And so to Geordietoon, or as the locals affectionately call it, Newcastle. I only have a couple of hours here before travelling north....what to do?... If you don't know the answer to this...you either don't know me and/or haven't paid any attention to the title of this blog!

Newcastle is probably one of the best beer cities in the country, in my humble opinion. Admittedly, my journeys to date have taken me mainly north so I have a largely skewed perspective...I do need to spend some more time with you South...I have been neglecting you. However, the crop of new breweries that appear to sprout in Newcastle, on the regular, rivals and perhaps even overtakes the King of Craft- Manchester (totally non biased, honestly)

Alas, I don't really have time for a full on brewery sesh and I'm trying to pace myself, so I opt for a quiet recommendation from an insider, who has assured me it's 'muckle canny'...I don't really know what he means, and he may be having a stroke but the language of enthusiasm is universal and so I very much jump at his recommendation....

And what a recommendation!!!... A short 10 min (rather beautiful) cycle down cycle route 72 that parallels the Tyne river (incidentally, the start of the Hadrian's wall route which I will, god willing, find myself on later in proceedings), up a (thankfully small) hill, I find myself at the Free Trade Inn. This is a beautiful former outpost for free trading ships to tout their wares back when Newcastle was a trading giant apparently (what was their main export?...humour, cheerful disposition, who knows?). It currently operates as a traditional looking pub (not too derelict/ not too snazzy) with 12 lines of crafty goodness. I plump for half of local lads Wylams cold bier Lager...more due to the Suntastic weather outside, than anything else....and then I plonk myself in their sun drenched mini roadside beer garden out back.

And I gotta say, as far as city views go...you'd be hard pressed to find a better beer drinking spot. The picture below, likely does not do it justice (and don't get me wrong, it's no Rivington brewery view)...but on a warm day, with a cold one!... In the words of a good friend....wawaweehwah! Definitely a stop off if your ever in the area. The First Cut may not always be the Deepest...but i think if it's not love, then it'll do for now.... Maybe another half?... Be rude not to😂

Honourable Mentions

Just a few points of interest on my journey through this journey. Firstly, the kindness of strangers will likely be a recurring theme throughout this blog but I do think there is something very healthy about chatting to strangers, least not, it's just a friendly thing to do- the world is a better place when we connect as a civilisation. But more than that (and rather selfishly), I find it kinda like therapy.... In some ways you can be completely yourself with people who don't know you because they have no preconceived notions of who you are. Despite our best efforts, when we speak with those who 'know' us, we carry a whole load of expectation on both sides of who they think they are talking to...sometimes a little objectivity is useful. So thanks to Sharon and Raj for sharing part of themselves...I hope the festival is not too hard work for you!

Also, on my way back to the train station, I spotted, or rather heard this guy. I am well known for my almost delusional imagining of Bagpipes but in this case it was 'real'! However, somewhat uniquely, this guy was playing what he called 'Border Pipes' which used a bellow system under the arm rather than the traditional Highland Pipes that you blow into to expand the bladder. A fellow punter, also let me know of a local artist who plays 'Northumberland Pipes'...who sadly I will have to research as I've forgot the name but apparently they sound more 'choral' and according to the piper give a 'sweeter' sound...what a wonderful description of a sound...we like a bit of synesthesia!😁

And finally.... Just before I got on my train (a route that has only been open about a year, and has only 2 trains a day...very exciting), I was pleased to see that the Geordies are accomodating their craft beer needs directly at station side...only in Newcastle!😂 This fine little craft beer bottle shop had a great local range including some freshies by local legend 'Full Circle'...well you have to, don't you? However, tasting will have to wait as I feel like saving myself until Amble...was that a spoiler?...