I discover that my tastes have changed in the years I was in Sydney. I'm rather less interested in pubs than I once was, and more interested in parks. Also, I've a taste for heritage and architecture I lacked in my feckless twenties. All this means is, there's parts of Newcastle I've never really explored before - and I'm having great fun doing so now. Today I headed to the East End (please click on pics to enlarge). Customs House Hotel Quirky bench Laneway houses Foreshore park, once a railway goods yard. The shed has been preserved, the turning circle reclaimed. Heaven for a rail fan! This is what actual damage done by tree roots looks like. NCC? Playground reflecting the area's rail heritage A swing for children who use a wheelchair - what a wonderful idea I wish Felipe's was a real thing; then Newcastle really would be hipster central