Sunderland Airshow Noshow

-

Sunderland Airshow Noshow


The 30th Sunderland Air show has just been. I went to one many moons (arg! Missed the Blood Moon due to cloud coverage!) ago. I was there with the Newcastle City Pipe Band! That’s how long ago it was.

I did not go again. Different reasons why.

Location has kept me away ‘recently’ in truth. Yes, I still have an interest in aerospace all be it not as strong as used to be no longer working. I still proudly hold a good degree in aeronautical engineering that I attained at Glasgow Uni some time ago; that I put to use working in the industry.

In 2002 and 2003 when working as an Aerodynamicist for BAE Systems I saw and volunteered at the globally famous Farnborough Airshow that was fabulous! (I had a go on a Segway that was brand-new at that time and didn’t fall off. I would these days!)



Barriers built as to why I haven’t gone to the Sunderland equivalent? Yes. Regrettably? Yes really.

Not only was it Sunderland Airshow 2018; it was a good friend’s 40th! Happy birthday bud!

What were/are the reasons?

Location.


Yes, Sunderland is not too far away really being about 11 miles city to city (football says not far enough; different story! #Newcastle #United #NUFC), but then other over-thinkable logistics come into play.

The drive.


To a parking site be it a carpark or to park & ride site. Directions come into play these days SatNav or not.
Metro. A near-by station to Seaham is approximately 50 minutes, not including wait times or a guaranteed seat.

Walking.


From said parking site or Metro station. Then actually being at the event itself - ideally for an all-day happening.

Liability.


I have many amazing friends who all know of my condition. A long day start to finish with physical requirements not to be ignored when living with MS. I am sure support would be there if and when needed in whatever possible way. Here’s the ‘but’. I do not want to be that.


Optimistic, stubborn, acceptable, welcoming, some words that could describe my mindset; yet to miss something I know about already (aeroplanes) and not be a risk, the decision was made. Always another year!

Sorry Matt, I honestly did not have the energy for such travels. Us Brits are never weather-happy! Too cold, too hot, too wet and then there’s MS. Not a weather fan – snowflake disease that it is – pun chance taken! – everyone is different.

Too hot and humid for any worthwhile sleep only exasperates symptoms for me…

Missed airshow? In more ways than one. This whinge applies to more than Sunderland. My first whinging blog!

Still, it has cooled down and I have managed some sleep and ready for action at time of writing! What to do I wonder!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Newly Diagnosed MS Presentation 2023

-
Image
Newly Diagnosed MS Presentation 2023 In June 2023 I was asked by the Multiple Sclerosis Society if I could assist with an event for some people recently diagnosed with #MS. I was asked to give an approximate 10 minute presentation as someone with MS to talk about my experience of being diagnosed and life since diagnosis – have to say, it needed to be realistic but upbeat too! I happily accepted! The event was at the Grand Hotel, Gosforth, Newcastle, 15th July.  See the running order below, followed by the speech I wrote and gave:   The running order was:   10.15 for 10.30 start – welcome 10.45                  Gill, MS specialist nurse, RVI on the role of the MS nurse 11.15                  Dr Martin Duddy, explaining MS, research and treatments 12.15                  comfort break 12.20 /12.15        Personal perspective of being diagnosed – Roger 12.45         Over to you – chance for people on their tables to share their experiences and learn from                   
Read more

F1 Aerodynamics in Schools

-
Image
Being a STEM Ambassador, I keep check with what STEM enrichment activities are planned that I feel I could support with my experience. I saw an “ F1 Aerodynamics ” related request and it tickled my buds somewhat! So I vested my interest via the formal portal/method to/with STEM and this was responded to. What was the challenge? It is a global competition given as per: “ The Competition - What's It All About? You are a Formula One™ team commissioned to design, construct and race the fastest Formula One Car of the Future, powered by compressed air cylinders. ” The first of the activities was in a middle school in Whitley Bay, to simply share my experience (having been an Aerodynamicist) with the Year 8 kids taking part in the F1 challenge. I enjoyed helping them with what they were doing at that part of their challenge.  BBC! Wow. I would have loved to have had that opportunity at that age. Unbelievable! Showing my age, a bit?! (my middle school had a
Read more

Ocrevus

-
Image
  Ocrevus . Notes 1 The infusion was completed at 1pm, and I was asked to wait for 15 minutes after the cannula had been removed. I was told to take it easy for the rest of the day, that'd I'd be tired. Body not used to the new drug, nor my mind, given that I had been anxious about #Ocrevus day. Ok then, I'll accept a lazy day. Was planning a curry takeaway anyway! I am tired. A few nights of bad / poor sleep. Ocrevus. Notes 2 Second infusion (second half dose) done by 1ish. Then again asked to rest for the day. Yes, as per, I was tired. #Anxiety due to an earlier taxi booking (for 07:20), with the small alarm fear! And also a few wake-ups during the night. Usual, but! Prepared with laptop, phone (obviously), headphones, sarnie, bottle of water, and chargers in case. And a BBCi downloaded film. The same as my first unknown Ocrevus trip. Slower start than last infusion, but after the paracetamols and antihistamine, the weak steroid infusion did its thing for half an hour; wi
Read more