Whistle-stop tour

..of a busy few weeks!
I haven't been online for ages, so I need to catch up with myself. I went up to Leeds a couple of weeks ago for Phil's wedding. It was lovely, and not as scary as the last church wedding I went to! Phil was on a real high; he's such a nice guy it made the day really special. Andy and I stayed at the Headingly Lodge, which looks right out over the cricket pitch, so we were both happy (sad, I know). The next day we went for a drive to Ilkley, and walked up to the Cow and Calf Rock. There are some excellent climbing routes there, but we were slightly lacking in any equiptment. I did try a heroic solo of a nice off-width crack,... but gave up after about 3 seconds of scary trainer sliding on wet rock type traumas. After a walk, during which we dislodged grouse from the scrubby undergrowth (damn, keep getting the famous grouse advert music in my head), we headed back into town. I got the train to my parents, and Andy drove back to Southampton.

I was at a conference in Liverpool for a few days. It was useful to do a talk, but also it was excellent to meet up with so many friends. I had a brilliant night in the Krazy House for a barginous 6 quid :)- I'm trying to cut back on drinking to help with the running and also my general health, but its great to see its not inhibiting my fun :). That weekend, I was back in Yorkshire, as dad was at an Army Cadet camp in Catterick. I tagged along and it was fun, appart from getting lost on the tank training ground, oops. North Yorkshire is truley beautiful, and my only regret is I never had a camera with me. You couls spend days hiking and photographing, its wonderful.

After Liverpool, I went to Swindon for 2 days to do a 'Communicating Science to the Public' course. I was a bit annoyed about the 800 quid cancellation fee- the time when Andy leaves is fast approaching, so the last thing I wanted was to spend 2 days in Swindon... But actually the course was a brilliant laugh. I wanted to be a journalist when I was a kid, and it kind of took me back into that. It was emotionally very drainign though- I had to defend my project when there is no human interest side to it; its basically pointless.

I finally got back to Soton, and its brilliant to see Andy again. We went to Jongleurs on friday with Anna and Ros, but I spoiled it a bit by being a miserable cow; I really didn't want to spoil Andy's night out, but I feel so bad. I have yet another cold, and I feel like my insides are being pulled out- I'd do anything to not have to say goodbye to Andy on thursday. Its like a real brokenhearted feeling, and its excrutiating. Its so hard to cope with, because it feels almost like a premature ending to something amazing. Hopefully I'll get to visit in November, but its a long stretch from waking up next to somebody every day.

I just had a nice sunday lunch with Andy, Simon, Jules and Chris, and now I'm in work... but only to write this and do some faffing before I get back into work tomorrow. I've just discovered that the guy who is supposed to be doing some of my data processing (becasue I'm basically incompetant) is leaving on wednesday.. so you could say I'm fairly screwed! Ah well, good to be back?

Roaring Sucess

Andy took me to London to see the Lion King. I've been waiting 5 years to see it, so I couldn't help crying like a sad, soggy girl when it started. It was excellent; the staging is clever and some of the costumes are stunning. We managed to meet up with Tor before the show, and she took us to a cheap Chinese cafe in South Kensington. Cheap, tasty food in London? Hmmm, must be dog meat surely.

It was the staff-student cricket match yesterday, and it was fun. I wimped out of bowling, but my fielding was ok, and I got 8 runs, which is my new personal best :)... so I had to annoy everyone by jumping up and down and chanting 'PERSONAL BEST' repeatedly. I never fulfilled my ambition of throwing something small and hard at Tim though, shame.

The In-Laws

I had some 'good' news on friday- Andy is facing a delay in getting his visa, so he has had to postpone his flight until the 30th, so I get to spend a little longer with him- its not great news for him so I'm trying not to be too pleased! He wants to take me to London tomorrow to a show, I'm really excited, but it does mean I better get a move on and finish my talk and poster for the Liverpool conference. I don't know what he is taking me to see - I think it will either be something orschestral, a mid summer night's dream, something his brother is working on (he does technical stuff) or the lion king- whatever, it is really nice of him and a complete suprise. He didn't have to try too hard to convince me to take a day off, either :).

We spent the weekend in Norwich with Gwenny, his nan. She is lovely and made us very welcome. We took her to see her sister in the car, which was stressful for me since I was paranoid about doing anything wrong while I was driving! Gwenny wasn't exactly sure of the way, either, so we spent a while cicling the town's one-way system, while she got annoyed at herself. Her sister and her husband were friendly, and gave us cake and gradening tips. We didn't stay too long though, as her sister has just had an oppertation so was feeling tired. I felt sad when we left Norwich- Gwenny looked sad to see us go. It was a bit wierd walking around the town though, and passing so many places I used to go with Nick. I guess you really can't predict how the future will turn out.

Cricket practice, as yet, is actually not cancelled for a change, so I'm looking forward to that (if I can stay awake long enough). It will be my last pracitse before the dreaded Staff/student match on wednesday. I managed to go running today as well- I'm definately getting fitter, although after I finished someone had apparently replaced my thighs with painful jelly. The bastards.

This sport buisness ain't too bad after all..

I'm really pleased that I played in the cricket match last night. It was friendly, and I never let any balls go through my legs for 4 this week, so I feel like I've redeamed myself. I was comfortable batting too- I scored hardly any runs, but I was seeing the ball well, and actually made a few proper defensive strokes, rather than just slashing at it and missing like I normally do. The bowlers were really sloooowww, so it was nice. I wanted to leave when it finished, but Andy wanted to stay for a couple of pints. We didn''t eat until after 10, which made me grumpy becasue I am really tired and wanted to go to bes early. I think I need to try and rest more, I have been training really hard, and its going well but I'm very tired. I have to drive up to Norwich tonight, but I will try and rest lots this weekend. I'm sure Andy's gran will feed us lots of cake, and that will help.
I ran (jogged really) for 20 mins today, running 3 mins and 1 min walk breaks. I was worried about doing it, but it wasn't too bad, so I must be improving. The last 5 mins I actually enjoyed, which is novel and possibly masochistic. I'll get there, I will do my 5k and a 10k or two :).
I need to find a new cricket club- SOC is wonderful for social cricket, but I'm getting pissed off with the women's club, after a month of cancelled practises 'because its raining slightly and it wouldn't be good if the whole team came down with flu'...women!! for god's sake!!! I'm hoping to get on the uni team next moth, if it still exists. I should be able to rejoin the climbing club too, I only went away with them once this year, I must rectify this; I'm fighting to get my life back after months of stress and misery, and it seems to be working (if I could just get more sleep!)
Just two more weekends with my beautiful boy, and then my life as it is now collapses. I'm trying to hold it all together, but its very difficult. We have been together for almost a year, lived together for most of that, and now I have to readjust. I'm going to miss all the non-verbal stuff you can't get from a phone call or email.

Ouch!

Just when does this running lark stop hurting and become fun? It was really difficult today; my knees hurt, I was out of breath, and my back complained continually. Even the endorphines wern't as good as last time- maybe I've become an addict, and the hit is slowly decreasing. I put my application form in the post for the 5k in november, so there is no backing out now.. but it huuurrrttsss!!!