Vera on her travels

Submitted: 5th September 2017

Vera is a firm favourite in the North East – she’s just as much a part of the landscape as the Angel of the North – infact some would say she’s is the real angel of the North, albeit with a hat and a grumpy manner. She’s tough and no-nonsense kind of woman who gets the job done. So when we had a book signed by Vera, Aiden and their creator Ann Cleeves, we asked the question where you would suggest Vera to visit in your local region…

So, where did you suggest she would like in and around the UK? We got loads of answers across social media but some of the most interesting ones came via the site so we share a few of these with you now. And Vera, if you’re reading this, we hope you enjoy your travels!

We’re going where? Aiden and Vera wondering where they’re going on holiday (c) TheBookTrail

Where Vera could go in the UK

Yvonne Vonnie Bastian – Visit the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, home to cream teas, pasties, ice cream, jam, chutney and great food. Oh, and I live here too!

Janet Patterson – Definitely the Lizard peninsular but also she would feel at home in her land rover and her ability to reverse would be a bonus in the narrow lanes

Jane Orford – She should go and see the Iron Men on Formby beach people tend to dress them up in various items of clothing, I`m sure she would enjoy them naked or otherwise

Ellie Lane Vera – She should come for a holiday round the Norfolk coast. There are plenty of good fish and chip shops so she should be happy

Brenda Blethyn as Vera (c) TheBooktTrail

Sharon Preston – Think she would appreciate a rural retreat as she’s got that jeep. What about a nice driving holiday along Loch Ness and the Highlands? She’ll need that raincoat she wears so she’s all set!

Abbie Hilton – Ely is a lovely city Vera might like to come and relax in. There’s horse-racing nearby and a lovely cathedral to pray for help in solving her cases. The city is named after eels and Vera is used to slippery customers so why not eat them here in a nice pie?

Melanie Vout – Visit Sudbury, we have nothing but charity shops , hairdressers and bookies oh and a 99p shop . You will feel very posh.

Sharon Wilden : Think Vera would love a trip down South to visit beautiful Salisbury Cathedral and then take a trip to Stonehenge although she might not enjoy the inevitable delays on the A303 during the busy school holiday period!

Our winner:

Donna McIntosh-Webster – Vera would love to visit Aberdeenshire where she can have her wee drams of whiskey along the whiskey trails. She can treat herself to a bottle of her murder solving fuel at a famous distillery and later sit on a bench atop a cliff, as she does, to mull over her list of suspects while gazing out to sea and the eerily stunning Dunnottar Castle. I’m sure this would remind her of the Northumberland coast. She should keep some for later for birdwatching at Donmouth nature reserve and have a toast to her dad Hector. Even though Vera might find it funny but maybe even solve the mystery as to why no one ever sees any haggis running around the fields, I don’t think she would like eating one as I’ve only ever seen her eat sausages, ice cream, biscuits and the odd squashed sandwich.

Kenny doughty as Aiden (c) TheBooktTrail

Kenny Doughty as Aiden (c) TheBookTrail

Further afield:

Cathy Blake – Vera should visit Kansas City! I know she’d love barbecue.

Sophie Morgan – Think Vera would like a visit stateside. She’s got lots of fans out here and I can see her and Aiden hanging out in a Wendy’s burger joint!

Sally Hill – New York – Aiden and Vera would be great doing all the tourist sites. I can just see Joe yelling at Vera to watch out for the traffic, thinking she’s still in the countryside. And then her losing her hat when at the top of the Empire state building!

Joe Solomon – Does Vera like sailing? There are some lovely boat rides from the harbour in Toronto. An island not far away would be the perfect retreat for her (or to leave Aiden if she gets tired of him!)

Ginny Casley – Vera would love a vacation in Prince Edward Island. Very rural and pretty and she could walk in some lovely countryside, visit Anne of Green Gables country and see some of the local wildlife instead of the criminal life back home.

Steven Baker – I would love to see what Vera would think of Mardi Gras and the bars of New Orleans. Cops eat donuts don’t they? There are some fantastic ones out here to try, some jazz and blues to get her feet moving and some of the best Creole cooking as she looks like she eats on the go and needs some proper food.

Lucy Mangan – Would she like to visit Australia? I live on the Gold Coast and she wouldn’t have to wear a mac or her hat so could go shopping, sit with her feet in the sand and relax. Aiden would also be welcome or course! I would show him around whilst Vera was relaxing on the beach 😉

And just incase she wants a staycation very close to home – Pamela Hornor said “Brenda, you already know the answer to this question – Newcastle upon Tyne & Northumberland. Cant wait to see you back here!”