The slide show in the post below in of Keswick 2006 - I just created it for my MySpace so thought it would be nice to put it on here too.

Yesterday Helen came down to Darlo for the day from Newcastle. We had an awesome time. We went to Barnard Castle (the town where I went to school) and kind of pottered round there for a while. We visited the castle itself which I got in free to because I'm a very proud member of English Heritage (actually it was the first proper time that I had used my card!). I love the castle at Barney. I don't really know why I like it so much but I do. After the castle we wandered along the main street (there isn't much to it) and went into a few shops. I bought a copy of Pride and Prejudice and Our Mutual Friend. I love books in old bindings. Most of my books in Glasgow are ones that I have found in second hand bookshops and they all seem to match. I like my books to look as though they've been read, even if they haven't all been read by me!!
When we had finished with Barney we headed back home and on the way made a little detour to the Archers Jersey Ice Cream Parlour in a village just outside Darlington. We'd never been there before so it was really nice. Obviously we got ice cream (banana and chocolate for me and raspberry and chocolate for Helen) and then went on a little walk around the farm which was very pleasant. At one point we came across some cows (not very surprising) - one amused me quite a bit because it stuck its tongue up both its nostrils. I know, simple things please simple minds but I don't know a human that can do that! On our way back to the car it started raining.... A LOT so we got very wet which wasn't great.
At home we decided on pizza for tea which we had to go and pick up. After we had had our pizza fill we decided that we needed some pudding so we headed for Sainsburys. However, Sainsburys closed at 7pm because it was a Bank Holiday (we arrived at 7.05pm!), then went to Morrisons which was also shut. Finally we went to Mills which we were pleased to find open and got some very delicious chocolate cake. So Helen had an unexpected tour of Darlo and we got our pudding in the nearest shop to my house that we went to, which we went to last (very annoying).

Today Mum and I headed up north to Hadrians Wall. We had been saying that we would do this for a while so we just went for it today. Our first stop was Corbridge Roman Fort which we were amazed at. We had never been there before and I certainly didn't think that it would be as big as it was (which is stupid because having studied Roman Britain I know that Corbridge was an important place on the Wall). But it was really good to nosey around there for a while.
Then we went to Vindolanda. Now this place is AMAZING! I had been there before on a school trip and was really eager to go again. First we went to the museum section and had lunch and looked round the museum. At Vindolanda they have made discoveries of these things which are called the Vindolanda Writing Tablets which are basically roman personal letters or documents which have been preserved since that time. It really amazes me. A few other interesting things that they have found are the plume from a soldiers helmet and a ladies wig! AWESOME!!!
Then we looked round the fort itself for a bit.
By then though I was getting tired (I don't know why) so we went back to Corbridge (the modern town) and had a sit down in a coffee shop. Then we looked round some of the shops that Corbridge had to offer. The best of these was the Cook Shop which had all sorts of kitchen stuff in. I was really really pleased to find some grapefruit spoons, something which I had been looking for for a long time!!
It was all in all a really nice day - I will try and put some pics up sometime soon.

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I'll start off with Saturdays football result... Darlington lost... AGAIN! We were playing Swindon who are as yet unbeaten this season. We lost 2-1. Julian Joachim came on as a sub and it was just so bizarre because I never thought that he would get such an amazing reception (considering he scored two goals against us last weekend!) but his presence really lifted the crowd. And we really needed it. Darlo were abysmal! At one point in the first half I got my book (Jane Eyre - which I have now finished! AWESOME!) and read some of it. It is a bad sign when the book comes out! Sadly though Joachim didn't score.
On Sunday there was a 'fellowship tea' at church because Holiday Bible Club was starting the next day. I made Sticky Toffee Brownies for it which seemed to go down well but I think my friends were just humouring me! I really wish I could bake well. I would bake all the time if I could but then I'd get even fatter because I would be eating all the finished product! After the evening service we had to set up the church for the next day which is always fun. Beth and I laminated name badges and cut out little emergency info card things (can't think of a more sensible name for them) which was good. We missed out one of the name tags to be laminated though so we felt really bad (sorry Pam!).
So on Monday HBC started. I am part of Jonathan's team along with Cath Friston and Julia. We are the vultures. We had a good group of kids and they were all really well behaved. We weren't so good at the games but I think they had fun and that is all that counts!
Tuesday I went into town before HBC and raided Primark (love it!!) and came away with various items of clothing, then went to Boots to get this stuff that Jen had recommended called Bach Calm Spray (or something like that) because I had my mock driving test the next day. HBC was again good as usual.
In the evening Darlo were playing an away game in the Carling Cup against Stoke (REALLY wanted to go) who are a Championship team (i.e. play two leagues above us). We had a man sent off in the 12th minute or something like that and the Stoke went on to score. Well, we all thought that that was it but evidently not. We equalised through Logan just before half time then in the second half Julian Joachim scored an awesome goal which turned out to be the winner. So I was quite happy. I was hopeful for a win because we usually play better with 10 men anyway (more determined or something) and I also didn't realise that Stoke are a Championship side!!
So today (Wednesday) I didn't go to HBC. I had my mock driving test. I spent the morning revising the 'Show me/Tell mes'. Then Dad tested me on them and I drove about in the driveway just practicing. So at 3.30pm my driving instructor came to pick me up and we headed to ASDA where we were meeting the other instructor who was going to be my examiner for the day. So I did my test. I didn't think I'd passed but I did with only one minor so I was quite pleased with that. It was encouraging certainly!

Had a mock mock driving test yesterday. I failed it but actually drove ok. I stalled on a roundabout past the white line and that would have been a serious fault (unsurprisingly!!). But I guess it was reassuring that everything else went well. I also found out the courses that I got on to do Junior Honours history next year. In the first semester I am doing Victorian and Edwardian Glasgow, Barbarians in the Mediterranian (this was my first choice so I'm very pleased) and Saints and Sinners (can't quite remember what this is about!)
Today we went to Ochis to celebrate Paul's birthday (Beth's dad). Was a lot of fun and the food was awesome. I had a Cajun Style Wrap for my main course which tasted sooooo good but was really spicy (which wasn't helped by the fact that I had ginger beer to drink!). For dessert I had a chocolatey thing called Chocolate Lumpy Bumpy which was good but I don't think that I would choose it again. One of the waiters used to go to the same school as I did which was funny. He was a few years above me and got on the same bus.
Beth, Sophie and I had a lot of fun taking photos and playing with the empty ginger beer can. Simple things please simple minds as they say!
How cool are we??! Me and Sophie with the help of an orange
Beth and I
Stunning! What can I say! I think probably the less said the better on this one
The boys were not immune to the madness either!!

Yesterday I had an awesome time with Mari. It really was great! We met up in Darlo and then went to Coopers for lunch. We just talked and talked. We took so long in deciding what we were going to eat, I think the waitress was getting a little annoyed. We were talking and laughing very loudly as well so I don't think that we were too popular with everyone else either. We had fun though. Mari showed me some pics of her family and friends. Her little sisters, Anna and Eri, well, they ain't so little anymore! I can't believe how grown up they are.

Anna is in her first year at uni! Crazy! So we had a nice lunch then wandered around Darlo for a bit. Whilst meandering in the Cornmill I spotted Emilaaaa, Shelley and Katie so had a quick chat with them. They get their results tomorrow so I think they are a bit nervous.
Then Mari and I went to look at mobile phones because I was wanting to get a new one but the shop was too busy so we decided to go to Costa in Ottakers because we had done the same last time she was over.

We then went back to the phone shop where I got my flashy new phone (same number) and then we headed back to my house and hung out there for awhile.

Then all too soon she had to leave! *sob* I was very sad to see her go because she is so awesome and I wish she lived a little nearer than Japan!

In the evening I went to the church and made up the sweet bags for Holiday Bible Club next week (the kids all get sweet bags on the last day). It is definitely my favourite HBC preparation job - although painting is fun as well. I think I ate more of the sweets than went in the bags but we had enough so I guess it doesn't matter! The next job was to help Simon with building the pyramid (the theme is Egyptians). Sophie was very good at helping - Beth was good too. Adam was NOT but neither was I! We just got in the way! Simon was very scary - building the pyramid was very stressful and extremely complicated. I couldn't understand it and we were only using cardboard boxes!! lol

Ok, so Darlington lost 4-1 at Boston this weekend. Shambles right? Actually I don't have the foggiest. I have really read up on it yet, maybe we played better than what the scoreline suggests but that isn't really the point - in fact we didn't get any! This guy was playing for Boston - Julian Joachim. He scored two goals against us and today we sign him. So he is now a Darlington player. You think he could have done his new club a favour - but no. It isn't like he didn't know that he would sign for us. This move had been on the cards last week. Why, Julian, why?? Not that I'm bitter, he'd just better score loads of goals for us to make up for cutting our goal difference in half at the weekend..... or else!! lol I am pleased he has signed though because in the past it has been our strikeforce that has let us down. So now we have Joachim, Giallanza and (dare i say it) Barry Conlon hopefully we will get a few goals this year!

Haven't done a great deal today (haven't even got dressed - disgusting I know!). I'm re-reading Jane Eyre at the moment. I love it! It is easier to read than I remember although I've been getting a bit lost in some of the conversations. Too intellectual for me! Next I'm planning to read either Pride and Prejudice or North and South (when my Mum finishes it) or maybe Sense and Sensibility. I'll see where my mood takes me!

Tomorrow I am meeting up with my friend Mari. She used to live in England before moving back to Japan, where she is from. So I haven't seen her for a couple of year and I can't wait. We went to school together and we were really good friends. I remember when she first came to England and she couldn't really speak English and used to get mouth and mouse mixed up. She was so cute! She is amazing at English now though, better than me even I don't doubt! So excited!!!!!!!

Went to James' house for a BBQ last night. Did some baking for it in the afternoon. I made Brownies (out of a packet to be fair) and Triple Chocolate Oat cookies. I find baking really relaxing so I enjoyed doing that. I also enjoyed eating the end product - I'm surprised any got to James' house! So anyway we had a really good feed at James' and then we went to Blockbusters and rented a movie. From past experiences we really should have known better but we picked our film, Firewall, and went back home and watched it. Well, it was terrible. Such a BAAAAAADDDDDDD film! I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I was just so bored. Nevermind, at least the company was good.

Yesterday I got 3 postcards!! Yes, THREE!!! lol a bit crazy! I got one from Beth and one from Jonathan in France and one from Helen who is back home in Northern Ireland just now. All of them sound like they are having good times. Beth had me singing Phantom songs and I wasn't even going to Paris!! lol so annoying!

It has been a great week for mail because I got two more letters today. I was really pleased to get a letter from Andrea. She sent me some of her pics of Shaun Maloney lookalike from Summit. Thanks mate! They are so much better than mine. It has been frustrating trying to describe how much he looks like Shaun Maloney without a decent picture. I sound a little bit like a stalker now. I'm not... honest!!! I also got a letter from one of my campers, Chloe, which was also very exciting too.

John and Morag went home today. I think they are planning to take the scenic route home so I don't quite know how long it will take them to get back. It normally only takes about 3hrs to get from Darlington to Edinburgh.

Dad has flown over to Northern Ireland for the weekend. Uncle Donald is doing some preaching there (not quite sure of exact location) this weekend so my Dad is just going to go and pay him a visit. He got there safely thankfully. It was probably quite a boring flight because of all the added security in Britain's air travel just now. You aren't allowed any carry on luggage other than a passport, money and medication. You have to carry it on in a clear plastic bag. It is crazy tight security!

I really miss Beth!!! She is on holiday in France just now and I am all lonely!!! *sob*
Just as I was writing that my Dad brought in the post and I got a postcard from her!! Yay!! lol written even before she left England!! Fantastic!!

Beth and I

Beth on her 18th Birthday after FINALLY managing to blow out the candles (it took her about half an hour!!)

What we look like without make up! Girls Afternoon In at Keswick!

Beth is not amused!!!
Can't wait until you are back, mate!!!

Deborah - did my card arrive yet? I sent it a while ago but mail always seems to take ages to get across 'the pond'!

Last night I got a call from my driving instructor saying that he had a cancellation at 10.30am and would I like to move my lesson to then instead of having it at 8am. I was so happy! There was no way that I could get out of bed to be out of the house by 8am! So I had my driving lesson at 10.30am. It went really well! I managed to do 3 reversing round corners in a row without any help!! I am so pleased! Hopefully it will continue to go well in my next lesson. I was pretty relieved when 12.30pm rolled around though.
This afternoon I'm not doing a great deal. John and Morag went to Durham and I could have gone too but I'm feeling pretty wiped from my driving lesson. So, I'm just hanging about the house. My Dad is home this afternoon because he is on-call.
I've just realised that I haven't put any of my Keswick pics up. I'll have to do something about that!

Darlington won again last night. We beat Accrington Stanley 2-0. It was Accrington's first home league game in 44 years so they really wanted to win.... but they didn't. We did. So we are still top of the table. Pretty much the whole of the season left to go but it is looking positive. Should I feel bad about ruining Accrington's party? I don't. Plenty of other times our parties have been ruined by other teams (e.g. our last game at the old stadium, our first game at the new stadium). We went there to win and get the points and we did so I'm pleased. Accrington haven't got any points on the board yet so I hope that they start getting some soon. I'm just glad that they didn't gain any points last night!!
Encouraging for Darlo was that the players who scored are both midfielders and not strikers. Last season (and many previous) we had a problem about goals and where they were coming from so this is a great improvement. I just hope that it lasts!!!

We have my Mum and Dad's good friends, John and Morag, staying with us at the moment. All their kids are at an APC camp in Inverness so they thought that they would come and stay with us for a few days.
Today Mum, John, Morag and I went to Castle Howard which is a big stately home in North Yorkshire. It was pretty impressive. It totally got me in a Pride and Prejudice mood. There is even a lake in the grounds (if you have seen the BBC version!!). It also got me thinking of North and South which isn't set in stately home kind of places but there was a rose garden and there were only one or two roses in bloom which was a shame. Just a note of explanation - Margaret in N&S used to live in a house with copious amounts of roses in the garden. It was always a happy place for her. When she visits sometime later the new owners have got rid of all the roses and it is terribly sad. So, as I was walking around the garden feeling sad that there were no roses I couldn't help but think of N&S.
Tomorrow I have a very early driving lesson - 8 o'clock it starts at!! Is that even a time???

Happy Birthday Deborah!!! No longer a teenager!!!!!!

Today was a great day. The first day of the football season. I wasn't really excited about it until my Dad was parking the car at the stadium. Unfortunately when I was walking to my seat the first player that I saw of Season 2006/7 was Barry Conlon - URGH!!! I just can't get across to you how much this man annoys me. I'm sure that he is a really nice person but as a footballer he is just very frustrating and I was a bit gutted when we re-signed him this summer, especially since Ryan left (how I miss him *sob*). It was so weird watching the players warm up because I didn't recognise very many of them at all. We have signed 9 new players this summer so it is definitely a new look team.
It was a good match today - I honestly don't have a clue how Macclesfield did not score. They should feel very hard done by. They hit the post twice and Sam Russell made some AMAZING saves. He seems to be getting back some of his form that he was lacking a bit last season. Well Darlington ended up winning 4-0. Three of those goals ended up coming from Barry Conlon. I know that you will be thinking, 'Well he's obviously fantastic! Why doesn't she like him?' NO! He doesn't put in any effort to play football but expects the ball to come straight to him and then complains and doesn't try to get the ball back when he loses it. He just doesn't seem to show a lot of passion. He is obviously a great goal scorer but just think at how amazing he would be if he just tried!
So Darlington are starting off the season at the top of the league because we have the best goal difference - I just wonder how long that will last!

Please go to www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk and run a search for Derek Martin. You should get a story titled 'Boys' Lobster Catch Wins Royal Approval' dated 05.08.06. It is an article about my cousin, Derek, the Queen and some lobsters. I think it is awesome and kind of hilarious!! Nice one Der!

Well I've had a very boring past couple of days. I started clearing out my room but seem to have got sidetracked and it is even messier than it was before (and it was pretty messy then!). I haven't really done a lot else and it has been so dull. Hopefully the football season starting tomorrow will brighten things up a bit. Dad and I went to the stadium today and bought Flexi Tickets. You pay a certain amount (a student one was £88) and get vouchers for 10 matches which you then exchange for a ticket for the matches that you want to see nearer the time. I thought this was a genius idea because it means that I don't need to get a season ticket and miss lots of games but I can pick and choose the games that I want to go to. It works out cheaper buying a Flexi Ticket than just paying for a ticket on the day, especially since they put the prices up this year!
I got the date for my driving test today. I haven't told anyone when it is but it is too soon for my liking!! I'm good at driving but terrible at the maneouvres (especially left reverse!). I'm nervous already!
I got really mad today because I've had to change my mobile phone number. I've had my old one since forever (well since I was 14 years old and shared the phone with my mum!). It really annoys me when people change their numbers so I'm so sorry that I've had to change mine - believe me, it wasn't by choice!!! I'm sure I'll get used to it!! If I haven't told you the new number then post a message or send me an email and I'll get it to you - hopefully I managed to reach everyone though!
Right I'm off to watch Taggart - the best TV show EVER!

Just now I like:
Listening to: Chris Rice - Short Term Memories
Reading: My Bible :-)

The football season starts again on Saturday!! No Ryan but I'm starting to get excited now!! We play Macclesfield at home first. Not the ideal first game because Macclesfield are so dull but I'm sure Darlo will make it good!

So I'm finally back home. I had two great weeks at camp and then Keswick. First I'll start with camp.
Well, I arrived at camp to a different dorm name - the Beavers. I was so unbelievably annoyed at first because I had prepared loads of eagle stuff for the dorm. But in the end the name grew on me. The five girls in my dorm were so awesome!! They were all great and just really pleasant, kind and sweet. I hope they had as good a time as I did. They ended up calling me Mrs Beaver and they were the Kittens! How cute! I was so worried about having a dorm on my own because last year I was sharing a dorm with another leader, Kirsten, but it turned out fine. They didn't seem to ask too many nightmarish questions and the ones that they did ask I think I answered ok.
It was so nice to have a really small camp - only 17 girls, 6 leaders and 3 cooks. It was so weird though at leaders prayers and things like that because the leaders' room is much bigger now than it was last year and we were almost drowning in the space on the first day but we soon found lots of things to fill it with (mostly craft stuff!). All week we kept thinking that we were missing people when in fact everyone was there. It was just bizarre!
I quite liked having only a few leaders this year. Agnes was leading the camp as usual, Laura was the ATL like last year and Kirsten was also there. It was so good to see them all again! They are just amazing! Then there was Lola, who I had met before (even been to her house) but clearly she couldn't remember! It was so great to get to know her - kept me entertained a lot! Finally there was Helen who was brilliant - You are such a blessing to me Helen! I love ya!!
So I had to do my talk one evening. It went so well and I was so pleased. I just pray that I got the message across to the girls in an understandable way. All the girls, most of whom are not from a church background, seemed to be really receptive to all that we were telling them about Jesus during the week and it was just fantastic!

So that was camp. Dad came up to Lendrick Muir and picked me up to go to Keswick. We were also giving Lola a lift because she was going too. She was staying in a caravan though - unlucky!! lol I'm sure she had a great time - although I don't have a clue cos I didn't see her at all after the first day!
Keswick was good but just not up to standard this year. The morning meetings were great - Ajith Fernando was speaking and he was great. We were looking at Ephesians 1. The evening meetings were a bit hit and miss to be honest. Derek Tidball was good. Steve Brady was good one night, but awful on the first and don't even get me started on Luis Palau!!! It was so hot last week that I just found it difficult to do anything. Twice I had to leave the tent because I was feeling ill because of the heat. One time I really thought I was gonna faint or be sick everywhere. It wasn't pleasant! It meant that I also didn't do a lot during the afternoons.
It was Beth's 18th on Saturday, then Meg's 15th on Tuesday so we had a few little parties. Great times! It was so awesome to have Megan and Tina in Keswick this year! Such fun!

David and Mairi were staying with us for the weekend and Megan and Tina at the Ainscoughs'. They've just left this morning. Very sad!

At the moment I'm using the internet in the Earthworks tent at Keswick. I'm having such a great time and it is only Monday! Camp was awesome. The girls that were there were just fabulous and so responsive to everything that we taught them about Jesus. My dorm were great. We had a bit of a name change which I was a bit annoyed about at first but was reconciled to the name after a while. We were the Beavers. I enjoyed camp a lot but it was a bit frustrating at times when you are with girls 24/7 who constantly ask questions and you can't get a moments peace. Generally though they were really great and we had no trouble from them whatsoever!
Anyways, I'm off to enjoy the rest of what Keswick has to offer!!

Tomorrow I leave for camp. I had to write a talk for the Wednesday evening meeting so hopefully it makes sense and I don't mess it up when the time comes! I'm so excited to meet the girls who will be in my dorm - the Eagles!! Beth made a good suggestion about a verse that could be our dorm verse:

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31

Awesome! Love it!! Hopefully camp will go well. It is a pretty tiring time but also really great. The girls ask so many questions about Jesus so you really have to know why you believe what you believe. It is really challenging!
Straight after camp I am going to Keswick along with just about everyone from church! I'm looking forward to it a lot. I'll be sharing a room with Beth which is always great - we talk A LOT!! Some of our friends are camping and quite frankly I think they are mental!! I don't understand people who choose to camp. It is bizarre! Keswick is a big christian convention or conference thing. It is always great! I don't really know how to describe it so this is the website address www.keswickministries.org
Anyways, this means potentially a two week break from blogging but I'll have a lot to write up when I get back!!

Had a nice day yesterday. Relaxed in the morning which was fab. Then met Clair and walked down to the school to pick up Ben and Bethan. We then all walked back to my house where the kids played in the garden with Hattie and I showed Clair my photos of my trip to the USA. She was probably bored because there are a lot of them!! I think she was interested in putting some faces to the names that I have been talking about because I have been talking A LOT!! Gave Ben and Bethan their t-shirts that I got for them in NYC. I was pleased to see that they fitted because I had been so worried that they wouldn't and I couldn't exactly return them!
In the evening I went to church to do some more Holiday Bible Club preparation. Had to paint a big sunset with silouetted palm trees with David Rowe. It turned out quite nicely actually! Also had to cut out some Memory verse scrolls which I did not like. I cannot cut out - my art teacher at school gave me a complex about it because she was really horrible about my cutting out and I've been scared to do it ever since. Yes, that is right! Scared!! I don't know why I can't do it. Maybe it has something to do with being left handed, but most left handed people are able to use scissors proficiently. I guess secondary school art had a bigger effect on my life than I ever thought it would!