2013: In Pictures
30 September 2013: Reichstag Dome
We had registered to have a look around the Reichstag Dome and this was the mirrored centre. There was an audio tour to guide us
round which was interesting and informative.
29 September 2013: Berlin Marathon
I didn't even know this was taking place today until we left our hotel and saw the wheelchair racers going past! As the race neared the
end, the participants ran up Unter den Linden towards the Brandenburg Gate.
28 September 2013: Hertha BSC 3-1 Mainz 05
We went to the Olympiastadion to see Hertha BSC come from a goal down to win 3-1. It really was a brilliant experience, with
the fans in great voice and a lap of honour from the team at the end.
27 September 2013: East Side Gallery
A remaining section of the Berlin Wall has been made into something of a street art gallery and it was fascinating to walk along and
see what had been added, not only by talented artists but also the little scribbles of tourists who wanted to leave their own mark.
26 September 2013: Georgbraeu
We sampled several different beers while wandering around Berlin, including this one from a brauhaus in the Nikolai Quarter.
25 September 2013: Emergency Exit
As I hate flying I was alarmed when the flight attendant asked me to sit in a row on my own next to one of the emergency exits. I
made sure I took in the information but thankfully it wasn't required.
24 September 2013: Packing
The packing isn't even finished and the suitcase is already rather full!
23 September 2013: Walk to Whitley
I went for a 9.7 mile walk from Killingworth to Whitley Bay, as it was a lovely day.
22 September 2013: Millennium Bridge
A walk along the Quayside brought a rare chance for me to see the Millennium Bridge tilt to allow a boat to pass.
21 September 2013: Ton
I liked this beer mat in the Three Bulls Heads before Newcastle played Hull. Unfortunately Papiss Cisse didn't score today and
Newcastle managed to lose 3-2 despite taking the lead twice.
20 September 2013: Waiting Room
Yesterday I went for some blood tests to find out if there's an underlying cause behind the Raynaud's which affects my hands.
Unfortunately they didn't take all of the samples they required, so I had to come back today for another visit. My appointment was at
11.15am so I was becoming a little impatient by this point.
19 September 2013: Hailsham Avenue
Walking from Four Land Ends to Forest Hall took me down Hailsham Avenue, which holds many memories as it's where my high
school is situated.
18 September 2013: Fear of Flying
I don't like flying so I went to the doctors to get a prescription for diazepam to calm me down. I don't recall previous prescriptions
ever having specified what it was for on the actual printout!
17 September 2013: GTA-Day
My chances of watching any television have plummeted as GTA V has arrived.
16 September 2013: Black Toenail
This toenail has been black for a few weeks and I'm terrified it's going to fall off in my sock one day.
15 September 2013: Great North Run 2013
I passed the start line just as the wheelchair racers were lining up. A while later I was underway for my third Great North Run, which
I completed in 2:08:30. It was a new personal best but I think I could've finished a bit quicker if it hadn't been so congested at some points.
I suppose that's enough of a reason to sign up again next year!
14 September 2013: Essentials
Just a few of the essential items needed for a half marathon.
13 September 2013: Pasta Party
It's time for carb-loading, so I'm having my own personal pasta party.
12 September 2013: No Sponsor
I needed something to wear for this year's Great North Run so I picked up last season's away shirt. The sponsor has changed so this
one is naked, but it leaves a lovely space for my race number.
11 September 2013: Newcastle Legends v AC Milan Glorie
Steve Harper's "testimonial" was a match in aid of charity, between Newcastle heroes from years gone by and AC Milan legends
such as Baresi, Maldini.. and DiCanio (currently manager of local rivals Sunderland). It finished 0-0 and after a typically farcical penalty
shootout, AC Milan were the winners. It was a great night, but so bizarre to see players spanning several eras all on the same pitch!
10 September 2013: Jimmy Eat World
I'm a big fan of Jimmy Eat World and since I'd only seen them live once - at a festival - I was over the moon when I heard they were
coming to the O2 Academy in Newcastle. Unsurprisingly, they were brilliant live and played a setlist full of classics and a handful of the
best songs from their newest album.
9 September 2013: Heat
I was cold when I got home today so, reluctantly, I put the heating on.
8 September 2013: Victory
Our first game of darts ended triumphantly for me. After fairly lengthy attempts at checking out on both sides, I finally managed
a double 2. After three games, the score was 3-0 so I think it's safe to say I've developed some beginner's luck.
7 September 2013: Non-League Day
The international break meant no Premier League fixtures this weekend, so we took part in Non-League Day instead and went to see
West Allotment Celtic play Stokesley SC in the FA Vase. Celtic cruised to a 4-1 half time lead and despite taking their foot off the gas in
the second half they held on to win 4-3 and progress to the next round.
6 September 2013: Knee Warmth
After getting soaked by rain on the way home I warmed/dried my knees in front of the fire while my tea was in the oven.
5 September 2013: Hug-Jon
I'm not sure I like the subliminal message that I'm receiving from the labelling on this filing cabinet at work.. especially since my boss
is called John.
4 September 2013: Tea Breakfast Crossword
I finished this off over breakfast rather than tea, but it still counts as a success.
3 September 2013: Dexter/Kettlebell
A very enjoyable start to the day: an episode of Dexter and a kettlebell workout. Since it was early in the morning, I put the subtitles
on rather than turning the volume up too high.
2 September 2013: Roundabout
I made the exciting journey around this roundabout to get to Morrisons for a bit of shopping.
1 September 2013: Kung Fu Art
We walked from Killingworth to Tynemouth and stopped to admire some of the graffiti artwork under this bridge.
