West Roddymoor Run

Distance: 4.6 miles

I am certainly getting fitter, I ran 4.6 miles today. A couple of months ago I would never of believed it, I used to be knackered running 1.5 miles. My main problem was pace, I always tried to run fast and would get out of breath and have to stop.

The best decision I made was ditch my watch and had taken my GPS before as well. I never take my phone running either but basically anything that shows the time or can tell you how fast you are going I decided not to take. So it is just me and the route nothing else. It works, I suprised myself a couple of weeks ago by running 2.5 miles on my first attempt then repeated it 2 days later. That was the last run I did until today but have done quite a bit of hiking until day.

I managed to add 2 miles onto my route and comfortably as well. I felt fine at the end other than I was just starting to get a blister. Its the same problem I had when walking, my feet get hot and sweat and cause friction which results in a blister. Could feel this happening over the last 1/2 mile. I was tempted to add another mile on but decided not to over do it.

Even though I haven't ran for 2 weeks I am still on target, I aimed to add 1 mile a week to my route. I will go running again on Wednesday and will try to up it to 5 miles, could be slightly more. Hope I manage it, nevermind hoping I WILL MAKE IT!

Connected with the running I am going to ring to see about my feet tomorrow morning. I have just got a number from a friend of my mams. I was also given a business card for another man by the assistant in George Fisher's in Keswick but he is expensive £290. I will then get a new pair of trainers properly fitted by a running store.

Just looked at the card I was given and their website has a lot of information. There is a picture on the What We Do section, my feet are like the ones on the left (pronated) :-(

in bed

i am laid in bed typing on my phone. its been a while since doing a
post like this, its usually when i open my heart and give a glimpe
into my head and heart.

i am not gonna go that far tonight, laid here with 2 of my favourite
albums on my ipod playlist. sgt peppers by the beatles and in utero by
nirvana both albums are what i would call thinking albums as well as 2
of the greatest albums ever created.

i have just read my star sign for tuesday think they sent it instead
of mondays. its about making a big decision and not knowing what to
do. it advises to go with the first thing comes into my head. no doubt
a load of rubbish, with the enormity of the decisions facing me that
could be a recipe for disaster.

i am going to go for a 4 mile run tomorrow or today now i guess. i
haven't been for a run for nearly 2 weeks which is really bad when i
am running 13 miles in 2 months. i need to do a few things first. i
need to ring to have my feet looked at then need to buy some trainers
and sharpish as i need them ran in. i better ring tomorrow!

if i get chance i will go to the job centre as well just to see what
is about. then again never mind if i get chance, i will make time. one
of the big decisions is about my career. what do i want to do?
do i want to be in an office or outdoors?

think it may be time for a complete review of my life and what is
important to me. think i need to speak to someone who has been through
a life altering experience to make me really focus on enjoying life
because over the last 4 weeks it has been truely hard to enjoy
anything and made me really look at those i thought of as friends.
maybe one of lists of what i want and what is important to me will
afks me focus.

i have mentioned several times over the last 18 months of writing this
blog that i need to decide what i want. although i have made some big
decisions and done some things i am proud of. i have put off the 2
biggest and hardest decisions or realisations. i have moaned about my
job, even though it isn't a bad job i guess it is a good job. some
recent events have more or less ruined what i did like about it,
thanks for that.

the perfect and probably my favourite song is playing on my ipod. a
day in the life by the beatles.

...and now in utero has started this album is so full of emotion. this
is also perfect for what i am about to write!

the hardest realisation is why i am single. i have been out with a
couple of amazing woman and a few that god knows what i was doing with
them. i have also turned down a few that i knew were and are really
nice. i think i often kid myself that i know that it wouldn't work
with someone when maybe i am scared?
not sure scared is the right word a bit too dramatic. im not afraid of
anything really but would rather not be alone for the rest of my life.
yet you would think thats what i want. some of the women i have been
out with have been attached, friends have commented that its because i
have a fear of commitment. i dont think thats true i would love to
spend the rest of my life with the person i love. i have a fear of
being hurt, this maybe stems from a previous relationship. the person
hurt me more than i would of thought possible. in the end they did me
a favour but not before destroying my trust. i often find it hard to
find the words to say when i am in a relationship. i know in my heart
what i feel but the words escape me and i just go quiet. listening to
rape me by nirvana. i think thats what this person did to me, she
raped me of trust and openness in a relationship.

so when people say i am afraid of commitment they are sort of right
but for different reasons. the worst thing was i kept all the hate and
anger bottled up for close to a year before i found someone i could
trust enough to talk to.

since then i have been out with 2 people that i have loved more than
the person that messed me up. yet what probably messed both
relationships was that i just couldn't say what i truely wanted to
say. one especially i will always love for the rest of my life but
know they will never feel the same way i do and i will most likely
never find the words to express myself to them. all i can hope for is
to remain friends.

maybe i need to find someone who is deaf or something. they will then
hopefully see and feel what i feel, lol.

im sure i said i wasn't gonna open my heart tonight but i have once
again said far too much. yet it probably doesn't make any sense anyway
because i write it as it pops into my head. my head is a complex and
bewildering place, hence why i have so many problems making decisions.
And on you wont know the person who kinda messed my head up, dont
think she was entirely to blame i was bad enough in the first place. i
did just write her name but its my fault i push people away or clam
up. until i get over that i will be alone.

start trusting people, recent events have set me back. whenever i do
start to trust people someone does something to destroy it. if only
everyone was honest and not so deceitful and quick to stab people in
the back.

this has turned into a long ramble and even i don't know what the hell
i am on about anymore so no one else will either. i am just tired and
need to collect my thoughts, night!

High Seat (near Derwent Water)

Distance: 5 miles

After buying the bag and shoes I wanted to test them. I had planned this short route out the night before, needed to be short with not knowing how long it would take shopping. I had originally wanted to walk Blencathra and Sharp Edge but my dad who came with with me, wasn't very keen. After seeing how he has struggled on a couple of steep parts recently I could see why.

Even on this walk nearer the start there were some steep sections but not too bad and we needed to keep stopping every few minutes for him to get his breath back. This is another reason I want to enjoy as much as I can now, never know whats around the corner. A couple of years ago my dad would of ploughed on to the top and was fitter than me then. Yes I am fitter now but it has certainly hit him and is frustrating him.

Anyway I wont really go into any detail about this walk as its asy to see on the map. There are some excellent views from the top of Blencathra and Skiddaw, as well as Keswick and Derwent Water. Although it was very hazy and rubbish for photos when were up there :-(

It may look like we were wandering all over the place compared to the green path shown on the map but the red route we took is the actual path. Another map I have 1:10,000 scale is more accurate than the one above.

Just as we got back to the car it started to rain (good timing).

(Above) View of Derwent Water & Keswick with Skiddaw behind Keswick

(Above) Top of High Seat

(Above) Keswick with Skiddaw behind (shame about haze)

Shopping in Keswick

I decided I was going to go to Keswick and look for some Approach Shoes and a new bag for walking. I can't see the point in wearing boots for most walks especially this time of year. People go fell running in trainers and they will be more likely to turn an ankle and someone walking. This is the mean reason people say you need boots. The more I read the more top long distance walkers and wearing approach shoes. I end up with blisters because my feet get so hot and sweat in boots.

I had a look in a couple of the bigger shops in Keswick but they didn't have much choice and were generally names I had never heard of or where cheap stuff. So I decided to go to George Fishers, the biggest outdoors store in Keswick.

I asked for some help and said what I wanted and said what size I thought I was, size 9. I often wear size 10 though. She asked if I'd seen anything I liked and I had just looked at a pair of Salomon XA Pro 3D but wanted some advice. She measured my foot and my right foot was about an 8 and my left about 8 1/2. I tried a pair on but they were too tight as I have wide feet. She said that Montrail shoes were good for wide feet and she went to get me some. I didn't mention that it was Montrail shoes I had originally been looking for. She came back with some Montrail Continental Divide. I tried them on and they were much better, I had a wander around the store and over the bridge, they have a bridge that lets you test walking over rocks and up and down steepish slopes. The lady asked almost straight away had I seen anyone about my severe over-pronation, I hadn't, but knew what she meant as I have been wanting to see about it for months. She gave me details of someone who had made her some inserts. I decided to get the Montrails.

I continued looking around the store and eventually looked at the bags, again a man asked if I needed any help but said I was just looking but he did say take them off the shelf and try them on. I tried a Deuter and a Berghaus, the Berghaus was better but could remember reading about how it sometimes felt like it was pulling off your back, but it was quite comfortable. I had noticed the Osprey Atmos 25 straight away but had tried to avoid it because I knew it was expensive but I decided to try it anyway. It felt comfortable but the man said that I needed a longer back version as it was sitting too high, he went off to get the longer version. While I was comparing some of the bags. You could see the attention to the detail in the Osprey (damn). The bloke came back and filled it with some weight so I could try it on, he filled it up and let me feel the weight. I put it on my back and you wouldn't realise how much was in it because it felt very comfortable, you would think it only had half the weight in it. I decided I wanted one. It was £20 over my limit of £60. Certainly hadn't planned on spending £80 on a day sack but this thing will last for years its so well put together and comes with a lifetime guarantee. I had read a review of the bag a couple of days earlier.

The other thing I wanted was a hydration system for the bag and I got a camelbak system, there were cheaper ones but what the hell. The one I got could also be put into a bag not designed for a hydration system althought I think this could make it slightly heavier. In total I spent £173 on the 3 items but its something I enjoy and will use regularly.

I have to say how good the staff were in George Fishers, yes I know they want to sell you stuff but every one of the staff knew what they were talking about. Unlike most stores where half the staff haven't a clue. The only bizarre thing was that when I went to the counter to pay for it all, the man who was helping me with the bag checked the shoes and noticed that they were different sizes. I had them fitted and they felt good to me. I would never have noticed probably because my feet are slightly different sizes anyway. He got the woman to re-fit the shoes and I ended up with a pair of size 9's. Can't remember what the size of the others were. How the hell he spotted it, god knows. They said any problems just bring them back and they will swap them.

I headed straight off for the hills to check them out and the bag ;-)

Black Out

Not quite a black out because it was light outside but yesterday evening the electricity went off before 6. I was in the middle of getting stuff sorted for a blog post and was then going to cook some tea. The electric came back on about 6:45, but didn't want to cook anything then because I said I would take my sister to Bishop Auckland for a meal with Nigel for their Wedding Anniversary. When I say take thats what I mean, drop them off not take them out for the meal.

After dropping them off I got home and started cooking some tea, I had the grill and one of the rings on when the electric went back off again. I wasn't happy, I was hungry. I think it was off for 20-30 minutes before it came back on and I got to finish cooking my tea.

I decided that I wouldn't bother going on the computer, so spent the night reading until I went to bed early at 10:20, think I was asleep within 10 minutes. I was shattered and didn't get up until about dinner time!

Roadkill

Not quite sure what I just ran over or if indeed I did run anything over. I had been down to Crook to renew my library books. On the way back the car in front braked so I did as well. Then I saw about half a dozen tiny animals in the middle of the road scattering in different directions. Not sure if the car in front hit any or not.

I tried to avoid whatever they were but was hard when they were all over the place. When I looked back afterwards it looked like there was 2 not moving but I never felt the car hit anything and would of been impossible to hit both of those anyway because they were too far apart.

My first thought was that they were tiny puppies, they were only about 2 inches high maybe less and about 3-4 inches long and a light brown colour. I don't think they could of been though because any puppies that size would of only been a couple of days old and these were fast very fast. So god knows what they were.

Could have a walk past later and see what they were if they are still there.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest: Just got back from the cinema after seeing this. It is a really good film, Johnny Depp is excellent again as Captain Jack Sparrow. Still not too sure about Orlando Bloom seen him in loads of films but he always seams the same in every role, hmm.

Having said that it is good which it is, there felt like something was missing but not sure what it was. Maybe its just because this time its not original because we've seen the first film.

Still a must see movie this summer, I gave it 8 out 10.

Frosterley & Stanhope Walk

Distance: 8.5 miles?
Time: 3 hours

The question mark on the distance is because the GPS lost the signal a few times and it showed just over 8 miles at the end, but when connected the computer it said 8.9 miles, so just took the difference.

This is a walk I have been going to do for a long time but just never got around to it. The reason why its been planned for so long is because it passes by Peak Field where my mother grew up and I played so many times over the years until my gran died in 1994. I still went shooting for about a year after up there but most of the family don't get on with my uncle that lives there now.

So it was a walk with meaning for me, maybe the right time to do it as well.

(Above) Peak Field where my mother grew up and I spent years playing.

Maybe people can see why I love the countryside and love living where I do. I spent all my time as a kid around farms and the countryside and could never live in a town or city for any length of time.

(Above) Peak Field again

After walking past Peak Field where fences have been added because the land is being rented out to another farmer to use for sheep I made my way up past the quarry. I can remember me and a mate chasing deer through the quarry before being stopped by another farmer (Peart) thinking we were trying to shoot them. I think I was about 12 at the time, if I had a gun I might of tried to shoot them, lol.

(Above) Parson Byers Quarry

After the quarry it was on up to Ridding House which the last time I was up there maybe 15 years ago it was a completely derelict and never thought anything would be done to it. Now it is someone house and looks good, never took any photos close up though. I used to think Ridding House was miles form Peak Field but it isn't very far at all, just seams it when you are a kid.

(Above) Ridding house is distance above quarry

I then headed up towards Thimbleby Hill including several de-tours on the way. I never printed off the map and only plotted my GPS route very rough. Certainly wont go without a map again as the paths in places where vague or none existant. When I got to Thimbeleby Hill there was a woman outside and she thought I was coming to see her or something and asked if she could help. I just asked if I was on the footpath and she said yes and pointed me in the right direction. Thanked her and carried on, I knew I was on the path but thought I better make some conversation and be polite as people can often be funny about paths. Just as well she hadn't seen me hopping fences earlier ;-)


Then I headed down to Newlandside Quarry and I lost the path, the GPS was telling me the correct way to go but I couldn't see any path. Think I had walked past it. In the end I decided to follow a track which I knew would take me to the main road. I ended up walking through a farm and I noticed a dog the other side of the gate. I was a little wary, I opened the gate and it must of been a bit deaf because it lifted its head and was looking around but couldn't tell where the noise was from. It was only 6 feet from me, it suddenly jumped up when I was 2 feet from it and started barking but was on a chain. Then from somewhere another dog appeared and started running after me, it ran up next to me. I was wondering if it was going to try and bite me and was thinking about the best thing to do if it did when I heard the farmer shout of the dog and it disappeared.

After that I followed the track to the road and on into Stanhope, where I stoppped to eat one of my sandwiches. After that I was intending to just follow the back road down to Frosterley but I decided to walk along the railway line but decided that I better get off it before someone complains when I got to Frosterley (no trains running at the moment). I came off the railway line and walked down the river where my gran used to have the fishing rights and I used to fish.

(Above) Where I used to fish over 10 years ago

I then scrambled back up the bank to the road and walked back into Frosterley.

It was a nice walk, although very hot again. Don't know where this Thunder is the weather forecast keeps mentioning??

Napster

I rejoined NapsterToGo last night, not that I have paid anything yet. I am on the 7 day trial but I will probably pay for at least a month and see how much I use it.

I used to be subscribed but cancelled it a year ago because I just wasn't using it, especially after buying an iPod. I think at the time they even offered me some special deal to keep me but I turned it down because I just wasn't using it.

The only reason I have joined is because I need to listen to loads of albums I don't have for my mission "1001 albums to listen to before you die".

I haven't actually listened to any of the albums from the list using Napster yet but have found some good dance songs and am listening to Bob Sinclars latest album "Western Dream".

The French Connection

The French Connection: I am sad to say I was dissapointed in this movie. It has been given good rating and think it won an oscar but some how I didn't connect with this movie. I normally love Gene Hackman films and he did give an excellent performance.

It just seamed to be a slow burner but even when the action did start with the Hackman chasing the train, I was kinda bored by then.

I think maybe I had such high expectations that it just didn't reach, maybe better if I didn't know anything about the movie. Its still not a bad movie but prefer Dirty Harry from the same era.

I only gave it 6 but doesn't feel right giving it such a low mark?

Albums

Still on my listening spree of 1001 albums to listen to before you die...


Oasis - Definitely Maybe
The first album from Oasis and it may well be their best, some excellent songs like "Shakermaker", "Rock & Roll Star" & "Live Forever". I have listened to this quite a few times and is excellent. Should be in your collection.




Buena Vista Social Club
This album is a bit different to most, its a collection of songs recorded in Cuba and most of the musicians are well into retirement age. They sound excellent, a really good album to put on in the background and listen to. Another album that you should really own, never really heard any Cuban music before this.



Radiohead - The Bends
This is Radioheads second album and has probably my favourite 3 Radiohead songs on, "High And Dry", "Fake Plastic Trees" and "Street Spirit (Fade Out)". I'm not sure I would say it is as good as some people make out, I have seen it at the top of some all time album lists but I don't think it is that good. Having said that it is another excellent album and is an good listen.


Prodigy - The Fat Of The Land
A couple of the songs of this album where huge singles in the UK before this album was released. "Breathe" & "Firestarter" yet these aren't the best songs on the album in my opinion. I like "Smack My Bitch Up" which also has an excellent video and "Diesel Power" is another good song. It's a good Hip-Hop/Dance album and another that it well worth listening to. although there are some songs that I think I would probably skip but they may grow on you.


David Gray - White Ladder
This is another of those albums that just keeps finding its way back into my car and into my playlists. Every single song on this album is a favourite and can't help but sing a long. Its album that generally no matter what music you are into you can still appreciate. This is probably in my Top 10 albums of all time.



I am sure eventually I will listen to an album I hate. I think I have been selecting the ones I know I like rather than trying ones I have never listened to. The next few albums will be ones I haven't listened to before.

Not Much Sleep

I couldn't sleep last night because my left knee was aching. This happens now and again, usually after a very long walk, hard run on tarmac or when its cold. I haven't really had many problems with it aching recently. It has given way a few times when walking but I've carried on regardless.

In the end I got to sleep about 4am, I wanted to be up at 7 but I never got up. So i missed the bin men, oops. Just as well there was hardly anything in the bin anyway. I eventually got woke up just before 9 when the builders next door started hammering.

I thought I would have a lazy day because the weather forecast had said thunder, well I'm still waiting for it?

It now says thunder for tomorrow but I'm going walking tomorrow, so if I get struck by lightening tomorrow there may be no more posts on here after today. It could be a blessing in disguise!

I had also intended to go to the doctors today but was too late for that, so it will have to wait for another day.

I did hoover the car out (the excitement), it was so mucky (the outside) I decided I would take it to the car wash rather than do it be hand. Vowed I would never go again after the mess it made of the roof on my 106. Hasn't put scratches everywhere like it did before but hasn't exactly got rid of all the muck either, but it's a hell of a lot better.

The car has been making a strange noise when pulling away, it sounds like the exhaust rattling nearer the front of the car (I hope). I had a quick look under the car but can't really tell because it deosn't make a noise until you pull away. Then goes off once you are going. I did have a bit play with the exhaust and don't think its made any noise since. But sure it will start again, probably needs new brackets or something.

As I said I didn't get to sleep until 4, so was tired today and had a stotting bad headache. I fell asleep for 30 minutes or so on the couch this afternoon and feel loads better now :-)

So I had an extremely exciting day doing nothing much and the night isn't gonna get much better. Tomorrow I have to go out for a walk. I was intending to go away for a couple of days but I am skint and I am going to the pictures tomorrow night with a couple of mates.

Cheech And Chong's Up In Smoke

Cheech And Chong's Up In Smoke: I wasn't in the mood tonight really to laugh my arse off but I still did at some parts of this movie.

Its about 2 stoners looking for some weed and they end up smuggling a van made from weed over the mexican border but they don't know it made of weed.

There are some really funny scense, especially when the woman is making loads of noise in the van and everyone waiting outsie thinks they are shagging and all cheer when he gets out of the van. I couldn't stop laughing for ages after.

Pedro is played by Cheech Marin, I always liked him from when he used to be in Nash Bridges as Joe Dominguez. He was also the bloke shouting about the different kinds of pussy available at the Titty Twister in From Dusk Til Dawn. Just reminded me I have song that samples what he was saying (DJ Balloon - Pussy Lover).

I gave the movie 7 out of 10, was gonna give it a 6 but seeing as it made me laugh even when not in the mood it got the higher score!

Bit Better

I feel a bit better today. I focused on what I needed to do, but all I can do now is wait...

My next problem is one I have had for some time, deciding what the hell I want to do with my life. I have said before I'm no good at making decisions. My main problem is, I just don't know what I want to do. I have always been good and loved working with computers, but in recent months I have become so fed up of the same things day in day out and the office culture that I seriouslt don't know anymore.

I am happy when helping people out but don't want to be on some helpdesk where you deal with the same problems all the time. I haven't got the cash to setup my own business or would seriously concider it. I have a wealth of knowledge and can't remember ever being completely stumped with any IT problem. If I don't know, I find out, then fix the problem. Thats what I hav always loved about computers, always having to learn new skills which are interesting.

It just seams that in a normal office job you are stuck dealing with the same programs and the same problems day in day out.

So in looking back what I just wrote, I still do love working on computers but maybe not in an office environment or not for one company. Over the years I have had a recurring dream that I was in a pub/restaurant and overheard a couple of people talking at the bar about their IT problems in the 2 companies they owned. In the dream I said I could help them and ended up being contracted to provide IT support to the 2 companies but was actually self employed. In my dreams I guess I have already answered my question of what I want to do. Now how the hell to go about it?

I may go away for a few days after tomorrow and do some thinking but need to go somewhere cheap. Would love to go walking in Scotland for a few days but don't have the equipment (light tent, Sleeping bag, large bag, etc..)

Breakdown

I was ready to breakdown today, just couldn't hold out any longer. Been keeping it together for nearly 3 weeks now. Then somethings that happened today was just the final straw. I went for a drive out to try to clear my head but at times was fighting to stop myself from breaking into tears.

Finally decided I couldn't keep driving and had to pull over but when I was looking for somewhere a friend rang me and helped me. I didn't mention to them how I was feeling but they would of known I was upset. They helped me whether they realise it or not (thank you).

Even with everything I still tried to find humour and joke with them.

I have always been someone who has been strong and kept everything in, I used to explode with rage every so often but have managed to stop that but now I just don't know anymore. My defence mechanism was friends but most of them have been taken away for now. Think thats why today I thought I was gonna burst into tears (but at the last second stopped myself).

Really don't know what will happen if I cry, think thats it. To me its like giving in, people say it helps but it wouldn't in this case. Pretty much destroy me, although others seam to be doing a good job of that anyway.

The only thing that kept me on track was remembering that in reality I still have it good. The person who rang me mentioned an accident in the park at Chester-le-Street, compared to some unfortunate people there and their families I still have it good.

I have another tough day tomorrow, if I can just get past that then I really don't care anymore.

10,000 songs listened to

I use Last.Fm which records the songs I listen to on the computer, ipod and other stuff. This then produces charts and can help recommend music and stuff. I joined September last year and have just listened to my 10,000 song that has been recorded. I will of listened to quite a lot more in the last year but thats the ones that have been logged.

The 10,000 song was: Oasis - Rock & Roll Star.


My top 10 Artists listened to were:

1. The Beatles
2. Iron Maiden
3. U2
4. Queen
5. Bon Jovi
6. Oasis
7. Twisted Sister
8. Green Day
9. David Gray
10. Guns N' Roses

The top 10 songs were:

1. The Scorpions - Rock You Like A Hurricane
2. Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl
3. Bon Jovi - Runway
4. Megadeth - 99 Ways To Die
5. The Subways - Rock & Roll
6. Green Day - Basket Case
7. Space Raiders - Beautiful Crazy
8. The Kinks - Tired Of Waiting For You
9. Manic Street Preachers - Motorcycle Emptyness
10. U2 - City Of Blinding Lights

A fairly wide range of different music, there would beene ven more variations if I had done the top 20. I guess most of the above a guitar based stuff except for Space Raiders.

My last.fm page is here.

The Cooler

The Cooler: I've been gonna watch this for ages but it just never really sounded all that interesting other than its set in Vegas.

Don't know why I kept putting it off because in the end I enjoyed it. Bernie is a cooler, someone who gives bad luck to people so they lose in Casinos. He has no luck in his life until he meets a woman (his lady luck).

This wouldn't be to everyones tastes but I really liked it and gave it 8 out of 10 at IMDB.

Just want to walk

I'm sat here and I can't help but think "I just wanna walk". I want to walk around Scotland and get away from everything, could happily stop in a tent on my own. But unfortunately I still need to pay my mortgage and other bills while I would be away. So can't afford to just go, then again do I really need a house, its only a possession. Somethings are more important, like being happy.

I don't really need any possessions, just had enough of everything!!

Not sure if there is something up with me physically as well, I just can not stop drinking (don't mean alcohol), I am constantly thirsty. I have also been feeling really tired and lethargic for no reason. Yes its been hot but don't think its from that. Was going to walk Crinkle Crags in the lakes along with a couple of other peaks but don't think its a good idea when I'm like this, I would be on my own. No one would know where I was. That could be a good thing, will see how I feel in the morning.

Albums

I have listened to another 4 albums...



Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet








Alice Cooper - Billion Dollar Babies








Air - Moon Safari








Justin Timberlake - Justified






Another 4 albums listened to which includes one of my favourite albums I have ever bought. Moon Safari, this is the only album I can remember just going into the shop and just picking it up not really having heard any of it (or so I thought). I bought it when it came out in 1998 and it has constantly reappeared into my CD player and now playlists over the last 8 years. An excellent album for relaxing and chilling out to.

I wasn't very struck on either Beggar's Banquet or Billion Dollar Babies. There were a couple of songs off each album that I alreayd knew and were quite good but the rest I wanted to skip (but didn't).

Mr Timberlake is actually suprisingly good but I'm sure he is trying to be Michael Jackson which I guess is no real bad thing. The singles that were released fromthe album are good and probably are the best songs but a few of the others are still listenable.

Highlander

Highlander: I saw this in the 80's but couldn't really remember it. Knew the rough story but decided to watch it again tonight. It looks a bit dated but not too bad.

I enjoyed it and certainly worth watching again if you have seen it years ago.

What has happened to Christopher Lambert?
Just checked that he is still in films but the last one I can remember seeing was Fortress 2.

Anyway for Highlander I gave it 8 out of 10, a little dated but still very good. Has an excellent soundtrack from Queen, including another of my favourite songs: Who Wants To Live Forever.

Number 1 when born

Just found a site that when you enter the date you were born shows you what was number 1 in the singles chart in the UK, USA and australia. It also has some good top album and singles lists as well.

June 20 1979

UK single Ring My Bell by Anita Ward

USA single Hot Stuff by Donna Summer

Australia single Lay Your Love On Me by Racey


Of course I had to listen to the 3 songs, good stuff :-)

More Albums

Still on my mission of listening to those 1001 albums before I die...




Mylo - Destroy Rock & Roll









N.E.R.D. - Fly or Die







Travis - The Man Who








The Beatles - Rubber Soul






Another 4 albums listened to, Rubber Soul I regularly listen to anyway and is of course excellent, so happy to listen to this anytime. It has one of my all time favourite songs on "In My Life", along with "Nowhere Man" and "If I Needed Someone".

The Suprise of the albums above has to be Destroy Rock & Roll by Mylo, I had heard a couple of the songs before "Drop The Pressure" and "Destroy Rock & Roll" but normally dance albums have a couple of decent songs and the rest are rubbish but was a pleasant suprise to enjoy the whole album.

The Man Who by Travis is another good album and I already knew several of the songs from the album, wouldn't say there was any song that I hated on the album but one or two that I could of skipped. Still worth listening to and think all the songs would grow on you.

N.E.R.D. s Fly or Die I wasn't really looking forward to listening to but it started off good and the first few tracks I enjoyed but towards the end of the album I was sick of listening to it. This is probably more because its not really my favourite sort of music.

Superman Returns

Superman Returns: I went to the pictures last night to watch Pirates of the Carribbean 2 but there was only front row seats left and didn't want a stiff neck or to wait an hour. So decided to watch Superman Returns which I did want to see anyway ;-)

Brandon Routh was excellent as Superman and looks very like Christopher Reeve. For the first hour or so I really enjoyed the movie but then it got a bit boring, predictable and drawn out. I seamed to be able to guess what was gonna happen constantly a few minutes before it happened. Fair enough with any super-hero movie you know who is gonna win but guessing all the plot isn't that great.

To me the best parts of the movie where when they showed Superman when he was a boy and him feeling lonely and upset that Lois Lane was with someone else.

You can see the inevitable spin off with Superman now having a son. Having said all that I still did enjoy the film it just felt a bit too long, which may not of been helped with the cinema being hot. I still gave the film 7 out of 10 and I guess it is set up nicely for the next movie!

Starting to listen to the 1001 Albums to listen to before you die

I came across of a list of the top 1001 Albums you must here before you die. I think its actually a book but someone posted the list on the internet. So decided I would set out to listen to as many as possible. I have started to do stuff like this before and not lasted long before I forget about it. By the time I've listened to all of these I will probably be popping off. You can see the list here.

I have heard quite a few of them already but will listen again. So far since seeing the list this afternoon I have only listened to 4 albums:




Radiohead - Amnesiac








The Coral - The Coral








Goldfrapp - Felt Mountain








Def Leppard - Pyromania







The album I like least out of these is Amnesiac, I only like 2 songs from the album, "Pyramid Song" and "Knives Out". The album I have previously listened to the most if probably Felt Mountain, its good to put on in the background. I think if I listened to it more I would love Pyromania with excellent songs like "Photograph" and "Rock of Ages", will probably re-listen to
this album again. This leaves The Coral, I put this on while I was writing something and it kept distracting me from the writing, but in a good way because I liked the songs. I recognised a couple of the songs but again another album I will be listening to again.

So not a bad start to my 1001 Albums to listen to before you die challenge. If you decide to do something like this you may want a Napster Subscription, it could come in handy for sampling all those albums!

Pirates of Silicon Valley

Pirates of Silicon Valley: The story of Microsoft and Apple, how they started out and the things that went on. I really liked it but not sure what someone who wasn't interested in the subject would think.

I already new the story from books, neither Steve Jobs or Bill Gates come out of this looking very good. The only person to me that always seams to come across as a genuinely nice bloke is Steve Wozniak. Never in it for the money, just to have a laugh and enjoy himself.

I gave the film 7 out of 10, although think the real story is probably a whole lot more interesting.

Bit more on last night

I didn't write masses last night about Guns N Roses because it was 1:30.

As I said it was an excellent night, it was cut slightly short because of someone throwing a pound coin at Axl, they went off stage after that but came back on to finish Nightrain. I think this is probably why they didn't play Paradise City. They were also very late on stage. I think originally they were supposed to be on at about 9:00 but didn't come on until 10:15.

I can't remember the exact track order but the songs they played were:

Welcome To The Jungle
It's So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Live And Let Die
Knocking On Heavens Door
Robin Finck solo into Sweet Child O'Mine
Richard and Robin solo "Beautiful"
Dizzy Solo
The Blues
Ron Thal solo (Don't Cry)
You Could Be Mine
November Rain
Out Ta Get Me
Think About You
My Michelle (with Sebastian Bach)
You Have To Move (Blues Cover with Izzy)
Patience
Nightrain

(I stole the above picture and list from someone elses site, coz my memory is crap)

What I didn't realise was that the support act I never saw (Sebastian Bach) was the singer from Skid Row. He joined Axl to sing My Michelle and he was really good, wish I had listened to him now.

Guns N Roses

I went to the Metro Arena tonight in Newcastle, I booked 2 tickets over a month ago. A mate from work was going with his lass and their mates, so I hooked up with them and sold my spare ticket to another of his mates. I was originally hoping to go with someone else from work rather than selling the ticket cheap to someone I don't know but with being off work I haven't seen anyone.

Anyway, the night ended up being really good. The main support act weren't really my kind of thing "Bullet For My Valentine", the others I was with didn't like them either. We had to wait for over an hour for Guns N Roses to come on after the support act finished. People were getting fairly angry, but the moment "Welcome To The Jungle" started everyone forgot all about the wait.

They played pretty much all of the their Greatest Hits other than Paradise City, which after the concert I heard a few people moaning about, I thought jesus why they twisting they played just about every major song except one. The only song I was kinda dissapointed about was "Don't Cry", it was played but only as a guitar solo and not with the whole band.

In the end it was an excellent night and I am really pleased I went to see them, much better than expected :-)

Walking Part of the Pennine Way

I have walked 3 sections of the Pennine Way over the last 3 days. The map above shows where I walked. (Click any image for full size version).

I did the walking with my dad and may look strange because they don't all join up. We had planned to walk from Langon Beck to Dufton then onto Garrigill for the last few months (reverse of last years walk) but in the last week we decided to do another section but my dad had walked from Middleton-in-Teesdale to Lagdon Beck a few times and I have walked most of it. So we decided to walk the Bowes to Middleton-in-Teesdale part and get picked up at the end of the the day and sleep at home as it isn't very far away.

Day 1: 14.9 miles
Day 2: 13.7 miles
Day 3: 16.7 miles

Total 45.3 miles

Day 1

Distance: 14.9 miles
Time: 6 hours

This wasn't too bad of a walk for the Pennine Way, with it having 5 reservoirs on the route, a tunnel, 2 rivers, Gods bridge and Hannah Hauxwells home on the way. Although I didn't take very many pictures for some reason. Maybe because of the heat, I was too busy drinking or something.

(Above) God's Bridge

(Above) Cotherstone Moor looking back towards A66

Balderhead Reservoir in distance

(Above) Stream down to Blackton Reservoir

(Above) Bridge over stream below Baderhead Reservoir

(Above) Looking down towards the final destination (Middleton-in-Teesdale)

Day 2

Distance: 13.7 miles
Time: 5 hours 30 minutes

This was the final leg of the trip last year and by the end I couldn't lift my leg (pulled a muscle), but not such problems this year. The only problem really was the heat, it was about 27 degrees celsius and even hotter in places. I got some more pictures of Cauldron Snout and of High Cup Nick which are always worth seeing but the highlight of the walk was about half way over. We took our boots off and dipped our feet in Maize Beck and it certainly made a difference and the walking was a lot easier afterwards. We arrived in Dufton at about 3:25, put our stuff in the caravan (friend of the families) and went down the pub.

(Above) Cauldron Snout

(Above) Cauldron Snout

(Above) Me with Cauldron Snout behind, cap is on backwards to stop sun burning neck!!

(Above) Maize Beck where we dipped feel in the water

(Above) Feet in the water

(Above) High Cup Nick

(Above) High Cup Nick

Day 3

Distance: 16.7 miles
Time: 8 hours

When we walked this section last year (opposite direction) we couldn't see where we going for several miles, the visibility was less that 6 feet in the fog. So was very strange today seeing where we had walked previously. Maybe it made it easier in the fog because you couldn't see the hills you had to walk up. There were some good views from the top of Cross Fell (Highest point of the Pennine Way). The hardest part of this walk was the last 6 or 7 miles which were along a boring rocky track that was very hard on your feet. Certainly wouldn't want to walk this part a third time.

(Above) Great Dunn Fell in the distance with golf ball on

(Above) Walking up to Knock Old Man

(Above) Knock Old Man

(Above) Golf Ball on top of Great Dun Fell, its some sort of missile warning system I think

(Above) Little Dun Fell with Cross Fell Behind

(Above) view of Great Dun Fell from Little Dun Fell

(Above) The Top of Cross Fell

Summary

I enjoyed the walking, except for the boring last 6 miles and found it easier than last year (I am fitter). The hardest thing this time was the heat, on day 3 it was about 30 degrees celsius which is too hot for walking really. Considering I normally totally stay out of the sun once it gets hot (burn easy). We drank masses of water and had to refill our bottles (3 of them) twice from streams (haven't died yet) just to keep hydrated.

I also have lots of blisters, I had one from the 1st day but that was my fault for not wearing proper walking socks. Today I ended up with loads all over my feet because it was very hot and hard going over the rocky track from Greg's hut to Garrigill.

(Above) Can't really tell but there are blisters on big toe and one next to it as well as balls of feet. Camera is rubbish at close ups.

Need another challenge now!!