The fabulous Mr Jonny Wilkinson

You may have noticed that I haven't been on my blog since Christmas Eve. My laptop was attacked by a horrible parasite virus which kept telling me I had to pay $100 to solve it. This happened on Christmas day. Other half is still trying to sort it out for me.

Our desk top is in our guest room which was occupied..... I could have borrowed teenager's new laptop but he ( as you can imagine) was too busy with it. (He has now graciously offered it to me so I can do this entry). And...

...... we have been rather busy since I last posted. Other than a lovely Christmas day with wonderful food and wine, good fun and fab presents ( more about this later), we have been to two sporting fixtures.

On Boxing Day we went to see Wigan Athletic versus Newcastle United. We lost 2-1 but the atmosphere was good ( and at times extremely interesting...).

Today we went to see Newcastle Falcons versus Worcester Warriors. It was a 16-16 draw. Sigh.
We went corporate and had lunch there ( three course carvery and unlimited wine- lovely!). During lunch, guess who wandered in? See below...


I would walk a thousand miles to see that smile...


Jonny and teenager

Lakeland Jo with teenager. Can you see any likeness?

We had a great time. It was mum's Christmas present from other half and I and it was very jolly, especially with our lovely visitor. The match was very exciting- I wish we had won. Never mind- next time.

I hope everyone had lots of fun over Christmas. I hope I will be back on my own computer soon.

surfacing... for a moment

As you may have spotted there have been lots of jokes and inspirational stuff but not much of me.

I have been up to my eyes in work, socialising and generally being very busy. All positive stuff and positive stress. But no time to write really...

University starts again tomorrow which will gently propel me back into a more bookish and reflective frame of mind. I do miss the blogging, both my own and reading other people's, and look forward to designing in more time to do it again soon. I miss you all!

It's the same with pals isn't it? Sometimes it's hard to catch up. The main thing is to let people know you are thinking about them, missing them and sending positive warm wishes across the airwaves.

What has been taking up my time? The business is very busy ( and thank God for that especially in current troubled times) and I have some big projects on. I am back over in the North East quite a bit with clients that I love working with. We are planning to move into offices soon ( we need the spare room and the kitchen table back again...) which is really exciting and are looking for an administrator to organise us.

I have been researching and investigating a new diet plan for November ( after my hols end October), running round after teenager and his various sporting adventures, seeing good friends ( my friend B is emigrating to Seattle soon and she came to see me at the weekend to say goodbye.... I will miss her but will enjoy visiting in May next year- exciting...) and trying to keep the house in order!.

It's all go!! On Monday I am off to Corbridge again for three nights... and taking mum along. She needs cheering up: Jonny Wilkinson has a dislocated knee and maybe out of rugby til Christmas. Damn shame- he's a great player and wonderful eye candy too. The Falcons will really miss him. Check out Jonny's fab new book ' Tackling Life' -it's great stuff.

Newcastle Falcons

Have uploaded a cartoon on Jonny Wilkinson from a google image page. I saved it into my photos file and uploaded it onto the blog. I am not even sure if I am 'allowed' to do this- it is someone else's picture? Aggh! Visitors to this page: please advise!

Anyway, the reason I have added such is to add flavour to my next posting. Teenager has spent the week at the Newcastle Falcon's summer rugby and activity camp, and had a thoroughly great time. Much of the day seemed to be spent diving into huge muddy puddles ( as a reward for doing well on the activities and competitions apparently- clearly the coaches have no compassion for the parents who have to wash all the kit daily...).

As a dedicated NUFC supporter ( as is teenager) I never thought I would ever be remotely interested in rugby. However, mum is very keen and has slowly converted me across to the sport. Teenager has now abandoned goalkeeping as his passion ( all that investment in goalie coaching and endless football events...) and is totally keen on playing the game. Bruises, bashings, scratches and blood seem to be a badge of honour, and are clearly part of the enjoyment. As Oscar Wilde said:"Rugby is a good occasion for keeping thirty bullies far from the center of the city."

We went to see Steve Bates ( Falcons director of rugby) speak to the supporters' club ( yes I am a member) on Tuesday night. It was interesting to hear his perspectives on the next season. There was a whole heap of technical chat about rules, none of which I understood at all ( but teenager apparently followed quite happily). All I care about is watching the lovely players and their even lovelier legs whizzing about in the mud: vacuous perhaps but very honest.

Back from Edinburgh

Back from Edinburgh tonight and relaxing before the big packing exercise ready for tomorrow. Where are we off to this time? Corbridge in Northumberland for a week in a self catering cottage. Corbridge is a great village. Lots to see and do, good shops and lots of places to eat.
http://www.thisiscorbridge.co.uk/
This is our annual stay over in the North East while youngest goes to the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Camp for a week. He had been going for a few years now. Rugby has replaced football as the sport of preference. I would have preferred the relative safety of goal-keeping to the apparent danger of being a flanker. It all looks very dangerous to me. However, I am really impressed with the rugby community and how they treat their youngsters. Even the very well known players such as Jonny Wilkinson are down to earth and helpful to the youngsters. And yes- I have met the lovely Mr W and he is delightful!
Why Newcastle I hear you muse? That is where we come from- Geordieland. Howay the Lads. God's own country. And yes- teenager and I are dedicated Toon Army fans ( not mentioning that the other half supports Man Utd. Let's hear it for the prawn sandwiches!)