INXS

I went with Kay tonight to see INXS at Newcastle City Hall. I really enjoyed it, before going I wasn't sure what it was going to be like with a different singer. He sounds a lot like Michael Hutchence!

Its definitely worth going to see them if you get chance :-)

Le Grand Cirque

I went to see Le Grand Cirque at the Newcastle Theatre Royal with Mandy and Val. We all really enjoyed it, you would think they had stolen the entire Chinese gymnastics team :-)

This is really short because I am getting ready for my trip tomorrow...

Boxing

I've never got around to writing about the boxing last Friday night. My mate (Nigel) won his fight after the second round. Britain lost the cup to America though, overall the fighters were just better which is what I expected.

I'm not sure if I will go again, certainly not on the bus after arguments on the bus. It wasn't me arguing but the same people who usually do. Anther lad that went with us got thrown out and walked 10 miles in the wrong direction trying to go home.

Deerstalker Run

(Above) official route map (erm borrowed)

(Above) computer drawn route I did

(Above) Elevation profile of route

Actual Distance: 5.5 miles (8.85 km)
Highest: 1378 Feet
Lowest: 455 feet

Checkpoint Punch Split
Checkpoint 1 00:41:56 00:41:56
Finish 01:16:57 00:35:01

Time: 1:16:57
Position: 34 (provisional)

Yesterday I completed the Deerstalker with Helen and Mandy from work. When we got their I was a little worried looking up at the hills around us and after looking at the map which is the top image of this post (we borrowed it) it didn't make me feel much better. But I was determined to do it.

We registered and got our SPORTident tags, then we had a quick wander around and sat in front of Traquair House in the sun relaxing. As the starting time approached we went to get ready, we started to wonder where Mandy had gone because she wanted to get changed in the toilets rather than the car.

We made our way down to the tents and stood about for a while before we noticed people heading to where the start obviously was. We were stood around at the start for a while looking up the bank at the first obstacles a wall of straw bales.

Eventually we set off at about 5:15pm and ran to the bales which I leaped straight on top of then had to teeter on the edge because a lass had fell on the floor on the other side. I lost Helen and Mandy over the bales so slowed down to wait for them for while the caught up.

After the bales we ran along the road towards the Pond, on the way there was some guy telling another how he should be running, as he was some sort of personal trainer (could of been) he was doing my head in. We got to the pond and I think everyone got a shock, before the race the guy had mentioned about waist deep water (thought he was joking), it was almost waist deep and several people fell over (including Helen I think). From here I lost Helen and Mandy I looked back for them but couldn't see them. They had told me to just leave them if I had wanted to, so after a minute or so of trying to spot them I decided to just go. I kept quite a steady but very slow pace up the bank (most were walking). I walked 2 short sections up this bank and caught up to the guy giving the running lesson, he was telling the bloke with him to keep running and basically looking a prat waiving his arms from side to side (does that help?). I was gonna ask the guy he was ordering about if he was getting on his nerves but decided better of it.

Eventually we came to a flatter section (slightly) with a gradual bank that stretched for a fair distance but then I noticed people heading off to the right straight into the wood where normally there would be no path. I followed them up but unfortunately everyone was walking or better description would be sliding going up here. I wanted to run up but couldn't get past them. I thought this was going to be be where the first checkpoint was (I was wrong) we then headed back down the the track I had been looking along and carried on around the corner.

Again the track went to the right and up a steep hill I managed to run past a few people up the beginning of this hill, but we then came onto an area where the woods had been chopped down and it was very uneven underfoot so had to follow the path, everyone was walking in front so I had to as well. After what seamed an eternity the path become wider just as we entered the trees again, I ran past a few people here. Then the next obstacles were ahead. The first obstacle was tree hugging, there was wood around the trees that you needed to step from between each tree and a rope overhead to hold onto. You could only go as fast as the person in front of you and she looked quite unstable ;-)

The next obstacle was balancing over several thin logs and blanks, some people avoided these but I wanted to do them as its part of the fun. There was a badger run I think they called it next, it was basically a tunnel you had to crawl through in the mud. Then a bit further and I scrambled up a wooden frame (wall) and had to jump from the top (about 7 foot), I could here some people saying it was too high. I might of got the order of the obstacles muddled up!

Then a short run up the bank and there was some strange music playing as you scrambled through the trees I'm sure there was some sort of obstacle here but can't remember what it was. Then there was a clearing and the checkpoint was straight ahead. I put my Dibber (SPORTident tag) into the checkpoint but couldn't hear if it made a noise as someone else did it at the same time. So I had to do it again to make sure and the Marshall checked it with me.

It was a short run along the track before there course went to the left and down a mountain bike trail, where we turned left there was 3 bottles of Lucozade and I was wondering if this was what they were calling the drinks station but decided against picking one up as it could of been bottles of piss for all I knew.

I enjoyed this next section running down the hill and followed some lass with "The Outsider" on her back before I eventually decided she as going too slow and over took her. I then followed another lass for a while before deciding again she was going at slightly too slow of a pace. We joined back onto the trail we had been running along earlier but about quarter of a mile further along it. The route then headed down through the trees where the wasn't any normal path it was just a route through the trees, again I really enjoyed this but got stuck behind a few people. A lass appeared from the trees to the left, everyone thought she had been for a wee but she had got lost (so she said). We headed down towards the road where there were some nets but we were directed around them (for some reason), a couple of people slipped down the bank here (Mandy too I think).

Once over the road I slid under the crash barrier and down the little bank to follow the river to the foot bridge then bank along the other side of the river this section was quite long and I pulled a lead out from the people behind me (not that I was really trying to). I could see someone in the distance ahead of me but they must of been at least quarter of a mile ahead. I think I went wrong at the next section just before the river crossing, I went a little further than I needed to, oops. I waded through the water which was shallow compared to the earlier pond.

Then it was through the trees to the drinks station, picked some up as I ran but it was in a cup (why when its a run). I took a sip but it tasted horrible (High5), I forced some down to keep my hydrated. The next section wasn't too bad it was still flat, I then approached the sump and a couple of people directed me the right way. It was through a tunnel under the road and the water was waist deep here, it was quite stagnant as well. I clambered out of the beck (up a gate I think it was) then over Tweed Bridge. I knew I couldn't be far from Traquair house because I could remember us driving over the bridge on the way there.

As I ran through the next bit totally alone with no one in sight, suddenly the house appeared ahead and I knew it was nearly over. I still didn't feel too bad considering what I had just covered. I ran along the side of the house and thought I could hear someone approaching in the distance behind. Once I joined the road there was someone sat down having a breather before the last slight incline. I could see a load of people gathered ahead near the toilets, the slapping of feet behind me got louder and I could tell there was someone on my shoulder. Someone at the side of the road shouted "you can take him". I wasn't having that so I increased the pace slightly and the slapping of the feet behind increased too. The people only looked to be 100 yards, so I sprinted at the top speed I could manage, which was surprisingly fast. I couldn't hear the slapping feet anymore. I got to where the people were standing and started to slow slightly then I realised it wasn't the end. I had to run into the field and around a taped finish (shit). I ran still fast towards the taped run in and the bloke on the mike said something about me sprinting so I ran even faster around the corner past everyone. Everything was a blur at this point because I was feeling dizzy and sick. I got the finish line and the lass was pointing to the checkpoint machine. I waved my had past but of course I have to put the dibber into it. I struggled doing this as my sight had gone blurry and felt like I was going to puke.

I dibbed my tag then walked 5 yards further on before puking up for the next minute just after the finish line. I was sick because I had ran so fast over the last 200-300 metres.

I handed the tag in and was given my print out and I got a total shock when I found out I was 34th (1:16:57) I had no idea I had done that well, I was expecting to be towards 100 or something. I picked up another free drink, that horrible High5 stuff but ended up throwing away. I waited at the finish line for a while for Mandy and Helen but there was no sign so decided to stand near the toilets where I had thought the finish was when I was running in. After another 5 minutes or so I saw them come into view, Mandy looked to be struggling while Helen looked fine (well, maybe OK). I jogged around the corner to meet them (still had plenty of energy), a couple of people tried to direct me through the run in thinking I was finishing the race but waved my finish ticket at them, lol.

When I got the finish where Mandy and Helen were I saw them getting a medal, I hadn't been given one. I must of missed it when I was being sick. So went and asked the lady for one :-)

The sum up for the day was that we all thoroughly enjoyed it and I was certainly surprised how well we all did. It was a lot better than I expected and was great fun going over, under and through the obstacles. I will be back next year I hope (10K maybe?).

Oh we did the 5k but according to the computer it was 8.85K (5.5 miles), the computer sometimes shows slightly more but not by much, it will be at least 5 miles. The times look incredibly slow for something that long but it ain't no road race and there were many obstacles.

We all agreed that we were pleased we weren't doing the 10K, you can see the route of the 10K on the the top image if you click on it. It goes up a nasty mountain in the dark. I may attempt this next year if I can continue to improve my fitness (not sure yet).

I will keep an eye out on the official website for the full results as well as photos. Helen and Mandy finished 82nd and 83rd in about 1 hour 30 I think? well done :-)

Faithless

I went to see Faithless at the arena last night with Kay. They were really good and played most of their big songs (Insomnia, God is a DJ, Mass Destruction, We Come 1).

As I said we both really enjoyed it, although I definitely need to drink before I go to a dance event. I can't dance and am totally self conscious these days, probably because Kay can actually dance, lol.

Keane

Tonight I went to see Keane at the Metro Arena with Kay, Val had bought some tickets the other day so she could come but found out she had double booked. I said I would see if I could sell her tickets to a tout as I had done once for Tony. When we got there, no touts were about and there were quite a few police about. It looked like they were trying to stop them (I'm guessing). So unfortunately I couldn't sell the tickets.


We had a really good night, Tom the singer in Keane sounded fantastic and I spent the whole night singing along. Oh OK singing may be stretching it (groaning along then). It was kind of a suprise that they were as good as they were. I really like Keane but wasn't sure what they'd be like live. Luckily they didn't let me down. The entire arena was singing along through their biggest songs :-)

Masters Football

I have just booked 2 tickets for the Masters football in June at the Metro Radio Arena. The tickets are for me and Tony, he mentioned about going a while ago and I had already been thinking about.

I owed him £16 from when I sold his Kasabian ticket so paying for this covered that :-)

Paintball

Still searching for stuff and found somewhere close by and cheap for Paintball near Houghton-le-Spring (Massive Attack Paintball). It costs £10 for 100 paintballs or £30 for 500 and can buy extra @ 100 for £5 I think it was.

I wonder if I can persuade a couple of mates to have a go, surely they will think its better than hanging about around the house.

Bungee?

I can't sleep, my head is buzzing with things to do. I had a quick search and found a bungee jump from the transporter bridge in Middlesbrough on 25th March but I had planned to go wildcamping that weekend (probably my first). There is also one on the 20th May but will be coming home from West Highland Way that day.

So it may be 16th June the day before I do the NY 3 Peaks. It will cost me £60 I should book it this week before I think of an excuse. Two things a few days before my Birthday and if I get in the Beamish Tram Challenge. Then not long after that I'm off to Canada, the year is starting to look good. I just need to fill the next 2 months.

Update: I just tried to book a voucher and received "The site is experiencing heavy traffic, please try again later". Do all nutters book this kind of stuff at 1:10am in the morning?

Things To Do...

I have found one list I made but somewhere I have a much longer list. Here's the short one for now:

• Climbing
• Swimming
• Shooting
• Cycling & Downhill
• Walking (of course)
• Running :-)
• Kayaking
• Ice Skating
• Boxing (dunno if my temperament is good enough)
  
• Fishing
• Kiting (not sure of proper name)
• Go to London
• Go to Scarborough
• White Water Rafting (hopefully in Canada)
• West Highland Way (started organising)
• North Yorkshire 3 Peaks (In calendar for June 17th)
• Cycle Coast to Coast (Need some serious training)
• Horse Riding
• Quad Biking
• Bungee Jump
• Paint Ball
• Read (again)
• Skiing
  
• Snowboarding
• Golf
• Ten Pin Bowling
• Coasteering
• Gorge Walking
• Motorbike lessons (finally I hope)
• Hot Air Ballon
• Grow own veg
  

That's the short list and some normal stuff mixed in among some more extreme. I wish I could do all those and a lot more but unfortunately I'm not rich and have to go to work :-(

The list will be added to when I find the other list and have a bit more think. I could add loads of places I would like to see but many of the above could be possible if I organise well enough (like thats going to happen).

I did also have a short list called To See on the same page:

• Ice Hockey
• Basketball
• Theatre
• Classical Music
• Leeds Festival (is in calendar but depends who's playing)
• Circus de Grande

That's the short list of them too ;-)

Boxing Day

I didn't get out of bed until about 11, got ready and went down my parents again for dinner. My sister, brother in law and the kids were coming up. It's just Xmas dinner again but with the rest of the family. It was a bit better than the day before because we had fun with some of the cracker toys, water pistol and stuff.

I didn't stay for long because a mate was coming over (Kay), I had bought a present well sort of 3 and told her that it would do for me too. I think she was totally puzzled as to what I had got and had told me not get anything anyway.

I had bought her the Rough Guide to Toronto, a Toronto popout map and 101 Things to do before you die. It's should be obvious why I bought the first 2 (we are going to Canada). She had said how great the popout foldaway map was for New York (sometimes I listen). I probably would of bought them anyway for myself normally but thought they would make useful Xmas presents. The other book I thought was a bit of fun and I wanted to see what it was like, lol. I ordered a second copy for me the other day and it arrived today. Anyway she was very happy with them and said they were the best presents she had got (would say that) because it was something she wanted. She bought me some bottles of Stella and a huge box of Maltesers, so much for not drinking. We had a couple of drinks and ate most the Maltesers or rather I had 2 drinks she had 1 (driving). I had got a call from a mate (Wayne) about going out while Kay was there and I said I might later. After a couple of hours or so Kay said she better go, think she was conscious about my mate having rang. I got her to drop me off at the George on her way home.

In the George, Kevin, Binyon, Wayne and Angela were there along with the pub regulars. Angela and Binyon were both fairly wrecked. Wayne didn't seem too bad and Kevin had only had 1 pint having not been there long either.

We decided to go down Willington, I'd only had about 18 or so pound in my pocket but intended to go to the Cash Machine at Quality Fair in Willington. We went in a couple of pubs in Willington before I went to the ATM only to find it had a metal shutter over it (WTF?). I wasn't drinking much anyway because I had to go to work the following day. I was even more conscious now with about £10 in my pocket, I had another half of lager and a couple of cokes before we ordered a taxi to take us back to Crook. I spent the last 2 or 3 pubs in Willington talking to Trevor a sort of relation of Wayne about immigrants, the army and other stuff. In one of the pbs some lass came over to talk to Wayne, used to live next door I think. She stunk of stale sweat, like she had been running in the dress 2 days earlier and not got changed. I was about 6 foot maybe further away and could still smell her. All of us were keeping our distance, although Wayne seemed immune and carried on talking to her. She would of been an attractive lass if it weren't for that.

We got the taxi back to Crook and got out at the Sun, I said I was gonna go home because I had work in the morning. The others persuaded me to go in and I bought a half of lager. Everyone wandered around towards the dance floor but I decided I wasn't going over there or I would be there ages with no money and no drink. So I left for home, I went to the bank and took £20 out, intending to get a Chinese but both Chinese takeaways were close and had already walked past the third on the way to the bank.

I decided to run home from the top of Hope Street and ran all the way to my door (map below).
It's only 1 mile but warmed me up.

Review of Events

The Kasabian concert marked the end of my concerts for this year. Considering before this year I had never seen any live music other than the stuff in the local pubs, but that don't count.

This year I have seen:

Bon Jovi
Guns N Roses
Iron Maiden
Robbie Williams
Basement Jaxx (Twice)
Orson
The Subways (Twice)
Kasabian
Dirty Pretty Things (Twice)
The Fratellis
Muse
Noisettes (shit supporting Muse)
Trivium
Bullet For My Valentine
Franz Ferdinand (4 songs)
Kaiser Cheifs
Bodycount
The Sunshine Underground
Yeah Yeah Yeahs (wandered off)
Belle And Sabastian (most of it)
Fall Out Boy
Panic! At The Disco
Dashboard Confessional
Fightstar
Primal Scream (half of it)
The Vines
Ian Brown (got bored of him)
Paul Oakenfold
Pete Tong

I saw some others besides for the ones above when at the Leeds Festival and quite a few DJs at Hi-Fi in May. I'm sure I'm missing some major band I've seen as well but can't think.

Not bad for my first year of going to see stuff, I also saw Ross Noble (comedian) as well.

On top of these I also ran the Great North Run, walked Ben Nevis. Also walked 3 sections of the Pennine Way, Crinkle Crags, Langdale Pikes, High Street, Charity walk from Frosterley and various other walks.

I went to a Newcastle match, went to watch the boxing twice in London and in Glasgow.

Everything above was from May onwards, so really its only just over half a year. Good going :-)

Kasabian

Just got back in from watching Kasabian at the Arena. I nearly ended up not going. Tony rang at 6 o'clock to say he couldn't go because his girlfriend who is pregnant had really bad stomach pains and he was worried (Hope she is OK). I was tired anyway but text Leila to let her know because we had seats together. She was already there with her son.

I decided to go anyway and sold Tony ticket to someone outside. The Towt (however you spell it) would only offer £5 for a seating ticket, so sold it to someone else for £15.

It ended up being good, the Fratellis were excellent supporting. Although they hardly had any of the stage and were perched on the edge with a sheet thing covering the stage ready for Kasabian. Unfortunately they were only on for about 30 minutes. They played a Goldfrapp song which sounded really good (Ooh La La).

Then Kasabian came on at 9 and the stage looked good with the lighting. I was quite happy to be in the seating at the side, we were stood up but was good how we could see all the crowd below. There seamed to be a really good atmosphere maybe not as good as the Maiden concert but better than some of the others. I didn't know half the songs, maybe every other song. Please I went though in the end.

No Drinking postponed to New Year

My idea of not drinking is postponed until the new year. I got a text off a mate who I used to go out drinking with 2 or 3 times every week and play football with for years. I haven't seen him since break up day last year even though he only lives around the village. I am off out with him and some other mates on Friday afternoon (break up day).

I am also out tonight down Crook to watch the Newcastle match with the brother in law. I have to set off walking in 5 minutes.

I just checked the timings for the Kasabian concert I'm going to tomorrow night and saw that the Fratellis are supporting. I like them even more than Kasabian and wanted to go and see them a few weeks ago. So am very happy now :-)

Well I better go gotta walk in the freezing cold down to Crook!

Iron Maiden Concert

I've just got back from seeing Iron Maiden at the Metro Arena in Newcastle. It was an excellent night. They played the new album "A Matter Of Life And Death" and was starting to think they weren't gonna play any of the classics. Bruce said they wanted to play the album as it was telling a story. After playing the Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg they started on the classics "Fear of The Dark" was the first. They also played Can I Play With Madness, Iron Maiden, Halloweed Be Thy Name among others. Its a shame they never played Running Free, Run To The Hills or The Trooper but with so many good songs you can't play them all.

It was a fantastic night, everything I hoped for after 15 years of listening to Maiden and never seeing them live.

Bruce said they are planning to hire a field in the summer next year and do a gig with about 150,000 people. I can't wait, if I can be there, I will be. Please don't let it be at the beginning of July when I'm in Canada!!!

Grin and Loop

I'm sat here chair dancing (oh dear) listening to Gnarls Barkley - Smiley Faces, I seem to have this, Crazy and In The Morning by The Coral and the same song name by Razorlight on loop. I'm sat here with strange happy grin on my face with big headphone on (DJ style) . It must be from all the coffee (latte and Cappucino) I've been drinking while doing my Job appeal. On my third loop of them now ;-)

I'm planning some exercise in my Google Calendar for the next month, adding runs in and some walks. I'm still very tempted to sign up for the Great Winter Run in Edinburgh but I don't think I have enough time to train even though it is only 5K (but hilly). Especially with Xmas and New Year in between, the run is on the 17th January. There are less than 200 places left, should I stay or should I go. Now there's a song to add into my loop!

I have booked up to go to the Outdoors Show @ the NEC in March with my dad. It only cost £9 each, Ray Mears is there talking, probably not see him, will be too busy wandering about and trying stuff.

I need to get back into training again, even if I don't do the Edinburgh run I am intending to do the Redcar half-marathon in March so need to do some serious training now!

My aim is to run the regular work run in sub 30 minutes before the end of this year and run once in reverse (the route not me). I will see how I feel after the run tomorrow at work and if I feel OK I will book myself a place in Edinburgh if any left then!

Inspiring

i wrote a blog post on my phone last night but it hasn't appeared yet,
will probably turn up in a couple of days again.

anyway in it i wrote about how i had a podcast to listen to about a
woman who had given up her job, sold her house, car and everything she
owned to walk 3000 miles around the alps. i think the url is
www.alpinechallenge.info
thats from memory so could be wrong. she was doing it for charity. i
listened to the podcast on the way to work this morning and i am so
envious. not of walking the alps but to sell up and do something she
really wants to do.

i really want to walk every major peak in the uk. well to be specific
the wainwrights, monroes, corbetts as well as the entire uk coast.
this is a massive undertaking but it would be fantastic. what a
challenge it would be. I've done a run and intend to do several more
over the next year including the great north run, already paid. to
walk all of those or even just every munroe or every wainwright would
be a huge achievement especially if done in one continuous trip.

if only i had the courage to give up everything. i constantly think
what is the point of going to work every day. its just to feed the
bills and other stuff we dont really need. i could be out there
walking the uk.

maybe i need another kick up the arse?

i am going to do some serious thinking in the lead up to new year and
set some plans in motion. it wont be any of the ones ive just
mentioned unless i walk every wainwright. i have flights booked to
canada in july and place in the great north run paid for. i also have
a week walking the west highland way in may planned. i suppose thats 3
major things before the year has even started.

i have a one for 2008 already as well. the tgo challenge which is 2
weeks in may spent walking from the west coast to the east coast of
scotland more details can be found on the web rather than me
explaining on here.

i want something much bigger, more challenging that i will love which
i why i said the things above.

oh i also plan to do the coast to coast cycle route in a day. i mean
the full 160 mile route not the shorter ones I've heard people doing.

these are a few things I've got wrote down, there is actually i full
page of a4 i filled in a few minutes. would never get chance to do
them all but some i am determined as well as the above. i will do the
north yorkshire 3 peak challenge which i had intended to do this year.

more of this stuff including the dates i'm actually doing this stuff
will appear in the next couple of weeks.

life is for living not working!

Peterlee Xmas Evidence

I've managed to acquire some photos from the Peterlee Xmas night out from last Friday. Unfortunately I'm in one of them looking very bad with a santa hat. Everybody looks much better than me!

(Above) Katy and Me [oh dear]

(Above) Leila and Chris

(Above) Ruth and Chris

(Above) Po-Ming and Nichola

(Above) Margaret and Terry

(Above) Margaret and Katy

(Above) Janet

(Above) Bagley and Paul with Kay and Kay in background

(Above) Chris [again] with Charlotte

(Above) Po-Ming and Nichola again

(Above) Paul's dazzling head with Kay and Helen opposite. Janet and Mel facing on table behind with Jane and Gemma (I think) with backs to camera. Dunno where I was Gemma? is sitting in my seat.

I need to acquire the rest of the photos!!!

Out again

I'm off out again tonight for the Peterlee office Xmas party. ITs in Chester-le-Street but I'm meeting up with a mate (Tony) in Durham first at 5. Then getting a taxi to C-L-S.

I better go coz I ahve to iron my jeans and have the 3 S's to do, actually 2 S's (Shower and shave). I'm getting picked up in 35 minutes... Bye....

Great North Run

I received my certificate in the post for the Great North Run along with details of membership where I would be guaranteed a place for the next 3 years. It was only open to people who completed the last race and the first 2000 to apply.

I quickly signed up and have paid the membership and the entry fee for 2007. So I am now entered again :-)

I also saw a 5K run in Edinburgh next month on the 13th which I really fancy doing. I think the route is what I've drawn out below.