THE GEORDIE SHORES

THIS weekend saw us driving from Birmingham [in what seemed like God's wrath] to Newcastle to see family.

What you don't see here is the gigantic bolt of lightening that appeared

two seconds earlier.

And though the weather was as dubious as Hugh Heffner's libido, the journey taught me that

      a] Service stations look practically space age compared to the last time I went into one, and

      b] Family car journeys are just as fun ten years on.

Here's a few things we did when we arrived:

Dodged the rain to see the sights,

walked alongside the Baltic,

admired the many wonderful bridges [definitely reminded me of London and Paris],

marvelled at the stained glass windows of the Crown Posada, the

second oldest pub in Newcastle, also boasting excellent taste in music

and lovely wooden panelling [girl talk],

had some Crabbies at the Crown Posada

[consequently passing out from the sugar crash]

and took the 'Curry Train' to The Valley Indian Restaurant in Corbridge.

This was an experience in itself! Two gentleman greet you at the train station dressed in

traditional Indian clothing. Once on the train you're offered drinks and asked for your order; starters and main dishes only as you are given a selection and unlimited supply of side dishes and rice to accompany your chosen plates.
After a very scenic journey through beautiful fields and lots of greenery you arrive at the station and, at the same time, at the restaurant which is located on the platform [how convenient?!]. Once at the restaurant and after a few drinks, you're taken to your table [already having ordered on the train]. What follows is some beautifully cooked, completely fresh food and possibly the largest Tandoori King Prawns I have ever seen. We were a party of eight and all had nothing but good things to say about the food, as well as the service. I thoroughly recommend this experience if visiting Newcastle!

This weekend will see me venturing no further than Birmingham city centre so I can perform for Elicit at Talk Bar where i'll be playing through an acoustic set at around 8:30pm. You'll get five live acts, three DJs and a partridge in a pair tree for your money which is pretty good going.

love

STANLEY