Road to nowhere

Well here I am sitting in the middle of the Christmas Holidays feeling a bit meloncholy. I enjoy Christmas especially having kids but this years been a bit funny. The Christmas Office party in Durham was a bit naff and I began to think of days gone by- parties from the 6th December onward, that was the National Savings Cricket Team Christmas Disco right through to New Years Eve and into the New Year. The kids have meant the New Years celebrations have been curtailed but Chrimbo had still meant something but this year seems to be a bit flat. Not sure if its my age or that Durham has changed, Christmas eve from one o'clock used to be one big party but now National Savings have few people working there under 40 and those that are work until 4.00 maybe that parties now finished.

The bar of Chocolate sitting next to me (actually there's only the wrapping left now   ), is Lindt chilli Chocolate, you can't really taste the Chilli but it leaves a bit of a kick after you've eaten it. I'm a bit of a chocoholic although any of the C2C ers will vouch that Mrs Maverick makes a mean Mars Bar Cake. This years along with my just eaten bar I've got 3 tubs of heroes a load of thorntons, some of that Kinder crappy stuff and a selection box of Galaxy (my favs). Well this lot should last me until ohhh! about next week.

Perhaps the Credit Crunch has something to do with my depressive nature. I've been to the Metro Centre today to get some jeans. Woolies is closed, 5 other shops have closing down sales and  3 others are in administration. Perhaps I should count my lucky stars as a Civil Servant my job is secure and the mortgages rates are lower than they have ever been, I should be greatful.

C2C 2009 yep were going to do it. There will be subtle references to Hazey along the way as it was Graeme's inspiration that led most of us to do it this year. So if your reading this and think of doing it there should be an announcement on the 6th Jan.

Well just time for a toast here's to anyone who reads this drivel and I hope you have a happy and prosperous New Year.

Back in 1980 I watched from just behind the goal as Stan Cummings scored to beat the Mags. It was the one and only time I've seen that happen victory against those up the road and next week we try again.

The cycling to work is still on its drier now than it was on the middle of the summer so I'm back cycling along the lines. I can't remember where I was with the journey but the lines are now an explosion of colour as the leaves turn golden and orange and yellow. Its a bit funny trying to work our what to wear, the mornings are clear and cold and the evenings are damp and over cast which makes it humid. So I freeze goign in and sweat like a pig comming out.

Well I was back in London on Thursday, it hasn't changed, more consultants ( sorry HarryG) who spend most of their time sorting out their finances on the internet rather than doing a days work. Train home was awful the 3.30 out of Londinium is the Edinburgh train and its chocka with people with cases heading off to Scotland.

Off to Fulham tomorrow on the train, two journeys in 2 days, well it will be dry on the way back British Transport Police have decreed no alcohol on trains leaving Kings Cross after 17.30 just hope that I've had enough by 19.30 when I get  on the train.

Didn't realise that the last time I posted we'd just done the C2C.  That weekend was fine and even hot on the Sunday, we had an impromptu barbecue and it seemed as if new friends and hot summers days lay ahead. Well part of that has been right, a number of us have kept in touch and there'll be an impromptu meet at Wigan. When any of use that took part in that weekend see each other there's a lot of backslapping and it ends up mentioned somewhere on the board.

 As for the other bit, the weather, it  seems to have pissed it down for the last 3 months. I've just been in for my winnter gear for the bike which made me wonder where the hot weather had gone. The weeks sports school we run ended up being a drenching for all concerned but the kids still loved it and even though some parents complained their kids were wet and dirty they still brought them back the next day.

The Football season is now on us and this year I've started the season with a bit of sadness, Ten years ago I was one of the 3 founders of the Langley Park Branch. The Village isn't big enough for a branch and a number of those who attend matches head North rather than East, but with the support of the surrounding villages we got it off the ground and at one pount had 500 members, £6k in the bank and were running 3 double deckers to home games. However over the last couple of years things haven't been right for me.I'm more the have afew beers make sure kids can travel with parents, watch tyhe match and come home. The away busses have degenerated into a glorified piss up with many of those getting on just loafing round the pubs at the away ground and not going to the match. I like a beer (budweiser) as much as the rest but I also want the branch that I'm affiliated with to have the social concience that you can raise money for charities, ensure kids can get on the bus and get home and not have to carry people off to go to the pub we are stopping at en route, because they are so pissed they can't stand up. So on Saturday I'll be in the car ands for Villa 4 seats on a 16 seater. Word is already out that I've been planning things and there's at least 14 want to travel to Blackburn. Trouble is I'm not sure I want to start organising again yet but we'll see.

The title refers to a little bike ride we've just completed. 21 riders and 1 support most of whom are novices at the C2C. Some of us have been training others not so much. Despite organising the event I found myself alone on the sea front at Whitehaven, somebody said go and I didn't hear and wasn't ready.

Day 1 weather fine suntan lotion required and a decent pace as I started to catch up with first the stragglers then the middle group. Didn't have the energy to catch the leaders.

Day 2 was a day of climbs but not many miles. It was most notable for the drinking and frivolicking that went on that evening. and included 3 of the party getting to bed at 4 in the morning (although 1 never made it to his bed) and a commando raid by the bash street kids. The younger members of the party were all in the same hovel sorry bunkhouse.

Day 3 we crossed the highest point and then into Northumberland and County Durham. At Rookhope we went up and over the top of the moors. The climb was a sod but the ride across the top was fantastic and reminded me of being a kid and disappearing off on a bike ride with my mates, the muddier the route the better. Then down from Consett and off to Sunderland for the finish.

Everyone who started completed. Everyone had a good laff, made new friends and can be proud of what they have done currently there is £2000 on just giving approx £8500 on forms and matching and if we add the money already raised the events have cobbled together an not to be sniffed at £13,000.

For me I am exhausted, the events have left me drained physically from the ride but also mentally I've put a lot of work into this and I think it will be some time before I get involved (12 months c2c 2009) again,

I am sad that we have to do this kind of thing, that the Government don't pay for Macmillan and that a group of people whose only conection is a message board and in particular somebodys blogs have been galvinised into getting off their arses and doing something about it.

Proud of what both the group and myself have acheived.

One thing we have had is a little bit of luck, the weather for the football was superb, the book lauch followed a last gasp win and the weatyher and scenery this weekend have been fantastic. Or perhaps it wasn't luck and that we have had a Guardian Angel watching over us. Hazey if it is cheers I think now is the time to put that bit to bed. The legacy will be that these events will be easier to organise and other charities/participants will benefit.

Its the film on 4 at the moment and I thought it was apt when I looked at my last post and the three week gap since. The films about a load of vertically challenged men who can jump from time to time through holes and end up fighting the devil I think. Oh Never mind.

Right no posts for a couple of weeks now due to 3 Derbys, well 2 Derbys and a small town in Yorkshire. Derby 1 2-0 crap performance had a ticket didn't go as some people had been to more than me but then I saw the list of those that went from our branch. Decided enoughs enough and I've resigned from the branch.  Small town in Yorkshire 3-2 yee ha! safe. Final Derby, County thank you for taking a record off us I thought we might be stuck with. I really think that someone may be close next year though.

Bank holiday weekend. Didn't do Bolton so I decided on a trip round part of the C2C route on the bike. Oh yes I have a new bike, after giving cycleforce2000 plenty of opportunity I got myself so sick I asked for my money back and within 30 minutes I'd sorted something out at Cestri Cycles, should have gone there first. Did a steady 35 miles in two and a half hours. When I got home there was a message offering me a seat and a ticket for Bolton. Oh well never mind.

Sunday- as its only 5 weeks to the C2C I decided to do a bit of a recky, Rode over to Greystoke, loverly village but your not allowed anywhere near the castle. Had a look into Penrith and then drove (yes I was in the car) back via Hartside pass, thats high, Nenthead, its got a pub, and Rookhope, thats got a pub as well. I think the last day may take some doing. .

Monday off to Hamsterely for a little ride about thought I'd be good and cycle over. That was a mistake its about 20 miles via Tow Law and Wolsingham and the road to Tow Law is quite a good climb. What I didn't expect was the mountain between Wolsingham and Hamsterley. So I was about 20 minutes late. It was then decided to do the red route, a further 14 miles of some quite dificult terrain especially as it had poured down. So I'm now sitting here with my back stiffening up. Oh well work tomorrow.

So Sunday night and the end of a week off. I've had a couple of rides out, Thursday I went down through Durham and paid a visit to see if the new bike was in. It'll be next week so I'm still struggling round on the loan bike. Saturday  I went as far as Carrville. The van has had a problem with the reverse lights and I need a new switch. So it was a good excuse to put in a couple of hours. Saturday afternoon and off to the match- crap result but I 've taken to participating in a few beers in Paddywacks afterwards. Quite funny in there, they have a couple of hours of Irish Jiggy Jiggy music before heading off home.

I wanted an early night as I wasn't looking forward to Sunday. Yet another restless night was had and when I woke at 4.30 for the 3 time I gave up. So why was my sleep patterns being disturbed so much. Sunday April 13th was schedulde to be the  6-a-side tournament. The pitches had been long booked, but not necesarily paid for, the Lakeside was organised for a presentation. 27 teams had said they would turn up and that was whittled down to 16 of which I had provided 4. Unfortunaltely these 4 also included people who would have helped ref and organise. This was where the stress was I knew that we did not have the organisational capabilities to carry a 16 team tournamnet off. So when I received a text to say one of the refs I had in place was crying off because he had been out the night before it did not bode well and as I set off for Sunderland the clouds seemed to gather and it became a bit chillier.

At Silksworth the first teams drifted in and along with a scratch team one turned up 2 short and another 3 short. My own teams finally tunred up and they were short and when we kicked off it looked as if a debacle was about to unfold. Yet some how fixture after fixture was complete, even when we realised that some fixtures on the list were wrong. Jane (Lizs sister) gave stirling support collecting scores, people grabbed whistles and reffed games and Dicso buggered off for his dinner. But somehow there we were FTMJAMIE V Bingleedee. In the final, FTMJAMIE were eventual winners and were presented with a trophy by Kevin Ball. However the real winners were Macmillan Charity by £1000 and quite a lot of people who again found out what their fellow posters look like.  As I came off I realised that my face was quite warm and I had caught the sun. There had been no rain and it had been reasonably pleasant. Somebody somewhere had made sure the weather had been as good as it could be we'd had clear blue sky when rain had been forecast.

So back to the cycling and getting ready for the weekend in June. Its rather funny how things have got sidetracked a bit with pool tounaments, book launches and 6-a-side thingy. Glad the footy wasn't today as we'd have been throwing snowballs at each other.

So picked up a loan bike the new one hasn't arrived yet and I was back doing the 12 miles a day to/from work. Saturday morning had a call that we were out on a training run. One o'clock meet at Hetton, the only problem I have is I either chuck the bike in the van and drive to the meeting point or I cycle there. As the van was out of action I decided on the later. The problem is I live on the other side of Durham to everyone else, so at 12 o'clock I set of for Hetton via Durham. Along the lines (I'll get back to the journey to work at some point) to Toll House road and down through North End. The traffic was bad going up Claypath and so I opted for the route up to Belmont. and out towards Low Pittington. As I reached Pittington the Phone went, Patch, so I told them were I was and which direction I was travelling. Only Patch and Cheeky Monkey were out. Melo was poorly, Dicso was Dicso and a few lads were either at the match or finding a pub with it on. Patch explained that TAFKARLC couldn't make it and as he'd missed the Fulham game that means he looses 2 uber t-shirts.

So we headed of back towards Durham, via the back of Sherburn Road and down towards Maiden Castle. If you get the chance of cycling or walking down there take your camera. You get a fantastic view of the castle, cathedral and viaduct all in one go. Usually its 2 out of 3 but from this angle you get all 3. As we lumbered down towards Durham the hailstorm desended and we took refuge under the bridge next to Browns boat house (or Chase pub as it is now know). So Patch decided he wanted to takle a hill and once the hail had stopped we had a scuted up Redhills lane past the old Miners Hall. It gradually gets steeper and steeper but we got to the top and I can't think that there will be many hills steeper than that in June.

From this point I took my leave . I'd been out an hour extra and it was time for me to set of home. So I dropped down through redhills and back onto the old lines at Bearpark. The rain stayed off  but the loan bike was starting to caus problems. My back knacked and my arse ached and I litterally limped home. So another reasonable trip out on the bike but an uncomfortable one at that. I'd been ready for the ride- gel seat, padded shorts under padded legings and I was still in agony as the that bloody seats hard on the loan bike. If the seats the same on the new one its ganning back.

So what do we write about today easy really. Saturday 29th March. Leave house at 11.45 to go to the match. Missed AB22 PM re Paddywacks but met Patch there. Got soaked going to the ground and was rather cold. The game we all know about and when the goal went in I fell into the row in front of me. 3 points virtual safety. Retuned to Paddywacks few beers bits of Irish Jiggy Jiggy music and off back to the Stadium.

Why were we going to the Stadium. We'll I'd sort of got myself involved  in some organising and sorting out of a doo. This was a unique doo, combination of Book launch, race night and disco and not the poster although he was there. When I got there there was a queue at the bar and the room had about 200 in attendance. The night kicked off with a short speach , I had just been served and was stading pretty much at the front. What I didn't expect was that my real name would be mentioned not once but twice and I was pointed out. I wish I had vetted the speach but the ground would not open up for me and I felt rather embarressed but at the same time proud that this remarkable lady from a remarkable family had taken the time to acknowledge my letter writting abilities. Others were acknowledged those who helped put the book together, those who had travelled miles, one person had come from the USA. wish I'd had a bit more time to talk to him, I'm now fasinated by pecan trees. But perhaps thats for another time. Anyhow I titled the first blog standing on the shoulders of giants and I felt that was the case last night, this was the families night and those who had put the book together. Mind what it did do was get 2 sets of message board posters in a room and show that the petty rivalry is a complete load of nonsense.

So to the background of the race night most attendees made themselves busy trying to find out who everyone else was, generally having a good drink and putting daft bets on. I was introduced to a few members of both boards and a couple of people who don't post. The night went so quickly that I didn't get the chance to speak to Liz or one or two others. I did meet a lad I hadn't seen since school.

So Graeme Kerton, your family are now the proud relatives of an author, the book is something akin to a Master degree text book and how some people got them home I've no idea and the proof reading etc must have taken some special people a long time I hope they didn't feel I encroached on their bit last night. Your legacy hopefully is reminding people to enjoy life, notice the small things, don't take anything for granted and rejoice in what your lot is. I'm sorry we never met and only talked the once but I hope that some of this repays the promise I made to get you on the telly. If I'd know how ill you were! Quinny read the blogs and turned up all be it in a cameo role before us plebs got there. But I did know he was coming as I'm good at writing letters. I don't like being in the limelight others can have that and I just wish your big sis, who is really rather an amazing person, wouldn't broadcast my name its trade marked.

I've had the misfortune of getting a new bike, the problem is that the gears haven't worked proporly so we decided to get a replacement. So this morning despite the threat of impending Snow I went to pick the new one up. So by the time that I collected the bike it was starting to get a bit cold, but I set off for Sunderland via Sherburn, unfortunatley route 20 had a diversion and I was sent round to Sherburn Village and gave up on ever reaching Sunderland in time. It was at this time I tried the gears and guess what the new bike has the same problem so I've decided to get a totally new one. So only 3 lots of 12 miles and a 20 mile ruin today.

Spent Thursday in London at a quartely strategic meeting whhooooo. I was there to take the minutes and when I go back to work on Tuesday thats my first job. Write the buggers up.

Running the branch has become very time consumming. The fact that some members of the committee have their own agendas and if they are given free range they will finish things off finacially inside a year. Trouble is that with everything thats going on I can't and don't want to spend any more of my time arguing with these people. Should have been going to Villa ut as I was booked to do a couple of Doos on Sunday and Monday I decided not to go. Monday is already cancelled and Sunday will almost certainly go the same way.

March 29th interesting evening ahead. I know there's a few people who've questioned motives and they are entitled to their opinion but even when you have a rational discussion and fill in some facts via PM's they still carry on the arguement across the baord. I,m not surre that I understand people motives but we are all different. I'm glad that things have now seemed to pan out for the night, everything seems to be in place for what should be a bit of a roller coaster ride, Hope there's nee onions about.

............I think I'd have

As you leave the cut from Langley you hit the first of 3 metal bridges that skirt the Browney. If you look across towards Witton you see the bottom end of the cemmetary and the footbridge. I remember when I was little walking across the browney, my dad was there and his mam my grandma. I was trying to be clever and walk quickly over but I thought I saw a fish and and fell over. There I was wet through. Not sure when it was but I must have been less than 10 as on Boxing Day 1975 my grandma died. I remember my uncle coming in tears as I played with they meccano she bought me. Years later I found out she killed herself, her husband used to beat her up. I remember going to visit but being told I had to get on the next bus home didn't realise at the time but that was what was happening.

The bikes in the shop at the moment had an argument with Norman who is a tosser but Ian who is really the man sorts it all out. So not much action on the cycling front. New bike ariives next weeek,

There's plenty of things I'dswish for, Money, world peace, to have met Hazey, to love my family more. We are not here for ever, we bring the next generation in and we move on where to I don't know but in the meantime. I'm looking forward to upsetting Mels family again , because that is good, meeting TAFKARLC and AB22 because through all of the shit on the board I think we are acheiving csomething with what's going on and I think the good outway the bad. .

Missed a post on thursday as I went along to see the juniors get beat off  Man City.

Full week of cycling followed by a 50 mile round trip on Saturday and I am now confident that I will complete the full 138 miles of the C2C without looking like a berk.

The route I took started at Langley and instead of turning right it was a left and onwards towards Lanchester. The wind was blowing straight down the Valley and I soon realised that the hour I had given myself would not be long enough to get to Stanley to meet everyone else. The route from Langley to Lanchester is pretty much the same as the direction to Durham but onece you pass Lanchester it takes a right hook and heads up to Hurbuck Cottageds. There is quite an embamnoment just before Hurbuck and the hail was lashing down. I thought should I just turn round., but I didn't I soldiered on, omn my loansonme knowing that my fellow riders would be heading up from Chester-Le Street to meet me. WRONG. Disco had managed to turn a 9 mile cycle ride into a 9 mile walk the group had to go and meet him and at 2.20 just as I was at Annfield Plain they were as far from Beamish as the Shepherd and Shepherdess, thats 2 miles tops. When I got there they were drinking beer.

Anyhow Patch decided he would ride back the way I had come so I had some comnpany on the way home. Hazeysbigsis also had some company as Disco blagged a lift all the  way home . HBS lives in Chester, Disco lives in Sunderland, not out of her way there then. Glad Patch followed me as I got a puncture and needed him to hold the bike. We do get a better idea of the view from Hurbuck cottages and the metal statues around Consett are something to behold. Much better in the sunshine I may add.

So we've had our first practise ride and Disco has his Pool tournament next Sunday so things have started. I've lost another 3 pounds and still yet to meet TAFKARLC. I'm beginning to wonder whether he actually exists, .  but no doubt we'll meet soon enough.

Well Sunday night and I'm sitting here feeling a little bit on the Melancolly side.  Only done 6 miles since the last blog, the bike is now back in the bike shop awaiting a replacement. The front gears had been playing up ever since I got it and despite trying everything Ian couldn't get them to work. He even had a different gear shift on which made the bike look a little bit funny. So Friday night I said enoughs enough, I'm picking the bike up tomorrow it can still be used but a new one will be ordered.

Went to derby on Saturday, hoped for 3 points and to meet TAFKARLC, got neither. On entering the public house at 11.00 TAFKARLC was only just at Ferrybridge. I read in one blog that I was an inspiration not sure about that but if someone stays off the ciggies because of me forcing them to do 140 miles on a bike great. Reading others blogs does give you a bit of inspiration, I decided that not only do I need to do some training but also to loose weight. So I got Mrs Maverick to work out the points bit for weight watchers. I'm allowed 28 a day. Great well under today, what about yesterday said Mrs Maverick. Right 2 peices of toast and a coffee, 2 sandwiches (the buns with the cheesey bit on the top from Sainsburys) a packet of crisps, 2 cans of lager, on arriving at Derby, a bottle of Bud, and another and a third and then as I was drinking too quick a bottle of Magners, and whilst walking back to the station fish and chips, and then another bottle of bud followed by another bottle of bud, then a pint in the ground (£3 ffs) then after the match 3 more bottles of Bud and a small Kebab (actually it was huge)for the train home oh and 2 more cans. Just as well the diet started today.

When I got back to Langley I popped into the Rams to see if anyone was back off the bus. I was met with the news that one of the lads who I go with had lost his sister.  There had been some illness but at 41 it was still a bit of a shock. I felt sorry for my mate, and whilst I was there he walked in. He started to tell me about what had happened and funeral arragements and his 13 year old neice who was now on her own. He was obviously upset, but what did I do I thought it best to try and change the subject. Really not what I should have done and not my best move, I realised too late that my mate just wanted to talk. Bollocks and he went over to play pool. So when I got home I felt a right twat and waking up the next morning I didn't feel any better. Today hasn't improved much, I think I've now cancelled the 5-a-side for Hazey although I had some doubts, I'm not in a position to do anything more and there's a large bit not getting done so its pointless getting my 4 teams through with no-one else to play.

Edit: 5-A-SIDE back on with 17 teams signed up.

The only bright spot of the weekend was the train journey home. There were 5 lads in front of us (Sunderland Supporters) and one of them fancied himself as a bit of a singer, we were treated to I close my eyes, my way, a couple of Sunderland songs and then the highlight American Pie which somehow we knew most of the words and the whole carrage joined in including the red and white army brigade who got on at York?. For a change I'm looking forward to going to work tomorrow and keeping a low profile.

Tuesday's home leg was a nightmare force 20 gales - well it was windy meant a 30 minute ride took 1 hour 30. It was so wild that at one point I was being blown back wards. Couldn't help but hope that the wind in June would be blowing from the West.

Three lots of 12 miles since Sunday. The cut along from wall nook is well maintained I don't know who does it whether its the local council or its a specialist company but the trees that line the cut are all pruned back and the logs and branches are placed to line the side of the cycle track. It makes for a very beautiful ride on a well kept track. The only down side is that there's often small animals hiding and then they shoot out at the last minute. I nearly got the squirrel on Monday morning.

Only missed Wednesday as I was off to Ashby-de-la-Zouch for work. I was going to visit a call centre and work had hired a car for me. The trouble was when I struggled in on Tuesday the daft buggers at work had said I wanted to pick the car up at work so I had to shoot back down to pick it up and then quickly through to Sunderland to get my Derby tickets. The problem with the car was that a car the size of a Vectra was order and they delivered a fiesta. FFS I'm 5 foot 11 and the journey to Ashby was a bit cramped. I had a quick twirl round the call centre and then sat with some of the agents or colleagues or whatever they are called. Its a thankless task, you work for a company who are intent on making as much money from you doing the jobs that other companies don't want to do. I APOLOGISE IF I UPSET ANYONE BUT I THINK YOUR WORTH MORE. The sales teams which I wasn't there to see spent their time whooping and hollering whe they made a sale, it didn't happen very often but from being on the other end of the phone when somebody cold calls I am reluctant to even enter into a conversation. and I thought christ how do you work in conditions like this, Truely the people in the call centres are the Damned of the workforce

Saturday was a day dominated by my daughters. Number 2 daughter wanted to play Monopoly, this went on for 3 hours. Its hard to play properly, teaching her the rules whilst making sure that you don't win or she gets upset. Its the Sunderland edition we have and I'm constantly asked where these places are. Saturday night I had planned to watch hot fuzz , so a curry was purchases along with 20 bottles of Grolsch however on my return daughter number 1 had one of her mates round and they were watching Ant and Dec. So I spent the evening on the computer drinking the Grolsch.

Sunday morning  a swift 20 plus miles sat up and realised that I'd drank all the Grolsch and was feeling it. So after planning to get off at 7.30 it was more like 9.30. Turning left out of the estate I set off up the bank towards Quebec, yes there's a Quebec in Co Durham one street and one pub. Down to Cornsay and then up to Tow Law, the climb to Tow Laws a good one for a run out. Its about 7 miles up there. You ride past the Hill end Wildlife park next to the wind farm. The drone of the blades rotating is something a little disconcerting especially up at Tow Law with it being windy.  I'm reliably informed that the Lawyers football ground is the highest in England. So if I can get up there I can get up the hills on the coast to coast. Leaving Tow Law I look acrss the valleys to the West and give a cursory nod to the weekend in June. I can see for miles in terms of distance. I'm starting to look forward to it. The accomodations booked numbers up to 24 and there seems to be a few characters signed up.

The run down from Tow Law is through Oakenshw and then pick up the old railway lines from Bishop to Durham through Brandon. I remember me dad telling me about getting the train from Witton Station to go to college at Bishop Auckland. Now you get a lift to Durham train to Darlingtonm and then back up to Bishop. The line however disappears going through Brandon and there now seems to be a Cricket pitch in the way. So a slight detour. This takes up a bit more time and when I get home its nearly 12 and I'm in the dog house cos we were supposed to be going to Durham shopping. Its then I realise that the back of my thigh is tight and I think I've pulled something. I think of the weekend in June is worth it as I can now see for miles in terms of time not just distance.

I didn't mind getting yet another puncture its part of the joys of cycling. I did mind when the assistant sold me the wrong inner tubes and I had to go back to the shop again on Tuesday so Wednesday was the first day that I got a full run. Monday had been rather cold as I set off but got a puncture and quickly went home. I had to rouse the Maverick Household with a I'll be late for work and so off to work in the car with a rather unhappy lot as they were all set for a lie in as it was the kids holidays. Luckily because it was the kids holiday there wasn't as much traffic as normal and I was there on time. Well I'm on flexi so I didn't lose that much time.

Wednesday  was the first day I did the full 12 miles but f@@k was it freezing it had been minus 11 during the night so the sight of a brass monkey wasn't too much of a surprise. As you  turn left at the old station you pass into a small cutting into a hill. The trees on either side of the cutting were white, not just dusted white but freezing white. I'd already regretted getting on the bike that morning as it was cold but I was aware of the unbelievable beauty of that short cutting and what made people carve out a hill in the middle of a spasely populated part of County Durham. It was spasley populated this morning usually theres a steady stream of people walking their dogs and cycling today it was me.

Every 4 months the blood transfusion people visit the office complex in Durham where I work. Every time I have said to myself I should give blood. My oldest had had to have a transfussion just hours after she was born. I'm pretty pragmatic in that I know blood is needed, I''m not squemish never had a problem with needles so why had everytime they had come I'd walked past, made an excuse and not bothered. This time a couple of the lads I worked with were going to do it. Right this time I thought so at 3.20 there I was sitting and getting nervous. What if they found something wrong, what if they couldn't take any. Well the nurse who took the initial sample reassured me and then I was in, lying down the nurse rubbed my arm and in the needle went. Hardly felt it but still had this strange feeling and was very uneasy but some 30 minutes later the blood was out I'd had a couple of drinks and a cooffee and I was back at work. I even cycled home with no i'll effects. So if they can get blood out of this stone once I think I might just volunteer again next ime.

...for your fashion parade.

I not so much stride to the bike on a morning but waddle. I have proper cycling shorts and top , thick wooley socks Jogging bottoms, thick sweatshirt bright green waterproof jacket and back pac with shirt, socks undies and bait large crash helmet and full fingered gloves. I look more like an illuminous stay puffed marshmallow man.

Fashion elegance has never been a strong point  for me apparently. The late 70's  saw me sporting bright red spikey hair, leather jacket , ripped t-shirt, bondage trousers and 18 hole Doctor Martins. The lads in the street were a couple of years older than me and were into PUNK. I remember at the time reading the papers of Punks and Teds fighting on the Kings Road in London, I initially wanted the Teds to win , but the lads put me right.. The first record I bought was by the Clash. I think it was Tommy Gun although I'd heard so much before from the bigger lads and my musical tastes were set.  Although the bright red spikey hair has been replaced by a bald bit at the back and the rest going grey some of my values are still with me from that time, think for yourself, never judge a book by the cover and anyone can acheive it if they put their minds to it.

12 miles on Friday nothing Saturday and with a big effort I decided to tackle one of the hills around Langley today. It wasn't a long ride but I wanted to get a hill under my belt and see how the bike was set up. So I set off to do the circuit to Esh Village and down to Bearpark and back. I quickly realised the seat was too low and stopped at the end of the Village, just as I did one of the lads went passed shouting about how I hadn't got very far. I don't think he could count the fingers I put up as sped passed and anyhow my gloves are quite thick. The hill is quite steep and is about 2 miles so it was a good climb for me for a starter and is in 2 parts, I managed to do it in one go so the down hill run was quite pleasant. Esh Village seems to consist of 3 streets 2 schools and a pub. The cross keys, it used to be owned by Edwin, big Sunderland supporter, but he's gone and apparently the pub isn't doing as well.

The lads I grew up with not only had a major effect on my music but were also a major part of me following Sunderland, my dads black and white, although he is the odd one out. His Brothers Sunderland and my Grandad on my Mams side had a season ticket in the 50's. Never met him he died 2 weeks before I was born, my Dad recons he's be proud of me. Not if he saw me in the 70's I bet.

This lorry full of terapins collided with a van full ot tortoises. It was a turtle disaster.

Just 2 lots of 12 miles this week the training was interupted by a visit to London and a day to recover. The journey down to London was rather chilly as there was no heating on the train and going through York still with my coat on I realised how could it was but not as cold as the previous day on the bike. The site on Monday morning aof a very white lawn made me think twice about getting the bike out, but I did. Driven on by the fact that I'm keeping these odd sets of notes in my mind.  If you walk along the Lanchester walk from Langley skirting Wall Nook you see a row of pine trees neatly cut into a hedge, you might just keep on going. However as the cycle path cuts through the village you get a sideways look at the house, you realise its the old Station with the Witton Gilbert station sign on the side. You get a good view of what it would have looked like, the platforms still there and the lights look as if there from a diffferent time. But the big sign that says Private Keep Out shows your not welcome. Over from the Station is the now deserted Anderson and Young coachworks it was originally the old sidings and more recently a car repair yard. Now derelict they were going to build expensive houses on the site but thats yet to happen. Pulling back onto the path the sun is red as it rises but there's no heat from it and I realise how cold my fingers are.

Thursday night is a bit frantic in the Maverick household, the eldest Maverick stays back and does drama classes then comes home gabs tea and at six both little Mavericks are off to Rainbows and Brownies which is at the school in Langley. The smallest Maverick returns at 7 and the oldest 7.30. I'm sure the car could do the journey by itself. The nightly ritual is that I read to the smallest Maverick, she's a bit of a book worm and at the moment is reading The Happy House Children by Enid Blyton. Its now very hard to read as it using a language and phrasing more atune to the 50's. The copy we have is annotated To Karen (Mrs Maverick) love Grandma and Grandad its a reprint from 1976. When the original book was written I can only guess.

There is some fantastic arcitecture in York Sation, the high domed roof the metal bridge the stone walls standing cathedral like, the woman on the tannoy shouting would anyone for the coaches to Darlington please make your way to the short term car park. I should have guessed there was a problem at Kings Cross on the way home from the meetings when the 5.30 train I was booked on was cancelled. A very helpful assistant informed me that I could get the 6 o'clock and I would only be delay by an Hour. The thing was the 6o'clock didn't depart until 6.20 and made a couple of extra stops so I was already an Hour late when I got to York. The queue was a clever piece of work. It wound round and round like those at a theme park, I kept thinking that there should be a little sign that said half an hour from this point. The trouble was that the winding bit was followed by a straight bit which looked as if it went to the slowly arriving coaches. But it went round a corner and came back on itself and then back around again. I felt it was like the queue  to get the liferafts on the titanic or onto the boats at Dunkirk, probably a bit dramatic but I was cold, almost as cold as I had been in the train going south 12 hours earlier. I boarded the coach got to Darlington and after a delay there to wait for the other coaches to catch up we set off. Opposite me was a Frenchman with his 2 young sons he must have thought that the British transport system was a turtle disaster, I know I did.Home at 1.30 in the morning. Bugger work tomorrow, well later today actually.

I told my wife I was getting a job in a bowling alley. She said "Tenpin". I said no Permanent.

Most companies in the private sector bring in temps at the lower level or to cover short term contracts, which makes it hard for the less qualified members of the workforce to get on the career ladder once you are in however you seem to be trained and developed to make you a worthwhile addition to the company. The Publice service seems to have it the other way round. Lots of permanent low paid jobs but once you start to move up you hit a ceiling where consultants are brought in at alarmingly high levels of pay and your developement is 'well' not valued. Our place has hundreds of them as they can't get Civil servants to fill the posts in London. Why move jobs out of London when you can get a consultant in.

The boundary of Langley Park was the railway bridge. I used to go to Langley as a small child, to the village behind the bridge. It used to be just where the turning to Diggerland is now. As the bridge is no longer there you leave the old lines and the cycle way cuts along the old road through what is on the map is Wall nook. Wall nook is a collection of quite nice houses along the old road with the Browney on the left. hand side. Doing the blog you start to either notice more ,not sure if its because you are looking harder or just making sure you have something to write about. The third house is not a house at all but a number of apartments. I'm sure if I look in the dictonary the description of the word appartment will be a flat with £20,000 added to the price. or £50,000 in London. Further along the road cuts back to the railway lines at the point where the Centurion pub was. It had a good reputation for meals. Years ago it had been called the Gay Tavern, before the word Gay meant anything other than happy. Apparenlty the Mods of Langley Park and Esh Winning used to go there and show their scooters off with no trouble. Somebody will tell me next that Newcastle and Sunderland supporters used to get on in those days as well.

Only 6 miles cycling in the last 3 days although I did walk the 6 miles home on Friday with a puncture. Saturday morning saw a quick trip into Durham for an inner tube and a pump. Along with the banking of some cheques- yes the money will come out for the deposits now. Sunday was a trip to the pictures with the kids to see Mr Magorains Wonder Emporium. If you didn't know the Metro centre shows the kids movies at 11.00 and adults get in free. I have caught up on some sleep a couple of times there although some have been quite good. 

Before I dashed back from Durham to get the bus to the match on Saturday I bumped into a lad I worked with at the Post Office. I asked how the job was 'Crap' he said. But you were on some project, yes but they brought in a consultant who said they didn't need me and he brought in 2 more consultants to cover my job, earning his consultancy even more money. Any jobs at your place he asked. 

A spokesman for the Government today denied that Civil Servants spend their mornings staring out of the window. They do that in the afternoon to give themselves something to look forward to. 

The view from my window passed the boss who has the window seat is onto the central building of a certain office complex in the middle of Durham. Can't tell you which one as its top secret. However if I walk down to the bottom of the office I see one of the most fantastic sites in the North of England. In front of me is the wear to the right and up the castle and behind that The Cathedral. Its a long time since I went to the top. I got stuck behind this fat women who had been twisting about going up, everyone else had said she shouldn't but she did and there we were stuck in the Cathedral. The patience of a 15 year old doing a History field trip wained and I set off back down. There'll always be next week. However somewhere this has become 27 years and I've only been to the cathedral twice since then and never up the tower. Ashes to Ashes is on at the moment and its set in 1981, although I fought the Law and No More heroes are really the 70's but I wasn't complaining, the last time I went up the Catherdral.

Another 2 days another 2 sets of 12 miles, the front gears need a bit of a look at but there's no problems with the bike. From Diggerland the Lanchester Valley walk acts as a boundary to Langley Park. The terraced houses built for the miners almost a century before now house no miners but you get a sense of how a train driver might look down into the lives of the people below. A different time and a different way of life.

At the end of Langley you see two buildings which contrast the village. First the youth centre which is on land the church has advocated should be used for recreational purposes only. However there was no-one to run it. With the closing of the pits a lot of the structure of villages like Langley Park collapsed, payment was taken from the miners wages to pay for various sporting facilities most notably the Cricket Club. Since the pit went the funding went and things are at a pretty low ebb. The youth centre closed and became the centre of a legal argument over what could be built on the land. In the meantime the local kids got in and set fire to it and the building is now derelict. The other building is the Working Mens Club. Unlike many clubs in the area it seems to be doing quite well. The 13th April 2007 this venue saw the Langley park branches finest hour. A visit for the Sunderland Club Chairman Niall Quinn.  Over 350 members packed in to see Quinny and as the organiser I was right chuffed however Mr Quinn decided to get lost and turn up 2 hours late, squeeky bum time for the organiser but when Niall did turn up the roar was deafening. Niall told Radio 5 it was the best reception he'd had. I'm not belittling any other branch but it was loud although probably helped by the extra 2 hours of drinking, to cap it all we presented Niall with a Cheque for £1100.00 for the foundation and a print of Durham Cathedral at night. With the tower I have not been up for 27 years.

Its quite a busy road out of Langley but once across you head into Wall Nook and the countryside. That's the good thing about living in a village you can soon get away from people.

After the fracas of Saturday night and looking a bit like Edward Scissor hands with all the plasters decided to watch the DVD of the coast to coast on Sunday - great this physical exercise sitting on the couch with a coffee but fook that mountain looks big. I'm sure there's a way round it. Had planned to go up to Tow Law as Mrs Maverick and the little Mavericks were off to see High School Musical at the arena. Badly planned as the mags were home to Boro and Boro have a habit of getting late trains just in time for HSM to finish. Anyhow nothing to worry about there.

Monday back on the bike to work and had an incident free journey in, unbeliveable at the moment as something always seems to happen . The ride to work is mainly along the old railway lines joining at  Diggerland ,coming home I got half way back and was caught in a hailstorm bluddy nacks when your doing 30 down hill and the hails bouncy off your face. So I sought shelter for a while and ended up along the lines in the pich black.

Diggerland for those that don't  know is Langley Parks most famous leisure facility where you pay to go in and drive JCBs about and occasionally they fall over trapping you in the beck. mmmmm! they've cornered the market there then. I've never been to diggerland I suppose its a combination of it being on my doorstep and having 2 girls they've never asked and I've never bothered. The site of Diggerland is the old coke works in Langley. There's a few maps up in the school showing how a combination of the branch line, the coke works and the pit brought a growth to what was a couple of farms. So I suppose to turn a disused site into a leisure attraction is something to be applauded especially as the caravan factory which occupied the site has been relocated up to Consett.

Tuesday no cycling as I was swanning off to London for a meeting. Went to some swanky offices just off Southwark tube station. Got there an hour early so had a walk round to the Thames, saw the Globe theatre, Tate Modern and walked across the millenium bridge. Typical area of central London loads of money yet there's the odd down and out and a couple of Big issue sellers - how can that affluent area be home to so many without anything. Suppose the streets aren't always paved with gold. Loads of people out running some really shouldn't although there was more than a couple of rather fit looking ladies in lycra. Working for the governement its got to be done suppose, I should take a leaf and do a bit of exercise on a dinner time then I wouldn't be such a porky.