A bit of thought please

Don’t normally do the whole preachy thing on here (or anywhere really) but I’ve seen a few of these (Oh! We’re expecting.... Santa in six weeks) and they’re quite disappointing.  They completed disregard the pain of those who have/are suffering through infertility and miscarriages.  It’s just a bit of fun you say, unfollow if you don’t like it.  

Okay, I will 😊 

11th day of the 11th month

I wore no uniforms, no blue or army greens.

But I was in the Military, the ranks rarely seen.

I had no rank upon my shoulders, salutes I did not give. But the military world is the place where I once lived. I wasn’t in the chain of command, orders I did not get. But my dad is the one who did, and this I cannot forget. I was not the one who fired the weapon, who put my life on the line. But my job was just as tough. I'm the one that was left behind. My dad is a veteran, a brave and proud man. And the call to serve his country not all can understand. Behind the lines I’ve seen the things needed to keep this country free. My dad made the sacrifice... but so did the rest of our family.

I love the man I call Dad. Soldiering was all he had. But I stand among the silent ranks known as a Pad Brat.

Happy Birthday Papichen

I know you “don’t do” birthdays and doesn’t like a fuss.  Your favourite things are being surrounded by your family and lying on’t sofa. You are a great man and have taught me so much. When people say I’m just like you this makes me proud because you are fantastic.  

Happy Birthday Ginger One

Happy Birthday GO I’m looking forward to celebrating this day with you.  We have planned to go even further North to celebrate.

Jesmond Dene House Hotel

As a little treat for the Birthday Boy we had a break away at the Jesmond Dene House Hotel.  It’s a lovely hotel full of quirks and charm, only slightly reminiscent of Hill House (if you know, you know!)

On the Toon

During the summer we met up with a friend who was on her world tour of the UK visiting friends before she actually went on a world

tour, she arranged to come to us from Newcastle via the trains for on £12.  This obviously caught GO’s attention, little bargain hunter he is.  “I’ve never been to Newcastle.”  He said in a tone that implied I had not, some how, not let him live his life to its full potential as he had never been to Geordie land.  “Let’s go for your birthday.”  I suggested.    With that we are heading along the M62 on our way to a very swanky hotel in Jesmond Dene. After a delicious, although teeny tiny meal in the hotel restaurant we headed into town.  GO was relying on me for recommendations but as I had mentioned to him I usually just rocked up and followed the crowd, drink in hand.  So we did what all tourists do we asked the cab driver.  And so we began our evening on the toon by the quayside in a wine bar that I had visited long ago for a 21st birthday, it didn’t end well, sorry Beth (my roommate for the evening). This time was most civilised we sat outside and watched the world go by, it was chilly but they had outdoor heaters.  

We strolled along the quayside towards the Big Market following the cab drivers recommendations and headed for a tiny little old man pub.  It was full of locals who were not happy about outsiders we drank our drinks as quickly as possible and moved on.  Not too far this time, just across the road to a wine bar.  We found a couple of stools at bar and got chatting to the barman who made GO a special cocktail for his birthday, it was yummier than the Aperol Spritz I had ordered.  

We finished the evening by sharing a large doner kebab by the water before returning to the first bar to get a taxi back to the hotel.  In the morning GO wanted to and do some touristy things in Newcastle.  This is where I came unstuck, I’d never done anything touristy, has anyone ever been to Newcastle just to look around?  We found an art gallery which opened at three in the afternoon so we wandered aimlessly.  We did watch the Remembrance Sunday service and then did a spot of shopping.

We had a look at the Fenwick Christmas window display, it’s something you just have to do when in Toon.

Walk 1000 miles

Totted up my running total, this last four weeks has been a total write off I should be over 900miles and well within the finish line but I’m only at 875.6 miles.