With summertime at its peak, I’ve been on the hunt for the best outdoor garden spaces to relax and explore. I was pleasantly surprised to find a Botanic Garden not far from Corbridge that I quickly fell in love with: Dilston Physic Garden. Just off from the Devil’s Water, Dilston Physic Garden sits tucked away, a wealth of nature that you can both relax and… Read More »Dilston Physic Garden
Hidden Gems: Path Head Water Mill. Did you know that there was a water mill in the Blaydon area? I certainly didn’t, and I’ve lived in the area all my life. Life is always full of surprises. I came across Path Head Water Mill by chance, researching old water mills for a creative writing project back in February. And as it opened to visitors in… Read More »Path Head Water Mill
An open letter musing about life, adulthood and the uncertainty of it all: Dear reader, Adulthood is a messy, glorious thing. We go from childhood—a more structured routine juxtaposed with a freer set of responsibilities—into a wild unknown. In adulthood, there are so many twists and turns, a labyrinth of options and decisions, and that can be disorienting and frustrating. In childhood, we are asked… Read More »Life’s Lessons
The days are getting colder, the leaves are turning yellow and amber and falling, and the dark nights creep ever closer. Autumn is my favourite season for the colours and the cosy vibes, and I am determined to take advantage of both. Wandering in the Woods at Gibside ‘Not all those that wander are lost.’ That is certainly true for my recent venture up… Read More »Autumn Adventures
The warmer weather has finally arrived – as I write, it’s twenty degrees with somewhat cloudy but blue skies – and who knows how long that may last, considering the typical British weather. With Summer in full force, it’s made me appreciate more garden spaces. From the garden at home and my mission of trying to keep the dog away from decimating the strawberry plants,… Read More »Summer in Bloom
And Events Around the Tyne Valley We are finally seeing the beginning of lighter mornings and nights, and it has been fantastic to go to work to the sound of birdsong and the sights of blush pink skies. (The sunsets as of late have also been breathtaking with blazing red hues.) The lighter months bring an end to the winter blues. Did you know that… Read More »Lighter Nights
2023 has ended, and 2024 beckons. Whilst you may be busy creating new resolutions for the year to come, let’s look back at 2023 by rounding up some of the prominent moments of the year. Local Top Moments The Sycamore Gap Felling The iconic tree was sadly felled in September 2023, and we still don’t know why. The tree was a signature of Northumberland, with… Read More »Look back at 2023
I sat in a tattoo studio thinking about permanence, and the inspiration for this article was born. With tattoos, the artwork is permanently placed on the body unless you laser it off or cover it up with more artwork. It has a permanent home but, as with everything in life, it changes. Tattoos fade over time; new scars or injuries may impact it, life in… Read More »Permanence
So far, 2023 has been marked by some exceptional theatre visits. There have been four so far; two iterations of Neil Gaiman’s Ocean At The End of the Lane, then there’s been SIX, and the Ghosts of Metroland. I have even planned some more over the course of the rest of the year. I’ll go through the premise of each show briefly. First was the… Read More »Theatrics
With the warmer weather this month, I’ve appreciated outdoor spaces more. For example, just last week, I spent a good few hours in a park, lounging like a tired cat chasing after the sun, with a smoothie in one hand and a book in the other. It was a pleasant way to pass the afternoon (make sure you remember to apply suncream liberally and often).… Read More »Wonders of Nature
