Come on!

Sunderland Airshow Noshow The 30 th 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; i...

Glasgow 2017 So, after professionally procrastinating (something I seem particularly good at on occasion!) for a good few years about going to see the wonderful city of Glasgow and some family again, I finally got around to it! What, about 5 years late?! I did study Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Glasgow between 1996 and 2000 ( 21 years ago; yikes). Yes, UCAS as it was known then and my choice of what to do had me around the country visiting a few different universities, none of which stood out, until… I got to Glasgow. Everything about the place did it for me. The city’s people, the vibe, the architecture, and the university itself. Everything. It felt like somewhere I wanted to be. The university – what it (the course) offered, how it looked, where it was/it. I knew where to hedge my bets (A-Level grade hopes!); and that was March ’96. Even travelling there and back, I randomly met another potential student - Pete - on the train, and shared a bit of...

My exercise story? I am 37 years old and do have #MS. I also try to #exercise. I like it (gym weights mostly (I try!)) and feel some benefits of it too. Wouldn't go if didn't I suppose! When I was younger – teens really – I exercised quite a bit all be it strength focused, as some do at that age! Then came university and even though I joined the gym there every year of the 4, my attendance was really not worth the then total of twenty whole quid, yet better than nowt! Working at BAE Systems a bit thereafter, I resumed going to the gym and played football (not very well!) and did some kickboxing (I liked it!). So I guess I have had some form of exercise in my life to a certain regard. After BAE I went to what became Lockheed Martin – gym and football* stopped really. Wasn’t the same funability of 6-a-side availability; but I did pick-up a bit of eskrima that I enjoyed until the #MonSter started fighting back…! The job started to interfere with m...