Er. Urm. Bloggus interruptus. Bare with me.

Talking of being bare. Take a look at this fascinating pre-Hadrianic Bath House at Vindolanda. Built for one thousand Batavians (or Dutch) soldiers...double the size of another bath house which can be found outside the stone fort (one of ten [five timber and five stone] which were built there over 300 plus years).

What is Vindolanda? I hear you ask....

It is an amazing Roman fort site one mile South of Hadrian's Wall about midway between Newcastle and Carlisle. Check it out at www.vindolanda.com. Its sister site is about ten miles down the Wall - literally on Hadrian's Wall called the Roman Army Museum.

The reason for the blog hiatus is that I am being trained up as a volunteer guide at both sites. In less than a month's time I sit my written exam at Tullie House in Carlisle about all things relating to Hadrian and his superlative Roman Wall built between AD122 and say about AD128/AD130. They didn't stop doing things to it (modifications and forts and such like) until Hadrian's death in AD138. His successor, Antoninus Pius, decided to abandon it and push further North into Scotland so he built his own turf wall up there. The Scots or Caledonians bashed them too much so the Romans fell back again to Hadrian's Wall and stayed there until just into the fourth century.

There are just SO many things I want to tell you about but I am restraining myself until I have got these flippin' exams over and done with. I am being tested as a bona fide guide on the Vindolanda site in July. Let's hope the heavens don't open, coach loads of children and strimmers do not operate on that day. Fingers crossed and many offerings offered to the God of Guides....could it be Mercury? I'm sure there must be a better one but can't think of him/her/it right now.

So I will set up a household shrine, a lararium, and make a daily offering to the lares, otherwise known as household / guardian spirits. Here's one I made earlier:



Just kidding I will reveal all -where this altar is.. in due course - Valete (goodbye) just for now! (Then again if anyone can tell me where it is....? Special Hadriana points and award will be winging your way...)

Clag on hinnies - one year on!

This photo was taken by local photographer, David Taylor, and used with his permission... I'm going to an exhibition of his soon (we "kind of" met through this blog) and his image of the month in May, Tynemouth Priory, will be a treat for expatmum.

So much has been going on lately that I don't know where to start. So I'll tell you why I've not been blogging lately and what I've been doing away from the screen:

1. Been to another tourist guiding course day at The Centre of Britain Hotel in nearby Haltwhistle to pick up some more tips about how to guide.
2. Attended a seminar, part of Hexham Book Festival, (and also espied Libby Purves from afar) given by author, Debbie Taylor ,about "How to get your novel published" (which is very funny as I haven't begun to write one yet!) but picked up some fascinating tips on what to do/when etc. I bumped into fellow blogger again, Catharine Withenay, and she is much further on in her quest to get published...
The seminar was much harder work than I expected but it was great fun. The hard part is just getting down to it and writing the darn thing. I have ideas, I have ideas...
3. Walked bits of Hadrian's Wall, last Sunday, with two ex-banking colleagues and whilst we pondered on the meaning of life we walked from Lanercost, past Birdoswald Roman fort (Banna is its Roman name), past Willowford Farm and the Roman Bridge, to Poltross milecastle at Gilsland, over to our B&B at Longbyre. This walk was in blazing sunshine. It was lovely meeting other fellow walkers and swapping stories. As I'd never walked this bit of the Wall before it was a real eye opener walking through the fields rather than whizzing along the country roads in my little car. I think I much prefer walking. The views were/are different and outstanding.
The following day, in windblown sunshine, we walked from Longbyre, past Thirlwall Castle, through Walltown Quarry, up along the crags, through neglected treasure of Great Chesters fort to Cawfields quarry. From there we walked past Cawburn Gap (where the above photo is taken), past Castle Nick, Hotbank farm over to Housesteads fort on the Wall. All in all a fair old walk over the two days (about 15 miles). It took me, my aching bones and a sunburnt face, at least a day to recover! Photos and more memories of this to come...
4. Did some teaching at my daughter's local school on Wednesday and had a lot of fun "Romanising" their names, talking about the Vindolanda Writing Tablets (especially the birthday invitation one) and we also made our own Vindolanda tablets too. The children asked a lot of questions and one boy piped up "Please Miss are you coming back next week?" which hearted me a great deal. I think "Minimus" classes are definitely in the pipeline for the Autumn term.
5. On Friday got absolutely soaked at Segedunum (Wallsend) fort and Arbeia (South Shields)fort where it rained solidly all day. There's more there than I realised. Some amazing reconstructions: The Bath House at Wallsend and a bit of The Wall there too. At Arbeia fort there's a Commanding Officer's Villa, some barracks and a Gatehouse. I have never been so wet in my life! On our drive there some ducks were spotted crossing the road. (After having lived there for sixteen years I can testify that that's quite rare!) It's taken me until now to feel dry. I guess this is excellent training for guiding in inclement weather. Plus we also learnt a great deal about what is actually expected from a tourist guide: pitch of voice, warmth of manner, enthusiasm, knowledge, positioning, eye contact etc. etc. The exams are in six weeks and the tension is mounting. (Also caught up with an old family friend there...nice to have a cuppa in warm and dry surroundings.)
6. Gosh. Have done more but too much to tell.
7. So here we are a year later and I'm amazed that I'm still blogging. I never thought I would last a year. Although I'm not a profilic blogger (and I promise I will catch up with you all in July when things have calmed down)...I've enjoyed the writing; the making of friends and contacts plus the absolute friendliness and curiosity of you all. I never expected that many people would be interested in dry, dusty Roman stuff and my expectations of blogging have been blown out of the water. In a very good way. People all over the world have contacted me and we've chatted about a variety of stuff. I like to hear about different people's lives because I'm very curious about how other people live and what our reactions to things are. I have an unswerving belief that life is superb and it is there to be enjoyed. I think that we are all basically good at heart and that we can help each other.
8. We fully adore where we live and the people who live around us. We may be pretty skint but we get more out of life than we ever did when we worked in "The City" where there were plenty of pounds in my/his bank account(s).
9. I don't have many regrets. In fact I reckon that I only have one...that I'd met my wonderful husband sooner. Funnily enough I was in The Barbican staying in a flat there when I was sweet sixteen. My husband was working there at that time. We actually met ten years ago when I was not sweet sixteen(!). Who knows what might have been had we met in my (just legal!!) teens? Hmm. The thing is we did meet, and probably at the right time too, and it's been bliss ever since then.
10. What else? Sorry that I'm/have been so rubbish about handing on awards to other bloggers. My one year's blogging resolution is to do better in this regard.
11. N.B.: I have actually been running as well when I can for The Great North Run in September (amazingly). Will write about that over in my other blog.

Clag on! (Geordie: for "Stick Close"!) and see what another year's blogging will bring!!! A big thank you too for all those regular readers who often leave comments. I always do love your feedback. Ta ra for now yous hinny pets.

Yesterday

Yesterday, over at my parents' house, I caught sight of a picture of a beautiful young girl on the front page of The Daily Telegraph.
As I read in and on, getting deeper into the article I suddenly realised that I knew her father. He used to treat me when I came back and forth from Egypt.

I went to see him when I suspected that I might be pregnant. He did a test and confirmed it for me. My blood pressure rate was sky high. He asked me "what's the matter?" I confessed that I was a little apprehensive about becoming a parent for the first time. His immediate response was: "Don't be worried! It's fantastic being a parent. Children are wonderful!" His reaction filled me with hope and wonder.

And he was absolutely right.

I've been thinking about him and his family ever since yesterday. And this came on the radio today. Somehow the two things are linked now as though with indelible ink:

Yesterday,
All my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though they're here to stay,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly,
I'm not half the man I used to be,
There's a shadow hanging over me,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.

Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Why she
Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said,
Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm.

My heart and thoughts go out to them.

Er. Em. Where do I start? Time for a Celebration. Methinks.

Not sure where to start as so much has been going on!

I'm over the moon that I have been accepted to be on a course which means I am studying to be a voluntary guide at Vindolanda and The Roman Army Museum. There was fierce competition to get on the course which is being arranged and funded by Hadrian's Wall Heritage Ltd. and The Heritage Lottery Fund. There are 20 of us and we have been assigned different sites on Hadrian's Wall to cover. In total there will be six main sites: Arbeia (South Shields) and Segedunum (Wallsend) in the East; Vindolanda and The Roman Army Museum (Roman name: Magna and also known as Carvoran) in the Centre and Senhouse Museum (Maryport) plus Hardnott Fort (Ravenglass) in the West.

I'll tell you more about all of this as time goes by. We have day training courses to attend and the qualifying exams, to be a level 2 Guide with The Institute of Tourist Guiding, are at the end of June/beginning of July. I'm panicking a bit but I'm sure I'll get there in the end. (We were at Segedunum yesterday and I had to pretend to be a guide for 10 minutes...it was very enjoyable plus nerve wracking at the same time!) I am SO chuffed that I have got to be in the Central Cluster I absolutely adore what they are doing at Vindolanda. There are continuous archaeological digs there throughout the Summer. They are constantly finding something new. To be near the famous Vindolanda Tablets (look at their website and The British Museum website for further information) is just out of this world!!

Once I qualify as a guide I'll be guiding there this Summer, next Easter and Summer. Can't wait.

We have also been attending short courses again run by Hadrian's Wall Heritage Ltd. on the history, archaeology and geology of The Wall and these have been fascinating. I always wondered why the sandstone in the West was red and it is all down to the fact that that bit of Britain used to be on the same latitude as the Sahara desert millions of years ago. Lanercost Priory is a good example of the red sandstone seen across in Cumbria.

Our website for our B&B is up and running. It is still a work in progress but at least we have got it going. Hurrah! Bookings are good and steady. My husband has been described as "a legend" by a big group of Kiwis and Aussies who stayed with us over Easter weekend. They even bought us some wine before they left. It's super when we get feedback like that.

Perhaps foolishly, I have put my name down to run in The Great North Run on September 20th. My training has yet to officially start. Although I have been out for a couple of jogs and done some swimming. I could come to regret this! I'm running on behalf of RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution). It's a cause that's close to my heart as they exist solely on public donations and they do fabulous work saving lives at sea. I've set up a page at Just Giving if you fancy taking a look or making a donation.....

Oh yes...little Hadriana's school would like me to do a talk about The Vindolanda Tablets and Minimus soon.

The local town have twinned with a town in the Lazio area of Italy. I helped with some Italian visitors when they were over just before Easter. We walked the Wall between Housesteads and Steel Rigg. I walked past the famous "Robin Hood" tree at Sycamore Gap at long last....It was a good chance for me to practise my Italian but, to be honest, their English was absolutely fine. They were very friendly and I'm hoping that one day we'll get over there to see them again. The day they arrived was the same day as the earthquake in L'Aquila. As they are not far from there it was a worry that they might have been affected but as luck would have it...No! I still think of the survivors and hope the world hasn't forgotten them. We, personally, might have some tough times but I cannot imagine what things must be like when your world literally caves in. Unbelievable. It makes me count my blessings.

I am neglecting my fellow bloggers of late but promise to make it up to you all at some point. Thanks for leaving all your messages of support and encouragement. What a great bunch you all are!

Waving but not blogging (not just yet)!

I have about two minutes to write this before pick up time at school. The move went well but am still living medieval-like with no internet connection. I have one ordered and ready to go but I have still to find the time to fix it up and get it running.

Thank you (yet again) for all your encouraging comments. When I run in and out of this house (the B&B) to get the odd thing or say hello to hubbie. I scan my eye over the e-mail box and enjoy all your comments: one-liners or the like.

Quick update:

1. The move went well.
2. Applied for a voluntary guiding job at Vindolanda but sadly did not get it...I was all of a tither and it came straight after the funeral so I suppose I was ill prepared. Nevertheless I may still get to do some of it. More of which later!
3. Little boy fell off trolley in good old Sainsburys and bashed his head. Rushed him straight over to Carlisle hospital but was fine poor thing. I wept (in aforementioned Sainsburys) and felt like v. bad mother!
4. The headmistress at local school is still keen to do Minimus. Hurray!
5. Am helping out with Italian conversational classes as local town has twinned with Italian town. Will try to do more here if I can.
6. Went to London last week to see Grandpa South and he is much better. He enjoyed seeing the children.
7. Have found teabags, FF, and have sort of located computer, The Dotterel, now all I have to do is get the blasted things to work.
8. Fridge freezer conked out and has been replaced.
9. Car nearly conked out but was mended in a jiffy.
10. Er. Um. That's all for now. Will try to blog sooner rather than later. Toodle pip!
11. BTW B&B going very well. Lots of bookings and the inspector called, stayed, and gave us our three star rating yet again. (For our first booking we made it...cleaning and sorting...with minutes to spare. I left with children just as first car pulled up.)
12. The photo (circa 1955) overlooks The Burn...which is where I am living now with kiddies. Believe you me...it feels a bit like 1955 living with no internet connection. Still...we do have central heating and TV so cannot complain too much.......

Must definitely go now.

Moving, Moving, Moving.....

Huge apologies about the lamentable state of my blogging. Too much is going on in "Life" right now. I realise that I am neglecting my blog, neglecting your blog, neglecting a lot of things really.

Anyway we are in the throes of moving house today. We have to be...as we have our first booking coming in - one week from today! Hurrah!!

Once I have got a broadband connection set up at t'other house I'll be putting blogging and writing to rights.

Until then.....(shouldn't be too long hopefully).....BIG SMILE.

The Latest Post...

1.Did I do the websites? Did I heck! But being away from the computer allowed my husband to get somewhere near it so we are a little bit nearer to achieving our goal(s)...
2. We are moving out of this house (the children and my good self) back to our little house in the next town very soon.
3. We are taking bookings in this house, the Bed and Breakfast, from March 17th onwards. (The house is already booked up one weekend in April. Yippee!) Not bad for minimal advertising.
4. We have three weeks to do a lot: Get the other house ready - fix the heating; purchase a new shower and washing machine. Move some furniture, belongings plus the toys. Get a new broadband connection (for me!) and so on and on.
5. Get the B&B sorted out. Put the bedrooms back to normal. Put the kitchen to rights once more. Make the garden look presentable. Maybe put a lick of paint on the house.
6. Mum-in-law's funeral is next week and I will go down for the day. Hubbie will be down there a week from today. His father is much better now and is coming out of the convalescent home to be back home, HOME. (Hurrah! He's really pleased after spending the last two months in hospital.)
7. There is more (but I cannot reveal those plans until I know more). I am in suspense. I need to know more just for me! I'm not the patient type.
8. So it looks as if we will have to put our skates on....
9. Some BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club) important instructors were out at our dive centre last week in Hurghada, Red Sea, and loved it. They are going to send more business our way.
10. Must go now to try to chip away at the mountain of things "to do"...so I will be over to your blogs in the coming days. After all...I have the computer to myself for a whole week!

(I hate it when hubbie is away but needs must and all that. The day of his leaving makes me feel all churned up inside. I calm down when he is gone. If that makes any sense at all? But yes, we all miss him. Master H will miss him especially. "Dad do! Dad do!" He cries dictatorially and I am summarily dismissed.)