Maths, Cycling and finally...some Kayaking

They said it would be hard. They said it would be intense. They didn't lie. A week into proper lectures and my brain feels like it has been stampeded by a herd of American steakeaters. The less said on this matter the better but suffice it to say maths has never been my strong point, so 12 hour days are becoming the norm to get my head around vectors, matrices and other words I hadn't even heard of until this week. That said the actual content is awesome and im loving it.

Sitting on my backside aside, or more accurately moving from one form to another, I have now switched from metro'ing it in each morning to cycling. After a 10 mile blast in, the department showers help to make me presentable for the classroom. The strange looks I get from the cleaners are perhaps due in part to my ridiculously early arrival, however it could also be my falsetto version of 'I shot the sheriff', 'Hot Chocolate' and other such gems I like to sing whilst scrubbing down.

One downside to this newly established exercise routine is my tendency to forget important items. Such as clean boxers to put on afterwards. In summer this might not be a problem, especially in shorts. However in chilly Autumn the wearing of Jeans has become more regular, and the chaffage from this left certain gentleman parts looking like a baboons backside.

A Baboons Backside

Thursday evening was spent climbing down at the local bouldering wall, where it soon became evident that although some parts of me looked like a monkey after the chaffing incident, my climbing abilities were more akin to a mammoth than our long tailed friends. The irony of nearly being mowed down by an Ambulance on the pitch black cycle home afterwards being the adrenaline highlight of that particular day. I really should re-install my lights.

Saturday came around and finally I actually got in a boat and paddled some gnar. The High Force to Low Force section of The Tees to be precise. Hooking up with the Newcastle University bunch I launched into the water with trepidation, concern mounting that my first time out with the guys would result in either extreme shame, injury or actual death. Luckily for the most part this wasn't the case and I had a cracking time. The sun actually broke through the clouds and the guys and girls of the club helped make it a great day out.

A very quick edit of the some of the days antics can be seen here:

https://vimeo.com/50935488

Sorry for the poor quality at times and poor camera work. Not much effort was made on my part to film so what is there is more what the GoPro caught unawares - I will make more effort next time. Also apologies but I only really have footage of those in front and behind me in our group!

This coming week is what our lecturers call our 'Week Off'... this is a lie. We get taught in block modules. Our weeks off involve maths tests, coursework and actually getting all the work they give us in the previous week done.

It does however provide some flexibility of morning starts so Wednesday evening I am intending to join the Newcastle Uni Kayakers for some drunken antics and bugger the early start Thursday. Although I heard a rumour the theme is tight or bright... the temptation to dress as something which may possibly be pushing the boundaries a little too far for my first social outing with the club is going to be hard to resist....

A step too far for Fancy Dress?

On a completely unrelated piece of news to anything tight or bright, I am now a fresh faced member of the four eyes club. Luckily I only need them for driving and long distance stuff so no biggy. I managed my usual putting my foot in it when, as the kind man in Specsavers recommended a certain pair to try on, I remarked that they looked ridiculous and would make me look like a middle aged accountant. Going bright red he then told me he owned those frames himself. A good day. And a good week.