Newcastle part 1

Yesterday was my first day in Newcastle. After the day spent on the bus, I ended up sleeping in rather late!

I spent most of the day just wandering around and getting to grips with Newcastle. My hostel is located on Grainger St, which is right in the centre of town. I wandered up Grainger St until I got to the Monument to Earl Grey (yes, of the tea, but he doesn't have a monument for that reason!). I'd noticed a lovely covered market as I'd been walking up Grainger street, so I doubled back and headed into the Grainger Market. It was rather lovely. Meat must be a very important part of the northern diet, because I saw at least 8 butchers in Grainger Market (and it's not an overly large market)!

After Grainger Market I wandered up to Northumberland street - which is a pedestrian mall. Right at the start of Northumberland street was a street performer. I stopped to watch some of it. His trick is being a contortionist. The audience spent most of their time groaning as he twisted his body into disgusting positions. His final trick was getting out a straight jacket. It was all rather entertaining.

After that I wandered along Northumberland street - it reminds me very much of the Hay Street Mall. They are trying their hardest to make it look pretty, but there is only so much they can do.

Next I headed east towards the Laing Art Gallery. I didn't really have any intention of going inside, but once I realised it was free that made my decision for me!

It turned out to be a really interesting gallery. They have an exhibit at the moment which is touring around the UK. It's an exhibit of paintings portraying different aspects of love. It was a rather lovely exhibit. They also had something very interesting in the Laing - a piece from Yoko Ono. The piece was called Secret Work III. It consisted of 5 large, white canvases covered in little pieces of paper with messages written on them. It is actually an interactive piece of work. The canvases arrived blank and people who visited the display were encouraged to write a message about some one you care about and attach it to one of the canvases. Eventually the canvases will go back to Yoko Ono and be displayed. I thought it was a really intriguing idea, and spent quite a lot of time reading all of the messages. Some were heartful, some were silly. I couldn't resist adding one of my own. I'm not going to tell you what I put on it!

After the Laing Gallery I headed down to the river. It's not easy to get down to the river. There is no direct, main route. I went down through the Castle Keep and then there are hundreds of little steps that wind down to the river. After walking down all those stairs I decided that I was going to find an alternate way of getting back up. I walked along the swing bridge and then along the Quayside, past the Law Courts and the Guildhall until I reached the Millennium Bridge. Apparently it tilts to allow ships to pass under it. I'm going to find out when it tilts (they have a website) and then go down and watch.

I managed to find a route back into the city that didn't involve stairs, so I meandered my way back towards the hostel.

I'd popped into a tourist information centre earlier on and found some information regarding Hadrian's Wall. I think I might base myself in Newcastle and then do day trips out to the different forts. There is a dedicated bus line as well as trains that follow the route of Hadrian's Wall, so it should be easy enough to get around.

The architecture in Newcastle really surprised me. I'd always assumed that Newcastle was grey and depressing, but some of the original Georgian buildings are amazing. In fact, Newcastle has the most number of listed buildings after Bath and London. From what Mum and Dad have said, there has been a rather big push to revitalise other areas of Newcastle to make it more appealing. So far I think they have been quite successful

The Geordie accent! Oh My God! It makes no sense! As I wander around I like to listen to people talking, but I can't understand a word that the Geordies say. Apparently 80% of the Geordie language is made up of Anglo-Saxon words, compared with English which is only about 30%. I feel like I'm in a European country where I don't speak the language.

Being Sunday today, there are markets happening on the Quayside under the Tyne Bridge. I'm going to head down there and have a wander around, and enjoy the sun.

I should mention that while the sun is out, it's still freezing cold. I think we're averaging about 10-15 degrees during the day. To me that says winter, but not over here.

Anyway, I'd best be off and enjoy the day.

Almost forgot - The Eagles won! Yay!!!!! Very happy (although not happy about the stupid 50m penalty that went against us).