Things I miss about England

A trip back home always gets me craving comfort foods of old England and there is nowhere better here in my home town than The Broad Chare resto on the Quayside. It resides in the gastropub category - a name unused in Canada as it has a different meaning. Here you will find crispy pigs' ears, pork crackling, scotch eggs and pies with bone marrow sticking out of them.

There are vegetarian items on the menu but quite frankly I feel a bit sorry for them fiddling with their barley and pickled mushrooms while I tuck into an ox tail. This venison and pork trotter pie, above, was designed for 2 to 3 people and you are encouraged to enjoy the marrow inside the bone. Other goodies include braised rabbit, black pudding salad, steak and kidney pudding (not pie) and mince and dumplings. I noticed there were few women in the place - perhaps it is the Desperate Dan-style food which is putting them off? Personally I love it.

The town moor. Where are the cows?

Of course it's raining - or should I say snowing? It's that lame English kind of snow which never settles on the ground as it is warm ( no mittens required). A bit of a relief after a five month Canadian winter. Another 20cm of snow in Montreal this week. I'm drinking in every daffodil and snowdrop I can find.

Newcastle architecture

The delights of shopping in Newcastle still hold good. Marks and Spencers and Bainbridges (never got used to John Lewis) are like old friends. I even recognise the women assistants in the clothing sections. I did the best shopping of my life here and it feels good to be back. I feel a little teary in the changing rooms. Hoping to get out of the shops and restaurants and into the English countryside soon. Wellies on.......

Starter menu at The Broad Chare.