As Easter Monday (April 18) arrived, Gazette photographer Stu Norton headed to the coast to see families enjoying some time out and about in South Shields, while taking in the sea air!
This was the first Easter weekend since 2019 without Covid restrictions; a special milestone meaning many could reunite with relatives to celebrate in person.
Here are some of the seafront scenes from Easter Monday. Thank you to everyone who stopped and said hello to Stu – see if you can spot any familiar faces in our picture round-up.
![Great minds think alike! Families shared the good idea of spending an Easter Monday at the coast.](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjgwMzg5OGM2LWFiMDQtNDY3MC05Yzk4LTVhOWFlZWZlZDhiODpkNzc0OWZiMi0zNDBhLTQzMjktOGEwMC1hNzRjOGMwODg0NzY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Sea air
Great minds think alike! Families shared the good idea of spending an Easter Monday at the coast. Photo: Stu Norton
![A thumbs up from Dylan Key, eight, as he enjoys the fun at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park.](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmQzMTQyMmUwLTU5MDctNDg3OS1iNmQ1LTRiOTQxZTZjNzIwZTpiNGM4OWM4ZC1hNTExLTRkNDgtYmEzOS01NmRiYTNlYTlmMGQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. In the driving seat
A thumbs up from Dylan Key, eight, as he enjoys the fun at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park. Photo: Stu Norton
![Hands up on one of the rides at the fairground.](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmE1ODRlMjdjLTg1ZmMtNDZiZC04YTBlLTQzZDBkNDQzMWFlNjo1MTBmOTAxMi0yNWNkLTQ4OGMtYTE3MC0wOTdkNGI0NjNkMzM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
![A sweet treat each for Lola Thompson, five and Evie Laverick, six.](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjE0N2Q4OWFmLWJkZDUtNDJjYS1iZDM3LWQzODg3ZmU4Y2Y3OTplYzEzODBjOC1kNDA2LTRjNDYtYTA5My1jNzU3OWM2MjJmMzg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Double trouble
A sweet treat each for Lola Thompson, five and Evie Laverick, six. Photo: Stu Norton