Monday Munchies: Pigs in Blankets Mac and Cheese

It is never too early to start thinking about Christmas snacks. I've already had a few mince pies and I'm getting ideas for what to have leading up to the big day. This week I rustled up this little festive corker, this will serve four and maybe my new favourite Yuletide treat.

5 Horror Films to watch with teens this Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner and it's time to decide which scary movie to watch when all the Trick or Treating is finished. I've decided to compile a list of horror films I enjoy that I think would be ok to watch with your teenage kids. I have a love/hate relationship with the horror genre, I really love a good horror film but most of the time I'm disappointed as most horror films (especially more recent ones) are pretty boring and predictable. These choices are films I'm ok with letting my 12 year old son to watch, the list may be controversial as contains a few 15 rated films and one which is rated 18 but I look at the BBFC rating as more of a suggestion than an actual age limit.

Date Day in Craster | Northumberland

It was time for one of mine and Mrs. Cool's regular date days and after mix up with our National Trust cards scuppered our planned visit to Cragside we decided to visit Craster instead. Craster in Northumberland is one of my favourite places on Earth. Dunstanburgh Castle is my favourite Castle in Northumberland (probably my favourite anywhere) and I love the walk along the coast from Craster to Dunstanburgh. We didn't have our walking boots on so we didn't do the mile and bit walk this time so instead we decided to have lunch at the Jolly Fisherman.

La Yuan | Newcastle | Sichuan with Style

I love Chinese food but I'm usually disappointed when we get a Chinese at home. There is never anything exciting, Chicken Curry, Duck in Pancakes, Sweet and Sour Chicken... BORING! Well this little gem of a place is a million miles away from a Chinese take away. La Yuan on Gallowgate in Newcastle is something very special. Bringing dishes from the Sichuan Province of China, La Yuan has some of the best food I have had in Newcastle. The restaurant itself is really slick with a contemporary interior and it has a great location in Newcastle City Centre within a few minutes walk of some really good bars.

The Best Burgers in Newcastle are Underground

I've spoken many times about my love of Burgers and I said here how I rate Fat Hippo Underground to be my favourite restaurant in Newcastle. Well it's been a while since I visited but last week we were going to the theatre so me and Mrs. Cool decided to take the kids and I can confirm Fat Hippo Underground still has the best Burgers I've ever had.

Puy Du Fou | A Theme Park Like No Other

We recently had our summer holiday in France, I've already written about the amazing food we had (you can read about that here and here). The main part of our holiday was at Puy du Fou, this is a theme park like none I've been to and was recently awarded Tripadvisor's best theme park in Europe and I have to say it is well deserved. While there are no roller coasters or log flume, what Puy du Fou does have is some incredible shows recreating the the history of France (and more broadly Europe). The whole park recreates history right down the food on offer at the restaurant to the hotels you stay at. Here are some of my highlights from Puy du Fou.

Coastline | Blyth | Breakfast Menu

When I think of Blyth beach I think of the beach huts and some of the best fish n chips in the North East. But it turns out out that Coastline, the chippy at South Beach also serves breakfast. Mrs. Cool had been told the breakfast were pretty good and at a reasonable price so we decided to check it out.