my toiletries!   We arrived exhausted, but driving would have been so much worse.

We ignored our own travel tip and landed after sunset.  It's disorienting to land in the dark when you have no idea where you are.  Flight delayed at both ends, we took the Metro from the airport to the city centre, it was delayed en route, and then we left the station by the wrong exit.  It resulted in us walking more than a mile, in an arc, instead of .2.  We asked twice for directions, something I wasn't really happy doing, but people we spoke to were extremely kind and helpful,  just not always accurate.   And there were a lot people!  Our hotel was easy to find in the daylight!

Saturday morning and we walked to The Quay, and along the banks of the Tyne.  We crossed the Millennium Bridge, but didn't witness it tilting.   The Tyne is tidal and the water was too low for any boats.  It was remarkably calm.

It was downhill to The Quay and that means walking up again.  

Newcastle is more hilly than I had expected!

It is full of historical evidence. 

It was much warmer than I expected too!  There was a SW wind, it could have been so different.  

Still, autumn was evident and the trees were more orange than green. 

While my other half went to the game, I wandered.  I was told the shopping was amazing in Newcastle and it is!  If you're into shopping malls and high streets its definitely for you.  

I was amazed how many people were in the centre.  Considering that 52,000 we're at the match!  It was like Christmas!   It was possibly the busiest High Street I had been on for a very long time.  In the evening, Newcastle city centre felt like party central, but not threatening.  Saturday evening there were groups on stag parties, hens, people just having fun and quite a lot of alcohol.  Quite a few youngsters,  wanting to be part of it but not quite old enough.  People just determined to have a good time.  And some determined to have a good time until the early hours of the morning 😉.

We chose to stay in the city centre because of its proximity to St James Park, the home of NUFC.  It is practically next door and ideal from a footie point of view.  Another time I'd chose to be by the Quay, it's probably quieter at night and more pleasant to stroll in the evening. 

There is so much more though.  The Discovery Museum is a great place to learn about Newcastle history from Roman times to present day.  It's all very entertaining and well laid out.  The Charge! Exhibition is especially poignant and I particularly liked the Museum's focus on women in history. 

Just beyond the football stadium,  at the Leazes End, is Leazes Park.  It's an easy walk from the centre, but a world away.  A place to relax and sit, but windy on the day I was there 🤷‍♀️.

Sunday was completely different, the revellers dispersed.  The weather was wet and windy.  We'd already decided we couldn't visit this part of the country and not see the Angel of the North,  so after a leisurely breakfast we set of to find the bus station and crossed over the Tyne to Gateshead. The journey was way easier than expected and free with our bus passes 😉.

Patience is needed to catch a photo without anyone else in it.  The chef at the hotel had warned us it wasn't the weather for it, and we thought we might there alone.  We weren't 😉.

As the weather improved and we waited for the Angel admirers to retreat, our patience paid off.

She really is very impressive. 

From all angles.

The Angel was definitely the highlight of my weekend. 

The Angel is much closer to the road than I expected too.  For some reason I had imagined a long climb uphill but it's practically next to the bus stop and there is a car park.  No facilities, no cafe, only an ice cream van and it was way too autumnal for that.  Someone is missing an opportunity. 

Back in Newcastle, we had a late lunch at Cafe Mercy, a great little place.   A warm welcome,  great coffee and lunch, and they play vinyl.   Definitely worth a visit.   We said we give them a good review😋

When we arrived on Friday evening,  in the dark, walking into the mass of party goers, I didn't think I was going to like it.  However, I have had a great time.  I'm so pleased I agreed to come along.  I wouldn't stay in the city centre again,  but I wouldn't refuse the offer to come back either.

❤️