Pub one

Pub one,
originally uploaded by doogleQ.

Meeting up with Paul for a few evening drinks. It was meant to be earlier, and I was going to take a bike ride somewhere on my way. But I got delayed with cooking dinner and other things.

We start at the Slug&Lettuce due to its outdoor tables. Paul hasn't arrived yet, but it on his way. He wanted a pint of cider and black but they only sell trendy pint-sized bottled ciders! Mine's a Fosters anyway :)

Down South

I spent the weekend in Milton Keynes with some friends, mainly for the event of Marky's birthday barbecue. Had a great time, as I do every time I visit. I still have some affection for the town which could so easily by now have been a failed social experiment!

We also had a lovely Sunday lunch cooked by Emma, and went for a treetop walk in a forest. This consisted of a walkway which gradually took us above the top of the trees, giving us a monkey's eye view of the forest. Similar to the concert series, this is a great initiative by the Forestry Commission, hope we can see more of this throughout the country.

Also at the weekend, had a lovely few breakfasts of sausages and helped a few people with DIY tasks. It's nice to be useful!

Celebrity X Factor

Celebrity X Factor,
originally uploaded by doogleQ.

What a load of rubbish.. at least they could have got a few people in who could sing! Perhaps they're saving those contestants until later in the show. It's all harmless fun and entertainment helping me to relax into the summer :)

Run Done

Run Done,
originally uploaded by doogleQ.

I completed my Great Manchester Run this morning, and got a target time of under 45 minutes, but only just with a personal best of 44:58 :) I'm quite pleased with that, although there is definitely room for improvement in future runs. The course was tight at times, making it difficult for over-taking. That perhaps cost me a few seconds.

I unfortunately lost Andy at about 7km, and didn't see him afterwards either. He must have passed me in the crowd as I waited at the finish. Despite being ill, he also did really well to finish in about 46 minutes.

Thanks to all who sponsored me. That means a lot to me and Cancer Research UK. You can still make a donation through me, at www.justgiving.com/danielharding or directly to the charity. Thanks also to the crowds that were cheering, it really does help the runners along imensely. The cheers were especially great at the finish line, and I could here it all from about the 500m mark. The noise undoubtably made me finish at the time in which I did.

We went for lunch at Albert's Shed, after trying a few full pubs and bars beforehand. The atmosphere wasn't quite as brilliant as last year, perhaps because of the rain and me not visiting the charity and sponsor's stalls quite as much. But still a great day which I'll remember for some time. I think the Great North run, half marathon, may be possible next year!

Living in the past

Well, this thing hasn't been updated for a bit. Part of the reason is that I was updating weeks ago, but time is travelling faster than I can manage to keep up with updating. My idea of a comprehensive day-by-day account will have to fall by the wayside and I'll just update "live" when I get the chance.

Since the last update, I've done a bit more practicing of running. Last Wednesday's was fun in the pouring rain! It was a city run, along the streets and canal. Just the type of run I like and I was impressed by the route, although I haven't measured it yet. The real Manchester 10k takes place on Sunday. I'm just about ready for it. Haven't drunk for a week, apart from having my Pepsi Max dashed with Smirnoff on Wednesday evening, and feel great for that. I might have to make not drinking in the week a regular thing.

We've won jackpots at the quiz twice in the past month. Clever us :)

Big Brother has come back to TV. I think everyone agrees that it is not a representative section of society.. a house full of freaks, worse than the normal offerings. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, it's all done in the name of entertainment.

The Eurovision Song Contest final is also on tomorrow. We're going over to Paul's to enjoy that on the big screen with pizza, nibbles and fruit juices.

Work has been busy, and so has course and coursework. Approaching the end of Semester, so everything is due in. I'm as last-minute as usual, but I've got everything in for one module and the rest due along with a presentation for the end of next week. Should manage it. It's not as if the work is difficult, just extremely boring..

As a result of all this hard work, I'm very tired and going to go to bed now. I'll try and write something more or post some pictures soon :)