The Local Scene

I was going to put up no pictures this week as I was worried about how many I have left (Only like 80ish). My Mother suggested that I describe Newcastle to those who do not or have not already lived here. A good idea, and I just realised that I can steal pics off the net to help. Please do not tell Scotland Yard, I am already being hunted for using my accent as a pick up move on ladies :)

Newcastle straddles the river Tyne (Hence Newcastle UPON Tyne...ohhhhh, I get it), with a number of bridges spanning it. They are supposed to be historic but they are just bridges, execpt the Millenium Bridge. It is quite neat in that to allow shipping through it leans.

It connects central Newcastle with Gateshead, its nasty little brother (Sorry Kate, she is my flatmate from Gateshead). I know next to nothing about the far side of the river execpt that it has the Sage Gateshead, a large concert hall (Yes, John, it looks like a giant turd).

I am afraid that I have not been yet, as the only show I heard about was Sting...yeah, not quite my cup of tea. This South side of the river also has the Baltic, a huge art gallery in a refurbished flour mill. Though apparently it has had some financial mismangagement problems so I do not know what displays they are still clinging too.

If anyone ever VISITS me...hahem...sorry, we would have to visit some of these locales. Now my favorite place in all of Newcastle is the Tyneside Cinema. It is an independant film theatre, or art film house. It also has Intermezzo, a cafe that offers the best hot chocolate. Period. Seriously, it is better than spending an afternoon skating on the river and coming in to find your Mom has a batch of choco and cinnamon toast (Sorry Mom. Take this as a challenge and drown me in excellent home cooking this winter :)).

Of course they play the non-Hollywood films, so to sate my desire for these I ventue to the Gate. A building comprised of bars, American chain restaurants, a casino (Just found that, and no Dad, I will not visit it) and the Odeon, where all my crap big-budget films show.

Now there is so much more to do and see here, I have just shown you some of the most popular things. There are countless more things to do and see, which is what you might get to see next week. I will finish with one more photo, of the town moor. These grasslands are common in most English cities and this one is still being used by cows...so watch where you step.