hollies Garden Centre

We surprised ourselves by being ready to set off on our holiday adventure early. The Satnav took us on a delightful route through Hodnet, Whitchurch and Tarporley. Just before we joined the motorway south of Warrington, we stopped off at Hollies Garden Centre in Little Budworth, Cheshire for a late breakfast. I chose a danish pastry and a refreshing cup of tea. The wasps were out in force so I had to keep my pastry half wrapped in its bag to keep them at bay.

Kirkby Lonsdale

Our lunch stop was Kirkby Lonsdale. After struggling to park we found a sandwich bar where I chose chicken salad and watched the chicken being freshly sliced. Whilst the sandwiches were being made we chatted to the lady serving us. She mentioned that she often had customers who were cycling from Lands End to John o’ Groats. We ate our sandwiches sitting under the town’s market cross and enjoying views of the distant hills.

Mainsgill Farm

After lunch we rejoined the M6 before travelling through Kirkby Stephen where we realised that we had mixed our Kirkbys up (again) and this was where we had intended to stop for lunch. Our journey took us past Brough towards Scotch Corner and  Mainsgill Farm Shop where we stopped for a cup of tea. It has changed a lot since our previous visit a few years ago so we took the opportunity to browse around the shop. I enjoyed seeing the resident camels, although I still miss Kevin who was such a character, often wandering over to customers and posing for photos.

The Tyne Bridge

Later, we arrived at the Vermont to find that the hotel carpark was full and we had to pay to park the car overnight. After checking in and unloading the car we headed into Newcastle. Whilst in town we spent some time in Waterstones both ending up with a purchase, mine being a cookbook ‘Simply Raymond’ which I had had my eye on for some time.

Back at the hotel we freshened up before dining in the hotel restaurant. We found that the menu had become more down market than on our previous stays, although when the food (Haddock and Chips for me) arrived it was both excellent and delicious. We had a nightcap in the hotel bar before retiring for the evening.

8 Comments CherryPie on Sep 21st 2021

8 Responses to “Newcastle & Durham – Day One”

  1. Andrew Scott says:

    Memories – we had lunch in Kirkby Lonsdale just a few summers ago, and also visited Newcastle for the first time (apart from many a traverse through it on a train). We also visited Durham. I’d say Newcastle was interesting rather than nice, but we are glad to have visited.

    • CherryPie says:

      I fell in love with Newcastle many years ago whilst on a business trip. After an evening meal (talking business), walking back to our various hotels (northern colleagues showing us the way), a northern colleague shared his love of his town with me, pointing out all the historical features of Newcastle.

      I have some hilarious memories of hotels I stayed in whilst on business. Sometimes it was the hotel and sometimes the people :-)

      Many years later I was quite comfortable walking around the city on my own when I accompanied Mr C when he had a business meeting.

      This was my first stay in Durham, the feel of the city was not the same and I am not inclined to stay there again. The wider county however still has possibilities :-)

  2. The Tyne Bridge always looks fantastic. But the angle of your photo is even more impressive :)

  3. Lovely photos – have fond memories of Kirkby Lonsdale although the visit was a long time ago!

  4. The Yum List says:

    Just looking at the water gives me peace.