Writing

When the North East Feels Like the Mediterranean

Why sunshine in England hits different.

Screenshot taken by the author.

Non-members read the full article **here.**

When the weather’s like this in the North East of England, there’s really no need to book a holiday to Spain.

Seriously, who needs the Costa del Sol when Newcastle’s basking in sunshine?

Today I went for a walk down the Quayside, and I must say, the sun was out in all its glory.

The River Tyne sparkled, people were out in droves, and the cafés had their outdoor seating packed with smiling faces and sunglasses galore.

You’d think we were on the Riviera the way everyone was lounging about with ice creams and cold drinks in hand.

It’s not very often we get weather like this, so when we do, we make the absolute most of it. There’s a certain magic in the air when the skies turn blue and the temperature climbs past 20°C.

Suddenly, everyone’s in a better mood. Strangers smile, kids play outside, and even the traffic doesn’t seem quite as annoying.

Sometimes I genuinely believe us Brits are secret sun worshippers.

The way we react to a bit of sunshine is almost comedic. Shirts come off, BBQs are wheeled out, and parks fill up faster than you can say “suncream.”

It’s like a nationwide reset button, and we all come alive again.

So no, I won’t be rushing to book a flight anytime soon. Not when days like today remind me just how beautiful this part of the world can be. Especially when the sun decides to make an appearance.