For whatever we lose, it's always ourselves that we find in the sea.

My siblings left me today.  They flew back to sunny CA this morning and I have to say, I was sad to see them get in the cab to head to the airport.  We had such an amazing 10 days together.  Traveling around the UK with your three siblings is something most people don't get to do and I am so thankful that the Fairman sibs had the opportunity to do it.  With that being said, I now have some time to catch up on my blog and regale you all with the adventures that have taken place in the last week or so. 

Last Saturday, the sibs and I followed the Tyne River to Tynemouth, a small town on the coast of the Red Sea.  Josh couldn't come with us, he has a midterm and a final next week and so it's study study study for him.  I have vowed to get him to Tynemouth at least once before we leave the UK in May.  I've been to Tynemouth once before for a weekend market and if you are interested in that you can read about it here.  However, on this particular Saturday, we were interested in eating good fish and chips, seeing the Tynemouth Priory and Castle, and enjoying a surprisingly sunny day at the coast.  We took the metro from Newcastle to Tynemouth and arrived with our tummies grumbling for some fish and chips.  If you live in Newcastle, then you've heard that "Marshall's: The Fryery by the Priory," is the place to go to fill the greasy fish and chips need.  It is always packed with lines more than a block down the street, but we decided that since we were in Tynemouth, we would wait it out. Marshall's did not disappoint.  I'm not going to say that this was the healthiest of meals, but it was definitely yummy.

Marshall's Fish and Chips

Side Note:  There was also an item on the Marshall's menu called "Chips in a Bun."  I kid you not, there were people seated around us eating french fries in a bun, with more french fries on the side.  Strange.

After filling our bellies to the brim, we headed down the street toward the coastline.  Overlooking the sea are the beautiful ruins of the Tynemouth Castle and Priory.  It really is a sight to see.  The ruins stand out in the small coastal town and lay at the front of the town as if protecting it from anything the sea might try to dump on it.

We payed the 4 pound charge to go inside the ruins and I think that the four of us all agreed it was worth it.  They are absolutely stunning.  And, there really is a lot more to see than you might think when looking at it from the outside.  We went in with only an hour left before they closed.  We were the last to leave, and we probably could have stayed a bit longer.

Tynemouth Priory

Having a little too much fun.

After getting our fill of the priory, we headed out to the North Pier Lighthouse.  It was a little bit of a walk, but the sun was beginning to go down and the reflection on the water was just breathtaking. 

 Before leaving Tynemouth, we stopped at a little coffee house called Mr. Woods Coffee for some treats and a cup of joe.  Then we headed back to the metro set for Newcastle.  It might not have been our typical California beach day at the Pacific Ocean filled with two pieces, sandcastles, sun tan oil, and wave tag,  but it was a day at the coast that none of us will soon forget.

To Market To Market...

Today Julie, Chelsea, Alta, Krew, Amberlea, Tammy, and I ventured over to Tynemouth to check out the weekend market.  It goes on every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am to 4:00pm at Tynemouth Station.  The station opened in 1882 as a train station and has since been converted into a metro station.  It's a very large station and still manages to keep a sense of the old Victorian era. It's beautiful and best of all, it's covered meaning that you can have lots of fun rain or shine.  Tons of traders flock to the station every weekend to sell their antiques and kinck knacks and this Saturday, the SO's of SGU Newcastle were there to barter with them.

We all met around 10:00am and headed to the coast.  After this trip, I am mad that this is the first time I have ever been to Tynemouth as it was soooo much fun.  When we got off the metro we knew we were in the right spot.  Hundreds of people were meandering around the station looking at the odds and ends at different tables.  It was honestly a little overwhelming at first but after a minute or two, I felt like a kid in a candy store.  So many hidden treasures could be found here!

 We all started wandering around in different directions looking at all the fun things.  If it wasn't for my bright yellow coat, we might have really gotten separated from each other at times.  I found so many different things that I wanted to buy.  I could just picture in my head some of the household items I could use to decorate a house with.  I wanted everything, I needed everything, but of course I couldn't buy everything.  Besides the fact that money is not in large supply, how would I even get half this stuff home.  Here are some of the things I might have purchased if I could get them home.

I don't even really know what this is exactly. But I like it.

Love the bread box...and the pink pitcher.

So cute in my kitchen.

Pretty much wanted to buy just about everything in this picture.

What girl wouldn't want to own the pink chair!

In love with these handmade quilts, but I doubt we'd need them in Grenada.

Leopard Chair....who doesn't have to have that!

Cute mirror and cute girls!



I think I NEED to own a leather suitcase.

We kept wandering and I think all of us made at least one purchase.  Here is what I didn't buy but really wish I had. Though my husband probably would have killed me, not because of the price but because of the functionality....but really, what is functional anyway?!

Why didn't I get this?! If I go back and it's there...Mom says I HAVE to get it.

We took a few photos in the station.  And a few shots of the station itself.  It really is amazing.



Me, Alta, Krew, Amberlea



Krew

Julie and Krew playing with cars

 I did make a couple of purchases that I am excited about because honestly, how could you NOT buy something here.

Can't wait to hang this wooden sign in the entry way or kitchen.

I plan to put an arrangement of fake flowers in here to display in the kitchen as well.

After a few hours, we finally made it out of the station and into the small town of Tynemouth.  It is such a cute coastal town and reminds me a lot of Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, or Morrow Bay minus the centuries old buildings and English accents of course.

Tynemouth

Such a pretty old church.

The pinkest bus I've ever seen.

I think this would be a fun school to go to.



We did some shopping in Tynemouth. This place was so cute!

After all this shopping and bargaining, we were getting pretty hungry.  We really wanted to eat here:

because apparently they have the best fish and chips ever (Probably the equivalence of Splash Cafe for all of my Bakersfield friends).  But they were super crowded and we decided that maybe we would attempt to go there on our next trip to Tynemouth.  Instead, we ate at The Priory which was also really good and had a great atmosphere and  some awesome British decor.  They even let dogs go inside too!



British Pride?! There was a matching couch, but people were sitting in it and I thought they might think it was weird if I took their picture.



We then headed toward the coastline.  It was a cloudy day, but the coast was a welcome sight.  The priory sits right at the edge of the coast and it was gorgeous.  I plan to go back with Josh and pay to go inside and take a closer look.

Tynemouth Priory

Tammy, Julie, Me, Alta, Krew in front of the priory

Tynemouth Coast



Priory Ruins



 Eventually, it was time to head back to Newcastle.  But I think everyone that went can agree that this was a super fun day and that we all plan to come back to Tynemouth at some point.  Hopefully, we can bring our hubbys with us next time. :)

Right before we got on the metro heading back to Newcastle.