2014: In Pictures
30 June 2014: Bar Stool
Our local underpass can always be relied on for accumulating unusual items and this broken bar stool is the latest
feature.
29 June 2014: Gosforth Park
The sun seemed extremely bright on the other side of the trees as we walked around Gosforth Park.
28 June 2014: Thrillers
I couldn't resist popping into a book shop yesterday and picking up a couple of cheap thrillers.
27 June 2014: Carlisle
£26.10 for two return tickets to Carlisle seemed reasonable so we got the train along for the day. I think we managed a
token amount of sightseeing before ending up in the pub!
26 June 2014: Ghost Train
The Hoppings is back on the Town Moor and this truly dreadful Ghost Train was the fastest ride I ventured on.
25 June 2014: Beamish
I've been wanting to go back to Beamish for years so spent today reliving my childhood with a good wander around. It
was very good, if a little unusual because one of the rabbits dropped down dead right in front of us, after I'd just eaten
rabbit casserole for the first time at the nearby Shepherd & Shepherdess pub!
24 June 2014: Twenty Nine
I turned 29 today and celebrated with Michael, Alison and a few pints of cider. Another year older but probably not any
wiser.
23 June 2014: Bowling
It's over 4 years since I last bowled but after our
first game this afternoon it felt like I'd never been away. I think this might be one of my highest ever scores. I wasn't quite as
skilled in the second and third games but managed an overall win with a score of 389 to 307.
22 June 2014: Haggis Mash
Possibly the best Sunday dinner I've ever had*, from The Black Bull in Wylam. Featherblade of beef in ale with haggis
mash. It was the first time I've tried haggis and I absolutely loved it.
*That wasn't made by my mam, of course...!
21 June 2014: Head of Steam
After walking to Tynemouth via North Shields (around 9.5 miles) we rewarded ourselves with chips and a visit to the new
Head of Steam pub which opened here recently. Verdict: way too much choice on the drinks menu! If we weren't only
staying for one my bank balance would seriously suffer.
20 June 2014: Harry's Bar
I went out for lunch with Nicola to Harry's Bar, which has recently opened on Grey Street. It was very nice and I'll
definitely be going back to try other things from their menu.
19 June 2014: England Crew
I went to the Academy with Mak, James, Nicole, Michael and Matt to watch England play their second group game
against Uruguay. The smiles didn't last long as Englanad lost 2-1 and we all ended up drenched in Carlsberg.
18 June 2014: Developments
A requirement of my job is to complete regular training courses. This one was pretty long (note the bottom right corner:
I am on page 1 of 97!) and the test more difficult than many but I did manage to pass.
17 June 2014: Bewitching
It seems a strange choice of word to describe a bath creme that, to my nose, just smells vaguely like a bakewell tart.
16 June 2014: Walking Socks
I also bought these, which I haven't worn yet since I don't think they would go with the shorts I was wearing yesterday.
15 June 2014: Walking Shoes
I bought these yesterday, so we went for a 7.5 mile walk through Burradon, Dinnington and Hazlerigg to break them in.
Very comfortable and springy!
14 June 2014: English Ciders
A continance of the patriotic theme, this time with ciders. I drank these to wash down steak and ale pie before
watching England's first game of the World Cup. Unfortunately they lost 2-1 to Italy, but fingers crossed for better in the next
match.
13 June 2014: ENGLAND
My patriotism is increasing by the moment with England kicking off their World Cup campaign tomorrow against Italy.
I was going to hang this up somehow but then I remembered it's Friday the 13th so I don't think a clumsy oaf like me should
be attempting anything of the sort!
12 June 2014: Millennium Bridge Mojito
I had another voucher for a free drink at the Pitcher and Piano. This time it was a mojito, which I enjoyed in the sunshine
overlooking the Millennium Bridge.
11 June 2014: World Cup Eve
Despite spending most of the last season wishing I hated football, I'm now excited for the World Cup to start! I
don't have much longer to wait since the first match takes place tomorrow.
10 June 2014: RIP Rik
I'm a big fan of a lot of Rik Mayall's work, in particular The Comic Strip Presents and Bottom, so I was saddened to hear
of his death yesterday.
9 June 2014: Brazilliant
Finally I get something in a sweepstake at work which accidentally stands a chance of winning.
8 June 2014: Black Bull Baldness
I can only assume this picture in the Black Bull at Benton is supposed to be Tim Healy. If so, it's a reasonable likeness.
Otherwise, I'm stumped.
7 June 2014: Start Fitness
I visited Start Fitness yesterday and bought a hat and some socks for running.
6 June 2014: Snail Murder
I started the day feeling like a domestic goddess when I had the bathroom cleaned and washing hung on the line first
thing in the morning. Unfortunately that blissful feeling was replaced by horror and regret after I inadvertently crushed a
snail in the garden. There's no sound quite like that crunch underfoot...
5 June 2014: Swaps
I haven't been collecting stickers for the Panini World Cup album but I ended up with these. I'm hoping to pass them on
to someone else soon because Pereira's stare is giving me the creeps.
4 June 2014: Energy Gels
I've never used any of this sort of thing for long runs but I suddenly remembered the sample pack which I received in
my finisher's pack after the Great North Run last year. I have to say the sachet which mixes caffeine with pink grapefruit
sounds guaranteed to make me vomit regardless whether I've been running or not!
3 June 2014: Recycling Shame
Since we had company over the weekend and had also cleared out some boxes, plastic and other bits and pieces our
recycling bin was extremely full. I tried to hide most of the alcohol containers but it still clinked all the way down the drive and
attracted a raised eyebrow or two from the neighbours who were out in the street.
2 June 2014: The Enemy
At the last minute we ended up with tickets to see The Enemy at Northumbria University. Thanks to
festivals and support for other bands I seem to have seen this band a disproportionately high number of times compared to
bands I like a lot more, but they always put on a lively show and tonight was no exception.
1 June 2014: Golf
I tried golf for the first time today. It took MANY attempts before I could even hit the ball! I did manage a few decent shots
in the end, one of which unfortunately managed to lose a ball.
