Tynemouth Market - Treasure for All

I thought when going to Tynemouth Market that I was off to an arts & crafts market. That is the Sunday version. Turning up on a Saturday one encounters the flea-market format.

There were wonderful aromas from food stalls. The Caribbean one with its beaming hostess was oh so inviting. Other highlights for me included an organic bakery stall, where I was impressed to meet a loaf of beetroot bread, a lush pink sourdough, for the first time in my life.

For the long-standing collection of my 'mater-in-law' (my ex' Mater), I sourced a couple of pieces of the long defunct green Jasperware by Wedgwood from a ceramic stall by the café. So I was a happy chap.

[Image description: wooden cherry bowl on cherry flooring]

From a crafty craft stall by the restaurant my friend bought for and gifted to me an artisan turned cherrywood bowl, from a tree that lived and perished in Tynemouth itself, even coming with a label recounting its provenance.

My chum's little lad found some second-hand Lego - so he was happy too.

Only Mum came away with nothing but memories.

Next time I am up in the North-East, I shall look forward to the Sabbath event and purchasing something for my walls at home.

Access Issues

You need to arrive early to park close by - there is no designated disabled parking that we could see. Wheelchairs would be diffiult to manœuvre through some of the stalls. The mobility-impaired cannot cross the train-lines to the other side. There is no seating for resting, other than some of the eateries.

[Image description: wooden cherry bowl on cherry flooring, birds'-eye view]

Longsands Beach, Tynemouth

There's something for anyone happy to entertain themselves on a beach at Longsands.

[Image description: view of the beach at time of writing;

from live-cam, © & courtesy tynemouth.org.uk]

Parking is very limited here. The pathway and roadway from the road to the beach and beach-café is very steep. If one cannot park near the bottom, I would not want to be wheeled down in my wheelchair and I certainly could not self-wheel down the steep gradient.

We were lucky to stake claim to a parking-slot. My chum & I sat on the verandah of the beach-café and observed my companion teaching and helping her son fly a kite. That kept them occupied for a good hour. Occasionally needing to avoid the one other kite-flyer.

There are rocks to explore and plenty of golden sand for castle-construction. Many locals use this particular stretch of sea for surfing. Others play soccer matches in livery or simple kick-about in casual clothing. Still others just stroll from one end to t'other some with dogs by their sides. There were lots and lots of folk using the beach for one thing or another the day I visited, despite a cold wind blowing onshore.

Looking forward to returning. I know the lad wants to fly his kite again. %)