Scotland Calling....

As i sit here snoozing away trying to upload my blog I discover, it isnt so easy to do here at my brothers house, not sure the problem he has a good computer, ahhh well,

so a recap from the past few days,

Saturday - We travelled up to Scotland in the van with a ramp and easier access - (boy those straps were hard though and despite getting dad locked in a toilet (long story ) we made our way to Uncle Alex house for pie and beans - yum, it was very strange Aunty Jean not being around you expect her to walk in the door at any moment but we were lucky that Janet and Kyla and Chris and Louis, Finlay and Hannah could join us - heck, we even helped build a bbq, we then headed speedily across Edinburgh to Colinton and had a lovely fe whours with brother Neil and his family, eventually we got to sleep about 10.30 after a very long day.

John Being attacked by his nephews and Gracie

I am now staying at Chez Main in Coatbridge where you have buckfast on tap and also tons of pizza's and tatties. I have no idea how John and mum think I will get through all the alcohol but I will try..........................................



Sunday we visited the Falkirk Wheel and the rob roy center in Callander taking a lovely drive through the trossachs and stirling shire, Nathaniel is still having a very profitable time weather wise (plenty rain) Despite Johnny feeling sick he was a trooper till the end and even stayed for dinner at Guidi's.

Everyone aboard the canalboat on the falkirk wheel

Monday - Nathaniel and I headed into Glasgow by train after waving off Petrus and Aggie at the train station, John was still very poorly and was staying in bed. Nathaniel was very excited to be in Glasgow and was shouting "yeh Glasgow" and even more excited that he had come to visit Dr Who's house!! Oh WOW,

Now on to the rest of the week!!

So far 2 dry days!!

meeno mino

above is Great Grandad, Nathaniel and Gran

Today we thought the rain would not arrive and we could celebrate day 2 out of 7 of no rain, it did, however and as Nathaniel and Meeno mino were busy playing Tetherball in the garden he came running in he seemed to have forgotten all about the £1 he was owed.

Meeno mino is his new invisible friend (he tells you he is invisible so you cant see him).

Nathaniels new favourite place, PC world where he can play wii and playstation 3 as well as x-boxes, after PC world (it is actually a computer supply store) after that he enjoyed an ice cream with great grandad and a game of Snakes and Ladders.

Being a reasonably religeous family, it is rubbing off very well on Nathaniel and he has indeed turned quite "holy" saying prayers every meal time (about 12 times) and hope god has a good journey on the plane etc etc, it is funny how innocent minds work.

Another good thing happened today, Nathaniel and dad were heard laughing and having fun, this is great that dad is feeling better enough to have a good laugh with his grandson - Nathaniel certainly appreciates it!

Early start tomorrow for our trip to Edinburgh and Glasgow (to see my brothers) and I will catch up with you all when i can

Moving on to week 2 and a new destination

Closing Newcastle

With just 2 days left here in newcastle, Nathaniel and I are both suffering from delayed jetlag, tired and napping it leaves us awake till midnight some nights and very lethargic throught the day, the weather although isnt too terrible, it rains most days and is just so unpredictable.

We are now both missing our home and Simon but my head is wondering how Heather is getting on with Miss California.

I am really hoping some energy will kick in soon,

I cant stay tired forever! At least as I lie here Natey is in bed and has been since 8.30 last night so that has to be a good thing

A new week - Monday to Wednesday

Monday - the day started well, I awoke at 6 (Nathaniel popped into the bed) had a quick chat with Simon on Instant messenger) and then headed out and completed a 6 mile run, not bad and my new trainers still were white despite the rain and mud on the paths. Nathaniel is very keen to climb up the loft.

A trip to the park and Asda and we ended the day with a stroll around hexam and a definate unrealistic expectations with regard to a wheelchair and a steep slope, it was a beautiful place and we enjoyed the shops, garden and park, Natey picked us flowers.

Nateys grace - Dear god, thank you for our dinner, and I hope you have nice dinner too with your..... (does god have a son? he asked and dad breathed as if it was his final breath, I assumed he was shocked by the question mum thought he was ill, we didnt discover who was right! ) with your son and a good breakfast too and if you tell me what you want I will make it for you, Amen

Tuesday - We had a quiet morning, I caught up with a few phone calls then met a friend Emma, Her mum and kids Zach and Caitlin, mum came too and we had a lovely lunch chatting and eating at the Toby Carvery, the rain started again so only 1 dry day so far, and we have had the forcast for another 5 days rain, I laugh when people say we experienced a bad summer last year this year is proving no different.

I lie here at night listening to the rain and as I look out the window I am reminded how light it gets here 10.30pm and still as bright as ever......oh well, time to sleep.


Wednesday - a quiet day, I ran for over 6 miles over the derwant walk, to be totally honest it started off as a 3 mile run but then it was kind of easy and beautiful so i kept going then got lost, after a few detours i finally made my way home thanks to my forerunner. Arriving home I found Nathaniel still in bed refusing to get up till i got back - bearing in mind i had been gone for over an hour and a half it was almost lunchtime, we headed to the shops briefly and then the park returning as there was an urgent need for a poo (natey not me).

Cbeebies was the order of the day for the afternoon and then a quick drive in the van borrowed for our drive upto Edinburgh, a chip supper was in order for dinner and the rain came down and down...........................................................................................................................

Sunny Sunday.......................

really?? No not really, another rainyday initially which dried up but ended up with terrible gales, so we went to the beach- go figure that!!

The morning started by my dream about what route I would take to go running but when I awoke I was just still too tired, going to bed late at night and with jetlag has just been too much, also a few minutes into getting up the rain started, so it was just a relief that I hadnt gone out.

Instead of staying home stir crazy we decided to head to South Shields and the beach.

Arriving there it was windy but not too bad and we strolled along the beach front and headed to the funfair, Nathaniel had some shots on the rides and we shared some candy floss, after lunch we headed back to the beach as Nathaniel wanted a swim, it was so windy the sand actually hurt our legs but Nathaniel still enjoyed himself,

After a quite visit to the park and an omlette dinner, it was time yet again for bed

First Saturday

After waking at midnight briefly and had some apple juice and a chocolate biscuit cracker sandwich, Nathaniel slept till 9.30 am - fanastic and I did a 3 mile run, so from that you can tell we are feeling better.

He also earned his 2nd pound (he gets one for ever rainy day), he was having a lot of fun in the rain getting wet jumping in the puddles and exclaimed he wants to move to Newcastle but daddy has to come too. Our first meal out was to Nando's and we ate so much I dont think we will be able for any dinner, we had a glass of wine and i ended up walking round Newcastle, in the cold wet rain almost falling asleep (note to self, dont eat and drink so much at lunchtime). I bought some magnetic games so we could wait playing ludo and Snakes and Ladders while Dad looks at the military bookshelf in Waterstones book shop.

We made it home and developed a second wind but I expect it wont last long!

The weather forcast is rain till thursday but i know it wont really be that, we are not that unlucky...............................................are we???

Now I just need to figure out what the number is for my phone, I have totally forgot it.

Fly Hi and Adore

So the anticipation of flying is always full of mixed emotion, excitement, dread, the thought of the flight is so unknown and predictable.



Running down the gangway into the plane, you feel you could do this anytime you want. Such excitement and Nathaniel still has time to pause for 20 push ups.



Finding seats, moving blankets and positioning pillows are always important as well as trying to figure out what you may need for the first hour of the journey while the seat belts sign is still on.

Onboard we pop on our free socks and resist the temptaion to clean your teeth with the free toothbrush straight away.

Nathaniel didnt like the smell in the toilet, I tried to tell him it was "lemon fresh" smell but he didnt believe me,

He enjoyed Horton hears a who and i watched fools gold, Ps I love you and The other BOlyen Girl all of which i have seen but easy watching .

Only one major inciodent happened Nathaniel got stuck in the toilet and couldnt get out he was crying and thinking he wouldnt ever get out or see me again (he had insited on going himself, the time lapsed was only a few seconds but hours to him)

Security at London Heathrow continue to cause me great stress and upset, I really got upset at them and they stupid rules, i cant help but totally assume they are just using the "terrorist" game to make money, As if I have got nothing better to do than be a terrorist.................dont get me started,

We arrived safe and well at Newcastle and Nathaniel spent the next few hours asking to go home. I told him the planes only run every 5 weeks.

Lets hope for a happier boyt after a good night sleep.......................I am exhausted

Today is the day!

Today Nathaniel and I fly back to the UK for 5 weeks, there is definitely mixed feelings and the usual  - dread, of the journey, once I am on a journey it is fine but those days and hours leading up to it are hard.  Trying to work out if we have bought everything, packed everything, you know you can always buy something if there is a desperate need, but I do like to try not to muy too much

Nathaniel has been very excited to Fly as he was looking forward to playing the games, especially hangman so we felt very sad to tell him we would not be on the "GiGi" plane but instead British Airways and with the terrible selection of movies listed below, I hope we sleep soundly! He is also very worried about the rain (remember he is experienced in UK weather) so I have told him I think it wont rain every day and I will give him a pound for every rainy day and we will count the rainy days - he seems happy with that

1.	Movie	The Spiderwick Chronicles
2.	Movie	Charlie Wilson's War
3.	Movie	Fool's Gold
4.	Movie	Semi-Pro
5.	Movie	National Treasure: Book of Secrets
6.	Movie	Dan in Real Life
7.	Movie	Reservation Road
8.	Family movie	Cars

My ipod is full to the brim and I have a ton of Audio books too which seem his latest craze!

So at 1.30 Simon will come pick us up, we will get a subway sandwich then jump the Marin Airporter from San Rafael to the airport,

Flight departs at 6.50pm

see you somtime

Miss Marin goes to California

So,

How many of you know a real life beauty queen.  

The Eves Family are luckily to have know Heather for many years, she is a beautiful, talented person who won the "Miss Marin" competition late last year and later this month she is going on to the Miss California 2008.

 So last night we joined Heather at a surprise party for her to wish her well.

In some ways it was bitter sweet because Natey and I wont see Heather again after we return from our trip as she is scheduled to Start at scheduled to Start at harvard in the Middle of 

July (If she wins Miss California she can defer for a year).

So Heather, we wish you all the 

very best of luck,

  Simon will be in Fresno with some others to cheer you on but maybe he is just going to see the swim suit section.

You are already a winner, go reach for the stars!! We are very proud of you!

The Mountain Play

The Hike to the Mountain play has been something I look forward too a challenging hike climbing an elevation of 2000 ft in just over 6 miles if you take the short route, longer if you did as we did the longer route up.

Starting off at the Dipsea steps in downtown Mill Valley the air was cold - in fact freezing, my sweater was on, the dipsea stairs run in three sections and wow, as usual I was ut of breath after taking just a few steps - and this was just the start - I was now thinking maybe taking my cool bag an supplies was a bad idea! Stop moaning and climb we have a deadline of 1pm to meet.

Up and Up

Up and Up

 by the time we got to the top of the stairs, we could relax m

ore and chat more and we got in our stride, removing my jumper we were now in the sunshine leaving the houses behind and heading straight for the stars (or at least the top of the mountain)

This hike is totally breathtaking but more about that on the climb down, walking up and up through some shaded areas with little bridges and water falls, some sun shiny rocks every step was a different thing to look up, Catching up with Margaret w

as great too, just walking chatting isolated with no cell phone reception talking about everything we headed on our journey.

We were doing well but still had a way to go and the time was getting on we picked up the pace and keep moving but we took the wrong route we took a longer slower up hill which was torturous, cutting corners we were desperately trying to meet the deadline, it was 12.45 my legs wanted to stop, but I couldnt, I couldnt even get my breath, please can we just stop for a minute?? No if we did we would miss the start so we kept going, I will miss the part where they insisted we go to the box office to get our tickets the rou

te brings you out at the back of the stage! I was panicking and a swear word did come out, but I left margaret with the bags and sprinted along the road another 1/2 mile to get the tickets! and then back again and we entered the theater as the word "ladies and gentleman welcome to the 95th Mountain Play " sounded - what a relief our friends had kept our seats, we sat down and I slugged a diet coke and ate 1/2  my sandwich (a safeway turkey one  - no tomatoes :( )- we had arrived.

With hiking the most amazing thin is the recovery time, after just 5 minutes of watching the play (which was brilliant) we felt ready to tackle the down hill but the play was just over 2 1/2 hrs so we watched it all and enjoyed a glass of wine in th

e sunshine.

The Hike down the mountain is glorious too, we took a slightly different and quicker path and we were down in 1 hr 30 min, but what is different about coming down is you totally get to appreciate the views, looking across to the City of San Francisco, seeing the whole of Marin, trees, beaches, water, it was totally amazing, no matter how many times you see it, it is beautiful.  

We got to the bottom, achieved over 13 miles that day on our hike and cant wait to do it again, I just wish i had worn my garmin - to measure it exactly so  - that is a good excuse to do it again later in the year

I felt good......................Thanks Margaret for your friendship and your amazing company.

The Graduation 2008

Yesterday Nathaniel "Graduated from his Pre-school"

He had a lovely ceremony and the kids did some wonderful dancing and then they got their diploma's

It was kind of sad that we didnt know any of the other kids or their parents, but then he has only been at the school for 5 months not 3 years like the other kids. Nathaniel has friends there but probably wont see them again as they are all heading to different Elementary Schools.

So Congratulations Nathaniel on Achieving your "Diploma" 

WE are very proud of you

A day in a life of a 4 and 2/3rds Boy

The wonderment of a 4 year old, nathaniel was out playing yesterday and fell and got a tiny (and I mean tiny) cut on his knee, he approached me to show me it, and I looked at it as if to say - so!! I then said to him what do you expect me to do about that and he said "Well.....you are a nurse!"

later the same day - he fell over again and he came limping over (cause a small cut seems to be a pretty big thing) "mummy, mummy, come quick we need to go home now I need to eat" my response in my usual enthusiastic way was "What", he said quite assertively - "I need to go home and eat some protein so my booboo can get better", then the mother next to us almost fell off the park wall.

So yes, we have been learning about the benefit of our different food groups - and he totally understands that (for now).

For this week he is preparing to be a chef when he is grown up.

so he has it figured all out already in life

Preparing...........for a journey

So, in 9 days (you can count that on 2 hands) we will be leaving for our long journey to the UK and not returning until 24th July, 5 weeks which will probably past in such a quick time but it is also a long time for Simon to cope with his own washing and eating take out!!

We are looking forward to enjoying our family and friends and hopefully catching some sight-seeing as well to make it an enjoyable and hopefully reasonably restful trip.

Will we have "wii" withdrawals - probably, but while i am out there I hope to get my running back into shape so when i return I am ready for my next 1/2 marathon.  

It was lovely to see pictures of Mum and dad at the celebrations this week glad they look well.  John (little Bro) has his hair cut the same as me now (although he did it first) maybe people will think we are twins!!.

There is so much to think about taking on a trip like this but I think I have pretty much done everything I need to and we will be ready for the plane!

So 9 days and counting

40 years

This past weekend saw dad celebrate his 40th year since he was ordained as a minister for the Congregational Church in Scotland, times have past (40 years in fact) and although has since retired  he was up until his illness last year conducting services. He was able to participate in his local church service on Sunday and I am sure he enjoyed some time out the house enjoying his friends and families company

John join my parents to celebrate this day and I hear he didnt even loose his temper - well done john!!

Here are a couple of the pictures of mum, dad and John is Sunny Newcastle

pictures copyright T.O.B.

School progression

Today we met Mrs Hu the Kindergarten teacher as she took Nathaniel off for a few tests to check suitability for Kindergarten, it suddenly struck me that if they thought he wasnt ready they wouldnt let him attend, I went off to check the "after school care out again"

Luckily he charmed her and came out with a Sticker saying A+ he was very pleased and we met a new friend ho will be in his year and hopefully his class a little boy called liam.

New adventures and fun things to do, he will start on the 25th August from 8am till 1.30pm, so we can still hang out with our friends in the afternoon - YIPPEE

Bronze

So, my piggie bank on the wii fit which stores my time that I have done turned BRONZE - how cool is that!!

I have done 10 hrs in just under 2 weeks that we have had it so I seriously hope I start seeing some changes soon.

The fun stuff - Hula Hoops, Yoga poses, Stretching and beating your trainer, 

Not so fun - the balance stuff is really tricky but definitely fun and because you don't get hot and sweaty you think it is kind of a waste - but it is building up your core muscles.

It is such a fun Machine I never thought that I would like it so much, but I do at least 30 mins of yoga and stretching before work which can only be a good thing and cardio when i want a bit of fun, you can also log your "other activities"

So this is my favourite Wii game - what is your's

I want to let you know I am still doing normal activities too though!!

Steadily we roll along

So I am back on track, managed a good run today on 2.5 miles but you have to start somewhere and I missed track training tonight as Nathaniel was too tired to wait up till 7pm, sometimes you just cant always put yourself first, so instead we came home and had dinner and I did some wii exercises instead and then caught up on Dr who, I am hoping I manage to do another run of similar distance tomorrow morning, as long as i am up and out by 7 I should be OK, it is only a 30 minute run, but so often in the morning I feel tired and lethargic, so to combat that instead of writing my blog I should head to bed.  

I just find it is so hard to keep motivated, if i can manage a few days and then find it easier I can increase my distance, so as today I just want to get out and cover the miles, now speed time, just relax and survive it.

I am also getting geared up to organise Nathaniel's birthday party the day.  I have booked the park arranged part of the invites (I need to decide on a time) and then when I return in July it wont be a frantic panic and most of it will have been paid (even better).

So for now, I continue to try and motivate myself, as Simon tucks into yet another bowl of Ice cream,

night night.......