What have I got myself into?

I ran over that tyne bridge! How cool is that?!

Last year, I went to a pub by the quayside seeing people running getting their medals and seeing their massive grins on their faces. You know what I can do that! So here I am, writing this with achy muscles the day after the Great North Run. What was I thinking? 

Most people who run a half marathon train 16 weeks, me nope! I somehow did the Gateshead 10K and haven't put my running shoes on to do serious running since the children break up for summer holiday. What was I doing? I could of logged in some miles at least get my legs going but hey ho. I was walking from town to Byker four days a week, that counts as exercise. Right?

The day before arrived, it hasn't sank in that the next day I'm running 13.1 miles. I did knitting and had to redo my seaming, I was not a happy bunny when I had to take my lastest seaming apart but I must say my knitting does look neat now.  After knitting it was time to get some pasta and oh my goodness look at how many people they are at the Quayside. My friend and I were on a tight schedule, I am not keen on huge crowds either. A a nail hit my head when I was reading the good luck messages while queuing for the pasta party.  That's when reality sank in I am doing the great north run, without sufficient training. What have I done?

So yes, I did the great north run yesterday (Sunday 10th September) with no training. Something I don't recommend! Please don't do it. Note to myself, please train more than you did.

Pasta with leftover chicken from chicken fajitas 

Dinner was two huge bowls of pasta.  I watched a film with cake and a cup of tea before bed. I woke up 6am to make sure i'm up and awake and get a lot of food down me. Porridge, jelly babies, and tracker bar. Yes all of this for breakfast is needed!! Time to get ready, and that's when I cired. I'm doing this!!

I got the bus in to town each direction you looked you saw loads of people, people wearing costumes people wearing charity tops, people wearing running clubs vest. It was awesome. Everyone so excited at the same time nervous. Put the bag on the bus felt like I was heading home. Such a shame I wasn't otherwise I could get a cup of coffee! Then it was time to find my pen and start warming up. That's it, no turning back. I made it! It was awesome, how people talked to each other, amazing people were fundraising for such amazing cause. And yes, I cried by looking at people messages on the the back infact I cried quite often more of that later.

Look at me, at the start line!

The run was good the atmosphere was amazing, people cheering you on, children giving you high fives and throwing water at you. People giving you  jelly babies, ice pops, biscuits and sweets. If you were fast enough and liked beer at mile 10 you could get beer.  I will definitely do this run next year and this time I would train a lot more and maybe get my time down.

I love all of the great north run, firstly was to see Mo running the route backwards. Yes after he ran the route he decided to run it again from South Shields to Newcastle. Because why not? Second was to run on the iconic tyne bridge. I actually ran on the Tyne Bridge where the cars are normally are but not yesterday, yesterday the roads were covered with runner's. Then going underneath the tunnels people were saying 'oggy oggy oggy' towards the end people were saying it though we had no energy to say 'oi oi oi.' Running over the bridge brought me to tears! I was very emotional yesterday.

Lindisfarne, run for home

And they even sang this song, which always gets me. Ever since hearing it in Ryton last year in our local pub at the time just reminded me of all my friends back down south. I was in tears and not just little tears literally sobbing so everyone asked 'Are you OKAY?' I just said yes, it this song. It's weird how a song can bring you to joy but also sadness.

I planned my route out, the first 6 miles was supposed to be a really s-l-o-w pace, then the second half the first half of the half (got that?) was gonna be a really slow parkrun then the second bit of the half a really fast parkrun. What I didn't take into account? Is people. Yes people. Mostly everyone were walking and when you were running it was draining you had to weave in and out of people so sometimes it was quicker to walk than run. How does that even make sense?

Anyhow I made it to the end with a sprint. My instinct is to sprint at the end, don't give me those eyes. When I was younger I used to do running so I can do a mile in a 5 minutes and kilometer in three minutes when I would like to try. I just want to end the run mentally even though my body can easily carry more. Drum roll please. My time was 2hr:58mins:08sec. I'm so chuffed with that, just under three hours with no training mostly walking at a fast pace.

I wanted to phone my Mum saying 'I actually finish the Great North Run, I did it!' Though my phone died or it switched itself off. Hey ho! Why does phone always play up at the moment you need it. I just want my blue hoodie (the one that I'm always wearing). I talked to this person and we were using the same transport to get to town which was the metro. I was so glad we meet each other. Could you imagine queuing a line with no phone, no one to talk to? Me neither. So I got on the metro, it was like back in London on the underground! Yep it was that bad. I went to a shop in the Haymarket (metro station) To ask if I could use a phone to contact Mum to ask where my Mum and Dad are. And this person said yes because A) You ran Great North Run B) The boss is at home. Luckily my folks chose a pub which is two minute walk away and I even had a meal out. And I told my parents and friends, i'm going to run a marathon next. Challenge here I come!!!! With open arms and yes I will do more training this time.

Now phones are weird! I thought my phone was dead, so when I charged my phone up in the pub as you do. I switched it on in order to get to Grandpa's house as I use my phone as a bus ticket. How cool is that? Strava managed to track my run, and even when I was on metro it still managed to track me. How is that even possible? I had to switch my phone on. It makes no sense at all. Technology is now beyond me. You can even get a Garmin watch and pay for something with your watch. That is pretty cool but just weird.

After all that running, i'm having hot coco and rocky roads chocolate brownies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monthly musings: December

Merry Christmas and a happy new year

I thought it should have a bit of festive theme to it, after all it's December wrap up. I thought of taking a photo of the Christmas tree so you can see all of its glory. Though you always see the Christmas tree like that. I decided to get close by and take a photo of that.

I looked up on Google for the best quotes of the end of the year, And what a year it has been on a personal note, twelve months ago I didn't know we where moving 300 miles up north. One of my relatives passed away or that I would be attending Newcastle college. On a more general note I didn't know United Kingdom would leave the EU or Donald Trump be a president for the US. I really liked Hal Borland quote. Which is the quote I am going to share to with you, Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us."

A month where all you eat is mince pies and chocolate that says "eat me". I don't like chocolate but this month every chocolate that was in sight managed to get in my hands. Espscially those dark chocolate. My Mum and Dad got worried when I had the celebrations box to myself. (NOT ALL IN ONE GO) They hid there chocolate from me. Never mind, I just got my matchsticks left which is really nice in the evening when I have a cup of coffee I stir the matchstick in my coffee it taste really nice.

Thought you might like to see Alex.

At the start of the month, I kept forgetting to take pictures of my outings. One of which was going to Starbucks with my friend Alex (don't get any ideas.) I didn't want him to be one his own so went to Starbucks for a lovely afternoon. Who else uses a fork while eating a cake? Honestly we were having a lovely at Starbucks despite our face expressions.

There's only so much TV you can watch when off college. For my first time in ages I didn't had enough work to do keep myself entertained. So in the evenings I am tired of watching TV even then I don't like sitting and doing nothing. I keep finding myself doing Sudoku's it took me a whole month to do all three. Though I did, and you have evidence.

I had a flying visit down south. Though really it shouldn't be called flying because I didn't flew down. I got the train down south. A very long train journey down but you do get to see amazing views and you get to see Angel of the North not as clearly as you could when I was smaller as those trees have decided to grow and hide the Angel. Here are some of the photo's I took. And thanks for everyone who said I could stay with them. Especially to my grandparents who hospitality was amazing!!

My grandma and granddad taking a photo of me and Seth

From the left you have Auntie Clare, Cousin Seth and Uncle Stuart

Seth's attempt of taking a photo of me. (you have to start somewhere)

This was about two or three years ago, so I thought we should a take another photo

Here you go, a more updated photo. From the left you have Lawrence, of course me and then Tia.

Time for silly poses

Whose gonna win the starring competition? Tia or Rebecca

I forgot to take photos when I met up with my friend Emily and Lawrence in Camberly to do last minute Christmas shop and a well deserved coffee. I also went to my previous church Christmas party again forgot to take any photos. I told you i'm bad at remembering taking photos.

While at the party we had to create things. Here is my attempt at making a snowflake. Maybe I should improve for 2017.

Now that's the end of my photos when I went down south. As I said it was a long journey from Blackwater to Newcastle. Very tiring. So I tried to sleep on the train. I learned from my mistake though, I put an alarm on for 4:30 my train stops at Newcastle at 4:45 it's enough time to have a chocolate bar to wake myself up. Think again. The kind gentleman next to me woke me up saying, "Sorry to wake you up, but i'm getting off at Doncaster don't know when you are getting off." Maybe I should have a sign saying, "don't wake me up." or "I'm getting off at Newcastle," But never mind. I got a cup of coffee instead. This month has really been full of drinking coffee.

Can you have too much popcorn?

My Mum and I watched beauty and the beast at the ptomaine. Yes we did! It was really good despite all the Georgie jokes. Getting rice thrown at you. But you do get sweets you just have to be a good catcher or go with someone who is a good at catching. Then went for a bite to eat.

My first ever alcoholic drink

Now I thought this was a dessert where you had a Tiramisu in a cocktail class with  amaretto and the other liquor not a cocktail.  It taste's alright, but something I won't have again. I didn't like the strong taste of it. And a lesson to myself not to order a dessert when tired you will pick something you don't want. Go home and have ice cream that way you won't pick up an alcohol drink by accident.

Quote of the month:

I can't remember the conversation but remember my response which was, young enough to know I can, old enough to know I shouldn't, stupid enough to do it anyway.

This month contained lots 

• Board games, which I did not win😞
• Drinking far too much coffee
• Lots of walking, (another blog post coming up)

I finally sorted all my boxes out for my bedroom. Yeppe!! No more boxes that just appear out of no where. It's amazing how much stuff we accumulated got rid of. Yet takes a l-o-n-g time to sort everything and fine a new home for everything. 

Just how much books have I got.

(Why did it changed front?) Enough to start a small library. If you don't see another blog post appearing it's because I got my head in one of these books. Now the choice I have to make is which one to read first!

Monthly Musings:October

Autumn is my favourite time of year. With all the lovely colours of the trees from green to these lovely orange and redish colour with a bit of colour. If I took this photo a bit earlier I could enter this photo in the elements competition. I like Autumn not only because of the lovely colour of nature  but that it is socially acceptable to decline to meet up with people as it is to cold and it is more inviting to stay at home with a nice hot coco and read a book.

I was thinking of not blogging until I am more settled in my house. Though it means my lovely friends and family and any other readers that read this blog (which I say hello to) wouldn't know what I have been up to. Unless you ask me, What did you get up to in October? An answer might be something like this, nothing much really had friends over and family this is a rather vague answer and this month been hectic right from the 1st.

Dad posing as the angle of the north

This month been full of seeing old friends and seeing my lovely family. I had my grandparents over for a flying weekend get to see some of Newcastle gems. Unfortunately I won't be telling you them I like Newcastle far too much without the tourists. Though I did get to see the Angel of the North. I had my boyfriend though not together because of the move though we are still very close together.

This is what you get when you have a friend (Hanna) take over the laptop. Mind the quality of this image!!!!

 I had a week back in South at a lovely time catching up with my close friends one of which is called Hanna some odd reason she wants a mention on this blog. Don't know why. As I put a mention on this blog as requested I better also mention Alex on here from my college course. I just can't resist to put this quote from Geoffrey Chaucer “Patience is a conquering virtue.”

Grandma and Seth deciding on what Caravan to have!

Had a lovely time with my mischievous Cousin Seth who is aged three. Had a morning out in playing soft play as the weather was to cold and wet to play in the play park. Does 18 count as child or an adult? Does that mean I am still OK to play in soft play or have a drink of coffee and watch my cousin playing? Hmmmm, I had a Latte and a cookie which we shared between us three. I also decided to play with my cousin in the soft play and had fun counting from 3-2-1 when I say the number 1 my cousin jumps off the step and into the balls pit though if you ask Seth what he did he will tell you "I jumped off and into the swimming pool." Trying to get a three year old to come out of soft play for lunch is bit of a nightmare. So I thought I will make it a game, who can see Mummy the first, it worked until the very end where Seth decided to come down so I made a deal with him, down we go we have to go upstairs and see Mummy then go. Finally it worked without tears.

Auntie Clare and Tired Seth

I had a lovely evening with my Auntie Clare, went to her house and helped my Auntie Clare and Uncle Stuart to get little, tired Seth to bed. Then Auntie Clare and I went to Farnborough to go to the pictures. I don't normally like Thrillers and never watched one I don't get enjoyment when reading so never watched one until this month when I watch Inferno which is about Robert following a trail of clues tied to Dante, the great medieval poet. When Langdon waked up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, he teams up with Sienna a doctor he hopes will recover his memories. Together, they race across Europe and against the clock to stop a madman from unleashing a virus that could wipe out half the world's population.

I had a good morning/afternoon with my friend Hanna which we had a shopping trip to Baskingstoke no books in hand. It had to happen someday.  Though I managed to get two designer clothing without even trying one jumper and one top from charity shops. Why spend a fortune when you might only wear once? When you can get something from charity shop that is designer for less and you doing your bit for charity.

Oh I do like to be by the sea side

My Grandma has a sister who lives in Bournemouth (where the picture above is taken). Which was a lovely afternoon. Granddad and I went out for a walk and left Grandma and her sister talk. When you are by the sea side there is two rules you have to abide to do 1) have fish n chips 2) have ice cream. You have to abide at least one of them. As we already had lunch we abide to number two. I shared my ice cream with Granddad and there is no such thing as too cold to have ice cream.

I had a lovely time with my friends which you can tell as I forget to take a picture. It was weird to pass the house that I lived in for over 10 years that is no longer my home. Though home is where the heart is. I met up with Tia and Lawrence and had a lovely hot coco (sorry for the mess I made Tia) then went out for lunch in local pub that I used to live then had a walk up to Crowthrone for a deserved coffee then it was time to go back to my grandparents.

Quote of the month

Auntie Clare: "Seth where did we go shopping, Seth?
Seth: "Tiddles" (Meaning Lidl)

What I am thankful for this month

• Having lovely friends 
• Been to the Dentist with clean dental health 
• Having a garden though the weather is not right to be siting outside

BOO! Ha, gotcha. I can't believe it's the end of October. I just can't. I'm kind of sad as October is one of my favorite months. I must say though, i'm really looking forward to November, because then it is practically December which means CHRISTMAS, it's the best! Also, is it socially acceptable to start singing Christmas songs yet? PLEASE SAY IT IS!!!!!

Monthly musings: September

Good heavens, I can't believe autumn is upon is upon us once again.

This month was the most difficult month settling in a new environment and getting my bearings. I know the metro center, Eldon square, Ryton of course and the next village along from where I live which is Crawcrock, Winlaton and Blaydon. Any where else is a complete mystery to me apart from Corbridge and Hexham. This month is where we get back to normality apparently! Though is there really such thing as normality?

I started my new college course. I thoroughly enjoying it. Getting the hang off Abode Photoshop. I have had a workshop doing a Low poly. If you're not familiar with the term, you've certainly seen the style. Simple geometric shapes placed side-by-side to create angular minimalist compositions. The "poly" from low poly comes from the word "polygon," which is a merely a 2-dimensional shape made of straight lines and angles. I have been getting messy with paint by doing Jason Pollock Art. And much more great fun. Plus I met some lovely people and made great friends.

I have days where I finish early so use this time to explore the city or go for a walk by the Quay Side. My Fridays is where I try out a new cafes or coffee shops and read my book. I have been reading books like there is no tomorrow.

I have entered my first ever photo competition and received positive feedback. It was good to see other people photo's and how I can improve to become a better photographer. Well you can only go up!

Well done! You have found a snowdog. 

My Dad had a weekend away doing kite bugging at Camber Sand with his friend from work. Yep that's a thing! So Mum and I had a lovely girly weekend to ourselves. Which involved, going to the town and doing the Great North Snowdogs trail with my Mum friend from school and her daughter. Where you have an app on your phone and you become a tourist in your own city. You have to find 50 snowdogs some are big and small which are dotted around Tyne & Wear, Then we decided to watch a film on Sunday. Whatever you do, do not trust me to pick a film for you to watch!! As my Mum found out. It was between Bridget Jones or Bad Mom's. I decided to watch Bad Moms now I think Bridget Jones would be a better suitable choice. Then had dinner out and my favorite place to eat Wagamama's.

When the great north run happened this year. Parents and I went to Open Heritage, we went to to the old power station for trams called CastleGate though it used to be called Manors Power station.
I won't bore you with the history. Though if you wish to look into it then here it the website. 

Quote of the month:
Me: Next year I am going to do the Great North Run
Mum: Me too
Me: Dad are you going to do the great north run?
Dad: yes!!!!!
Dad: We are talking about the helicopter. Right?
Me: No!!!!!!!!!! The actually running the half marathon.

Right, if I put it on here it means I got no where to back out. Right! I love running and doing my bit to help others in need. I am going to run the great north run marathon next year. It would be a shame not to since you get to the beauty of Tyne & Wear especially when the event is right on my door step. I already started training to get ready to run from nothing (haven't been running since some time in winter of 2016) to running a half marathon. Watch this space for my updates on my running process.

September was the month where I was between three houses. You don't hear that often. Do you?

I just got settled in Ryton and now it time to move across the river to Newcastle in Westerhope. I'm looking forward to put some roots down and being all settled completely. So watch this space for another tour around the house with Roger. Though this time you wouldn't see random things in weird place or boxes.

Now if you could please excuse me, while I just finish the packing. For my last move for a while. So you might find yourself refreshing the browser a couple of times before another blog post makes a appearance.

Monthly Musings: August

Here is me, in Newcastle China town

Normally when I do these monthly wrap up, I either write them out every Sunday so I all have to do is edit them and upload them.  Or look at my phone to remember what I did. But August was the month where Doc Brown was unable to make lightening strike the clock tower and I was stuck in 1985.

Just a random photo, to look at

My phone decided to delete all my 500 photos, some of which has been backed up onto DropBox which I have retrieved back onto my phone though they are tiny and when you enlarge them they just end up being blurry. This month I took lots of photos and been to see lovely things with the photography club. Which unfortunately you cannot see my amazing work. That will teach me to upload my photos from phone onto my laptop more regular. Surely! Though good news I have been using my digital camera and got good photos so you would get to see some of my amazing work just not variety of subjects,

This month has been very chaotic. One morning I was in South East of England same day just in the evening I was in a pub in North East of England. Beginning of August I thought about doing monthly musings by photos. And upload all my photos with captions saying what they are and write a tiny bit about them. Though that is not going to work. I could bore you by writing about each thing I did in August. Did you what that? Guess not.

I been going to a local photography club, I have been to,

• Hancock museum looking at the wildlife exhibition
• Seeing some derelict buildings which turned into going to Shibdon Pond which is a Local Nature Reserve.
• Whitley bay seeing Saint Mary's lighthouse
• Combine Harvester
• Lisa's tea room

I have been visiting the next village next to Ryton which is Crawcrock and visiting the different cafes just because I can. Though my favorite one has to be the Ark followed by Lisa's tea room. I have been doing lots of walking. And finally got a Flickr account and getting my head around it.

My Mum and Dad went into town I decided to have my own little adventure in the rain by going to Path Head Mill at Blaydon. The original Mill was a corn mill founded in 1730, but by 1974 was a derelict (common theme here) with a 1930's farmhouse the only survivor. In 1992 the Vale Mill Trust was founded, and the 18th century watermill has been restored by them. The work has been done mostly by volunteers, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds and have been given opportunities and training to help them develop life skills and employment. 

During the bank holiday weekend the Tall Ships arrived to Blyth a few members of the photography club decided to wake up early beat the crowds and photograph the Tall ships I was one of them. And I manage to get some on my digital camera. And thought you might want to see some my photos. 

Look how tall they are!

Mind the blurriness

How is that for a swing! Just don't fall in the sea

A reflection photo

Here are some photos of combine harvesters

Combine Harvester is massive

Is it a combine harvester or a fish tank?

Spooky

Anyone fancy sitting here? Or even driving it?

I think a black and white photo is very appropriate for the combine harvester. Don't you?

So are you pictured out now?