Hunting for Christmas Trees....
You know it's nearly Christmas when you start thinking about the Christmas Tree or in early October when the TV Adverts begin their bombardment.
Anyhow, for me and my family we make our annual pilgrimage to Boonwood Garden Centre for the said Tree.
Its something we have done for the last ten years, not because it's the closest garden centre, it's more the atmosphere and efforts put in by the staff to make it special.
The free mince pies, cups of coffee or hot chocolate put a smile on my face every single year: you need sustenance if you are to follow your wife around nodding like one of those nodding dogs while choosing a tree. You see, it's great to pretend that my opinion is highly valued when it comes to choosing conifers and I do get excited at the prospect of choosing a blinder, but I forget exactly where the tree is going and that is in our house, and I am by law not allowed to pick any sort of decoration-furniture, be it short-term or long-term for the house, so my opinion has as much value as my out-of-date Lottery Ticket that had no right numbers on anyway, but it's great to pretend.
The kids love it: with massive displays throughout the garden centre it's just so so Christmassy, the carols, the perfumed candles, the kids' corner where they can draw or write letters to Santa, or watch TV or play games, or best of all every year they put on a word search where there are words hidden throughout the Garden Centre with a prize for all who can solve the puzzle.
This year, as per usual once her royal highness has picked our Tree, we will then head around the corner for lunch at The Red Admiral which has come on leaps and bounds now in the hands of new Manager Michael. The place is lovely and clean with gorgeous log fires and superb Sunday Lunches, not forgetting the Real Ales on Offer, families are made extremely welcome and there is even a pool table so you can proudly thrash your little children, maybe even seven ball them and not let them forget about it for years to come.
If you can't get to the Red Admiral at the weekend, try and get down for The Area's Original Steak Night on a Thursday - it is highly recommended. I haven't tried the curry night yet but am assured it's top-notch: that's on a Wednesday.
While you are only two minutes from Gosforth and in the Christmas Spirit for shopping or just looking to entertain the kids, do try and make a stop off at Gosforth Pottery. There they obviously sell pottery but they also offer a paint-your-own pottery service which is brilliant fun for the kids and adults alike.
The bases are ready made and simply need your little genius to do their best: once you have painted your pot, they will bake it and it will be beautifully glazed which will make a lovely unique present that will last a lifetime.
I have actually seen and felt these pieces and can honestly say they are brilliant; it is something totally different that would put a smile on anyone's face.
Gosforth Pottery don't bake them there and then and so it takes a few days to collect your masterpiece which is definitely worth the wait!
