Our fist stop was Seven Stories, a children’s book centre. We popped in to check out the huge book store filled with colourful children’s books, a few little toys and tiny lounge areas with miniature armchairs and sofas.
Our main aim for the trip to Ouseburn was to make it to the Biscuit Factory. A large warehouse with 2 floors of gallery and exhibition space that one could spend hours wondering around. There are also artist studios on the premises and a wonderful café called the Byker Vista Café, a bright space which offers expansive views of the Ouseburn Valley and great food. John and I stopped there for a coffee and toasted bacon and brie sandwiches after a wonder around the gallery. There is a tonne of local talent here and John and I felt we could have easily snapped up a few pieces today. I particularly enjoyed Anja Percival’s atmospheric paintings and sketches, and Anthony Marshall’s colourful interpretations and abstractions of Newcastle city.
After a morning of art and eating, we were off to see Shrek 3 at the cinemas in town. We felt slightly out of place among the little kids and parents, but enjoyed a good laugh with our favourite characters Shrek, Donkey and Puss in Boots, whom we assigned as names to each other during our days at Sydney Uni with Jonny (can you guess who is who?).
In the late afternoon, we decided to venture to the coast, a 20 minute drive from the town centre. Unlike home, the coastline is almost uninhabited, with only a sprinkling of homes and quiet pubs as you drive along the long stretch of road and through the roundabouts. We stopped at a familiar beach to John and his family and only walked for a little before deciding that the wind and the rain made it too cold to be out for long.
Back in town, we ended up at a warmer place, a favourite find of mine called the Side Café which also has a little independent cinema out the back. John and I had hot chocolates by the window, looking out onto the street that winds its way down to Quayside. The café is a cosy place, with its wooden floorboards and friendly staff who kindly welcomed me to Newcastle.
