Country Ramble

A few weekends ago, Lucy had her cousin up so we all went in his car about an hour’s drive away to go for a bit of a hike – sorry, “ramble”! Now, the night before had been a great one, out watching a few bands, but also a late one so I was a bit reluctant. But even if I was out under false pretences (you’ll be able to cut the walk short if you’re tired says Lucy, hmmm) I was very glad we went. The walk was about 14 km (!) in the end, and well worth it. So here are a few photos.

First stop – the Angel of the North.



Some scenes from along the way…comments are in the mouse overs.



After the walk over the river and through the fields and via the village, we went to Bowes museum. Bowes was an upstart bastard, who managed to inherit his father’s wealth but not the title and definitely not the respect of his neighbours. Whether or not this had anything to do with his decision to build a magnificent house, marry a beautiful French woman and assemble an impressive art collection is up to you to decide.

The first two pictures show the outside of the manor as we went in. The last shows as we were leaving…. at 4.30pm! The early sunset is still a little hard to get used to.

xmas is coming, the geese are getting fat

That would be the famous Heathrow injection. If they’re living on the same sort of diet that I am, I’m not surprised they’re getting fat. Lunch for me tends to be some sort of sandwich, usually involving a pig in some way (what’s the difference between involved and committed? To produce the bacon and eggs, the chicken was involved, the pig was committed). Massive slabs of bacon sometimes. So far I’ve had melts and stotties and baps and toasties and barts, as well as less local variants such as paninis and wraps. I’ve even had the odd sandwich.

Here’s Miquel eating a kebab. I kid you not, there was twice as much meat that he had to get through to get to the bread. I should know, this was the second time a night out on the town had ended up here, and I had the same kebab last time.

And at the monument (up the road from the office a little way, the town’s centre), there have been Christmas markets with all sorts of delicacies, so for a little while lunch every day was a giant bratwurst inna bun. This photo is here though as another Newcastle architecture sample of old and new side by side. Nothing at all to do with Dutch pancakes.

Can you believe how close xmas is now? The office tree is up, as was appropriate on the first day of December. Although, there’s something just a little bit, well, engineery about this particular tree!

We had our work Christmas party last night, so I’m writing this from my couch, having just got out of bed at 3pm. The last thing I remember is complaining loudly that this so called party town shut all the pubs at 3am. I’ve run out of reading material, and the best thing on TV is a choice between a very old Star Trek episode and horse racing over hurdles.

Work was very crowded yesterday. We are now so short of space before we move to another floor in the building that we are officially “hot-desking”. Fortunately, someone always seems to be off somewhere interesting. I’ve been sitting in the seat of someone who is in Abu Dhabi, others are in Benin, Togo, Samoa, France – and of course, I’ve already had two trips to Scotland!

The first was just a day trip to sort out some equipment with one of my new colleagues in the East Kilbride office, rather confusing located on the west coast of Scotland (and no, apparently there’s no west or central Kilbride). So it meant a 2.5 hour train ride each way, very scenic. It was another lovely clear day, with a great view of the rugged coastline up the east coast, and the rolling farmland as we passed through the middle.

To be honest, I never even though to try and get photos of the scenery out of the train’s window, or of East Kilbride itself (although that last is understandable), but this just begged for a photo, or else who would believe me? Please all note the beer selection available on the train from Newcastle upon Tyne to Motherwell in west Scotland.... Naturally, I had to have one.

The second trip was to Edinburgh. That’s a very pretty city, and I had a lovely day for it. My meeting was across the road from the castle! I didn’t make it any closer than this though.

One day I’ll go back and go to the Edinburgh Festival and explore a bit further, but this time I just walked along the main street. Now, normally I don’t tend to stop much for buskers, but who could resist this?

I’m told that football is akin to religion in Scotland, and this pub appears to agree…

I haven’t been to a football match here yet, but it’s definitely on the to-do list. Maybe I’ll go watch the “toons” – Newcastle United in their Collingwood colours. Their nickname is from the local pronunciation of town, as in going doontoon. My Geordie’s not coming along very well I’m afraid. I can’t even pronounce “you all reet?” correctly according to those how mock my attempts.

The Scottish may love their football, but luckily for them don’t care much about the cricket. It’s just not fun anymore, it’s all too easy. I usually refrain from mentioning the cricket during the day now, you can’t beat a dog when he’s down!

I went to the local shopping centre last weekend. It claims to be the biggest in Europe, and while I’m in no position to verify that claim, it is pretty big. When the train pulled up to the dedicated station, I thought, well, it’s big but not much bigger than a normal Australian Westfield. Then I realised I was seeing it end on!

The River Tyne

Back to my daily walk to work, at least while I was staying with John and Lucy… The weather’s been amazingly mild for this time of year apparently. One day it even got up to about 12 °C! Hardly any rain, and that usually conveniently at night or early morning, and lots of bright clear days, at least as long as the sun lasts. I’ve taken heaps of photos and included a few, but I’m afraid my photography skills don’t do it justice.

The walk starts from the apartment complex on top of the hill down these steps, which must be treacherous in icy conditions, then along the quayside, past the Millennium Bridge and all sort of funky modern architecture. Like others before me, I was stunned at how modern and attractive Newcastle is. I’d expected a rundown, dingy, grey old coal and steel town. Apparently, the whole quayside area was only really developed about 12 years ago, and after the Thatcher years it was rundown and dingy. I haven’t worked out yet exactly what drives Newcastle now that the ships aren’t built here anymore. The university perhaps? I’ve met students from all over England, as well as Poland and Malaysia. Plus, it supports a big (in UK terms, not Australian – you learn a new scale real quick) rural area.

That slope just says toboggan all over it doesn’t it?

Then along the river, past sculptures, cafes, the law courts and more new apartment blocks (oodles of them). And on the other side, the old Baltic Flour Mill, now an art gallery, the opera house/concert hall whose walls and ceilings move to adjust the acoustics and a disco ship permanently docked under the bridges. I did take these photos on different days – don’t worry, the weather here’s not quite that changeable.

This wasn’t only really sunny day I’ve seen, but I did take some photos of the sun, just in case I wouldn’t see it again through winter!

It took me a while to work out why, every time I went to walk out, I felt like something was missing. I’d step through the litany: “ok, wallet, phone, keys”. Of course, the thing that’s missing – sunglasses! Even bright days like this, you really don’t need sunnies unless it’s about 3pm and the sun’s directly on the horizon about to go down for the day. Plus, I’ve been told in no uncertain terms that only posh celebrity types wear sunglasses!

Of course, the talk of the town is global warming, so maybe they’ll get more common. The oldest folk can’t remember weather this warm in December. People in the office talk in wonder at still having to mow the grass in November. And they laugh at me when I talk about this being a pleasant place to spend winter. “Don’t worry, you haven’t seen winter yet”. Hmmm. It’s 4 °C when I go out for lunch, I say, what exactly should I expect? Whatever it is, it comes in February. Hey, sounds just like summer in Perth.

I really like the way the new apartments have been designed to fit in well with the older architecture. Sometime it can be quite hard to tell old from new around here. The ones shown here in the statue photo are a pretty good example of most of them, although of course they’re right on the river, so a bit nicer than most. None of the real estate agents offered to show me a flat in this block!

The opera house/concert hall certainly adds to the modern look of the river. I haven’t been there yet. The walls and ceiling supposedly move to adjust to give the correct acoustics. What sort of acoustics do they have for the Christmas pantomimes do you think? Do I want to see Neighbours’ stars dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood, or whatever it is they do in a panto? Or worse still…. Harold dressed up really badly as a woman?

Side issue: I was told in a pub on Thursday night by more than one young colleague that Harold Bishop is the ultimate Australian hero in this country. OMG!!!! I escaped to get another Fosters (just kidding, although every pub here has it on tap (I’m not kidding about that – I haven’t seen a pub without it yet), I haven’t had one yet – although I haven’t had a Newcastle Brown here on tap either, because you can only get it in bottles and it doesn’t taste the same at all), and came back to hear the rider “apart from Steve Irwin of course, RIP”. I’ve already had someone list their favourite Australian music, new bands like the Vines and Wolfmother, plus those great classics like INXS, ACDC and …. wait for it…. Rolf Harris. Need I say more? Not that I don’t love Rolf. But comparing him to ACDC?

(That reminds me – the only thing left uncrossed off on my Western Australia to do list is going to Bon Scott’s grave in Freo. I mention this just in case anyone is reading this in WA who might also leave one day. Bon Scott, people. Priorities. I forgot mine, to my shame.)

I’m told that the ship docked under the main Tyne bridge there is in fact a nightclub. I haven’t been there yet either. If, as my boss tells me, I’m leaving Newcastle for Manchester in just a couple of months, I’m going to have to get cracking on my Newcastle to do list, that’s for sure.

I was going to try and get across to the old Baltic Flour Mills, now an art gallery, this weekend, but I was just too slack. Instead, I went grocery shopping so now I’m sitting down writing this with a lovely bottle of Spanish wine and a xmas discount bulk mix of mixed nuts to write my blog. I’ve only really got out once on a weekend, and that will be the subject of a future blog. I think that after all the stress of packing up to leave, then the car debacle, the holiday’s in Victoria, Tasmania and Phuket, then getting sorted out here in England, not to mention starting work again, I’m just really enjoying being able to sit in my own flat on the weekend and do not much at all.

As soon as I finish the George Martin books, that’s all going to change, and Newcastle won’t know what hit it.

First steps in Newcastle

This one’s been a long time coming, I’m afraid. I’ve had to do it in a few instalments, so I’m starting with an intro to Newcie. When I *finally* get my own broadband at home, I’ll be able to do lots more, but at the moment I can write the text at home but need to spend time at work uploading photos. And time at work seems to be in short supply already.

I left London on Thursday morning, and it seems an age ago now, although I suppose it’s only about 3 weeks. But in those three weeks, I’ve actually had to start work again! First time in 2 months, so that’s taken some getting used to.

John and Lucy picked me up at Newcastle central station, and there were a very welcome sight, helping me with all my luggage. They’ve got a lovely little flat overlooking the River Tyne, and looking east I could watch the sun rise from my bedroom.

I was still gazing out the window an hour later.




And then looking west, some of the famous bridges.




On the first Friday, Lucy showed the way into the office, and what a lovely little journey that is. I keep taking pictures of the River Tyne in all sorts of weather, so I look like a bloody tourist, but that can’t be helped – it’s just so pretty! But that first Friday I was still a bit lost and bemused, so the only time I got my camera out was in the pub having lunch with new colleagues to be. Here I am, chatting away, eating my ‘melt’ (more on the food later), when I looked up and what do I see but a castle? A bit of the original castle, although I haven’t been closer than this yet.

Not, I feel, the last castle I shall be seeing!



Sorry this is so short after so long, the next one should be coming soon.

In England, finally

Well, it’s been a long journey to get here, but I’m writing this sitting on my own couch, in my own flat, with my suitcases packed away. I’m sorry this is only going to be very short, but I haven’t got internet access at home yet, and I don’t think I’ve been at work quite long enough to start spending hours on a blog yet!

I spent three very jet lagged days in London. I can sleep *anywhere*, but for some reason couldn’t sleep on the plane from Singapore, despite upgrading to business class (those Skybeds just aren’t as comfy as they look in the ads) and having got up in Phuket about 20 hours earlier.

But I did manage to do a few things I had to organise, and spend a whole day shopping. It was amazing though – I reckon I went into every shop on Oxford Street at least twice, and still couldn’t find the duffel coat I was looking for. Boots, though, well this place is boot heaven! Shame I wasn’t shopping for them.

Christmas lights are up, and this photo doesn’t do justice to sheer chaos in Debenhams, where the sales were on.

I’ve never been to the UK before, only to the continent. Some perhaps might consider that therefore it was a big leap of faith, to plunge into the move with no going back, and I was thinking that too when I first got to Heathrow. Changi airport in Singapore is large and clean, well ordered and convenient, with every conceivable mod con. So Heathrow was a bit of shock. It was dingy and rundown and I couldn’t find any useful information. But on the other hand, the people were all very friendly and helpful, which I hadn’t really expected, particularly in the airport. That friendliness has only got more pronounced.

When I asked him for advice, Nigel told me to never say no – take up all interesting sounding opportunities. I put this into action when a girl approached me on the street and asked if I wanted a free haircut. Turned out she was training with Tony&Guy, and needed a certain kind of cut to finish off. Just a trim really, she said. Down to my shoulder, she said. Hmmm. I’ll let you decide for yourself!

(I didn’t think to use the self portrait timer function, so the mirror had to do). It’s actually dark red now, like the photo on the main blog, so Bianca should be pleased with me.

Do people in London realise they live in a Monopoly board?? I was staying near Kings Cross Station (actually closer to Euston Station), shopping on Oxford Street (except when I turned the wrong way out of a shop and ended up on Regent Street), went past Mayfair in the taxi…Heh.

It was pretty amazing though when I looked up from chatting to the bus driver from the airport, and stared straight ahead at Big Ben and Westminster!

Between the jet lag and the shopping and the organising, I didn’t enter a single bookshop on Charing Cross Road. That will be a joy I will save for myself for next time in London.

I also didn’t go into the London Museum, free and supposed to be fantastic, which is a shame seeing my hotel was right next door. Still, I’m guessing I’ll be in London again.

With all my luggage, I caught the taxi to Kings Cross Station to catch the train to Newcastle. Now, there’s something wrong with this picture…..locked just doesn’t sound the same.



(that’s an Arctic Monkeys reference, so don’t worry if you didn’t get it)

Now, first class to Newcastle upon Tyne please....



More on my new life soon I hope.

Thai addendum

Quick quiz - who recognises this Beach?

Thailand

Ahhh, Thailand, wonderful warm Thailand, how do I miss thee. Although I can't complain, I was colder on Philip Island than I am in London. I'm told it's unseasonably warm here though, and that much worse is to come.

The replacement holiday went very nicely indeed. Car? What car? I had a fantastic time in Phuket, and look forward to going back someday. I didn't get to ride an elephant after all...

I met up with Andrew in Singapore, and we spent an interesting night camped out in the Budget Airport before getting our super cheap flights into Phuket.

The next night's accommodation was decidedly superior!

I spent a little while snapping photos of our resort. The pool was fantastic, brilliantly laid out so that even with quite a few other people around (all Swedish - go figure), you felt like you had a private bit of pool.

Look, waterslides.

We finally worked out that the hotel was affiliated with some Scandinavian travel company, and maybe a Korean one as well. For most of the week, the only English to be heard was that between two non-native english speakers (guests and staff). When we finally did hear another aussie and a pom talking, we ran a mile to avoid them.

Picture laying back in the comfy lounge chairs on a warm humid night with a faint cool breeze playing over you, listening to the gentle sound of the water lapping against the side of the pool, watching the magical lights twinkle in the ripples knowing that the toughest decision is whether to go for another swim or another $3 cocktail (the correct answer clearly being both!)

Every tree had beautiful orchids like this. They turned up in those cocktails.

The breakfast buffet catered for all tastes, but I normally stuck to noodles and rice. Who needs bacon and eggs when you can have kway tiao?

Like a lot of Asian places I've been to, Phuket was that fascinating mix of old and new, poor and rich, traditional and weird tourist cultural blend. Here's a photo of our neighbour over the way...

and here our more immediate neighbours.

There were plenty of wealthy people around building fancy houses and holiday villas, like these in the hills.

On Tuesday of course we went into Patong to find a bar showing the Melbourne Cup - I haven't missed one my whole life and I wasn't about to start now. And what a race! We were so lucky, I'd stuffed up the timing, and we thought we had plenty of time but only wandered in as the horses were parading.

Here's pub we found, and the race in replay.

After the cup, we wandered the town a bit, and got a bit of a feel for what it might be like later on in the evening, with long rows of tiny bars waiting to fill up (I didn't notice that they all had poles until later).

but we were too tired to stay, so headed back to our part of the island, Surin Beach, via tuk tuk (and after a day in Patong, we felt a lot in common with this guy).

Here's Surin beach itself, although we didn't find it for a few days, the pool being so good. Just a little stretch of sand, for someone used to Australian beaches, and weirdly full of umbrellas for hire, but a very pleasant place to have a late lunch that stretches into happy hour[s].

One night we went back into Patong, the somewhat more colourful area of Phuket, and the main attraction for some people I'm guessing.

The food everywhere was just deluxe. We stuck almost exclusively to Thai food, like the remains you see here, which is at one of the little beachside cafes we went to quite a bit. I don't know why people would pass up a great pad thai for a more expensive and very ordinary hamburger, but there you go, that's what lots of western tourists seemed to do. Although that coconut's sitting there because of my burning tongue :/.

I was really intrigued with the blend of cultures. Check out this sign for example. In Thailand, Japanese cuisine, in a Scandinavian style, advertised in English. People complain about the "commercialisation" of tourist traps like Phuket, but I think that in a way the tourists have turned the place into an altogether new sort of hybrid culture, worthy of a visit for its own sake.

The weather was great, although I got a bit burnt one day out on the boat touring the islands (including where the place where the movie 'The Beach' was filmed), but it was lovely really. Of course, it did get a bit humid. This is what happens to your camera if you walk out of an airconditioned room...



This has all taken me a while to post (photos uploaded in Singapore, written up in London, learn enough html to format better in Newcastle), but it's been great to relive the holiday. Tomorrow.....(gasp)....I start work for the first time since the 29th September.