What We Did Over New Year in the North East

Gosh, we’re almost two weeks into the new year already. It’s been a busy start to 2022. Since my last blog post, I’ve done my usual days at work, I gave a presentation to the Lancashire Optical Society and I took Poppy and Harry back to Durham. It was Ian’s birthday yesterday so we went to our favourite Skipton restaurant last night.  And we’re heading North this evening ahead of a dinner reservation with Ian’s children tomorrow evening.

We spent New Year in the North East and had the most wonderful few days. The weather was incredible- so mild and bright. We walked miles, ate and drank to our hearts’ content and simply enjoyed spending time together. This post is a look at where we walked and where we ate.

Cullercoats

There’s a beautiful beach in Cullercoats, a short walk from our home along which we had a long walk on 30th December. (I’m still getting used to calling it “our home” and not “Ian’s home”. He’s the same with our/my home in Skipton). It’s a privilege to have this on our doorstep. 

Seaton Sluice

On 31st we drove to Seaton Sluice so we could walk along the dunes and the beach there. It was windy as you can see from the photos, yet still very mild. It’s too far to walk there from Cullercoats but the short drive is very worth it. 

NYE at Elder and Wolf

We tried an award-winning new restaurant on New Years Eve; Elder and Wolf in Whitley Bay. The menu revolves around wood-fired tacos, kebabs and pizza. I had chicken and chorizo tacos and Ian had a kebab. The food was delicious and  very filling; the portions are very generous. I had a lychee and rose cocktail which was divine. I’ve forgotten what Ian had- it definitely had basil in- and he thought it delicious too. The young staff were excellent and the place has a good feel about it. If small portions and salad are your thing, then this probably isn’t the place for you. If you like a hearty plateful, and/or are the owners of hungry teens/young adults, then Elder and Wolf is an ideal choice for casual dining. (We took a couple of photos before we went out because it’s a new dress). 

Fish Quay and Allards Lounge in Tynemouth

2022 started off with blue sky and bright sunshine so we walked to the Fish Quay and then into Tynemouth for a late lunch at Allards Lounge. We’ve dined inside several times before, but the weather was so gorgeous that we sat outdoors. We ordered a fabulous sharing platter, a couple of glasses of wine and watched the world go by for an hour or so. Allards has an extensive tapas menu and a whole book of cocktails to choose from. It’s one of those places that always delivers and that caters for every taste; it’s a safe bet and I’ve enjoyed every visit there. The atmosphere is lively enough to make you feel that you’re  out, but not so lively that you can’t converse or that you’d feel out of place.

Fox and Finch, Whitley Bay

Ian and I love food and wine. We both enjoy cooking as much as we enjoy eating out. We cooked very little during the four days we were there and we ate out on Sunday 2nd January too. This time we were with Ian’s daughters. Out of respect to them, I didn’t take any photos- there’s a time and a place for everything. We went to the Fox and Finch. Again this has a tapas type menu with a good veggie selection and a wide range of wines and cocktails. It’s somewhere we’ll revisit.

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Outfit details

Silt quilted jacket: Barbour
*Relaxed straight jeans: Boden. (I usually get UK size 12L in Boden jeans but I wanted them to be more cropped so I’m wearing the 12R. For reference, I’m 5 ft 9, (175cm), tall).
Lockett studded leather bag in antique rose: *Jimmy Choo via The Outnet.
Cream Chelsea boots: Boden, past season.
*Lipstick: Niagara by Nars.
Pink Guernsey knit: Barbour.
*Jessamine shimmer knitted dress: Phase Eight. Mine is a style from last year and is a metallic silver. There is an identical style in rose gold which is lush and is currently in the sale.
Grey patent leopard print heels: Russel and Bromley, past season.
Black and white eyewear: La Matta via Mac Eyewear, (gift).

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