Howay the lasses - it's thread (but hopefully not tier) 3!

[PennyDreadfuI]

Haway if you're in Sunderland, of course

@uptoongirl it was really busy - hardly any parking available and the shops were packed. Mainly Fenwicks, John Lewis and from what I could see so was Primark. I avoided all the 'big' shops but still left early.

I also thought the weather would put people off but it definitely didn't! I hope next week is quieter for you!

Well done missing the rain. I got soaked ,from a passing car. Took my breath away. Took DD to Arnison centre early evening was freezing but she bought some Christmas presents. Rain, rain go away.
Did anyone brave the outdoor Christmas market at Durham today? It’s normally a lovely weekend, but I can’t be bothered this year.

Nope. Bought ds1's sarnies then stayed in and sewed. Not the weather for a 3 mile walk.

I braved the Christmas Market yesterday to try to finish off the last bits and bobs.
I got drenched. It was just the usual outdoor market traders really, nothing special but still a chance to support local traders. They're seems to be a second local produce type shop now in the Prince Bishops which is good. There is the one that's been there a while that sells local food stuff and other bits from various different suppliers but now there is one with lots of arts and crafts things.

Glad I didn’t miss much. Weather a little better today but still can’t be bothered. I really like the Discovering Durham shop, and the lady that runs it, is very helpful.
I want to visit the Scoop shop in Riverwalk but every time I go it’s shut. I think I follow the local gift shop on Facebook, but I’ve never been yet.
I have tried to buy local and support independent businesses.

Bright & sunny in Teesside today. Hopefully it will be the same when we visit Beamish next weekend.
Hoping we get moved to tier 2 as we’d love to do our annual festive visit to York.
Shame about the Panto, currently the one at the forum is going ahead as they expect us to move to tier 2.

We're hoping to pop into Durham in an hour to go and see the Christmas lights but hoping it's not going to be packed!

@Someaddedsugar, apparently the miniature railway should be running tomorrow at about 2pm at Chester park. Was on today. I think you just watch but looks great.
Hope Durham isn’t too busy and remember if you use a council car park it’s free after 3. I know Chester was free all day today from 10am

Thanks @MissEWeatherwax - I was just wondering what we could do tomorrow! That's a perfect solution!!

If it's the same as previous years, Christmas parking in Durham is free after 3pm for on-street parking that have ticket machines as well.

Too busy with shoppers for us so we came away - will have a look tomorrow after Chester Park! Excited about the railway now @MissEWeatherwax!

That was a shame. If you are on Facebook the page is called’ Friends of Riverside Park Chester le Street. And you can see the train running. And Santa was there today.
We normally use the free after 3 every year. We usually go to the cinema every Saturday. Pleased it’s on this year as hadn’t seen any publicly and I follow Durham council Facebook page and they only mentioned the other day.

Well, I made it into town, this morning. Just pleasantly busy. Spent some pennies in paperchase and on some foodie bits in the local shop. Typically, it started raining properly as I set off home at 11:30 but it's not windy, for once, so I could use my brolly.

Went to Newcastle on bus today, wasn’t too busy the bus. Newcastle was okay, had to queue for Hotel Chocolate, bought some hot chocolate . But was annoyed that Pret was shut as I wanted to buy a vegetarian Christmas sandwich. Saw Fenwicks window, not sure if queue was for window or shop. So if you don’t like crowds, Sunday is the day to go.
Wish it would stop bloody raining.

We went to pick something up from Metro retail park today and metro centre didn't look awful as in busyish but not like you would think just before xmas

It’s not raining today! Might go to Durham after 3pm to see the Christmas lights.

Well DS1 was back to school fine.
Unfortunately he's only got 1 member of staff (out of 4) that were in his class before isolation - his teacher wasn't able to return today either due to not being well enough. So 3 members of staff in, 1 he knows but no actual teacher, all TA's.

Ooh I’ve just found you all. I’m from Durham desperately hoping we go down to tier 3.

Well we spent this afternoon driving around in the rain playing Christmas songs & then called by Starbucks drive thru for cake. These rainy days with toddlers are dire although I'm grateful it isn't snow

I hate snow! Anyone from County Durham pleased with how much our figures.have dropped.We are now below average .

Braved Newcastle city centre this morning and it was fairly busy. Not packed, no queuing but busy. Stewards on Northumberland street making sure people were following the arrows...including one rather enthusiastic guy who actually shouted at a young woman to get on the other side of the street, I was behind her (also on the wrong side as we had both just come out of Primark) and almost jumped out of my skin. Totally unnecessary.

I got shouted the first time I went to Newcastle using the one way, was really unpleasant. Can I admit I’m pleased the Christmas market isn’t on. It use to put me off going.
I’m sick of it raining and no sunshine. My DD hated the car! So she spent a lot of time in the bath with bubbles

@MissEWeatherwax

I hate snow! Anyone from County Durham pleased with how much our figures.have dropped.We are now below average .

The city centre's rolling rate is 1/1000th of 2months ago!

I've been shouted at in Newcastle, too. The arrows on Blackett Street didn't match up with the ones on Northumberland Street and I couldn't exactly teleport from one to the other.

I'm going to Newcastle on Tuesday to do some Christmas shopping. Thanks for the heads up on the one way & being shouted at - I'll be on guard!