Earl Grey

Tea Time at the Monument

We meandered though Newcastle city centre today on a freezing cold but beautifully sunny day. After attempting to do a little bit of Xmas shopping, and encountering answers from nice shop serving staff such as "oooh - we had some of those - but they are all gone....everyone has done their Xmas shopping weeks ago!", we decided to go for a cup of tea/coffee. A great English tradition when faced with terrible adversity.

In my quest this week for 'symmetry in life' I was looking for my ' blipotunity' when we came across the Monument in the centre. It is of course a monument of Earl Grey, yes Earl Grey as in Tea :) There was a thriving tea trade long ago when Newcastle had an active river and shipping port. So the great man stands astride his tall tower looking out over Newcastle and the river Tyne.

Apparently you can even climb up the middle of it. We will save that for another day. We really wanted to see the Xmas markets, but perhaps they will be there tomorrow.

Now off for another cup of Tea !!