Back in Newcastle (and surrounding areas) for a couple of weeks, showing off the boy and generally hanging around having fun. Apart from the culinary tour through all food that probably isn’t good for me, it’s going to be a pretty packed couple of weeks (and still doing some work while I’m back as well). 

It’s been 2 whole years since I was back on this side of the water. I never thought I’d go that long (I still remember doing the 5 or 6 flights back per year when I first moved to Denver), but I survived. I’m not sure how much has actually changed since I got back - one jet-lagged day probably isn’t enough. One thing I did forget about was how much X-Factor is central to pop culture here. It’s weird seeing the “outrage” at that girl not getting voted off on Sunday - no idea what she did to piss everybody off in previous weeks, but out of the two left doing the final sing-off, she was the best if you ask me. 

As usual, the wife managed to bring out the best in English weather - yesterday was sunny enough that we went for a walk along the coast and she didn’t even wear a jacket. Still haven’t seen a drop of water, although a few days in the Lake District next week will guarantee to fix that one, I’m sure. The surfers were out in Tynemouth - made me (almost) want to get the wetsuit on and jump back in. Exercise and cold is not always my favorite combination, so I resisted. 

Tate seems to enjoy it here - I think he’s picking up the accent already, and on night 2, he already seems to have worked his way through the jet-lag with an 8 hour stretch (thank you son!!). And hanging out with the family, although a little overwhelming sometimes, makes him giggle like crazy. I don’t think he’s had so many kisses in a 24 hour period, and that’s saying something! 

Now just a week and a half until I see Newcastle live - been way too long a wait for that. Somehow games on TV and the internet just aren’t the same.