Another mixed month with ups and downs would be the best way to describe my October. On the one hand I’ve had some really fun days, pumpkin picking, a day out with the girls and a trip up to the caravan, but of course all the restrictions, some very boring long days, a lot of uncertainty and now yesterdays announcement of a full lockdown ahead of us has dampened my Autumn positivity. Combining this monthly round up with things I’m loving this week so here goes.

I’m going to start with some of the blog posts I’ve shared this month, as I got my full series on the Scottish Borders up, including a review of the fabulous Schloss Roxburghe Hotel, alpaca trekking, Abbotsford House, four towns to visit and a full 3 day itinerary. I really enjoyed my trip and I’m so glad I could do it properly amongst all the restrictions, so I wrote all these posts to try and share as much detail as possible. Kieran and I were going to book up to go back to Schloss Roxburghe in November, but that will now have to wait. For future inspiration on trips to Scotland take a look.

In the middle of the month Kieran and I went up to the caravan, which as always was a lovely change of scenery to home. I’m really getting fed up with not being able to go anywhere, I’m dying for a holiday so it was nice to be somewhere different, take Arthur out for different walks, and take some good food up with us.

A few new cafes have popped up in Newcastle over the past month and for something to do during the week I’ve been to a few of them. Fork in the Rose in Heaton was the first, a cafe and florist on Heaton Road that’s very pretty, and Dil & the Bear expanded with a new cafe in Whitley Bay.

Both are well worth a visit, especially the outside terrace at Dil & the Bear, it’s sheltered and they’ve done it up lovely. I really want to visit in the evening as so far I’ve only been for a bacon sarnie at breakfast.

I have spent a lot of mornings this year finding places to eat breakfast out, and it led to a full blog post that includes a lot of places in Newcastle, Jesmond, Heaton and the Ouseburn. I’ll do one for towards the coast soon too.

I got fully amongst the autumn aesthetic this month in a few ways and I couldn’t give a shit if people think it’s cliche, it really cheered me up when I’ve been bored at home. I went pumpkin picking with Hannah and Aurora at Brockbushes Farm, which has to be one of my favourite days of the month. It was so much fun.

One Sunday Kieran and I went to our local for Sunday lunch that ended up including two bottles of wine, and I made a big batch of mulled cider which was a big success. The flat smelled so good for about a week I’m going to have to make it again now we’ll be spending even more time at home over the next month.

A night out with the girls was very much needed after my birthday celebrations were cancelled last month, so once the rule of 6 outside came in we planned a Saturday out with outside tables, undercover and with heaters. It was amazing to see them all again, just what the doctor ordered and I think it did wonders for all our mental health. I’ve really tried to be positive for most of the year but I’m not denying that I’m now really fed up. This was such a good day.

I know everywhere is closing for a month, but if you need any help finding outdoor places for the next few days or looking ahead into December when hopefully places will reopen again have a read of my blog here that is filled with bars and pubs that have outside space.

So far it might seem like I’ve actually done quite a bit out and about, but honestly for the most part I’m sat in through the days on my own with Arthur. It is getting more difficult and as much as I’ve forced myself to go out, stay busy and be positive it’s not so easy when it’s raining outside. Like many others, I’ve turned to Netflix and after I watched Emily in Paris in a day – and shared a lot of thoughts on it here – I needed a new series that preferably took me to another amazing city.

I rewatched all six seasons of Gossip Girl over the last two weeks and it’s been so long it was like watching it for the first time again. I can’t remember a series I got so emotionally invested in since the likes of Friends and Grey’s Anatomy, (ok there was Peaky Blinders, Luther and Line of Duty too) but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It did really make me miss New York though, I think we might have gone again this winter if it wasn’t for the car crash that is 2020, so I’ve decided for this next month of lockdown I’m bringing back virtual travel every weekend. For anyone new round here, through the first lockdown I shared a different destination on my instagram each weekend with info, travel tips, food suggestions and hotels I’ve stayed in. So that’s coming back for winter and the November lockdown – make sure you’re following here.

This week I shared a post on some Newcastle instagram accounts that I love following, so if you need some new insta inspiration then take a look as there’s some gorgeous profiles out there.

This last week has been very Halloween focused, so again I threw myself into activities. I watched Hocus Pocus, carved a pumpkin and dressed Arthur up as a pumpkin too. Yesterday I met up with my mum and sister for some outside drinks and food at Pleased to Meet You as well, somewhere I’ve never ate before and the food was really good.

Today, for our last Sunday of freedom Kieran and I are going up for Sunday lunch at the Broad Chare and I am so excited. We’ve been meaning to go for weeks but due to other plans or hangovers this is the first chance we’ve got and I really can’t wait for it. By far the best Sunday lunch in Newcastle. I’m going to have a cocktail or two somewhere before hand as well before the football this afternoon.

I have to say, as utterly shit as another lockdown is, part of me feels a bit calmer about it than I have the last couple of months. I’ve hated all the uncertainty, with each week not knowing if we will be moved into tier 3, what will happen with furlough etc, so it’s actually a bit of a relief to just know for definite what the next month looks like. It’s going to be so tough with nowhere open again, but I’m going to make the most of today and the start of this week before that happens.

However you spend your next few days of freedom I hope you make the most of them, and get through Lockdown 2, the worst sequel of 2020 unscathed. If it means we get Christmas with family then let’s hope it works.