Photographer Rob Moore

Oh my stars, I have just had the most fabulous visit to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden! It was part of a launch for a new skincare collection (more about that on www.40schic.blogspot.com), which has as its face the beautiful and extremely bendy ballet dancer Olivia Cowley.

As part of the product presentation a group of us were taken on a tour of the to the Royal Opera House and shown around the magnificent building. It is a place of two distinct halves: you have the original hall, built in 1858 and once host to the nobility of London including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, then you have the glass-dominated modern part, which was built at the end of the 1990s.

The original hall is the third Royal Opera House – the first two were destroyed by fire – and it is all opulence: rich dark wood, deep red silk lampshades and gold leaf. By contrast, the modern part of the building is light, airy and fantastically minimalist; both though are equally striking in their own way.

Photographer Rob Moore

I can’t believe I have never visited this cultural landmark before (despite having lived in London for 17 years) and I totally loved the tour. Our guide was a scream, a genial chap who kept us all amused with his anecdotes and jokes. He led us from the huge horseshoe-shaped theatre to the ballet rehearsal room where the dancers were taking part in the first class of the day; from there we looked in at the costume department where a team of just six people create the thousands of costumes used by the company every year. Amazing.

To my surprise I also learned that tickets start from just £5 for the ‘slips’ – the highest part of the auditorium, in the gods and nearest the ceiling. Standing room only I think there! I don’t know how much of the action on stage you’d see but it would be quite an experience – especially if you have a problem with heights. I do but I’m seriously thinking of booking up just to see what it feels like.

What I also didn’t know is the two restaurants and cafe situated in the building are open to the public – next time I have a meeting in London I’m going to suggest meeting up there.

For culture vultures, history buffs, dance fans or never-do-anything-like-that novices, it’s a spectacular location and I’d recommend a visit if you’re in the capital.

If you’ve never visited the North East of England then you have missed out. It’s where I hail from, but I’m not biased – some of the most beautiful scenery and historic buildings in the country are found in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham.

Here the historic melds with the contemporary: Hadrian’s Wall, built in the days of the Roman Empire and once the country’s northern border is still visible (and walkable), while the massive metal statue, the Angel of the North, graces the entrance to Gateshead from the south; Bamburgh Castle on the Northumbrian coast guards against invasion from the sea, while the latest bridge over the River Tyne, the Millennium Bridge gives pedestrian access to Gateshead and the city of Newcastle.

Extensive redevelopment of both the north and south quaysides have attracted prestigious hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars to the area, providing a great base from which to explore town and country.

For me, I always know I’m home when I see the Angel of the North as I drive into Gateshead on the A1 and nothing makes me more proud than seeing the historic Tyne Bridge over the river.

I’m coming home Newcastle – The Tyne Bridge

The River Tyne’s iconic bridges: the Tyne Bridge, Swing Bridge and High Level Bridge

Looking along the Newcastle quayside towards the bridges. The Sage art and music venue is on the left (Gateshead quayside)

Millennium Bridge (pedestrian) links Gateshead and Newcastle (The entire bridge seems to lift up to allow boats to pass, there is a name for it but I’m not sure what it is. It is an amazing sight though)

Grey Street, Newcastle, the architecture is beautiful and the shopping is out of this world

The Angel of the North guards the entrance to God’s Own Country from the south

Bamburgh Castle was a strategic fort built to defend against attack from the sea. This is a lonely but beautiful part of the coast with some of the best beaches in England. The fishing port of Seahouses lies to the south while Lindisfarne (Holy Island) lies to the north. The Farne Islands, renowned as a bird and seal colony, is off the coast and accessed by boat from Seahouses.

Exciting news for Lego fans, Legoland Florida opens its doors next month – and I have to say it sounds good.

I attended the press launch for the new park this week and the video presentation made it all look very exciting. Mind you, I haven’t visited the park in the UK yet, even though it has been on my list of things to do for years (and my daughter keeps bending my ear about it), so I don’t know how different Legoland Florida will be or if it will offer something the Windsor park doesn’t.

A colleague at the same event who has been to Windsor several times couldn’t see anything new in the film but we wait to find out.

So, a few facts about the new attraction and its surroundings…

** It is situated in Polk County, Central Florida, within easy drive of Oralndo (about 30minutes drive from Kissimmee), Tampa and the airport.

** Ideal for families and children aged from 2 – 12.

** More than 50 rides and attractions.

** Ten Lego lands are located on the 150-acre site.

** Attractions close by include Bok Tower Gardens, water skiing, airboat rides and rodeo.
If my past performance on visiting Legoland Windsor is anything to go by it will be a long, long time before I get to the Florida park so if anybody can add to what I’ve said – how the development is progressing, how it is being received by the local community, and of course what it’s like once it opens, I’d love to hear it.