Gordon Fong: Food, drink, restaurants, reviews and life in general. #southbourne #bournemouth

Up North

I haven't spent the Xmas period back home up North probably for about 8 to 10 years.

Normally I stick around for work but decided to venture up this time. Thankfully there wasn't the snow and ice of a few years ago, just wind and rain, which is just as miserable at times.

Saw my little nephews and family. Saw some karate buddies. Went to a black tie do. Saw friends. Saw too much food and drink and not enough sleep.

Saw a couple of places that I had never been to when living up there. Visited the Angel of the North and Penshaw Monument.

Now with New Year's Eve night out looming, I am just knackered. At least tomorrow is supposed to be nice and sunny so will blow the cobwebs off down on 'our' beach.

Got my cheap Dinner Suit from M&S ready for the Holly Ball in Newcastle on Boxing Day. Ordered online and got it cheaper than the shop. Tried the trousers on for size and was a bit too optimistic. Went to a M&S store and got them changed there and then, for a larger size before you ask. Bargain.

Also got some trousers with active waist technology! Elasticated that means. Gotta get a grip of this in the new year. Seriously.

Fire - scary!

There was a fire and safety training session at work today. Started off as oh another waste of time when we all have work to do and so on, but once you get to see how quickly fire can take hold and how deadly it can be, we all took notice.

3 to 4 minutes is not a long time. Looking back at the fire at Bradford City's football ground was horrific.

So, get those smoke detectors sorted out, close all downstairs doors at night, check your cabling jungle and power extensions and rest easy. Shutting the bedroom door is always a bit contentious but opening the window more is better. Better that than the smoke coming in!