Nope, Newcastle Upon Tyne here :D Where abouts do u live?, i live on the outskirts right by Wallsend (Eastend).

Anyone else doing their GCSEs at the moment?
Anyone else finding them hell?

I did English Lit today. That means 4 of my 11 GCSEs are completely finished. I'm just counting them down, I'm so desperate for them to end.

No, I remember how hard my Gcse's were though, did them two years ago. I am going to be doing my A2 exams in June though*shudder*.

It was my last day at college today. It was pretty sad. I am glad I am noty doing exams as hard as *Star Lass*though. :hug: for everyone doing exams right now.

Nope, Newcastle Upon Tyne here :D Where abouts do u live?, i live on the outskirts right by Wallsend (Eastend).
I live well, not really in Newcastle, I live in Tynemouth. I consider it Newcastle because it's on the metro system :D...but then so is Sunderland now.

No, I remember how hard my Gcse's were though, did them two years ago. I am going to be doing my A2 exams in June though*shudder*.
:hug: Once they're over, though, you'll feel great :D
What are you taking?

I am taking Sociology, English Literature and History.

They should go alright. I only need 180 points to get on the course I need (going to Leeds Metropilitan university).

:hamster:

I live well, not really in Newcastle, I live in Tynemouth. I consider it Newcastle because it's on the metro system :D...but then so is Sunderland now.

Well, yeh, it's near enough :-p You come to Newcastle often?, shoppin and stuff?? My friend lives in Cullercoats so i go to the coast quite often.... love gettin chips, and walkin along sea front! But that's really a rare occasion lol, damn weather!

I am taking Sociology, English Literature and History.

They should go alright. I only need 180 points to get on the course I need (going to Leeds Metropilitan university).

:hamster:

Seems like you have completely opposite interests to me! More of a science girl myself, rather than arts.

Hope u do well in ur exams! Nice to see ur really positive about them! Good luck! What made u choose Leeds?

The university has excellent facilities and I haven't seen a Social Sciences course like it anywhere else. It covers politics, social policy and sociology which should be a nice change from straight sociology.

Leeds is great for shopping (especially the market). It also has a great night life which I am looking forward too, Durham doesn't have the greatest variety. The students Union also has loads of good bands on.

I've never really been very sciency. I used to like GCSE Physics but I wasn't good enough to continue it at college unfortunatly. I used to have an obsession with Astronomy and memorise facts and figures all the time.
Never really like Biology or Chemistry though.

:hamster:

Hello everyone, since becoming a member of Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary located in Essex I wanted to inform you that they are organising an open day for Members (and their friends) on Sunday 12 June 2005. I am planning to go there to show my support and I was wondering if anyone would like to join me. I will be driving and I can take four people in my car. I am not asking any money for petrol however I would appreciate if you could make a donation to Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary instead (even small would be appreciated) alternatively if you can not make it to the open day you could still log on at: http://www.towerhillstables.com/index.html to make a donation, sponsor an Animal or even make your friends and family aware of Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary and how they could help Fiona and Martin. If we are more than five people going I am sure we could find another car owner in the group. Fiona is doing a fantastic job and she needs our support. Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to join me for this great journey for The Animals.


This is a short extract of an email I sent to Fiona a few days ago:

“Hello Fiona,

not sure what to say, I came across to The Sanctuary thru Veggie Vision and I fall in love with your ethics and principles because they are exactly like mine. I am so in admiration of the work that You and Martin do that no words would be able to express my gratitude and happiness to actually see people like you make Animals life so enjoyable, which is the way that all life should be.”

VEGAN: FOR THE ANIMALS. For the people.
For the planet. Compassion & Non violence. Joël

Hi, all, kick me over to another thread if there's one I should see.

I live in the U.S. and in July will be doing a walking tour with my husband along Hadrian's Wall in England. Eight days walking along, stopping at a different small town each night, total of 80 miles or so.

I haven't spent much time in England--was in London for a week several years ago--so i don't know about food, what vegan foods are common, especially in small towns. Should I just stop at markets and shops and pick up my own food? Are there good shops/outdoor markets in that area I should look for?

I don't know the names of all the towns we'll be stopping at. I think we start out in or around Newcastle.

I'd appreciate any local input from you all.

Hi, all, kick me over to another thread if there's one I should see.

I live in the U.S. and in July will be doing a walking tour with my husband along Hadrian's Wall in England. Eight days walking along, stopping at a different small town each night, total of 80 miles or so.

I haven't spent much time in England--was in London for a week several years ago--so i don't know about food, what vegan foods are common, especially in small towns. Should I just stop at markets and shops and pick up my own food? Are there good shops/outdoor markets in that area I should look for?

I don't know the names of all the towns we'll be stopping at. I think we start out in or around Newcastle.

I'd appreciate any local input from you all.


First off, if yuo haven't booked your B&Bs now, you should do so ASAP. That's the most popular walk in the UK and its not uncommon for whole route to be booked up especially at peak tourist times (like July). While you're booking your rooms, tell them you're a vegan and would like a vegan breakfast. You may get simple beans on toast or handmade scones made with soy milk or perhaps veg sausage, mushrooms and grilled tomatoes, or simple cereal with soy milk. You really need to call these folks and give them a heads up. Your walk is in a rather rural part of the UK where veg food is available but a bit out of the way. Give them a chance to prep before you show up.

Food along the way will most likely be variants of 'pub grub'. Pubs serve great food for ominivores and for vegetarians (lots of cheesey things). Vegans are a different story. Vegan food you can usually find in pubs are Jacket Potatoes with Baked Beans (baked potato with beans in a tomato sauce - be sure to say 'no butter'), chips and a salad (french fries and a simple green salad - fries are almost always cooked in vegetable oil), Vegetable Burger/Bean Burger (these are almost always vegan but you need to ask to make sure - again be sure to say 'no butter' as they like to butter the bun for some reason). You may also encounter the odd vegetable curry, if you're lucky.

Other food along the way may be Indian or Italian restaurants. Either one of these should be able to sort you out a vegan meal after talking to the waiter. Waiters will be very aware of vegetarianism but the vegan thing may be new to them. Be sure to get your dietary restrictions across clearly and don't be afraid to send something back if it's not to your liking.

Upon arrival in Newcastle, head over to the Holland and Barrett health food store at 11 Bigg Market http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=424768&Y=564122&A=Y&Z=1 and buy dried fruits and nuts. Be sure to also buy some Tartex veg pate in large oversize toothpaste tubes (mushroom flavour is my favourite) along with some Carrs Water Biscuits (kind of like saltines but round). These will keep you going along the way and this will most likely be the last chance for you to buy this kind of thing before Carlisle.

For dinner in Newcastle, be sure to stop by the fun vegetarian pub 'Bob Trollops' along the river, almost under the landmark bridge.

Some links:
Veg restaurants in England http://www.happycow.net/europe/england/index.html

Holland and Barrett store locator:
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/

UK mapping/locator (just enter in a UK postcode and it's location will be pointed out on a map) http://www.streetmap.co.uk

Hadrians Wall walk website: http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/hadrianswall/

MrFalafel,
thank you for the comprehensive answer! I appreciate it so much. I will follow your advice. Nice to know names of actual restaurants, shops and pubs to look for--it gives me direction.
We're booked on the walk through a tour company, which has reserved rooms at inns and hotels along the way. I wonder how crowded the paths will be, if, as you say, July is the most popular month!

It sounds like those towns are more prepared for vegan, or at least vegetarian, visitors than are small, rural towns in most of the U.S.

Thank you for giving me the insight. I'm really looking forward to this trip. Haven't been abroad for 10 years!!!! Getting caught up on my Roman history and breaking in new walking shoes.

I welcome any and all other tips on this trip. :sheep:

MrFalafel, where did you find out about Bob Trollops? I remember reading it had closed down, but possibly your information is more up-to-date.

MrFalafel, where did you find out about Bob Trollops? I remember reading it had closed down, but possibly your information is more up-to-date.

I haven't been there for over a year but this link says people have been visiting as late as April 1st of this year...

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/12/1230/Bob_Trollops/Newcastle

haha, I can't find where I read it was closed now, so possibly I made it up! Sorry, MrFalafel.

haha, I can't find where I read it was closed now, so possibly I made it up! Sorry, MrFalafel.

Hey you never know. Things change quite often, I've found.

We were talking about the vegan girl on Hollyoaks before...but has anyone been watching Corination Street? Rosie is vegetarian, and her mum isn't happy. It's a shame that a sulky teenager is the veg*n spokesperson on that show, and a shame she was so whiny about it (not a good image), but I'm glad she didn't eat that steak. Yet. I was really angry at her mum. :grr:

Not been watching corrie. Never do, but media representations of vegetarianism vary, and I'm hoping that someday, we get a strong veg*n character on a popular Tv show, who really breaks the stereotypes.

We were talking about the vegan girl on Hollyoaks before...but has anyone been watching Corination Street? Rosie is vegetarian, and her mum isn't happy. It's a shame that a sulky teenager is the veg*n spokesperson on that show, and a shame she was so whiny about it (not a good image), but I'm glad she didn't eat that steak. Yet. I was really angry at her mum. :grr:

Just noticed that a minute ago.... think it's good that they've got a veggie person in the soap, but also agree with the whiny thing, it's always whiny teenagers!!!

Just noticed that a minute ago.... think it's good that they've got a veggie person in the soap, but also agree with the whiny thing, it's always whiny teenagers!!!
Heh...yeah. I can't complain since I'm a (slightly less) whiny teenager, but then, I wouldn't vote myself to be a good veg*n representation. And I think a lot of people would be whiny if they were veg*n and told to eat day-old steak or eat nothing.

I'm hoping that someday, we get a strong veg*n character on a popular Tv show, who really breaks the stereotypes.
:yes:

hi i live in peterborough! anyone close?

Re: the discussion on Toffutti products i friend brought me back a mail order catalogue from the allergy show in london that sells loads of Tofutti products(lots of the iced deserts, sour creme etc.) they also have a website.
http://www.goodnessdirect.co.uk

Just thought i'd let anyone know, in case they're interested :)

Isowish, Vicky, how did your exams go??? You must be finished them about now, i bet ur relieved!

21:30 Monday July 4th
BBC2
Slaughterhouse: The Task of Blood
Documentary about a small, family-run abattoir in Oldham, showing in graphic detail the process of meat production. Animals arrive healthy and whole and are then killed, skinned, eviscerated, butchered and stored in fridges before being transported to retail outlets. The film is also about the men with the sharp knives, the killers and cutters - white, working class men and the immigrants, both Jewish and Muslim, with whom they work

Duration: 60mins