How different can the North East be?

I have lived in a lot of places. I was born near Manchester before trekking the country in tow of my father's job to Northumberland, just outside of Bristol and Essex before setting off on travels of my own. University took me to Lancaster and Morecambe before post-university took me to the United States for a few months. There I called Sandusky, Ohio my home. I met the wide in Chelmsford and we spent some time there and in other parts of Essex before moving to the North East. We had always laid plans to live here one day and a series of events lead us to ask the question, "why not now?" And we moved.

The reason I tell you all of this is because I have experienced different attitudes in different parts of the country. Now, I'm not referring to 'attitude' as the negative embodiment of the way someone acts. I simply mean the outlook on life displayed by the different people of the country. If you have never been to the North East, then you may not have come across an attitude like it.

There isn't a single adjective that I can find to describe the way that the people of the North and particularly North East act and view themselves. I think I would throw in -

• Humorous
• Neighbourly
• Ruthless
• Pragmatic
• Down to earth

And I'm sure there will be more before this article is out. This can be a stark contrast to people from other parts of the country, or other parts of the world, that visit here for the first time.

Prepare yourself for this part of the world

The people here will treat you like one of their own, from the moment they meet you. This is just the way that they are. There are no outsiders, and all are welcome. A new visitor or resident is a sign to the people of the North East that they are living in a place that people want to visit or live in. Unlike some parts of the world where an outsider might be viewed with suspicion, you won't be here.

This means that they will ask you about your life. You will receive questions that might not rub anywhere else in the country, especially in London for instance. You can offer as much or as little information as you like, but be warned that you will get to know people in the North East. They will tell you their life - often in the finest detail. It's all part of the sharing community we have up here. Think about how much information you would like to know, multiply it by ten and you probably still won't come close to how much you will be given.

How different can it be?

This was a question I asked myself when I first moved up here. It is still part of the country that I have spent the vast majority of my life in, so how could it possibly be different? It is different in so many ways. The people are different, the scenery is different and the way of life is different. If you read back through my blog then you can see how the folk up here -

Drive differently

Dress differently

Talk differently

Eat at different times

It all adds up to a new experience. I am one of these people who believes that life should be a series of experiences. I think that doing the same thing day after day, week after week from one month to the next will send you around the bend. I think that doing different things, seeing different cultures and trying to expand your horizons is a necessary part of life. It is something that I am trying to instil in my children. The North East is an experience all of its own. If you are from another part of the country and have never experienced this part of the world then get yourself here. Don't expect the best weather or sights on the same scale as London. But do expect to be dazzled by the people and the place.

We have sunshine! Grab it while it lasts

The North East of England isn't noted for its fine weather. The weather isn't as bad as people make out, but there certainly isn't enough sunshine on average. Like much of the country, the North East is bathed in sunshine today. The fact that we have a lot of sun, almost nothing in the way of clouds and no cold breeze off the North Sea makes a pleasant change. The world is a much better place when it is like this. But the forecast is for thunderstorms tomorrow and then drizzle over the rest of the weekend - typical for a Bank Holiday weekend.

The North East is placed where the cold of the Arctic Air hits us first and hits us hard. We are the last place in England to get the end of Winter and the last to see the start of Summer. We are at the end of the queue when it comes to phenomena like the one we are currently having - warm air being dragged up from the Mediterranean. So it is little wonder that people in this part of the world have hardened to the cold and bask in the slightest amount of sunshine.

All it takes is some sun, not any heat in particular, to get people in their shorts, walking around instead of driving and getting the barbecue on. And I like that. People that embrace all that they are given are always alright in my book. The fact that British like a moan about anything and everything hasn't escaped this part o the country, but the moans are one thing, while the activity is another. You see people interact with the great outdoors here in a way that I haven't experienced in others parts of the country when I have lived or travelled there. They get out to walk the dog, get on a bike or go for a run in the rain, the sleet, the wind and the snow. I suppose if you have no choice bit to deal with the elements then you find a way to get on with it.

I have just been writing a book for someone that practices cold exposure as part of his life. This means a cold shower in the morning, a regular dip into an icy lake and a general connection to the cold. He grew up in the Ukraine and it was rare that they had hot water, so the cold exposure that he uses now in adult life I suppose comes naturally to him. I can see parallels to this life and the people of the North East.

We know that the cold is just around the corner. The warmth that we are feeling today won't last forever so the people around here drain as much as they can from it. The beer gardens will be filled until closing time and the air will be thick with the smell of half-cooked burgers and chicken that is dangerous to eat. Mixed with a few beers, there will be a lot of upset bellies in the morning, but it will all be worthwhile!

Does Sunderland sit in the shadow of Newcastle?

Having lived in the North East for some time a strange phenomenon happens whenever you meet a certain type of person. This person looks down on the rest of the North East like they are the poor relation. They feel superior and act as though the rest of the world want to be one of their select bunch. What has made them like this?

• Is it the fact that they have achieved great things in their life?
• Does it stem from owning riches beyond the imagination of others?
• Have they been chosen by a higher power to be 'better' than everyone else?

No. The people that I refer to are people from Newcastle. They feel that the accident of being born in or near the city suddenly elevates them above the rest of the people that live in this part of the country, and probably the rest of the world too. You can feel it when you walk through the city. You can hear it in conversation. You know it from the way they support their football team. They feel that being part of the city of Newcastle makes them something that everyone else aspires to.

Now I like Newcastle. The city is a great place to spend time, do some shopping and get some amazing food and drink. It has some museums that deserve greater exposure, nightlife that is lively and entertaining to a point and a history that is something to be proud of. But not for one second do I, nor anyone else I know, want to be a Geordie.

There is a city just down the road that has as much history and things to do as Newcastle but doesn't quite get the same exposure. Sunderland has a city centre that could do with a little investment, but it has a great deal that Newcastle cannot offer. The museums stand up to its neighbour and the fact that you can visit the beach from Sunderland is a bonus that the bigger city cannot compete with.

Sunderland is seen as the poor neighbour, and looks like to stands in the shadow of Newcastle but that isn't necessarily the case. House prices may be higher in Newcastle, but Sunderland has the draw of jobs with the Nissan factory on it's doorstep. If only for another couple of weeks, Sunderland can boast a football team in a higher league. Take the small wins while you can.

Nationally, there is a lot more awareness and exposure for Newcastle than there is for Sunderland. People think about stag parties and hen do's, they think about Newcastle races and some sightseeing in the city. It has an airport, the rest of the North East is constantly told. It is a growing city that has managed its image well and developed into a destination. Maybe Sunderland is on the same path. As I said earlier, the city centre needs a lot of attention. It looks drab and doesn't attract the higher end shops that would allow it compete with the city up the road.

I think that there is a lot to do in both cities, but the way that Newcastle has grown sees it attract more investment and attention at the moment. Who knows what the future will bring?

The Word in South Shields is a great new place to visit in North East England

I'm a big supporter of the North East of England and I believe that it is a great place to live and work. I have spent the last few years living here, but have had a link to this part of the world all my life through my family. Last week I visited the The Word - The National Centre for the Written Word in South Shields. It is a relatively new museum that does what it says on the tin. It shows off the beauty of the written word in a beautiful building close to the banks of the River Tyne. It is setting up at the moment in terms of establishing, but has already got some really interesting things gong on.

They have an exhibition of Sir Ridley Scott's work, which is worthwhile for any film buff. I highly recommend it as a location to visit when in the North East. Keep an eye on the different events happening at The Word because there is a lot going on.

I am going there on Friday 5th May for a talk from David Baldacci about his writing and I hope to pick up some ideas for my latest novel, which is in the pipeline at the moment. I can't decide whether to place a lot of the next book in a North East city, and I hope that listening to David will give me inspiration on this decision. I write s lot for myself and others and want to use my writing to entertain others as time does on. I have always written but now I am writing professionally for me and for other people in terms of ghost writing work for them or helping business to get their content marketing just right.

The novel I am writing at the moment will be my second, with the first now published for a full week. It is called David's Goliath: If you found a book that told the story of your life, would you read on? and is selling quite well so far in paperback and Kindle edition. I believe in supporting business in the North East and I'd like to think that people would want to read this because it is from a local author. David's Goliath isn't based in the North East, but it draws influence from my life here.

Writing is a big part of my life and I want to incorporate this part of the world in what I do. The more that I can promote the North East as a place to visit to my readers across the world, the more it will benefit us all.

So go and check out The Word to see what it is all about, if you haven't already been. Entry is free and you can see the work of Sir Ridley Scott in a different light. Who knows, one day my work may be there too!

The Northumberland Coast is a stunning place to visit

As the weather gets better it's time to get outside again. Although a bit of wind and rain doesn't stop people in the North East from leaving the house, it feels so much better with a bit of sunshine on your face. This weekend saw some great Spring weather so we decided to venture out of the house and take a look up the Northumberland coast on Sunday for a look. We aren't North East England natives but we have visited quite a large part of this part of the world since moving here a few years ago. Quite frankly the coast in Durham is disappointing so we take a look at further North and South for our seaside fix. Northumberland is a bit of a risk at this time of year but was one we were willing to take. The wind off the North Sea can be extremely cold at any time but it wasn't really present this weekend, so we were able to make the most of the sunshine on offer.

And we were rewarded. We went through the Tyne Tunnel and spent time at Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and Blyth. The latter two haven't got the best of reputations but I found all three to be most pleasant. There was a park in Blyth where was sat outside and had a Sunday lunch. The atmosphere, the weather and the food were all great. I highly recommend a visit. If you want to get to this part of the world then it can feel like somewhere that is nowhere. But that really is the attraction. The scenery is stunning and the coast is plentiful.

One thing that does strike you about North East England if you visit here from outer space is the clothing. I've already mentioned the fact that they rarely wear a coat even in the deepest midwinter. Well for the rest of the year, the slightest hint of sunshine prompts the people up here to get into their summer gear. We saw men swimming in the sea, kids walking round in trunks and women uncovering huge swathes of flesh in response to a little sunshine and temperatures of around 12 degrees. Don't get me wrong, the weather was lovely, especially in the sun, but bikini weather it certainly was not.

So don't be surprised if you arrive here to see little in the way of clothing between now and autumn. There's even less worn to go out at night sometimes. It's a place that embraces the slightest change in temperature. The North East is somewhere that tries to make the most of whatever life throws its way, and I for one applaud that attitude.

The language in the North East is loud and constant

The language in the North East of England is as colourful and vibrant of the different dialects of the United Kingdom. Certain phrases can be inpenitrable when you first arrive but they grow on you and many have a certain charm. I'll take at individual phrases in another later blog as it's the communication that interests me in this edition. It may seem strange to split the two but there are two distinct things happening here. Language itself has many different facets and the part of language that uses no words is often quoted as carrying the majority of the communication message.

Upon moving to the North East of England, for the first few months my family and I thought that there were far more arguments here than in other parts of the UK. Raised voices and what sounded from a distance as aggressive conversations had me believing that people were often at each other's throats. If you add to this either minimal body language or quite animated body language then you'll probably believe that there's trouble brewing. North East inhabitants tend to have one or the other of these traits - either wildly gesticulating as they are talking or talking loudly with no real body language and both can have quite a disconcerting effect on the uninitiated.

It takes a little while to get used to the volume of life here. People shouting across the street at each other would pass as trouble brewing in many parts of the country but it's usually a friendly gesture here. Starting a sentence or conversation with a loud "Now...." seems odd to most of us but is actually commonplace in North East parlance. And volume is here in cafés, shopping centres, restaurants, pubs, the streets and homes. Communication happens at high speed and high volume and it all adds to the vibrancy of this part of the world.

You don't have to be afraid of the way that people speak. If you think that there is an argument going on then wait a few seconds to see what is being spoken about. I will bet you that it isn't an argument at all but just two people speaking in their normal voice.

And it isn't just the way that people communicate but the words that they use that will catch you off guard if you are not from this part of the world. If you thought you knew English then spend a little time in the North East and you will find a whole new vocabulary that you had no idea existed. In fact there are dictionaries available that will help you navigate ordinary daily conversations that you might have.

Three phrases in particular have really go me and I'll give you a quick run-through of these here.

"It's hoying it down"

This actually means that it is raining heavily. I love this phrase as it captures the insensitivity of the rain shower for me. I like to use this as often as I can. Even when it isn't raining.

The word "hoy" can also mean to throw, as in the phrase "hoy me that pencil" so you can start to seethe origins of the phrase.

"Ket"

This is a word used to mean sweets or candy. Ket is the general phrase that covers all of the sweet things that kids shouldn't be eating.

"Boils my piss"

I love and hate this phrase in equal measure. It means to make someone very angry. If you have done something to upset someone in the North East then you could be said to "boil their piss."

I love the anger that goes with this but I also have the image in my head that makes me dislike the phrase too. I most often hear it from working class people and I've never had the inclination to research if it is used in other parts of the country. I'd love to hear from you if it is.

A trip back to the South East reminds me what the North East is all about

I've just come back from a trip down South over Christmas and some parts of living in the North East have really come home when I spent 10 days away. I have lived in various parts of England and spent a lot of my time living in the South East. I don't know whether it is as I have got older or whether the place has changed but the way of life in and near London really got to me during a ten day stay.

Traffic

I have written before about traffic in the North East and the way that people drive before but the difference becomes even more startling the longer I live here. The drivers in the South East are only interested in getting on their way, whether this means driving in the wrong lane, cutting you up or almost causing a crash makes no difference. As long as they can shave a few seconds off their journey then you are inconsequential.

So people spend so much of their time in the wrong lane because they think it will get them there faster. I saw people cross four lanes of traffic from the wrong lane to the one they wanted because they saw the chance to cut under 2 or 3 cars.Added to the traffic was the fact that it was Christmas and everyone faced this time of festive cheer with a cutthroat attitude of "I'm getting there before you." It was heaven!

The main problem that causes all of the other issues on the roads in the South East is the amount of traffic. In the North East I can drive 20 miles in 20 minutes on a regular basis, no matter what the road or the time of day. In the South East you struggle to do this on a motorway (especially the M25) and this creates a tension in every driver on the road. People know it is going to be hell so the prepare for the worst in their mind. Drivers turn into racers.

People

I have actually seen the people in the South East go in the opposite direction of the traffic. There are fewer people walking and it reminds me in many ways of visits to the United States where people use their car to travel short distances,. The first time I went to Las Vegas I walked along The Strip and the only others I saw walking were Brits.You can walk for a few miles in the South East and not see people until you arrive at a coffee shop or a pub. It's becoming a lost art and it only adds to the problems on the road.

I walked from where I was staying to the local town one day, around a mile and a half and saw nobody outside of their vehicles or homes. I made the similar journey on the way back from the train station one night and again was the only one that didn't choose a taxi.

It will improve health and traffic in one go!

Prices

I am known in my family for the way that I analyse the price of something before making a purchase. I like to have value for money and often I would rather do without than pay what I consider to be over the odds.

Again this may be because it was close to Christmas, but it felt as though the price of absolutely everything in the South East was over the odds and far away. It cost me less for me and the kids to watch a Premier League match when we got home than it did to watch a League 1 match in the South East. The various Santa's Grottoes that I saw were charging between £10 and £15 for a few brief moments with the big man himself. Even after using the discount given by the meerkat off the telly I had to pay nearly £30 for 4 of us (2 adults and 2 kids) to watch the new Star Wars film..

It feels as though everyone wants their cut of your income. It is hard work trying to find value in the South East so I generally went with the flow and knew that I would have to tighten my belt when I got back home in January. So expect to see blogs in the near future to show you how to have a great time in the North East without spending any money!

There's plenty to do at Roker Beach any time of the year

Roker Beach has changed over the years. It was once the backdrop to Roker Park, the home of Sunderland AFC. The pier and lighthouse were built between 1885 and 1903 when Sunderland was a major port. It provides a brilliant view as you park at the top of the front and work your way down to the beach area. In the summer or is a lively beach with plenty of visitors. In the other months of the year when the weather isn't good enough for your swimming gear then there are people walking dogs, beachcombers with metal detectors and many cyclists. It is a lovely part of the world, especially when the fun is shining.

There has been some money ploughed into the area and a selection of cafes and restaurants await any hungry visitor. The Roker Hotel has a great choice at the top of the cliffs with some great views. At the bottom near the sea there are a few options, including a a fish and chip shop. It is a haven for cyclists, dog walkers and photographers. The opportunity of getting that great shot at the start or the end of the day brings a flurry of photographers and the options are a beautiful picture of a calm sea or stunning shots of the crashing waves.

It's not far from the sights of the marina, the docks, the National Glass Centre and the Stadium of Light - the new home of Sunderland AFC. It is good to make the most of those last good days of 2016. Sunday was a brilliant morning to spend time near the sea.

I urge you all to spend some time in and around the Sunderland seafront when in the North East of England. It is always underrepresented by the media and travel guides but is a real gem that should be explored. The illuminations in October and November in the run up to Christmas is a great little at to take it all in too.

North East England's summer light is just about to get a bit darker!

The North East of England is a beautiful place. It is full of green fields, amazing cities and so much to do. I love living in the North East but it is just about to get darker. I am writing a detective novel based in the heart of the City of Durham where there is a killer on the loose!

The detective and his faithful sidekick are on the case and they are looking to catch the killer and save the day. It will be dark in places but will also show the light and beauty of the city of Durham in the surrounding areas. I am hoping to capture the juxtaposition between the dark and light and really bring this to life.

I am looking for funding for this novel through my Kickstarter campaign.

In return for funding I am offering some great opportunities for people to actually give some of the characters a name and to give them some characteristics. You can help to develop the book and be an integral part of the writing process. I am looking for-

• The detective that will solve the crimes and save the day
• The sidekick - the 2nd detective that makes a vital breakthrough in the case
• The killer, the murderer that is running wild on the streets of Durham
• The victims that are killed by the murderer and have their own back-stories as well

I am also offering some unique memorabilia with this Kickstarter campaign such as the chance to own the notebook that I use to gather all my information and thoughts and on-location photos and updates from the city of Durham.

Check it out at-

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2070524716/you-can-feature-in-my-detective-novel-based-in-dur?ref=user_menu

North East England is a great base for a ferry trip to Amsterdam

The North East of England has a great deal to offer itself but it can also be an ideal base to explore other parts of the UK or further afield. You can get a ferry to Amsterdam or enjoy a mini cruise to Amsterdam from North Shields. It is an overnight service so you leave in the early evening, enjoy the food, drink and entertainment that the ferry to Amsterdam has to offer before sleeping the night and arriving at around 9.30 am the next morning. With daily ferries, it is a great way to visit Amsterdam!

This is the view as the ferry leaves the terminal and it is just the start of a relaxing way to visit the continent. You can enjoy the views, watch one of six movies shown on the way, eat in one of the many restaurants on offer or have a drink in one of the bars. When you reach Amsterdam there is so much to do.

The canals of Amsterdam are great-

There are many museums to choose from from the beauty of the Rijksmuseum and the Rembrandt Museum to some of the more ridiculous offerings that Amsterdam is famous for. The city of Amsterdam is one of many pleasures for the traveler whatever they are looking for. There is something for groups of friends, young couples, families and those a little older looking for some culture. It is something that everyone should try after a trip on a ferry to Amsterdam.

Give it a go!!!

What is the Durham Cathedral sanctuary knocker all about?

The big knocker on the northern door of Durham Cathedral is known as the Sanctuary Knocker. It has long played a part in the history of Durham Cathedral. Anyone who had committed an offence such as murder in self-defence or breaking from prison, could knock the knocker, and would then be given 37 days of sanctuary within the cathedral. In this time they were expected to try reconciliation with their enemies or plan their route of escape.

The Durham Cathedral Sanctuary Knocker is mentioned as far back as 1593, in a book called The Rites of Durham.

Find out more detail on the Durham World Heritage Site website.

The beautiful Durham Dales are a vision in green!

At any time of the year the Durham Dales are spectacular and beautiful. Whether it is the snow of winter or the shades of brown in autumn, they are a beautiful sight. But my favourite time of the year in the Durham Dales is spring, with the green colours-

These photos were taken just outside the lovely village of Middleton-in-Teesdale which is a great place to visit and stop for a nice cup of tea. Check them out http://www.middletonplus.org.uk/

The Durham Dales are a must for any visitor to the North East of England so put it on your list.

High Force waterfall is a sight to behold

High Force waterfall is the heart of the Durham Dales and is a great place to visit for young and old. It is a leisurely walk from the car park and pub down to the waterfall through a wooded area.

The High Force waterfall itself is quite spectacular and , depending on the amount of rainfall in the previous few days, can be very powerful-

Gone are the days from my childhood where you could stand at the top of the waterfall and feel the force of the water pass you by as you stood there, but with safety in mind that is probably just as well.

Check out the visitor details at http://www.highforcewaterfall.com/

A great trip to Egglestone Abbey

Egglestone Abbey is the remnants of a 12th century monastery and it is a great place for the kids to run around while the grown-ups take a look at the Abbey and see what life was like in the past. It is free to enter Egglestone Abbey and free to park so it is a cheap trip to see something interesting.

There are cows in a field next to the car park-

Egglestone Abbey itself is the ruins of an old abbey-

And it is quite impressive to see.

Take a trip there. Egglestone Abbey is not far from Barnard Castle, past the Bowes Museum and is well worth a visit.

Check out all the details here-

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/egglestone-abbey/

Redcar is a nice day out when visiting the North East of England

Visit Redcar

Redcar is a nice place to go when the sun is shining in the Spring or Summer. Although it consists of a town centre that really has seen better days, there is still something to be had here for the visitor to Redcar. As you would expect from a seaside town there is an excellent choice when it comes to Redcar fish and chip shops or Redcar ice cream parlours. Add in the expected fast food choices and the ever-growing presence of Costa and you will never be stuck for a cuppa, a snack or a meal when in town.

Amusement Arcades

Again, as you would expect from the seaside town that Redcar is, you can find amusement arcades and the like along the coastal road opposite the seafront. These places have changed remarkably since my childhood as games consoles can now match anything that an arcade machine can produce. But you can Still have fun to a degree and while away some time with the children.

Redcar Beach

The beach itself is where a lot of Redcar's beauty lies. It is an unbroken stretch of (almost) golden sand that is a great place to walk the dog, play with the kids or just relax. You can walk for miles and just enjoy what the views can provide. I'm not one who has strong views against wind farms, which Redcar has out at sea. It doesn't detract from the beauty for me.

Redcar Vertical Pier

Nor does the much maligned vertical pier at the seafront. It isn't fantastically designed but it is unique and adds to the interest level. It contains a nice cafe at the bottom, several workshops they contain arty shops and there is a great view from the top balcony of the sea and over to Middlesbrough across all the heavy industry.

Marske

At the southern end of Redcar you will find the nice village of Marske which has some nice shops and cafes - the type that are missing in Redcar itself.

Give it a go on your trip to North East England.

North East England embraces spice, and will love Mannys Sauces

North East England has its ups and downs in terms of food. We go from the High Street masses of Greggs to several Michelin-starred restaurants. But one thing that I have experienced in the North East that I perhaps didn't expect was an addiction to spice. For a part of the country that hasn't experienced the same amount of immigration as London or The Midlands but the people here have embraced food from all over the world.

The people of the North East and its surrounds have taken spicy food to their heart, from Chinatown in Newcastle to Bradford winning curry capital 5 years in a row-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-34586019

And if spicy food is something that you are interested in then you need look no further than Mannys Sauces. They have a variety of options for the discerning customer and were set up by Manny. Here is his story-

“As any other person in the world, I had a huge dream - to open the first Piri-Piri Chicken Restaurant in the world, and then spread this dream to every corner of the planet. It wouldn’t be easy to achieve, but neither was it impossible. I had the will, the courage, the faith and family support to make it come true. Early in 1985, I sold my home to open the first piri-piri chicken restaurant outside of Mozambique. CHICKENLAND was the chosen name and Johannesburg, South Africa was the birth place of my dream! After a short while, I was making, bottling and selling a range of 5 different Piri-Piri Sauces and Marinades. After a slow start, the business was a stunning success! The name quickly spread across the city and everyone was talking about this new food place that was taking the food industry by storm.

The business success was proven! The next step was expansion to other parts of the city, country and abroad, and many people tried to get financially involved. Expansion included a need for capital and people, and so in 1987, I sold some of my business shares to two young men: one of Portuguese origin and the other, a South African of Jewish origin. Shortly after they joined, the business name was changed to NANDOS. Chickenland was a nice name, but according to marketing experts at the time, it was felt that the business should be backed by a personal name before the expansion took place. Between MANNYS and NANDOS, I was out-voted two to one, and the latter name was chosen. Despite a few initial problems, the expansion started taking off and now more than ever, the success was tremendous!

A few years later, the rug was pulled out from under my feet and I was forced to leave my business. I lost my dream; one of the best things in my life after my family. After this happened, I opened a few other restaurants including Chickenland in Portugal, but these weren’t my dream. It was a way to make a living, but it wasn’t my passion. It took me a long time to recover from what happened, but I was determined and pushed through until another dream emerged; to make the best sauces and speciality food products in the world! MANNYS SAUCES is now my new dream! Once again I can see this new dream taking shape and growing strong all the way to the TOP! The passion is back and I again have the will, the faith, the support of my family, and the support of so many loyal customers that know and appreciate the high quality products that we make. I am forever grateful to my family and my customers for their support and the divine forces for showing me the way.

Manny x”

There are three of Mannys Sauces that I’d recommend for those with more discerning tastebuds-

The Original Piri-Piri Sauce

This is the classic - and you don't mess with a classic! It's a taste that has to be tried to be believed. It mixes the heat of the chilli with the depth of flavour that you require from a sauce or marinade. In fact, Manny guarantees that it is the tastiest Piri-Piri in the land. Try it and you won’t be disappointed.

Curry Sauce

Make the most delicious and healthy curry in your own home, without any hard work or effort! Whether you use beef, lamb, chicken, fish or seafood, add this sauce to create the most delicious and flavoursome curry.

Meat Marinade

Excellent marinade created to marinate any meat, but can also be used with fish or seafood. Make the best BBQs, roasts, or stews. The contents of a 250ml bottle will marinate 3kg of meat.

And don't forget the selection of cured meats. One of these is presunt, a very tasy and popular Portuguese-style parma ham and is great for any occasion.

The North East hasn’t seen anything quite like it before. Try the whole collection, they are delicious. Mannys Sauces can be contacted in various ways, which is befitting modern business. If you want to contact them, follow them or just find out more then you can try-

www.twitter.com/Mannyssauces

www.facebook.com/Mannyssauces

www.youtube.com/channel/UCPvHPFfaz5yJRTtlv_ViDPQ

www.mannyssauces.com

See why wearing a coat will probably mark you out as an outsider

No blog on the North East of England would be complete without a mention of the weather. Yes, it's colder, wetter and windier than most of the rest of the United Kingdom and definitely more so than the rest of England, although the North West may challenge it on the rain front.

The arctic wind off the North Sea is what changes everything for me. It literally transforms whatever other weather conditions already present. For example, a cold winters day of around 5 or 6 degrees centigrade feels like minus 5 or 6 when the wind factor is added. On a cold wintry day the wind does feel as though it is blowing straight through you. Even in the Summer, when the wind off the North Sea is present it can quickly become coat weather.

But this is where the people of the North East differ from everywhere else I've been  in this country, indeed everywhere else I've been in the world. What you or I would consider cost weather barely raises a jacket in North East England. Walk through the local town centre on one of these minus-5-or-6-feeling days and many of the men will be wearing just a t-shirt and maybe a pair of shorts; the women often in a short-sleeved top. You definitely feel and look like the visitor from Outer Space as you walk around in a coat.

The next level is a trip to a football match for one of the local teams - Sunderland, Middlesbrough or Newcastle United. There will be thousands upon thousands of fans at the stadiums throughout the winter months wearing only the shirt of their favoured team. The weather can be frightful, the fans can have walked miles to get to the match but week in, week out the required outfit is a football shirt.

I went to university in another northern town, North West this time, and in my halls of residence I became friendly with 2 guys from the North East. One was from Newcastle and the other from a small town near Northallerton. We walked a long a cold, rainy and windy January seafront one night, about two miles to a pool bar further into the town centre. Being North Easterners, my friends wore their standard uniform of jeans and a t-shirt. When we got to the pool bar there were bouncers on the door (it was that type of town) and they stopped us.

"Not really dressed for it, are we boys!"

"Oh. We didn't realise there was a dress code."

"There isn't. It's just that it's bloody freezing and you two are wearing t-shirts."

And for me, this exchange sums up the North East, weather and clothing.

Temperature figures

The North East of England is noted for it's weather, usually as some sort of insult from those that live in the South. The temperature figures show a few differences but nothing life-altering. I've taken these figures from the Met Office website (what else have they to do now the BBC won't be using them) and you can search your own UK places here - http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/

I've used London and Newcastle as being indicative of the South East and the North East, although London figures will always be slightly skewed due to the size of the city and the activity levels.

London

Month	Max. temp (°C)	Min. temp (°C)	Days of air frost (days)	Sunshine (hours)	Rainfall (mm)	Days of rainfall >= 1 mm (days)
Jan	8.1	3.1	6.6	44.7	41.6	11.4
Feb	8.6	2.7	7.6	65.4	36.3	8.5
Mar	11.6	4.6	2.8	101.7	40.3	9.8
Apr	14.6	5.9	0.8	148.3	40.1	9.0
May	18.1	8.9	0.1	170.9	44.9	9.2
Jun	21.0	11.8	0.0	171.4	47.4	7.4
Jul	23.4	13.7	0.0	176.7	34.6	6.3
Aug	23.1	13.8	0.0	186.1	54.3	8.1
Sep	20.0	11.4	0.0	133.9	51.0	8.6
Oct	15.5	8.8	0.4	105.4	61.1	10.9
Nov	11.3	5.8	2.7	59.6	57.5	10.9
Dec	8.4	3.4	7.6	45.8	48.4	9.5
Annual	15.3	7.8	28.6	1410.0	557.4	109.4

Newcastle

Month	Max. temp (°C)	Min. temp (°C)	Days of air frost (days)	Sunshine (hours)	Rainfall (mm)	Days of rainfall >= 1 mm (days)
Jan	7.2	2.2	5.9	61.1	45.5	9.8
Feb	7.3	2.2	6.1	81.6	37.8	7.6
Mar	9.0	3.3	2.6	117.7	43.9	8.7
Apr	10.3	4.8	0.7	149.9	45.4	8.2
May	12.7	7.2	0.1	191.7	43.2	8.3
Jun	15.6	10.0	0.0	183.0	51.9	8.7
Jul	18.1	12.3	0.0	185.7	47.6	8.6
Aug	18.1	12.3	0.0	174.9	59.6	9.2
Sep	16.1	10.4	0.0	141.1	53.0	8.1
Oct	13.2	7.7	0.1	106.2	53.6	10.7
Nov	9.7	4.9	1.7	70.4	62.8	11.6
Dec	7.4	2.5	6.5	51.9	52.9	10.1
Annual	12.1	6.7	23.6	1515.0	597.2	109.5

There are differences, but they are subtle. Annual Average Maximum temperatures (daytime) are 3.2 degrees warmer in London, and Average Minimum Temperatures (nighttime) are 1.1 degrees warmer. Over the course of a year, London receives 105 hours more sunshine than Newcastle but only 0.1 days less of rain. One areas of real surprise was that Londoners experience 5 days a year more air frost than the inhabitants of Newcastle-upon-Tyne - which may well explain the t-shirts that Geordies insist on wearing all year round.

Wear what you feel you need to keep warm, but be aware on a visit to the North East of England that if you wear a coat then you'll probably be in the minority.