10 days in Sunderland catsitting for Scott, who was up in Scotland on holiday for a week. First thing to say is that we were very lucky weather wise – absolutely no rain, and on a few days at least, warm enough to still be classed as summer for the North East….
So, in no particular order of importance, apart from looking after the cats who were perfectly happy from day two, we managed to fit in the following:-
- A visit to the old Chesters pub haunt (the hospital local)
- A Sunday lunch at the Firestation, replete with station memorabilia
- A visit to Durham, where purely by accident we ended up visiting the Jacobean Crook Hall and Gardens. Virtually in the town centre!!
- An 8 mile (that’s eight miles!) walk from the house to Seaburn and Whitburn and the return. Very good community café in Whitburn, which proved a lovely surprise – but not for those in the know, it was packed!
- Another nostalgic trip, this time to the Metro Centre, which hadn’t changed much but which seemed dangerously low on footfall
- Also went to South Shield, a carvery in the Rattlers on the sea front, two visits to the Holmeside café, and a two night stay at the relatively new Premier Inn, which proved to be a debacle for reasons untold (management breathe a sigh of relief).
Overall though, a lovely break which could have been so different without the above average weather!