The Geordie Tourist.

I went with the family for a birthday meal at Las Iguanas in Newcastle. They focus on South American Food. Think lots of tastes and spices, full flavoured concoctions with a bit of a twist. They source ingredients from around the world and pour their passion into making tasty and authentic food.

When we got there the place was heaving. I’ve been once before, and it was then too. The sign of a good place no doubt. They are celebrating their 25^th birthday at the minute too and happy hour is on all day every day, which may have something to do with it.

We were shown a nice table in the corner downstairs, away from the hustle and bustle which I prefer. The atmosphere was great. I love the décor too, lots of reds, and mood lighting, a little bar, with funky tiles, and quirky wall lamps.

I went for a pina colada to start with. It was buy one get one free which was even better. 

Then for food we got:

Taco sharing tray with garlicky mushrooms, cheese and chunky sweet potato

Gambas – shell-on prawns cooked with garlic, lemon and chilli sauce

Three mushroom fajitas

Moqueca – Creamy coconut curry with peppers, garlic and fresh tomatoes

Spicy chicken enchilada.

Quite a feast indeed. After the starters alone we were all beginning to feel a little full. We persevered though, When the mains came out, I’ve honestly never tasted a nicer curry. I’m obsessed with coconut and it didn’t disappoint. I liked how it came in a little pot above a little candle burner to keep it warm. I had to add the coconut crumbs in myself too which was something different.

Overall the whole meal was lovely. There's was nothing I didn't like. I think we ordered too much food though. (A rookie mistake.)

All of the staff were friendly and very accommodating. It was a pricey affair at £100, but I think that was to do with the sheer amount that was ordered. You pay for quality though, and the food was definitely top notch.

I'd definitely go back, maybe for a lunch time special or something though.

Have any of you tried Las Iguanas?

Well I finally managed to touch solid ground in King Edward’sBay. It was just a distant blur in the background when I ventured to Tynemouth last year. We took Poppy late afternoon and it was quite busy. Riley’s Fish Shack (which I’m still dying to try) was filled to the rafters. The smell coming from it was amazing and mixed in well with the sea air.

The weather was cold and windy, the sea water was quite far in and one lot of stairs was nearly totally covered. I love how it’s a cove so the dog can’t really run off into danger if she spots a friendly person she likes the look of or a little doggy friend. (It’s been known to happen.)

We threw her ball for her and I tried my best to get a picture of my shoes in the sand before the waves came crashing in. (as you do) She then opted for this massive log, that was nearly the size of her. Each time we threw it she brought it back though.

As a pre-birthday treat my mam treated me to a garden picnic form Garden Kitchen in Newcastle. We went here last year and had brownies and hot chocolate which tasted amazing. I’d been dying to try one of their legendary picnics for ages though. It was restaurant week and you could get a picnic for two for £15. There was no way we could turn the offer down.

We sat and perused the menu before deciding on our options. We picked vegetarian which included:

Chargrilled vegetable sandwich

Homemade slaw

Cous cous stuffed peppers

Buckwheat and sweet potato salad

Fresh scones with clotted cream and jam

Lemon Posset

Red velvet cake

The food didn’t take long at all and when I saw the little picnic table in all of its glory I nearly squealed in delight. I love food as much as the next person and probably more. Put it together with a bit of glorious presentation and it’s almost too much for me.

I’m not kidding when I say this. Every single thing tasted delicious. It was like reaching for one thing then finishing it and the next thing your greedy hands grabbed tasted even better. (If at all possible.)

The scones were gorgeous too, smothered in jam and cream just the way I like them. The lemon posset had this beautiful biscuit. Honestly just everything about the meal was top notch.

I had expected big things, but honestly I was blown away by the sheer quality and the taste of the food. This has gone straight up to number one on my list of best afternoon teas. I know it’s technically a picnic, but it has all the makings of an afternoon tea, and a bloody good one at that. It’s also the first vegetarian one I’ve tried too. Just oh so amazing and the more I think about it the more I want to relive it.

You can try a garden picnic for £19.95 for two.

Have any of you tried one?

Remember that day in December when we had that mental snow storm. Well after looking through my window and watching it for a while, I knew I had to get out and about in it and take some photos. I’ve been waiting for what seems like forever for a decent bit of snow fall, so when the opportunity presented itself, I couldn’t turn it down. 

I went walking next to where I live with my pooch Poppy and managed to take some good shots of the snowy scene. I loved the snow covered Christmas trees and the frozen lake. Poppy had a good time running about like a crazy dog as per usual.

The snow was falling quite heavily and it seemed like it only took a matter of minutes before everything was totally white. I love how you can see big giant pellets of it in the pictures. No doubt about it, I was freezing walking around, but it was so much fun. The snow always seems magical to me.

Happy New Year and all of that!

Firstly, I kind of fell off the wagon by the end of last year. Blogging just kind of took a back step whilst I had other things going on. It was always in my thoughts though. (Bit mormid)

I’m back now though and I’m looking forward to a brand spanking new year of blogging and going on some nice little adventures.

Last year, I went to so many places and had so many great experiences. This year I want to continue to do so. I want to revisit those places that I loved. I want to discover different things and be open to new experiences. For example horse riding is something I’d love to get on board with. I want to make headway with my list of things I want to achieve like wild swimming and camping to name a few.

This blog for me has always been a journal, a place where I can share my journey, a place that I can look back on and remember the memories. If people want to stay a while and read a few posts, if they want to visit somewhere because I thought it was a place of interest then that’s a bonus. This year I’d like to connect with more bloggers, maybe those from the North East and see what things they love to do and can recommend. After all blogging is a social thing, I’d like to experience more of that side of things.

I’ll be taking a few trips further a field, whether they will be abroad yet, I’m still not sure. It’s always good to get away to somewhere new, even just a couple of hours away. So I’m looking forward to seeing what new things I can discover. I have a couple of weddings to go to do, which a definitely a good day out.

I guess this was a way for me to say hello again, and to stick in a few new year’s resolutions without calling them so. I’m more into little goals and mini life changes anyways…

What do you have planned for the year ahead?

I’ve decided to create my own little awards thingy (too professional) to give me a chance to look back on all that I did last year and to also pick out some of my best moments. This time of the year is all about the awards shows, such as the Oscars and what have you. I know my little blog is nowhere on the same scale, but I still want to celebrate it in a fun little way.

So I present to you my 'Top Ten' of 2015.

Beachy Day Out - Tynemouth

This was the day, me and Nic went exploring Tynemouth. We found a little secluded part of the beach where you could see over to Tynemouth Priory and King Edward's Bay. We climbed cliffs (nothing too dangerous) and looked at the remains of Tynemouth's outdoor pool. It was good weather for being the later part of the year too.
Runner Up - Marsden Bay

Flashback Friday - Paris.

I know Paris had a raw deal last year, such awful things that have happened. Whenever I think of Paris though I remember the good times that I had with my mam and brother. This is one of the best trips I've ever taken and I think it always will be. Paris is chocolate crepes and rustic buildings. It's spending time with the people that mean the most to you.
Runner Up - The Newcastle Bike Ride.

Nature Spot - Kielder Water.

Nothing can compare to Kielder, or even come close to it for that matter. (That's how passionate I am about the place.) We must have picked one of the best days of the year to go. The place took my breath away. I've never seen it looking so gorgeous. It was a fun little road trip with friends, we messed around and explored and just had such a great day.
Runner Up - Saltwell Park.

Fair - Lou Lou's Vintage Fair.

I went to a few different fairs last year, but there was just something special about Lou Lou's. I think it was probably the tea served in little china cups and the massive slice of cake I consumed. This was full of vintage treasures and a girl group singing catchy tunes. A great day out.
Runner Up - Living North Live.

Newcastle Moment - Climbing the Monument.

This was such a good experience, well maybe bittersweet. I was thrilled to do it, but also scared stiff as I hate heights and it was a windy day so the structure was moving a bit. I loved having the chance to look over Newcastle though and I'm so pleased I did it.
Runner Up - Quayside Seaside.