surfndirt Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Hi All, Thought I'd pen down my thoughts and experiences having returned from a pretty whirlwind visit back to the North (Lake District, Newcastle, Durham, Teesside) two weeks ago. Was going to meet up with Missus B but alas she was away.... Driving Got one of those new Merc A class as my rental. LESS than half a tank of diesel from LHR to me Mam's in Wigton, Cumbria..... Unbelievable. Averaged 90mph on the motorway (except 50 zones, obviously) and 100% absolutely loved it. People moving over, people flashing to let you in etc etc. Mega. Loads of flashy cars and heaps more Landcrusiers than I thought (those people must be minted to run them in UK). Pretty busy roads but found the quality very good pretty much everywhere. People Outside of London - great. Random conversations with people at the bar or the servo or where-ever! Prices Average of 3.30 quid a pint. (was drinking little creatures pale in Newcastle for 3.00 a bottle - yep, cheaper than Oz) Diesel ~ 1.32 a litre Coffee (expensive) 3.00 quid Food ~ 10 quid a main at a run of the mill pub (in the lakes) 5 quid for a bag of fish n chips at Marshalls, Tynemouth Countryside AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Man o man, I can't believe how much of a beaut the North is. Villages, village pubs - it is just stunning. Newcastle Few more trendy places now - heaps of micro brewery places too. Friendly faces and pretty girls - just how I remembered it. Was dead quiet for a Thursday night down the quayside though like.. Tynemouth has some dead set super cool little cafe's / bars now. Reminds me of Brunswick or somewhere..... Surf was crap though. Overall impression - don't underestimate the power of your birth place roots. The north of England is a complete stunner and the people are ace........... End of story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy1982 Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Great post, glad you had a good time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Great post, glad you had a good time. ! Coffee now 3 quid? Wow I used to pay like 2 quid in london a couple years back. Sounds like a good trip! Yeah it's funny when you see Aussie booze cheaper in the UK. Good that little creatures has made the move, great beer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacaranda Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 3 quid sounds expensive to me for coffee,we usually pay around £2.Cumbria is a fantastic county (used to live there a few years ago).Glad you had a good time surfNdirt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Coffee now 3 quid? Wow I used to pay like 2 quid in london a couple years back. Sounds like a good trip! Yeah it's funny when you see Aussie booze cheaper in the UK. Good that little creatures has made the move, great beer Only place I pay £3 for a coffee is on the odd motorway services. I'm very miffed if it's more than £2.30 these days! Good to hear you had a nice trip SnD! Those little A class are quite nice motors aren't they? The Aged parents have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindor Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Hi All, Thought I'd pen down my thoughts and experiences having returned from a pretty whirlwind visit back to the North (Lake District, Newcastle, Durham, Teesside) two weeks ago. Was going to meet up with Missus B but alas she was away.... Driving Got one of those new Merc A class as my rental. LESS than half a tank of diesel from LHR to me Mam's in Wigton, Cumbria..... Unbelievable. Averaged 90mph on the motorway (except 50 zones, obviously) and 100% absolutely loved it. People moving over, people flashing to let you in etc etc. Mega. Loads of flashy cars and heaps more Landcrusiers than I thought (those people must be minted to run them in UK). Pretty busy roads but found the quality very good pretty much everywhere. People Outside of London - great. Random conversations with people at the bar or the servo or where-ever! Prices Average of 3.30 quid a pint. (was drinking little creatures pale in Newcastle for 3.00 a bottle - yep, cheaper than Oz) Diesel ~ 1.32 a litre Coffee (expensive) 3.00 quid Food ~ 10 quid a main at a run of the mill pub (in the lakes) 5 quid for a bag of fish n chips at Marshalls, Tynemouth Countryside AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Man o man, I can't believe how much of a beaut the North is. Villages, village pubs - it is just stunning. Newcastle Few more trendy places now - heaps of micro brewery places too. Friendly faces and pretty girls - just how I remembered it. Was dead quiet for a Thursday night down the quayside though like.. Tynemouth has some dead set super cool little cafe's / bars now. Reminds me of Brunswick or somewhere..... Surf was crap though. Overall impression - don't underestimate the power of your birth place roots. The north of England is a complete stunner and the people are ace........... End of story. You made me fill up! Roll on December..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunt Agatha Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 This update doesn't surprise me at all. Beautiful region, great people! Glad you had a good time. You probably walked past my Dad in Marshall's, he loves that place! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfndirt Posted October 8, 2014 Author Share Posted October 8, 2014 You made me fill up! Roll on December..... Glad I could be of assistance! Only downside was the flight; I wouldn't do the cheap Royal Brunei again. Nowt against the plane or service, just too many stops and too many arabs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunt Agatha Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Are you planning a permanent return @surfndirt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindor Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Glad I could be of assistance! Only downside was the flight; I wouldn't do the cheap Royal Brunei again. Nowt against the plane or service, just too many stops and too many arabs. I always go Emirates because they take me straight to Newcastle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Glad you had a good time - I used to have an A class - loved it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caramac Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Hi All, Thought I'd pen down my thoughts and experiences having returned from a pretty whirlwind visit back to the North (Lake District, Newcastle, Durham, Teesside) two weeks ago. Was going to meet up with Missus B but alas she was away.... Driving Got one of those new Merc A class as my rental. LESS than half a tank of diesel from LHR to me Mam's in Wigton, Cumbria..... Unbelievable. Averaged 90mph on the motorway (except 50 zones, obviously) and 100% absolutely loved it. People moving over, people flashing to let you in etc etc. Mega. Loads of flashy cars and heaps more Landcrusiers than I thought (those people must be minted to run them in UK). Pretty busy roads but found the quality very good pretty much everywhere. People Outside of London - great. Random conversations with people at the bar or the servo or where-ever! Prices Average of 3.30 quid a pint. (was drinking little creatures pale in Newcastle for 3.00 a bottle - yep, cheaper than Oz) Diesel ~ 1.32 a litre Coffee (expensive) 3.00 quid Food ~ 10 quid a main at a run of the mill pub (in the lakes) 5 quid for a bag of fish n chips at Marshalls, Tynemouth Countryside AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Man o man, I can't believe how much of a beaut the North is. Villages, village pubs - it is just stunning. Newcastle Few more trendy places now - heaps of micro brewery places too. Friendly faces and pretty girls - just how I remembered it. Was dead quiet for a Thursday night down the quayside though like.. Tynemouth has some dead set super cool little cafe's / bars now. Reminds me of Brunswick or somewhere..... Surf was crap though. Overall impression - don't underestimate the power of your birth place roots. The north of England is a complete stunner and the people are ace........... End of story. It's not my place of birth, but I completely agree. Gorgeous place and lovely people. Glad you had a good time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helz980 Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 I'm still here, fly back Tuesday & I hear what you are saying espesh driving!! Being back this time has cemented my decision that home is the place to be. Had a cracking latte with a homemade cheese scone under a fiver in dobbies i was with my mam getting plants lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Now I have to be honest I haven't had a decent coffee since I got back - the one I had in newcastle on Sunday was unbelievably bad - I swear it was instant. It was supposed to be a flat white and I was given a weak black coffee with a pot of milk on the side - £2.50! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Now I have to be honest I haven't had a decent coffee since I got back - the one I had in newcastle on Sunday was unbelievably bad - I swear it was instant. It was supposed to be a flat white and I was given a weak black coffee with a pot of milk on the side - £2.50! Haha they must make some good margins on the newcastle flat whites! I did hear it is over 3 quid for a flat white in Costa however Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfndirt Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 Are you planning a permanent return @surfndirt? Hya Aunt, Good question - see I love both places equally so that is a very hard question. Cos I came over here pretty young - 26, I am starting to have the opportunity to not be tied to one country TBH (that includes Texas, too) so I guess the answer would be no, not perm. Good few years maybe, but I am pretty confident that I will bounce between places for the rest of my life! Trick is to not get saddled with a 800k debt in any country - you are then free as a bird really :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfndirt Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 Now I have to be honest I haven't had a decent coffee since I got back - the one I had in newcastle on Sunday was unbelievably bad - I swear it was instant. It was supposed to be a flat white and I was given a weak black coffee with a pot of milk on the side - £2.50! Our Mam took us to a place in the Lakes and I had a flat white (was suprised to see it on the menu) which I swear was as good as a Melb cafe.... Honest. I even said to the lass and she commented that they get about 1x Aussie / Pom on holidays that say that a week. Funny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunt Agatha Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Trick is to not get saddled with a 800k debt in any country - you are then free as a bird really :-) You hit the nail on the heed there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunbury61 Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Hi All, Thought I'd pen down my thoughts and experiences having returned from a pretty whirlwind visit back to the North (Lake District, Newcastle, Durham, Teesside) two weeks ago. Was going to meet up with Missus B but alas she was away.... Driving Got one of those new Merc A class as my rental. LESS than half a tank of diesel from LHR to me Mam's in Wigton, Cumbria..... Unbelievable. Averaged 90mph on the motorway (except 50 zones, obviously) and 100% absolutely loved it. People moving over, people flashing to let you in etc etc. Mega. Loads of flashy cars and heaps more Landcrusiers than I thought (those people must be minted to run them in UK). Pretty busy roads but found the quality very good pretty much everywhere. People Outside of London - great. Random conversations with people at the bar or the servo or where-ever! Prices Average of 3.30 quid a pint. (was drinking little creatures pale in Newcastle for 3.00 a bottle - yep, cheaper than Oz) Diesel ~ 1.32 a litre Coffee (expensive) 3.00 quid Food ~ 10 quid a main at a run of the mill pub (in the lakes) 5 quid for a bag of fish n chips at Marshalls, Tynemouth Countryside AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Man o man, I can't believe how much of a beaut the North is. Villages, village pubs - it is just stunning. Newcastle Few more trendy places now - heaps of micro brewery places too. Friendly faces and pretty girls - just how I remembered it. Was dead quiet for a Thursday night down the quayside though like.. Tynemouth has some dead set super cool little cafe's / bars now. Reminds me of Brunswick or somewhere..... Surf was crap though. Overall impression - don't underestimate the power of your birth place roots. The north of England is a complete stunner and the people are ace........... End of story. Ow you know what I mean surf ..........right place in the uk with a few quid in your pocket like cumbnria or northumberland ..........it takes some beating .......its getting wet now ....but what a summer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Our Mam took us to a place in the Lakes and I had a flat white (was suprised to see it on the menu) which I swear was as good as a Melb cafe.... Honest. I even said to the lass and she commented that they get about 1x Aussie / Pom on holidays that say that a week. Funny You should let @scottishstacey know which cafe, she's in the Lakes now and on the look out for an Aussie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest51810 Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 You should let @scottishstacey know which cafe, she's in the Lakes now and on the look out for an Aussie My ears are burning :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahelle Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Stop! You're making me yearn! I'm planning a visit back to home for next December so the saving has begun. We want to do so much including trips to New York & Scotland while where there so need to save loads. If we don't make it anywhere else I'll be more than happy to just be home It'll be my first time back in ages and by then it'll have been 4 and a half years since I've been home and I'm so excited already, I can't wait to have a Christmas in Wiltshire with my family! xxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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