Trip to my hometown

Last Monday eve the boy and I headed North bound on the East Coast mainline for a visit to my hometown of Newcastle.

It was lovely to catch up with family and friends, visit some old haunts and check out some new ones.

The majority of the week was spent eating and drinking (as always!) so incase you ever find yourself in Geordie Land I thought I would share some insider info with you and give my recommendations on the finer places to sip a cocktail, enjoy a dinner date and lap up a lazy Sunday Roast.

Lets start with As You Like It, located just outside the immediate city centre in an area called Jesmond.

Set over 3 floors, featuring 3 bars, a restaurant, garden terrace and private hire function room 'Frangipani'.

Mr R and I had a lovely dinner here on Thursday evening in the restaurant and then carried on drinking cocktails in the bar into the small hours.

The surroundings are quirky and cozy, blossom branches entwined with pretty little fairy lights, bird cages, lamps, a grandfather clock, even a rickshaw to sit and chill in by the ground floor bar.

The food was yummy, the service attentive and the cocktails very delicious, we returned on Saturday eve for drinks with friends too, definitely one of the better bars in Newcastle, check it out here

If you are looking for a cafe in town to meet friends for brunch/lunch or an afternoon tea thenPopolo in the garden has it covered.

We caught up with my Aunty and cousin here, they do great super smoothies!!

Set within Eldon Garden shopping centre in the heart of the city, the best seats to bag are within the sunken booth area where you can people watch til your hearts content, check out some pics here

Its sister venue Popolo bar, lounge and Kitchen across town on Pilgrim Street is a cross between an Italian coffee shop and New York bar and is definitely the King of the cocktail castle and not to be missed on a night out in toon!

And so, following a big night what better way to cure a hangover than with a lovely Sunday Roast?!

We headed to old favourite The Forth on Pink Lane. The Forth is loved by many and has undergone a bit of a revamp since I lived there but has still managed to keep its character and charm.

Cozy in Winter next to a roaring fire or equally inviting in Summer when you can make use of the roof terrace, this gastropub has interesting detail in the interiors whether you choose to sit upon a chesterfield or church pew and artwork from locals adorn the walls.

With man, make up artist friend and siblings in tow we munched through Roast Beef and Roast chicken with no complaints and clean plates all round, check out the Forth here.

There are many iconic sights to see in Newcastle, especially down on the quayside with the variety of bridges, Baltic art centre and magnificent Sage music venue.

This visit we drove to The Angel Of The North which is something I have never ever done before!

Since spreading its wings across the Gateshead skyline 13 years ago, Antony Gormleys' Angel has become one of the most talked about pieces of public art ever produced.

Now for the geek bit- dominating the horizon over the A1 motorway the angel is made of 200 tonnes of steel, rises 20 metres from the earth (thats as tall as 4 double decker buses) and has a wingspan of 54 metres (thats as big as a jumbo jet!)

I have driven past it many times on the motorway but it was nice to visit the site and see just how big it really is. Peoples opinions have been divided since its installation but personally I love it and find it a welcoming sight on arrival to the region!