Waitrose sent this card to me a few weeks ago, yet I really don’t understand what its point is. The literature that accompanied it told me that I should scan it each time I shop (aka volunteering my data), but didn’t explain what I could expect in return, beyond vague statements like “more of what you love”.

Even having been on their website, I still don’t understand how it’s supposed to benefit me. And beyond that, given the infrequency with which I shop at Waitrose, I don’t really understand why I got it in the first instance. It’s really not the kind of transparent communication I expect from the John Lewis Partnership.

It’s the least well explained “loyalty” scheme I’ve ever encountered, and since I don’t understand what I’m exchanging my data for, the card won’t be jumping into my wallet just yet!

The end of mum’s lovely birthday dinner at Don Alberto in Tarleton, Lancashire.

This is the view from the independently-owned and frequently highly-rated Tebay services, on the M6. It might look pretty, but the last time I was here I paid about £7 for a chicken curry that was inedible. Today, I’ve just stuck with a bag of Mini Eggs – though, as a public health doctor, I’m not sure I should admit to either of those choices!

St Mary’s on Gateshead quayside is over 900 years old. It’s over 30 years since it was last used as a church, having been an auction house, a tourist information centre, and now – appropriately – home to Gateshead Heritage.

It caught my eye because of its plain glass (rather than stained glass) windows, which give it an unusual sort of ethereal quality… which, I suppose, is appropriate for a former church. I think this photo might just be a little too light to really show it, though.

This is the clock tower of Darlington’s Victorian Market Hall, with a Greggs and a closed down Past Times in the background. I don’t think there’s much else to say about it…!

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that the bollards around the Gateshead Millennium Bridge (or the “Vessel Collision Protection System”, to use the proper name) were to be removed. As I walked past this evening, the Forth Sentinel was beavering away at that very task.

This is where I’ve been this evening: if you can give blood, you really should too. For more info and to make an appointment, log on to blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23. Shocking pink lipstick isn’t compulsory.

Despite living in the North East for nearly nine years, I had never visited Kielder Water & Forest before today… And it was well worth the visit!

There’s a few more photos below, including one of slightly bizarre ice formations, specially requested by Wendy.

My previously celebrated brownie-baking skills are being severely questioned today, after two successive batches, being made for friends, ended up a little “crispy”, as Wendy would say.

Luckily, I was (partially) saved from an Alfred-esque reputation by Asda’s in store bakery… though it’s a crying shame that a whole kilo of chocolate was wasted in my failed efforts!

I made a quick detour from my usual commute to capture today’s subject, The Angel of the North. It’s not the world’s greatest photo, but I was slightly embarrassed by whipping out my iPhone while surrounded by more photographers with more equipment than seemed reasonable for something that’s already been photographed so much.

Interestingly, a car park has appeared nearby, which wasn’t there last time I visited… although that was probably some years ago! If you’re in the area, I guess it makes it considerably easier to make a quick visit – which is highly recommended!