Baltic blogger

Newcastle’s ‘Baltic’ is its Tate Modern, but their bridge (Gateshead Millennium Bridge) is better. Its shark-jaw design looks as though it's ready to bite ships in half as they come up the Tyne. The Baltic is a tall building with six floors and much easier to navigate than the Tate Modern, with better views and a more open feel.

Mark Tichner has decorated the foyer, but I’ve never liked his slogans, sneers and platitudes. The viewing gallery is a great spot with a lonely Gormley figure and Spencer Turch photograph of a thousand Geordie nudes freezing their bits off at the Sage.

The star of the show is Newcastle. It was deserted on the Tuesday afternoon but a great place to wander about. I’m back in December and already looking forward to the trip. London bound art lovers don't know what they're missing.