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.

Redcar and Saltburn are a great place to spend some time (and eat) on an Autumn day

It didn't look like it was going to become a nice day from the start but Saturday turned out to be a really nice day. It started with a trip to Teesside Park for a small scale version of retail therapy.

But once the boring bit was out of the way it was on to Redcar and Saltburn to get those last few hours of seaside time before the weather really is too poor to be able to enjoy it all. The weather turned out quite nice in the end and it was warm in the sunshine, although not really warm enough for sitting on the beach. There were plenty of people in and around Redcar making the most of it.

Redcar is an interesting town with a seafront, a town centre that isn't as bad as many in the North East, the vertical pier and a few places to grab something to eat. Lemon tops are a local favourite and they are a welcome change from the standard fayre of seaside resorts - the vanilla ice cream. They are essentially a vanilla ice cream topped with a type of lemon sorbet and the mix of the two tastes great whether you are having one in the baking sun of mid Summer or strolling along the promenade in late Autumn.I heartily recommend one whenever you go to Redcar with Pacittos being the long-time local favourite place to get one.

The Zetland Lifeboat Museum and Redcar Heritage Centre gives an insight into the past of Redcar and how it was a centre for fishing until fairly recently. It is a mall museum but gives enough detail so that you can get a real feel of the area. The shutting down of many of the local industries also goes a long way to explaining some of the economic deprivation seen today in the area.

Saltburn is another place altogether. The official title is Saltburn-by-the-Sea and was formed by John Pease, a Quaker, Although the sea and beach feel as though you are just a short hop away from Redcar, the place has a more serene and austere feel to it. There are still areas of social deprivation but they sit among nice tea shops, antique centres and a lively surfing scene. Saltburn has become one of the places to be on the coast in this area.

We got there after lunch on a good Autumn day so parking was at an absolute premium. It takes a long time to get the right parking spaces in Saltburn so if you are going for a few hours try to get there in the morning or prepare to do a little walking - especially up and down the cliffs. In the summer months there is an operational cliff lift that is a joy to watch or ride on but this closes for the winter.This is a Victorian seaside resort that has kept some Victorian values and updated it with quality fish and chips (The Ship Inn is the best choice but you can't go wrong anywhere!)

If you haven't been to Redcar or Saltburn then I recommend you take a trip. If there are any more decent weekends left this year then get to the coast and have a walk along the seafront at both of these locations. You won'tr be disappointed!

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.

Visit the hidden gem that is the City of Durham

As a city, it has been lost in the media images of the North East of England, as Newcastle and Sunderland take centre stage, not least because of their Premier League football teams. But Durham is the city that I have visited that most fits the tag 'hidden gem.' It is quite simply beautiful. It has the heady combination of the natural beauty of the River Wear circling and winding through the city, and the man made beauty of the cathedral, the castle and countless old bridges. I love this city.

Even through the North East England winters and the wet Summer days the city shines through in every aspect. Bill Bryson enthused about it in his book Notes From A Small Island: Journey Through Britain and rightly so.

It is a wonderful city with a rich past and a vibrant future. The number of residents in the city swells every September with the annual migration of students and this helps to keep the city fresh and vibrant. The cathedral and castle dominate the skyline and remind you of just how old this city actually is.

Over the coming blogs I will share with you my experience of Durham, the history of Durham, the photographs I have taken of Durham and the best places to visit in and around the city.