Birthday Weekend!

14:57 Blogs by FA 66 Comments

birthday weekend

If you are following me on Instagram, you guys would already be knowing that I was going to travel to the North East England during the last long weekend we had. If you are not following me on IG then what are you waiting for? Please do, here!  :)


Also, I have written a post on my pre-birthday celebration meal, if you want, you can read it, here

the ambrette canterbury


SATURDAY:


I had already done all the packing a day before our travel date but the last thing still left was to pack the edible stuff for munching during the 6 hour road trip. And that was SO important.

My husband and I decided to leave by 4:00 in the morning so BabyN' would not be disturbed. BUT. He woke up. AND slept after at least one hour. It wasn't that bad. He wasn't grumpy. So happy baby, happy mummy.

As mentioned before, it took us 6 full hours without a single break to reach Sunderland by car. We actually had to go there to meet a relative and had initially planned to stay for one night but then there were all sad faces so we stopped by for another night.

It was a long road trip. YES! And I was already dreading the way back thinking how would BabyN' behave.

So after some rest, we left for Newcastle. Yes, another road journey but this time it took around 40 minutes only (thanks to the traffic). We were actually heading for a get together at a community hall in Newcastle where we were invited & I was SO excited for it. It's always so pleasant meeting old friends and some like-minded people. After dinner was served, there came a yummy looking double chocolate cake and I was still wondering about it as I hadn't told anyone about my birthday but then I was offered to cut it. Ah, what a sweet gesture. I was on cloud # nine! 

happy birthday
You must be wondering if this looks like a chocolate cake to me? Haha. But this is my last year's birthday cake. 
That was all for the evening.

That night we had decided to sleep early and the husband slept but BabyN' had some other plans. He slept 3 hours after the time I was supposed to sleep. So I had to entertain him all this time.

SUNDAY:

The next morning after having a filling breakfast (yes, a desi one with all the parathas, egg burghi, cream, chai/tea and juice), we left for some sightseeing

We had already explored every inch of the region but it was for a guest who was visiting us. We showed around Sunderland, Newcastle and Durham. Made me feel extremely nostalgic seeing the area where I used to live before. Sigh!

durham castle

I'v already done a post on sightseeing in Durham, you can read it, here.

Our next stop was the Asian shop in South Shields in Newcastle. I was longing to go there because there was something I really wanted to buy but unfortunately couldn't find it (which made me sad) as I cannot still find it anywhere in the South of England. Still, I managed to cheer myself up after buying some other kitchen items. I found the Shan biryani masalas there, which I immediately grabbed (3 boxes at least) because they are cheaper in the North than in the South. YES! Cheaper by 40 cents for each box. What a difference! Huge! But I still wonder why. 

Also did some shopping at the Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Mall in Durham. They offer up to 50% off the best brands. NEXT and Marks & Spencer are my favourite brands there so it was a must for me to do some shopping. Bought some clothes for BabyN' and some, a big vase and an artificial plant. 

Tip: They also have a play area for kids, which is FREE so if you live in the area or are planning to go there, just tell the husband to look after the kids while you shop but since it's an open mall, make sure the kids dress accordingly. Dalton Park Shopping mall durham

I was already hungry by this time and really wanted to go to Aneesas for a buffet meal but when you are with elders, you can't just blurt out what's in your mind. Read my old post on Aneesas Buffet Restaurant if you are in Newcastle, here. One of my personal favourite places to eat in the North East (minus their red meat items especially lamb chops). I don't know why but I feel the red meat in the North is extremely smelly. Makes me sick. Has anyone of you experienced it? Well, I guess you won't if you are eating that since birth.

Our next stop was the Little Haven Hotel, again in South Shields. It was decided that we are going for an afternoon tea. I love afternoon teas, no doubt, but not because of the tea but because of the yummy goodies that come along. Well, if you are a reader from Karachi, then you must definitely check this out for tea snacks. 


Little Haven Hotel was like a mini retreat. We got to see some beautiful views while having our coffee. The weather was amazing and so were the scones! I had ordered a mocha for myself, which was good but I couldn't find any traces of chocolate. Thanks to BabyN', I had forgotten to stir it and realized only when I was sipping the last few drops. 

Little Haven Hotel

Little Haven Hotel
Four coffees (cappuccino, mochaccino and 2 lattes) and 2 scones cost us £15, if you want to know the price. 
Although the coffee we all were served were cold, not like how it should be, but the scones were delicious and the BEST part was the views outside.

After quickly finishing eating and drinking, we all went outside to enjoy the evening even more. Ah, the amazing weather and the sea breeze. 

Little Haven Hotel

That was all.

We headed back home, had home cooked dinner and slept. The next afternoon we left for home. I was prepared that BabyN' would drive me wild because it wasn't his time to sleep. He did sleep for an hour though but for the rest, he was annoyed and grumpy for not getting place to run around.

It was a lovely birthday weekend that ended with a dinner at a Pizza Hut restaurant near my home. 

PIZZA HUT


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66 comments:

  1. Ah, it is as if I was there but one question 6 hours to Sunderland by car with BabyN' was fine? I am quite surprised because I remember when I was not married and me, my mother, my sister-in-law and nephews use to go village about 2 to 3 hours journey' it drive us crazy ha-ha. I also love Shan masalas, they give just the perfect touch in Asian dishes and the pizza in the end yum ((: ♡ x!

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    1. Hii! :-)
      Travelling such long distances is quiet normal for us now. We try to leave at night when BabyN' is fast asleep. I normlly use Shan for biryani. Otherwise, I use my own spice mixes. :D

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  2. The Pizza Hut at the end was a surprise!

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    1. Yes! For me too because I was thinking I will have to go home and cook dinner but husband took us there instead.

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  3. Happy belated birthday :-) Looked like a full-packed entertaining weekend. I wouldn't have gone to the mall, I would have stayed at the beach in the nature. I miss green, nature and cold weather so incredible much.

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    1. I have so many beaches where I live so I didn't want to waste much time at the beach and also because it was SO cold in the North. I was with family and BabyN' :-) That mall I went to has amazing deals so that was a MUST for me to visit. :-)

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  4. Salam F.A.!
    Shan Biryani! I feel you! I always buy tons because the expiry on these babies is at least 2 years which means they're a hoarder's dream!
    The devastating moment when all the chocolate surupyis at the end and you forget to stir! I has that mishap with a Starbucks drink and the look on my face was priceless.
    England's castles strike an instant envy! I remember I was 9 when I visited those. There's one right now that my sister Sara keeps talking about. It has a Harry Potter set built inside or something

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    1. WS :-)
      Haha I would have loved to see your look. I didn't tell anyone then because everyone would have made fun of me. 😁 HP was filmed at the Durham Cathedral and Castle. They both are in the same area, together.

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  5. Happy Belated Birthday. and your post has lovely photographs. It is also very well written. thanks

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  6. Happy Birthday, dear! So glad the little made such a long journey still happy and made it easier for mom & dad! It sounds like a fab little getaway :)

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    1. Yeah. Thank God. That was actually a blessing that he had been good throughout or else I would have been pulling my hair.

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  7. Happy belated Birthday. What an action packed birthday weekend you fitted in. Very impressed you managed to do this with a baby in tow. Well done!

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    1. The 6 hour drive was the biggest challenge for me.

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  8. It sounds like you had a great birthday weekend. I have never been in the north of the UK but I would like to, especially to Newcastle and from there, up to Scotland. That would be a blast. So nice of your friends making you a cake, I bet that was a nice surprise! :)

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    1. You must definitely visit Newcastle. Scotland is just 2 hours drive further from there. I went to Scotland last winter. It's beautiful. The cake sure was a great surprise.

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  9. Happy Birthday dear! It looks so yummy oh these photos! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Aw happy birthday lovely it looks like you were spoilt rotten and I am so jealous I have always wanted to go to Durham. Sorry to hear about the coffee but at least the scones were good.

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    1. Durham is beautiful. Should go there for sure! :-)

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  11. Happy Belated Birthday! You certainly had a fun-filled packed weekend! Ma shaa Allah! My husband and I also love road-trips; but I have no idea how you do it with a baby! I really enjoyed reading about the countryside and northern England! Far too often when I think of England, I simply think of Manchester, London, etc I never think of the actual country side! ...and if that pizza was from Pizza Hut, it looked way better than anything you'd get from Pizza Hut in the US. How did you decide that you wanted to go to the countryside? Was it just family and friends? Your memories there? Does the seaside offer any beaches or anything of that nature?

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    1. Hii! Thankkk you. :-)
      Yes, it's from Pizza Huy. They serve food in so much style here in the UK. We used to live there before so it was nothing new for us but a guest was visiting us so we decided to take her to meet some relatives. Yes, there are several lovely beaches in the North. I have done a post on it too. Please check my travels tab in the main menu bar. :-)

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  12. Happy birthday! (a bit late). I'm not familiar with that part of England. I've only been to London for a few days but that area looks lovely. The coastal photo you posted looks so wild and untouched, very different from the sandy beaches lined with homes we have here in LA. I need to experience more of England and venture beyond London on my next trip across the pond!

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    1. Hi! Thank you! We have beautiful beaches here in the UK too but that portion seems it needs some trimming.

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  13. Happy Birthday (a little late though).. Well what a lovely post and it seems you had some fun. I am intrigued as to what was that "something I really wanted to buy but unfortunately couldn't find it (which made me sad) "..

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    1. Hi! Thank you! Haha :-) That was actually the yellow vermicelli used as falooda with kulfi ice cream:-)

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  14. It sounds that you had a really lovely weekend there ! Happy belated birthday ! Thankfully BabyN didn't do lot of 'mess' then, I don't have one (yet) but I can understand all the concern with a long weekend like this

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  15. Oh wow you were brave on a 6 hour journey! I used to panic about just 2 hours! Looks like you had a lovely time! Hubby keeps saying he wants to visit that area

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    1. I am quite used to it now. 1.5 hour is something routine for me. We travel that far every weekend (for the love of food)

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  16. Happy Birthday! I'm glad you were able to celebrate with some cake. Your Sunday sounded really nice too!

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    1. It sure was. We were too tired to do much on Saturday so decided to sleep early.

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  17. Your posts are complete package of adventure..food...travel shopping..what else a girl want.
    I found so much energy in your posts and i imagine thats how your personality as well....May you get more and more...in Life...Stay blessed abd keep entertaining us through your lovely posts

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    1. O FAB! I am SO glad to read your comment and it just made my day. Yayyy

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  18. Happy birthday! It looks like you had a great weekend full of great food and awesome adventures.

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  19. Happy Birthday honey! What a fabulous trip! I've only ever been to the North-East once. We went to Durham and I was so impressed with the history and architecture there. Beautiful place! I'd love to see more of the area.

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    1. Thank you, thank you! Durham sure is a historic place. Check out my post on sightseeing in Durham. :-)

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  20. Happy belated Birthday! You seem you had such a fantastic Birthday weekend! Isn't it great when your Birthday gets to be on a weekend? Mine was on a weekend too this year and it felt so good.

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    1. You you get to enjoy some extended fun over the weekend.

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  21. Happy belated birthday..What a beautiful place ,,I would love to see....

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  22. I love seeing other people take advantage of traveling to other places near to where they live. I live in the mountains in the Southeastern US and am always traveling within a couple hour radius to enjoy all of the beauty. It's all that I really can do in regards to traveling until I am out of college and have a job that can fund my urge to see new places, ha!

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    1. Funding is definitely needed for travelling but it is a very interesting way of learning about new places, cultures and people.

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  23. Wow 6 hours is a long drive! Looks like it was worth it though as the food and locations look great :)

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    1. It is indeed quiet long especially with a small baby. I should get a medal. Haha

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  24. This was a great weekend! I love being with family and would have stayed the extra night, too!

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  25. Happy belated birthday! It looks like you had an amazing birthday getaway with your family. I would love to visit Sunderland, Newcastle and Durham some day. Thanks for sharing about your trip!

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  26. Happy belated birthday, girl! Looks like such a fun-filled weekend you had! I love all these fun snaps! XO

    Anna || A Lily Love Affair

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  27. Glad you had a great weekend! The food looks amazing! Reading the comments I forget that a lot of people in the UK don't really do long drives. In the US our family in particular would do 6 to 7 hour drives probably every 2 to 3 weeks to go see family. Oh yeah Happy Belated Birthday!

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  28. Happy birthday! Sounds like you had a fantastic time. I've never been to Newcastle - the drive from London seems so daunting.

    Rosie | www.rosieromance.com

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  29. lol I love the way you write it's so much fun :D Happy birthdayyyy!!!! May Allah grant you many more Insha-Allah, may all your duas get accepted and may you be blessed with alot of love and success in this world and the next :)

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  30. This is such a fun to spend the weekend and your birthday made it a tad bit more special. Love the pictures. Happy Birthday once again :)
    http://www.ThatGrlInHighHeels.com

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  31. Happy belated birthday! You had such a great time on your birthday! I love outlets - thanks for the tip! I got so hungry when I heard biryani :)

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  33. Happy birthday! Those cocktails look fabulous! I could have one ;) Cheers! www.sofarsosabine.com

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  34. Happy birthday! Every plan sounds amazing! Hope you had a great time!

    Rakel ♥ www.alovelystyle.com

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  35. Happy Birthday. That's a great choice for a place to celebrate! More birthday travels to come! :)

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  36. Belated happy birthday! Looks like you had an amazing celebration!! Loved the pics!!
    Suchi

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  37. All of these picture look absolutely mouth watering but I cont believe the pizzas from Pizza Hut 😑Why don't we hve this in the us ?

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  38. What!that pizza looked so tasty as did the cocktails. Hope you enjoyed your holiday x

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  39. Happy Belated! I love cheesecake lol And that pizza looks good!

    Love,
    Ivelisse | CarnationDreams.com

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  40. Belated Happy Birthday Fatima! Seems like you had another memorable birthday. You know, it is really hard to travel with a kid but it is all worthwhile because you're able to travel with your very own family.

    Ming

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  41. Happy belated birthday ! You sure has the best birthday ever. The pictures says it all. For a moment i read "north east england" as north east india and i was like what ! Such amazing pics! Lol .. my eyes sometime plays trick or may be i just woke up :p you should visit north east india one day...its a beautiful place :)

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