Camping

In July, Caroline and I went camping for the first time. I have camped next to my parents caravan but this would be the first time alone and Caroline's first time at all. I loved it. Not so sure about Caroline.

We left work early on the Friday and travelled down to just outside Bamburg in Northumberland. And of course it was absolutely throwing it down when we get there so we were quite wet after we had put the tent up. But we had a tarp for over the front so we sat there drying off and watching the rain with a bottle of wine and then Pimms. 

The next day was sunnier but really windy!

We managed to cook ourselves a very nice breakfast (thank god for the wind guard).

As we were camped only a couple minutes walk from the beach, we decided to go and chill no the beach. The idea was sound and the pictures make it look idyllic.

What you can't tell is the wind. We had put sunscreen on and within seconds were like sugar coated donuts! We got absolutely sandblasted. I was finding sand in my ears for a day or 2. We weren't the only people on the beach though. We ended up back at the tent taking cover between the tent and the car with a bag of nachos for lunch and reading and napping for the rest of the day.

We were going to try a BBQ on the evening as I have a portable BBQ pit I have been wanting to try for ages. But we figures hot embers and high gale force winds (we were one of the only tents still standing - thank you Vango!) were not a great idea so ended up walking into the nearby village and finding a pub for a lovely dinner.

Village church

Feeling windswept.

On the sunday we headed home via Bamburg castle, looking windswept and with a sand exfoliated skin. I definitely want to go camping again, but it might take some convincing to get someone to go with me. 
 

Nare Head

On Monday we went to Nare Head near Carne for a walk. The weather was hit and miss but mostly dry. The walk along the coast was very pretty.

Are Head bay

The beach

Towards Nare head point

Sunny!

The path

Mom looking wind swept

Dad getting close to the edge

Views

Over grown

Dad investigating part of the path - Hobbit path.

On the way back we encountered some locals. Dad made friends. Mom was not impressed.

Hello.

Mom avoiding eye contact

Pretty

Getting acquainted. 

Not impressed with the paparazzi 

We went to the Nare Head hotel for a coffee. We were vastly underdressed - it was super posh. But the other cafe was shut. After a drink, we headed to the beach.

Wind swept on the beach

Pretty

Dad and his camera

Investigating the rock pools

London trip

The end of last week, I headed to London to work for the day with the company I am working with on the Science 2 Data Science course I am on. It was interesting working in the office. The guys in my team are working there on a regular basis so I needed to get my face shown! Though, if I do end up in London, not sure how I am going to enjoy London traffic and noise. :(

On Saturday, I went to the Museum of London (it's free) for some of the morning. Getting there was trickier than expected. Not surprised as whenever I am in London the tube lines I want are either down for work or they are on strike. Figures!

The Museum is interesting to wonder around for a while.

Giant skull 

Lots more skulls

Shield

Part of London city wall

The Museum goes from dark ages through to modern life. Some of the paintings were lovely.

Great Fire of London

However there was a creepy area. I have absolutely no idea what was going on. It was a Pleasure Garden but created by Tim Burton. And I was the only one in there. I left quickly. Really creepy statues in the dark.

Creepy

Super creepy!

The other main point of the trip was a meet up with with the other participants in the program. About 10 out of the 15 could make it and it was nice to meet everyone. Though I didn't recognise some. Skype and Hangout images are not that good.
We got the tube to Greenwich and walked to the Observatory where we spent some time wondering around.

View from Greenwich Observatory

meridian line

View over the Maritime Museum

Sun dial.

Much more useful clock in the UK

Magnolia

Early Japanese TV!

It was a bit bitter sweet. We saw a planetarium show. But it just isn't as interesting to me anymore. It's time to move onto a new life now. I just don't get as excited about space as I once did.

Telescope.

We had a little issue with losing a few people on the way to the meal (they got on a train they shouldn't have). But once everyone got above ground, it was easy to meet up again. Once we all got to restaurant, we had a very nice meal and got to know everyone.

It was a very nice day. Though once again thanks to the tube, getting back to my hotel was trickier than it should have been.

On Sunday evening (after travelling home on the afternoon), we went for a family meal for Mom and Kerrys birthdays at Michelangelo 's.

Kerry, Craig and me

Mom and dad

The food was amazing. I took a few photos. But we all got bored easily. Well, mom and Kerry did!

Kerry got bored.

Then so did mom.