Peter Pan Panto At The Tyne Theatre Review

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Fly away to Neverland this Christmas with Peter Pan at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House in Newcastle. Staring Tyne Theatre panto favourites Lewis Denny and Charlie Richmond along with Eastenders Matt Lapinsky, X Factors Sam Lavery and CBBC's Cleo Demetirou. Last years villan (Gaston last year) actor Micky Cochrane returns this year as baddie Captain Hook and Phoebe Garr is a cheeky Geordie Tinkerbell. 

From the moment the lights went down we were in for a treat with an opening Greatest Showman song routine. There was so many great pop songs throughout the show that audience members young and old will recognise and the vocals from the panto stars were spot on. 

Cinderella Panto At Whitley Bay Playhouse 2023 Review

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Regular readers will know that we adore the Pantomimes at Whitley Bay Playhouse and have been going to see them every year since 2016! Going to the panto here is like meeting up with old friends and you know you are going to be in for a giggle and leave feeling all festive and happy. We also love the Playhouse venue as it is so comfy and is local to us as we live in North Tyneside. 

Cinderella 

This year's pantomime is Cinderella and is the fastest selling Playhouse Panto with many dates already sold out! That shows just how popular this gem of a show really is. Playhouse legend Steve Walls is back again for his 13th year at Whitley Bay and is playing Buttons - this year. It also sees the return of  Daniel Mawston as Dame Patsy who is joined by Luke Martin as Dame Idena. Father and son double act Simmons and Simmons who stared in last years Aladdin return again as Null and Void, and once again bring plenty of slapstick humour. 

A Festive Meal At Trenchers Spanish City Whitley Bay

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Are you looking for a nice festive meal out with family, friends or work colleagues that is not a traditional Christmas lunch? If so I have found the perfect place for you, Trenchers at Spanish City in Whitley Bay. They have a festive menu priced at £23.00 for two courses or £28.00 for three courses. I was kindly invited along to try it out with my dad last week, read on to find out what we thought.

I love Trenchers at Spanish City, I have visited previously with the children for fish and chips which you can read about here. Spanish City is a beautiful venue right by the sea, it looked even more beautiful decorated for Christmas with an impressive tree (it was huge) taking centre stage. 

New Year Plans 2023

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We have never really celebrated New Year as we always have the children and they go to bed well before the clock strikes midnight. However now they are getting older we have been thinking about celebrating for once as I think it would be nice to celebrate it for a change. I would love to go away for New Year. My husband suggested going to Scotland for new year as they celebrate it better then we do with Hogmanay. 

While I adore Edinburgh we always go there and it is so busy for New Year so I have been looking at Glasgow instead. Glasgow is somewhere that we have never been before but have always wanted to visit and it is only a couple of hours away from Newcastle. 

Treetop Mini Golf Metrocentre

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Treetop Mini Golf has branches around the UK and it recently opened a branch here in the North East at the Metrocentre. There are two 18 hole courses to choose from - Tropical Trail which is rainforest theme and Ancient Explorer which we decided to try out and was ancient Amazonian themed. 

Family Fright Fest

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Looking for a spooky Halloween themed day out in the North East? Well Family Fright Fest is the perfect Halloween themed family day out for the whole family. Located at Lintz Hall Farm in Burnopfield - on the same site as the popular adult event Psychopath you will find Family Fright Fest. Read on to find out everything you need to know. 

What Is Family Fright Fest

Pumpkin Patch UK Review

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The people behind Family Fright Fest and Psycopath have launched a brand new Pumpkin Patch this year called Pumpkin Patch UK and we were invited along for opening weekend. Located at Lintz Hall farm in Burnopfield you will find Pumpkin Patch UK situated on the same site as sister events Psychopath and Family Fright Fest. 

Kafeneon Greek Restaurant Newcastle

 

One of my favourite places to eat in Newcastle is Kafeneon Greek, located in the Bigg Market area of Newcastle. As it is so centrally located it is ideal for a lunch date while shopping or as a evening meal before a show or for date night. I have visited a few times over the years and each time I have really enjoyed my visit to Kafeneon. 

I recently visited with my adult daughter before we went to see a show at the Tyne Theatre, it was her first time visiting and she really enjoyed it too. As we were visiting before a theatre show we arrived at around 5pm and managed to get a seat straight away. There was plenty of people sitting outdoors enjoying the last of the sun on the terrace but we decided to dine indoors. 

Newcastle United - St James Park Stadium Tour

 

My husband and son are huge Newcastle fans and we are definitely a football household as my 9 year old son plays football five times a week with his grassroot teams and my husband is a coach at the local football club. They have been lucky enough to go to some Newcastle matches at St James park (tickets are like gold dust these days) and my son loves anything to do with Newcastle, so we decided to book a stadium tour as part of his 9th birthday celebrations recently. 

Brocksbushes Pumpkin Patch

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Autumn is here and that means one thing all thing's pumpkin related! Pumpkin Patches are getting so popular and there is a few here in the North East now, one of which is Brocksbushes Farm Pumpkin Patch in Northumberland. We visited at the weekend, read on to find out what we thought. 

Lal Qila Indian Restaurant Cramlington

 

As a family we love Indian food and for many years we went to our local Indian restaurant for Christmas dinner. There are tons of Indian restaurants here in the North East but one of our all time favourites - that I have been going to since I was a child in the 90s is the Lal Qila in Cramlington, Northumberland. Situated right outside of Manor Walks shopping centre in the town centre you will find the Lal Qila. 

The Lal Qila is popular with locals and I would recommend booking a table if your planning on visiting, especially if your visiting when they have the cheaper Thursday night special deal on as it gets busy. We visited on a Tuesday evening on our most recent visit a couple of weeks ago but still pre booked a table just to be safe. 

YuMe World Newcastle Review

Looking for something fun to do with the kids in Newcastle? Then what about a visit to YuMe World located in the Gate.  I visited recently with my 9 and 10 year old and they both had so much fun. 

What Is YuMe World? 

YuMe World is a arcade and virtual reality centre located upstairs in the Gate complex, right in the centre of Newcastle. It is packed with arcade favourites from grab a prize machines, 2p machines, air hockey, video games and it even has a virtual reality area. It is quiet big inside and there are so many different machines and games to play on, there really is something for the whole family. 

There are family friendly games like Mario Kart and Lugi mansion and just dance aswell as slightly older shooting and racing games. There are no gambling slot machines or anything it is just fun games to play with your friends or family. 

Gamezone Events Gaming Party Van Review

 

Last month my son turned nine and we booked a gaming van from Gamezone Events and it was such a hit! It is perfect for a gaming themed birthday party and it was the most stress free party we have ever had. If you have a gaming fan and your looking for a party idea then read on to find out what we thought of Gamezone Events. 

Gamezone Events Gaming Party Van 

Gamezone Events gaming party van is a mobile gaming van that is decked out with eleven of the latest video game consoles and they are all stacked with games. They have two vans that are identical and you can even book both if you are having a larger event. Children sit on a big bench style seating in the back of the van and there are screens attached to the opposite wall and they can sit and play on video games. 

Fish And Chips At Spanish City Whitley Bay

 

Visiting Whitley Bay and looking for somewhere for fish and chips? Then read on to find out all about fish and chips at Trenchers restaurant in Spanish City right on the seafront. 

Spanish City 

The iconic Spanish City dome reopened a few years ago after restoration from its funfair heyday. The huge dome shaped building is located right on the seafront in Whitley bay and it is hard to miss it. It is a wedding venue, restaurant, tea room and also has a few shops and bars at the front too, as well as the very popular Trenchers fish and chip restaurant. Trenchers offer a eat in or take away service, perfect for if you want to enjoy your chips on the beach just a stones throw away. 

Spanish City is imposing and rather grand looking and it feels a bit special visiting as it has lovely high-ceilings and is tastefully decorated. There is a small car park right behind the venue or there is a much bigger car park just a few minutes walk away on the seafront which we always use. 

A Family Day Out With The Shields Ferry

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The Shields ferry is such a great way to start a family day out and we recently used it to have a fun-filled family day out in South Shields. The Shields ferry runs every half an hour across the river Tyne between North and South Shields, journeys take under 10 minutes and it is such a fun way to travel. Even better children aged 11 and under travel completely free with a fare paying adult, making it a super affordable way to travel around the region.

Geisha Asia Newcastle Review

 

Geisha Newcastle must be one of the most instagrammable restaurant here in Newcastle. It has beautiful decor, cute photo opportunities, delicious food and cracking cocktails. Earlier in the year it moved premises and is now located in Benton (not far from four lane ends metro). When it moved venues it also changed slightly and it now also offers Italian food downstairs in Geisha Italia and upstairs is Geisha Asia. 

A few weeks ago myself and my husband visited Geisha Asia one weekday lunchtime and took advantage of the lunchtime offers which are great value! If dining in Geisha Asia Monday to Friday between 12 - 5pm you can order two dishes from the daytime special menu for just £12. They also have a offer on cocktails all day Sunday to Thursday and on Fridays until 5pm where you can get two selected cocktails for £12 - I highly recommend the strawberry daiquiri. 

Life Science Centre Newcastle - Review

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It has been a few years since we last visited the Life Science Centre in Newcastle and now the children are a bit older at 8 and 10 years old, it was like a whole new experience. The children had such a great time they didn't want to leave! So read on to see what we thought. 

The Life Science Centre is located in Times Square - right next to the central train station in Newcastle city centre. Getting there is easy with public transport, the central station metro station is just a few minutes walk and there are bus stops nearby and the Times Square car park just a short walk away too. 

Yo Sushi With Kids

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This summer kids eat for free at Yo Sushi so we went along to see what dining at Yo Sushi with kids was like. We visited the Metrocentre branch but here in the north east we also have a branch in Newcastle city centre on Grainger Street too which I visited all the way back in 2017. 

I am sure you are all familiar with the Yo Sushi concept that food goes around on the conveyor belt and you can pick dishes from the belt to enjoy. Each plate is colour coded and different plates are different prices - prices range from £2.95 - £8.50 per plate depending on what you select. You can pick as many plates as you like and at the end they add all the plates up and you pay for what you have had. 

Gorilla Bowling Eldon Square Newcastle

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Did you know that there is a bowling alley inside Eldon Square shopping centre right in the heart of Newcastle city centre? Located upstairs in the Eldon Leisure complex above the greys quarter dining area you will fine Gorilla Bowl right next door to the soft play. The central city centre location make it perfect for a fun activity with friends or family when in Newcastle. 

UK Festivals To Visit In Your Caravan

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Festivals by caravan - truly, the best of both worlds

These days the word 'festival' can describe anything from a chilled out weekend of star-gazing to a full on rave. In fact, the only thing most festivals have in common is the queue for the loos. 

That's why taking your caravan with you is such a great idea. Not only do you have your own facilities, but all thoughts of damp duvets and uncomfortable groundsheets go right out the window. Yet you still get to enjoy all the best aspects of festival life.

With this win-win in mind, check out this handy round up of some of the most interesting UK festivals - including some cool city centre options close to caravan parks. Whether you're a newbie or a pro, you should hopefully find something to inspire you.

Clip n Climb Metrocentre Review

 

Looking for something fun to do in the Metrocentre, well what about Clip n Climb? We visited recently with my children aged 8 and 9 years old and they had great fun. 

Located inside the Metrocentre shopping mall in  Tyne and Wear, near to Namco funscape and the cinema you will find Clip n Climb. You can't miss it as the climbing walls and obstacles are fun, colourful and some are very high and go up to the first floor of the centre. There are 26 different challenges varying in difficulty and height. 

Mr Mulligans Space Golf Newcastle Review

 

Looking for something fun to do in Newcastle city centre with your family? Well what about Mr Mulligans Space golf? We went recently and it was tons of fun for the whole family. 

Mr Mulligans is a space themed indoor mini golf located just outside of the Gate complex in Newcastle city centre next to Zaap Thai and Turtle Bay. There are three courses to choose from easy, medium and hard and you can play any of the courses you like. They also have arcade type games, pool tables and electro-darts for an extra charge and they serve food and drinks. 

Zaap Thai Street Food Newcastle Review

 

Recently myself and my husband visited Zaap Thai Street Food in Newcastle for lunch and it was lush! It was the first time we had visited but it certainly won't be the last as the food was delicious, service was great and the decor was fun. Read on to see what we ate, prices and what we thought of the whole experience. 

Zaap Newcastle is located just outside of the Gate complex in the city centre next to Mr Mulligans space golf and Turtle Bay restaurant. I have walked past it hundreds of times and always said I would visit but never got around to it, so when myself and my husband found ourselves in Newcastle one rare week day lunch time we decided it was time to try Zaap out once and for all. 

Should I Buy Pet Insurance? 5 Things You Need To Know

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As pet owners, we understand that pets are family members. They provide us with love and companionship, and we want to do everything we can to give them the best possible care. That's why it makes sense to take care of our pets as well. After all, they're part of our family too. However, taking good care of your pet doesn't always come cheap. That's why many pet lovers get pet insurance to cover expenses for unexpected medical attention or emergency veterinary services.