A short and sweet monthly round up this month, as Easter weekend fell in the middle of the month and I had such a lovely weekend spending it locally I’ve already wrote about it. Everything came together that weekend didn’t it, in typical British fashion we all buzzed over the weather, and with a four day stretch to enjoy it we did plenty without venturing very far at all.

I will take a moment to mention Tomahawk though, as we shunned the usual Good Friday tradition of fish and went there for steak instead. It was honestly incredible and after posting a couple of photos on Instagram I had quite a lot of people ask me about it. I wish I’d taken more photos to do a proper post, but for now I will say if you’ve not yet been and are a steak lover you won’t be disappointed. Book up well in advance as it’s so popular but it really was amazing. The mac and cheese has shredded beef in it, need I say more…

After one of the busiest months I think I’ve ever had in March I made sure that April was a bit more chilled out. I tried to get away with very minimal work travel, and for the first three weeks it worked. I enjoyed driving myself to work rather than heading to and from airports, and my evenings were spent making food at home and catching up on a lot of tv. I did pull together my city guide to York, after our visit there in March.

I went for brunch to Kith & Kin in whitley bay with my lovely friend Lucy one Sunday, and I had the most unreal french toast with bacon, from Nicholson’s Butcher just along the road. I’ve been thinking about them since and will have to go back soon, it’s such a cute place and serves really good food, if you’re ever venturing to the coast I’d pay them a visit if you can get a table. 

I was invited to try the new Gusto spring/summer menu, so Kieran and I went along one Thursday night. I’ve had some really good meals at the one in Leeds, but hadn’t been to the Newcastle one for so long. The food was lovely, but the real winners were the gin cocktail. They tasted as good as they looked. 

Travelling a lot with work has really made me appreciate where I live a lot more. Not because I travel to some awful places, I absolutely don’t, but you really make the most of being close to home when you often aren’t. 

I’ve spent a lot of time in Whitley Bay and Tynemouth, enjoying coffee and cake at places like Dil & the Bear, fish and chips from Marshalls, Indian tapas at the Ahar, pottering around the little shops and walking by the coast.

I did have to go to Copenhagen the week before Easter, and after some hellish travel problems with delays and cancellations last month I’m so glad this was a breeze. I got the train up to Edinburgh and flew direct from there which I think made all the difference, the sun was shining up in Scotland too! I need a proper trip up there soon, for a Rabble steak and Copper Blossom cocktail if nothing else.

While I was there, Tivoli was open for Easter so I went along mainly for work, but I did do a quick post on it for Easter.

I also had some really good food that trip, pizza one night and sushi the next. I think I might do a post on places to eat in Copenhagen, there’s so many good ones! 

It was when I was sat eating one evening that the reports appeared on the news and social media of the Notre Dame fire. I was honestly so gutted about this, as were so many people. I put my personal response to it in this post, it’s a place I really love and have had so many happy times.

There’s always so much criticism around situations like this, it makes me sad. After spending a few days this week with Parisians and French people, I really don’t think many have any real insight into how they are affected by it. 

A trip to Paris and on to Amsterdam this week concludes my April, and I actually chose to travel on a Sunday, as I have some time off now so wanted to make sure I was back in plenty time and not stranded in Charles de Gaulle or Schiphol airport – again! 

It meant I had an afternoon to wander Paris, probably my most favourite way to spend a Sunday afternoon away from home. I walked so far, right along to the Eiffel Tower, all the way back through PSG, where I stopped for a bite to eat at this gorgeous little cafe..

I went along to Notre Dame, which was mainly closed off but was still pretty impressive despite the extensive damage, and back through the Louvre. All the tourist spots, all the beautiful spots, and all the places that make Paris my favourite place in the world to visit. I said if on my Instagram story and I’ll say it here, if you really believe some of these things are ‘just’ buildings I would urge you to travel and experience more of them. 

I have to mention the hotel I stayed at in IJmuiden port in Holland, it was called Hotel Rauw aan der Kade, and it’s one my company use a lot for staff but I’d never been before.

I loved my quirky hotel room, with vinyl player, shower in the room itself, tv that came out of the bed, and all sorts of weird and wonderful decor. Makes staying in the middle of nowhere, in yet another hotel a bit more exciting…little things but trust me I’ll take them.

And finally I have to mention this cutie. Kieran and I were looking after her for 10 days while his sister went to New York and she’s too lush in her NYC hoody not to mention ha!

So as we begin May I also begin my five day weekend. I’ve been looking forward to this for so long. We are going away to the Lake District, I’ve got a spa day and massage planned, and I’m going to enjoy fresh air, switching off and only worrying about what drink I’ll have from the pub next. 

Enjoy your bank holiday however you’re spending it!