#NC500 Day 15 - Our Final Day Was Spent In Northumberland
Published On Thursday 20 Jul 2023 by Sticky Beak
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Normally I moan like heck about GB’s ruddy bed; honest to goodness, it’s impossibly soft and I’ve never managed to get a solid nights’ sleep in it ever....until now!! That just goes to show you how knackered His Nibs and I both were, especially when I tell you that we didn’t wake up until 8.20am. The Man Bird is usually awake with the larks this time of year, and we’d both been getting up at 7am with the alarm this holiday, so we obviously needed the extra ZZZs.
After a healthy brekkie of porridge, Natural Yoghurt and Berries, we decided to go on a bit of a venture to Sycamore Gap at Once Brewed, near Hexham; now if that isn’t a brilliantly bonkers place name for a village, I don’t know what is!!! As its name describes, Sycamore Gap is a gap in Hadrian’s Wall where a majestic, solitary Sycamore tree stands; but not just any old Sycamore, this one is a Hollywood Star, don’cha know. Those of a certain age will remember watching Kevin Costner in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and this tree featured in one of the scenes. More recently, it’s been on the front cover of author L.J Ross’s book ‘Sycamore Gap’, one of the DCI Ryan mysteries (which I am addicted to!). The downside is that you have to walk either 2.2miles or just under 1 mile – guess which our tired legs chose! – over hilly terrain and along the historic wall to get to it...it’s worth it though.
We’d parked up at the The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, so when we’d dragged our weary bones back, we went to the cafe for a bite of lunch and some much-needed refreshment. There’s a pretty good menu here, I have to say, with everything from cakes and scones to sandwiches, filled toasted Ciabatta’s and other lunchtime favourites. We glanced across at an adjacent table where a lady was tucking into one of the toasted Ciabatta’s (which was more than substantial!) and opted to share one between us, along with a pot of Earl Grey tea for two.
The Sill Cafe operates table service, which was done by lovely, friendly staff, and the venue was being kept spotlessly clean. Our Ciabatta came with some crisps and chunky, homemade Coleslaw and this was more than enough for a lunch-time munch, especially if you’re planning on being active again after you’ve eaten. We both said that we’d certainly come here again. And for those of you who go Youth Hostelling, there’s a YHA site right next door to the visitor centre.
We returned back to Ashington (and I had a mooch in Timewarp Sounds for some vinyl) to spend some time with GB before heading out to Morpeth for dinner at Nadon Thai. Located on the first floor, the first you see as you prepare to ascend the step is a large Buddha figure on the wall – beautiful. This traditional Thai decor is continued throughout the venue, with darkwood flooring and cabinetry, dark upholstery on chairs and dark, wooden blinds at the windows. All this dark allows the gold statues and figures to stand-out all the more; we especially liked the striking black and gold artwork on the restaurant walls. Nadon has happy hour every day between 5.30-6.30pm where, for £12.95 per person, you can have a starter and main course (from a set selection), and this was clearly very popular as several tables were tucking in happily when we arrived at 6.10pm.
His Nibs and I went for the set menu for two people, priced £24.95 each. To kick things off there’s a Mixed Platter comprising of Thai Crackers, Spring Rolls, Satay Chicken, Thai Fishcakes, Prawn and Sesame Toast. I love Thai crackers, they’re so much thicker than their Chinese cousins and they don’t disintegrate when you dunk them in the Sweet Chilli Sauce!
The Man doesn’t like Prawn, so I had both the toasts to myself and he had the Spring Rolls (minus a sneaky bite that I had!). Both triangles of minced prawn-filled and sesame seed-coated fried bread were scrummy, and not at all greasy in my mouth, and His Nibs loved the super-crunchy outer of his Springs Rolls, and the crunchy mix of veggies that were encased inside. Without fail, every time I’ve had Thai Fishcakes they’ve had that curious rubber/elastic texture to them; they’re still lovely and tasty though, with a nicely spicy tang to them. Satay Chicken Skewers are usually pretty much the same (moist, marinated Chicken), with the Satay sauce being the differential; here at Nadon, the Satay dip is beautifully chunky and spicy.
Our lovely server had checked that we were happy with our platter, and took back a spotlessly clean platter to the kitchen. For our main course there was Beef Thai Green Curry, Cashew Chicken in Chilli, Mixed Vegetables in Garlic Sauce and a bowl each of Jasmine Rice and Sticky Rice, and we didn’t have long to wait until they were being placed on the table. I have to say that the tables aren’t the largest in the world, and if you’ve got several dishes coming out there needs to be a bit of juggling around to fit everything on!
Both meat dishes were superbly fiery, but very different in taste: where the Chicken dish was sharp and hot, the Green Curry was creamier and spicy. The meats were plentiful and tender, accompanied by slices of Peppers and Onion, and some Bamboo Shoots in the Thai Green Curry. Chef is clearly a person who, if an ingredient is in the description, makes sure you know it’s there; the Vegetables were in a Garlic Sauce, and the Garlic was clearly visible in the dish. The Baby Corn, crinkle-cut Carrot, Cabbage, Sugar Snap Peas and Beansprouts were all still wonderfully crunchy (but hot) and the Garlic added a great warmth in the mouth; Dracula, I wouldn’t bother coming to Ashington tonight!
We’ve eaten out in Morpeth before, but never realised that there was a Thai in town; now we do, we’ll certainly be back to Nadon! Hot Wings happily given here.
I have to say, much as I’ve loved our NC500 escapade and its add-on bits at the beginning and end, I absolutely can’t wait to walk back over the threshold of our home; no doubt the kettle’ll be stuck on and the next adventure planned!! I hope you’ve enjoyed the tales of each day xx
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