My August Days

Although it's been a month filled with sunshine, family visits and adventures in Northumberland, it's ended in a way that makes me feel very sad. So I'm keeping this month's intro short and sweet and although I know that things won't really be quite the same ever again, I am looking ahead to a brand new month and the start of Autumn.

Here are just a few of the things that didn't make the blog this month

Stack Arrival

You wait forever for "one of those cool container sites" to open and then two arrive at once! Following the huge success of By The River Brewery on the Quayside, Stack has now finally opened at the Old Odeon site on Pilgrim street and it's so ridiculously cool I'm not sure I should really be allowed in there! An amazing site showcasing some of the best local businesses, shops, restaurants and bars it's quite a place! So far we've only had a quick mooch round but I can't wait to return and try it out properly! Let me know if you've had anything to eat there yet.

A Love Letter to the A68!

I'm not ashamed to admit that I am a bit of a loser but perhaps declaring your love for a road is a little weird even for me but I just can't help it. This month I've become completely obsessed with the A68! Seriously, the road up towards Kielder in Northumberland has to be one of the prettiest roads I have ever been on. Its high hills and hidden peaks reveal the most glorious scenery and the sudden dips and turns in the road makes my belly go wibbly. Every time we drive it we turn into big kids and yes we do start yelling "weeeeeeee!" as we drive up and down the dips. Don't laugh at me until you've planned an A68 road trip for yourself.  I promise you'll get it.

Cals Own

You know when you love somewhere so much and you mean to go more but somehow time slips away and it never happens? That's me and Cal's Own! Can you believe I hadn't visited since they relocated to Jesmond? I was stunned when I realised that they've been in their new place for over 2 years! As it had been such a long time I decided to go big with my order and dived straight into the epic calzone stuffed with mushrooms and goats cheese, I almost couldn't finish it ... almost!

New Car

The highlight of our month had to be picking up our new wheels.  It wasn't something we'd spent ages deciding on, Simon took our little Swift into the garage for a service and next moment he was test driving and buying a Suzuki Vitara.  It perhaps seems a little crazy to make such a snap decision but we've found the very best decisions we've made in life have been a little spontaneous. We are loving our new car and are getting very excited about grownup things like the amount of space in the boot and having air conditioning.

Dirt Health

I have been stalking Dirt Health on Instagram for months now - the beautiful colourful dishes have really caught my eye so when I was invited to pop round for a little soiree for local bloggers I couldn't wait to finally taste some of their delicious looking food.  I was absolutely blown away by what I had, the most tasty local produce lovingly created into perfect plates of food that not only taste bloomin lush but are also healthy! If that wasn't enough the staff there are so lovely that I'm determined to make them all my friends.  I loved it so much I've already been back so expect a breakfast review very soon!

South Shields

If I had a pound for every time I've shared a photo from Scoop and Bean I'd be rather rich! The family came to visit us with our Niece and Nephew this month and we had the most wonderful weekend showing off the North East.  Blessed with sunshine we spent the happiest afternoon at South Shields - riding the little train, skipping about in the sand and, of course, introducing them all to one of the best ice-cream cones in North Tyneside. They were very impressed, so much so our 7 year old niece has decided she wants to move here!

Saying Goodbye

Yesterday we said goodbye to my Grandma, and although she lived to an amazing age I still feel incredibly sad that she is no longer here. I'm not going to go into it too much as my blog is a happy space and I don't like to over share but on a day when I felt very sad the North Tyneside coast saved me. I spent the most beautiful day walking from Whitley Bay to Tynemouth and that time on my own strolling along the sand, people watching and dodging the rain showers went some way to make things a little easier.  It's incredible how soothing the coast is and I feel so incredibly lucky that we have such a special place on the doorstep.

For more adventures from New Girl in Toon make sure you follow me on Instagram. I post a new photo every day and you'll find video diaries of my favourite North East adventures on my highlights.