Weds, 31 Jan 07

Wednesday 31 Jan. 07
Hard to believe I've only been gone a week... seems like I’ve been through 5 time zones and 3 countries… oh wait, I have…
Today is the big day, my first Premiership match… begins at 8pm, so we have plenty of time for happy hour beforehand. :) Don’t worry, I won’t be driving… the trains run very efficiently around here, and one stops just outside of the football stadium. My stop is only a 3 minute walk from the flat, and there is a pub (the Lonsdale) conveniently located there. So… the plan is to hit the Lonsdale for happy hour, watch some TV (since I don’t have that at home… likely the single biggest adjustment I’ve had to make so far…), and then ride to the game.
The other adjustments are primarily conversion related… Fahrenheit to Celsius, Lbs to Kilos (this was important in the gym the other night… almost ripped off my knee trying to lift 45k on the quad machine…), and the ever changing Dollar to British Pound Sterling. I’m losing money with my weakening dollar… so I’m going to move some more money into my new Lloyd’s account.
Joined a very nice racket club right around the corner from my flat on Monday – www.northumberlandclub.org
I’m going to miss the tennis social tonight, but they run every Weds night and Sat afternoon. Tues is racquetball night (played on a squash court, but it’s better than nothing…), and Monday is badminton night. (those should both do wonders for my tennis game.) most importantly… they have a TV in the lounge, and water pressure in the showers.
Finally made it a whole day without going to the grocery store on Monday, but yesterday I was back for cleaning supplies (and beer supplies). 6 trips so far since last Thurs… I’m also making quite a few trips to the local library for free internet access (since I don’t have that at home, either… we’ll put that at #2 on the adjustment list.)
No rain yet, very lucky so far… just watch, it will pour at the match tonight. Pics to follow!

Around Newcastle

Had a lovely day at the coast (Whitley Bay, pictured). Dad will be jealous since I saw 4 lighthouses. :) I've been doing a lot of walking (helps to battle the fish and chips and ales...)

have tickets to the Newcastle/Aston Villa football match Weds night, should be fun! I bought a nice jersey yesterday so I’m ready to fit in… :)

Newcastle!

Friday, 26 January 2007

Left my flat about 845 this am, and enjoyed a brisk 20 minute walk to campus. Seems the temperature stays between 38-42 most of the time (so far), and it hasn’t rained yet. J (I’ve only been here for 24 hrs, by the way…)

I'm in the university library with high-speed access for the first time in a week, so i'm happy. the international student orientation this am was a little remedial, but i did pick up a few pointers. there's a reception tonight from 7-9, but i don't know if i'll trek all the way back down again.

Stops on the way home this afternoon include the sport club (I’ve seen the golf program advertised, and it’s only 40 pounds for 8 rounds… that’s $10/round, which fits into my student budget well.) I’m also looking for a football team to help keep me in shape, and there’s a huge tennis center and an indoor pool near my flat. Should keep me quite occupied from Friday to Wednesday when I’m not in class. J

I have 2 flat-mates so far, Monika from Vienna, Austria, and David from Glasgow, Scotland (he’s 6’6), both are quite pleasant and we’re looking forward to getting on well for the next 4 months. There are a number of other “for let” signs along our row, so we may have the whole place to ourselves for a while. Monika is in the middle... along with her friends Laura (also from Vienna) and Timor from Germany.

The Old Course

Wed, 24 Jan 2007

no kilts today, especially since that would have showed my long johns. shot 87 on the old course today, including a 46 out into the wind, and a wind aided 41 on the back (van-de-velde-esque, if i do say so...). drove a nice 301yd green with a little tailwind. i may play again tomorrow, but it's a bit of a cold walk with the 20mph wind and the clubs over your shoulder (38 is too cold for caddies this time of year, apparently).

I've arrived in Scotland (now known as Scottland)

Tues 23Jan07
Hi all... after a Dan's Taxi cab ride, an hour on Marta, a 9 hour flight into a 134 mph headwind (i got to sleep for about 4 hrs thanks to the crying boy 2 seats from me), a bus ride to the "ScotTrain" station (not making that up), a lovely train ride to Leuchars, another bus to St Andrews, and a short half mile walk with my overweight luggage to the B&B, I'm here. Didn't have time to play today, but did have a "lookaround". :)
Looks like I have a good chance to play the Old Course tomorrow as none of the locals are crazy enough to play in 35 degree weather.
I've had a shower (the water pressure leaves something to be desired)... and now I'm going out for some fish and chips and scotch, then going to bed.