Mike vs. the Scotch Egg

We dropped the boys off for school this morning and drove to Tynemouth to Ron's Bakery for a pot of tea for two and a bite of breakfast. 

Mike ordered a Scotch egg, which is classic street food (though we did eat indoors). Scotch eggs are quite a unique food item, so we decided to take pics and share. 

A Scotch egg is a hard boiled egg which is then wrapped in ground sausage (like
what you'd use to make your own patties), then rolled in flour, dipped in egg,
and rolled in flour again. Then dipped in egg again and rolled in breadcrumbs.
Then, deep fried. Served hot or cold, sliced in half, with a pinch of salt.

Mike digs in.

Playing Hooky

Mike earned so much comp time when he was working like a dog back in May and June, trying to wrap up Driver: San Francisco, that he has been taking a day off here and there when work is slow-ish. Today was one of those days. We walked Merrit to school at 9:00 and got a coffee at Sugarloaf, a cute little coffeeshop and breakfast spot between our house and the boys' school. Since Ollie doesn't go in until 12:45, he was with us. 

After coffee and a muffin, we were walking home and I said, "Let's go for a drive." So we hopped in the car and started driving north. We've been to Alnmouth twice (once on our own and once with Jer and Kara). Even though we've been there twice, we've not yet gone down to the beach. 

Steps and little paths lead to the sand.

Looking back up at the homes in Alnmouth.

Ollie was glad to be out of the car and free to roam and run.

How fun to be three feet tall in four-foot grass!

We found people footprints, dog footprints, and horse hoof
prints on the beach.

The tide is coming in to the little harbor in Alnmouth.

Lots of smooth stones to throw in the water.

I picked this one as a keepsake. I now have one from
Whitley Bay, one from Lindisfarne, and now one from
Alnmouth. Mike seriously questions the wisdom
of collecting rocks when we'll have to pay by weight
to move back to the U.S., but I can just see these in my
herb gardens when I'm 65.

Across the rising harbor is Church Hill, marked with an
ornate stone cross. A church used to stand on this hill, but
in 1806, after a violent storm, the church was badly damaged
and the hill badly eroded. The church was later destroyed.

After our little walkabout, we got back in the car so we could get Ollie back to nursery school by 12:45. We dropped him off and grabbed lunch--just the two of us. What a treat!

Arm's length self-photo. These are always fun.

Sharing a pizza and salad at De'Meo's pizzaria.

Another Double Date

We had Brioni over again tonight to watch the kids. Double date in Tynemouth!

We started out at the Barca Lounge, a fun little surfing-themed lounge.

We walked a bit down the street to a tapas restaurant and wine bar called Lui's.
We shared a seafood paella, fried garlic mushrooms, bruscetta, and an Asian-style
wrap sandwich.

Why would a couple this suave go on a double date with....

...a couple as classy as us?

The sign on the door of the women's room at Lui's.

Oooh, fancy glittery toilet seat! 

The Sunday Roast

I blogged before about the Sunday Roast. It's a tradition here. Most restaurants serve some variation of a traditional Sunday dinner each week--and sometimes it's the only thing on the menu. We have tried about 10 different carveries and restaurants, and then we found The Cottage Kitchen. The Best Sunday Roast Ever.

Roast beef, gravy, Yorkshire pudding, peas, broccoli, carrots, mashed
potatoes, fried potatoes, mashed turnips, boiled cabbage, and stuffing.

I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that this little restaurant is literally around the corner. It takes us about 45 seconds to walk there. :) Down our street, turn right at the alleyway, there it is. We had to take Jer and Kara there. Had to.

You can choose between lamb, beef, pork, or chicken. I had a bite of Kara's lamb, and it was so delicious, I am going to have to get that from now on. Plus, they served it with mint, not mint jelly or mint sauce, but just finely chopped mint leaves that seemed to mixed with a bit of vinegar, and maybe salt...? I don't know, but it was sent straight from heaven.

Here we are, enjoying our traditional Sunday meal. What made it even better is that it was so nice out, we sat outside. Sunny, a bit breezy. Great meal. Great weather. Great friends.

Edinburgh with Friends, Is There Any Better Way?

We met up with Tom here at the Scott Monument,
which is just outside of the train station. It's in honor
of Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish novelist, playwright, and poet.
He's also the one who found the crown jewels!

They say the grass is always greener on the other side,
but I don't think so...

Ollie checking out the to-scale model of Edinburgh. He's perched over the
Castle Rock, where Edinburgh Castle is built. To the far left is Arthur's Seat.

Tom shows Merrit where we'll be going today. What a treat to have our own
personal (local!) tour guide. And a friend from home. :)

At some point in the city's history, they filled in the loch that used to be
here. Now it's one big public garden.

Outside the National Galleries of Scotland.
We didn't go in. Next time...

Edinburgh has some beautiful buildings!

After we left the castle, we walked back down the
Royal Mile. Tom had a pub in mind. The boys
found these fun-house mirrors on the side of a building.

Ollie danced in front of the mirrors to the music
on the street.

Wacky family portrait. Merrit said, "Dad,
you're so short!"

We passed lots of street performers, but this
guy really captured Merrit's attention. He
wanted to go give him money, but he was
really uneasy about standing next to him
(or her?) for a photo. You can see it in his
body language!

Just outside St. Giles Cathedral.
Is he on lunch break? Would you wear this
to work? He's got a briefcase. I dunno...

We went into St. Giles Cathedral, which was stunning.
Not to mention, there was an organ concert being held,
which was free to the public. We wandered through,
admiring the music (Merrit couldn't believe it
when I told him that there was no electricity, speakers,
or amplifiers making the music that loud), and so many
artistic and skilled works. Merrit and I tried to name all the
different craftsmen/skills we saw: Carved wood,
detailed metal work, paintings, mosaics, carved stone,
carved marble, embroidery, calligraphy, woven fabrics,
even fresh flower arrangements. We weren't allowed
to take any photos in the cathedral.

The sound of bagpipes are everywhere on the streets. It's really powerful.

Thought it was cool how the patina was all rubbed off of this statue's toe...
the only part of him you could reach up and touch. Must be a good luck charm
for locals?

The best part about having a tour guide is restaurant recommendations!
Tom's wife, Catherine, met us for lunch and we went to a place called
The Mitre. Delicious!

Ah, a moment of peace and quiet while Ollie rests and
Merrit zones out.

We're in a pub...IN SCOTLAND!

Catherine and Tom.

We ordered the haggis with nips and tatties starter.
Contrary to popular belief, haggis doesn't always come in a casing. Nips are
turnips and tatties are potatoes. The gravy was delicious. We passed it
around and everyone had a bite or two.

Haggis! Mike was nervous about the first bite but ended up polishing it off.

Mike and I shared a steak and ale pie for our main.

Even now the Scottish are still rebellious and proud. 

This guy was entertaining a very large crowd. He expected tips and even
chased somebody down to get one!

Look...it's a clock. Made out of flowers.

See a close-up of the inscription below.

Our boys love to roll down grassy hills whenever they get a chance!

Ice cream with flake.

Emmie playing at a little park that Tom and Catherine took us to.

This park was AMAZING because it was in the shadow
of Castle Rock. What a view from below!

Ollie on the slide. Castle in the distance.
Wow.

Some passersby offered to take our picture. We're getting ready to head
back to the train, and then, back to Newcastle.