‍We had a free day today… Make our own amusement!

‍We’re not very keen on cities; most of what’s on offer, apart from churches, museums & galleries is there for the everyday lives of its residents.

‍So, after another thousand calorie breakfast at around 10:00 we decided to try out Newcastle’s metro system and revisit Tynemouth. You can buy a day ticket and use it as you will.

‍It’s a very good system. Frequent trains (more like trains than trams) travel on two lines; the one we needed being, effectively a circle line.

‍Setting off to Tynemouth, the Metro map showed that Whitley Bay was just two stops further. We’d heard of it, so we added it to our itinerary. It was quite enjoyable to watch North Tyneside go past the train windows - sightseeing without a coach!

‍We’d only pit-stopped at Tynemouth on Monday, so we enjoyed strolling from the station to the sea-front; a chance to see the housing and shopping streets - a very nice, quiet small town. A pub that served tea and cakes in the morning, next to the castle, overlooking the North Sea, gave the feet a much needed rest (although we did notice that “up-north” a beer at 11:15 seemed quite in order!).

‍Back to the station and on to Whitley Bay. To be honest, there’s not a lot there except for mile upon mile of sandy beaches and (quite a walk from the station) a hotel/restaurant complex called “Spanish City” (for no apparent reason - although, through the mists of time, there probably is one.)

‍The sun had come out, there was a gentle breeze and so, another snack-stop to try a “Stottie”, a Tyneside “speciality”.

‍It’s a bread-style roll (called a Barm Cake in Lancashire and an Oven-Bottom Muffin elsewhere) but somewhat larger and filled with ham and pease pudding. Surprisingly tasty as we were both unsure about the “pease pudding” ingredient.

‍Another interesting insight into northern hospitality. Our tea was brought quickly, but the stottie hadn’t arrived after about 15 minutes. I enquired and was met with a horrified look. Within minutes a server appeared at the table with an apology and a complimentary pot of tea to enjoy whilst we waited. The food turned up a few minutes later. Can’t fault that for a response.

‍As the Metro line was a circular, we continued in the same direction to complete the loop and see more districts passing by.

‍Back at the hotel for around 14:45, time well spent.

‍And so our Northumbia experience comes to an end… just a dinner and packing to do. This has been one of the most relaxing and enjoyable trips we’ve done. It’s put England on our to-do list.