My December Days

This blog includes advertisement features with Gaston Luga and Stellar Projects

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.

Christmas at the Post Box

When it comes to beautiful spots to dine at Christmas you wont find anywhere cuter than the Post Box 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.

Adventures with Gaston Luga

Adventures in 2020 are going to get off to a great start now that I'm the proud owner of a brand new Gaston Luga 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.

If you fancy grabbing one for yourself you can check out the full range here and get yourself a 15% discount by using my code NEWGIRL

Breakfast at Cafe Royal 

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 Café Royal. 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.

Festive Flicks at The Jam Jar Cinema

Being huge movie buffs I can't believe it has taken us so long to get to Jam Jar, 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.

Nightfall

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 Stellar Projects, we had the most wonderful night following the colourful lights round Preston Park 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.

Festive Cocktails at Jalou

You can always count on Jalou 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.

Christmas at Helmsley 

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.

For more adventures from New Girl in Toon make sure you follow me on Instagram.  I post a new photo every day and you will find vlogs from my favourite Northern adventures on my highlights.

An Instagram Guide to the Best New Cocktail Bars in Newcastle

I 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.

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!

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.

Get ready to plan your Christmas parties!

Slug and Lettuce

When I'm walking about claiming that Slug and Lettuce 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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Perfect for: Girls Night, Hen Weekends, a Night Out Before Pay Day and Hangover Breakfasts 

Find Slug at Lettuce at: 30 Grainger Street, NE1 5JG
slugandlettuce.co.uk/central-newcastle

All Bar One

When I lived and worked in London, All Bar One 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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Perfect for: After Work Drinks and Catching up with Friends 

Find All Bar One at: 51 Grey Street, NE1 6EE
allbarone.co.uk/

Horticulture

I had heard a lot about new bar Horticulture 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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

Perfect for: Hanging out with your Coolest Mates and Intimate Drinks  

Find Horticulture at:1 Market Lane, NE1 6QQ
facebook.com/horticulturencl/

The Purple Peacock

If you love your bar filled with vibrant colour then you will love The Purple Peacock, 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.

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!

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!)

Perfect for: Starting the Night

Find Purple Peacock at: 55 Degrees North, Pilgrim Street, NE1 6BJ
purplepeacockncl.co.uk/

Leila Lilys 

Saving our favourite for last, I have not stopped going on and on about how much we loved Leila Lilys 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Perfect for: A treat with your Best Mate, Romantic Date Night and When you want to Impress 

Find Leila Lilys at: 2-12 Grey Street, NE1 6AE
leilalilys.co.uk

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.

Something tells me Christmas is going to be extra fun this year!

Celebrate Christmas at Cragside

This is an advertisement feature with National Trust Cragside

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 Cragside, one of the most beautiful National Trust sites in the North East and somewhere that we have never visited during December before.

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.

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.

Christmas at Cragside

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!

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.

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.

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.

The house at Cragside is open between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm (last admission at 2:30 pm) 
Normal Admission charges apply. 

Wreath Making Workshop

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Wreath Making Workshops take place on 7, 8, 14 and 16 December and are adult only. 
The workshop costs £28.00 to join - call 0344 249 1895 to book your place

Christmas Lunch at Cragside

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Find Cragside at:

Rothbury
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE65 7PX

nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside

This is a sponsored feature with National Trust. We also received a complimentary Wreath Making Workshop and Festive Lunch for Two.

Newcastle Theatre Royal Pantomime 2019 - Beauty and the Beast Review

This is an advertisement feature with Newcastle Theatre Royal 

As a couple without children you may be wondering why a trip to the Newcastle Theatre Royal 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?

Wrong!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

What you need to know:

• Beauty and the Beast runs from Tuesday 26 November to Sunday 19 January
• Running time is approx 2 hours 15 mins (including an interval)
• 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 

Find Newcastle Theatre Royal at:

100 Grey Street
NE1 6BR

08448 11 21 21

theatreroyal.co.uk/

We attended Press Night with complimentary tickets.