Newcastle

This is going to be a really short post - I'm really tired despite (or because of) having spent a night in a lovely hotel.  Paul, who goes away for work several times a year, says that he never sleeps in hotels for the first few nights - he says he finds it hard to adapt to the new environment. 

And come to think of it, I would have traded the four lovely fat pillows for my usual rather squished one.  I missed my cherry pillow (and I somehow had forgotten to pack my pyjamas) so I suppose I didn't have my usual sleep cues.  I loved the space and solitude of the hotel room - but somehow it wasn't as relaxing as it should have been without the kids around (I missed them, obviously).  But I think the main reason I couldn't sleep much because I was just over-excited - I really had the time of my life yesterday.

I was, of course, at the University to talk about my book, and about recovery in general.  I flew up early yesterday morning.  (Yes, I am showing off.  I may never get the opportunity to boast this way again.  Sorry though).

The talk went well, I think.  There weren't a huge number of people there, which was a good thing for my first professional talk - it kept the pressure off.  I actually enjoyed myself - I had an audience, they were MY audience, they had to listen to me!  I even subjected them to one of my poems.

I also listened to Henry and Patrick Cockburn read and answer questions about their book, 'Henry's Demons' and I was interviewed by a nice boy from the student science magazine, and then later a group of us went out to dinner.  I enjoyed every minute of it, but ended the evening rather hyped up. 

Never mind, though - I have functioned ok today.  I went sight-seeing - Newcastle really has some amazing art centres and galleries.

Anyway - you know what?  This blog entry is not really short.  And it needs to be, so I am going to stop it right here in the middle, and write a proper one tomorrow, after I have had a decent sleep and feel a bit more compos mentis. 

Cherry pillow?  I hear you wondering.  It is stuffed with cherry stones - you heat it in the microwave, and they smell wonderful and the heat is really therapeutic.  Like a very lumpy hot water bottle, but far better than that sounds. 

More anon.