Out to Newcastle

Yesterday I had my appointment with the Protocol agency. It was quite nerve-wracking and despite how lovely and friendly they all were, I suddenly had this moment of absolute panic where I asked myself, 'What the hell am I doing here???' All I can tell myself is that when they were giving me the interview they were giving me the worst case scenario of things that can happen in schools. I mean, some of the things they said were common sense. Obviously touching the students is bad. And no, you don't get involved with the students or facebook them or have relationships with them. But what was a little bit concerning from what I can tell, there seems to be a bit of a 'sue them' culture so I have to be extra, extra careful about what I do - accidentally drop a book on a students foot - kid says that it was intentional because he is  a little shit and tells his parents then... lets sue her! Argghhh. So my motto while in schools is to be very mindful and no butter fingers for me! I am sure I will be fine but crazy thoughts had begun to circle by the time we had finished. I still haven't had a good nights sleep. I think that is part of it. I can't wait to go to bed and wake up in the morning with no interruptions in between.
After the interview, Hayley met with me. She had taken a half-day so that she could look after the poor lost kiwi - and I was lost. We went to an Italian restaurant for 'dinner' (that cracks me up. Dinner at lunch, Tea for dinner). It was beautiful and Hayely admitted to spending a small fortune in there over the years and it is easy to see why. We then went down to The Baltic art museum where they had a display by Jim Shaw called the Rinsecycle. That man has some strange ideas. Kind of quirky and a bit freaky when you really start paying attention to his art. Poor Hayley had forgotten her boots so she was walking around in the rain and freezing cold wearing little ballet shoes. I offered to piggy back her. Hahaha. Obviously she has not had enough exposure to the Deb and Cherie craziness. Who cares that we are grown adults...
We spent a few hours in the museum before heading back to the bus where it took an hour to get back to Consett. It was so warm on the bus and as cold as it had been in Newcastle it was brassmonkeys in Consett. The wind was cutting. When I got to grandads the first thing I did was put my PJs on then wrap up in blankets.
I am looking at trains up to Scotland for next week. Weather is a little bit 'warmer' and the snow is melting slowly.