My 2023
Well, another year over.
Here is the link to my 2022:
But how was my 2023 ?
Well, read on as here it is......
At the very start of 2023, on 2nd January, which was Bank Holiday Monday, in the evening, around 1830, I heard some noises in the stairwell of the flats I but didn’t think anything of it.
It went on for a while so I went to have a look and caught 5 or 6 kids smoking cannabis in the stairwell so I chased them out and rang 999.
A few minutes later I heard someone’s buzzer going so I answered mine and one of the kids was saying he had left his phone on the top balcony.
I went to have a look and it had been used as a torch and was wedged into the drainpipe on the balcony so I told them I would hand it to the police as it had a bus pass in it for i.d.
A little while later the kids had somehow managed to get back in and were banging on doors trying to find out who had the phone and were ringing it so I put it in my kitchen drawer.
An hour later a couple of the kids relatives were banging on people’s doors trying to get the phone.
I rang 999 again who said they were too busy in the area to send anyone out tonight.
The next morning, early on, Mam and Dad left on a cruise for over a month.
Around 1000 a policeman came to collect the phone.
He said he would find out who it belonged to and hand it over to them and tell them not to come into the flats again.
He also explained because no criminal damage had been done they couldn’t do anything.
Because I had taken in the phone, this would go on to lead to some grief for me in the upcoming months as this blog will show……
On 4th January, in the afternoon, I got a taxi to the Central Station and a train to Alnmouth before getting a taxi to Amble to meet up with my good mate Julia Nichols who was visiting home between Christmas and New Year after she had moved to France last May.
Her new French fella, Samy, had been over for Christmas but had to go home and Julia stayed on a few extra days and it was lovely to see her.
We had a bite to eat in the Old Customs House before meeting Haim Da Horse - Hannah, Julia's sister - with her hubby Brecon and their kids Rudy and Louis at Radley’s for a couple of drinks before I got a taxi back up to Alnmouth and my train home as the trains were finishing early due to strikes.
On 6th January, at lunchtime, I had my first appointment with Lindsey Clay, my Psychologist from Talking Therapies, about my hoarding since before Christmas.
On 10th January, in the afternoon, I popped over to my little brother’s and my sister-in-law, Michael and Leanne’s for a birthday party tea for my little Nephew Lewis’s 2nd Birthday.
On 18th January, in the morning, I met one of my friends, Laura Preston at Tynemouth where we went for a cake then a walk down past the Victorian houses, along past the Grand Hotel and back up onto Front Street and to Subway before leaving each other.
On 19th January, in the afternoon, I went through to South Shields to give my YouTube cards to a lass who had been commenting on a few of my vlogs since just before Christmas.
I had a quick drink with her which was very awkward as I could hardly make a conversation with her as she hardly spoke back.
She was very quiet and very shy.
I tried making conversation and she would hardly speak.
Afterwards she posted a photo of both of us together on her Facebook and wrote the caption "Lovely to meet you for the first time" after I was clear from the start I would meet for a chat and to give her my YouTube cards and nothing more.
She also messaged me afterwards and said “I will understand if you don’t want to meet up again” which made me think it sounded as if she thought it was a date.
You don’t say that type of thing if you have just met for a chat or at least I wouldn’t.
Something like “Cheers for meeting up and giving me the cards. We could meet again sometime.”
Not “I will understand if you don’t want to meet up again.”
I ended up blocking her on Facebook and she blocked me on Twitter.
Good riddance !
Afterwards, I nipped home to get my autograph book and went to the Theatre Royal and got autographs from Ben Onwukwe who played Recall in LONDON’S BURNING and Joe Absolom who played Matthew in EASTENDERS who were both appearing in The Shawshank Redemption together.
On 20th January, at lunchtime, I had an appointment with Lindsey Clay, my Psychologist from Talking Therapies, about my hoarding and afterwards I got a taxi to the Central Station then the 1600 train up to Edinburgh to try and track down Iolo Williams who was presenting WINTERWATCH up there.
Someone had tweeted a photo of him rehearsing saying he was near the Water of Leith visitors centre so I got a taxi there which cost me £13.
When I got there a sign was up saying the car park was closed that evening and I saw a lass coming out of the visitors centre.
I asked if she was with WINTERWATCH and I explained I had came from Newcastle especially.
She told me she was and she let me follow her to the location just down from the visitors centre.
On the way down we bumped into Iolo Williams and some of the crew who were heading back up to the visitors centre to see how the rehearsal had gone and when he heard I had came from Newcastle he said he would sign for me but I said I would catch him on the way back as I was going to stay until the end.
He said he would come back early and sign an autograph and get some photos taken.
While I was waiting, the cameraman, Simon Glass, who I recognised from Instagram, said he remembered me from BYKER GROVE as he worked on the last few series.
Iolo Williams came back about 1945 and signed my autograph book and posed for some photos.
During the show he let me listen into his earpiece as the gallery at Bristol were counting into Micheala Strachan after a film with David Gray which was interesting.
After the show had finished Iolo said bye to me before I got a taxi back to Edinburgh for my train home.
On 2nd February I did something that may sound strange to some people but it made me happy.
Because I hadn’t taken selfies on one of my phones on the way home from Edinburgh when I went to see WINTERWATCH being filmed at the end of January, I decided to go up to Edinburgh again just to take the photos I needed on the way home.
I went up a bit earlier than the train in January and was originally booked on the 1343 train but because of a delay further down the line I didn’t leave until around 1420.
Because it was earlier in the afternoon I was able to see the view of the coast from the train window.
Once in Edinburgh I saw Jenners department store which had been on fire a week past Monday where 5 firemen had been injured including one who had died.
I then went to Paperchase behind Jenners and whilst walking there saw a view of the Forth behind George Street.
In Paperchase I bought two whale pens and a refillable pencil.
I then went back to the hotel next to the train station and got a taxi over to Forbidden Planet, just over the bridge, as my foot was hurting.
After getting a couple of Batman pencil cases from Forbidden Planet I popped into the PDSA shop where there was a Westie keyring for sale which I bought as it was seven years ago tonight that Charlie passed away in my arms.
I then went into a pie shop and got a haggis pie and haggis roll before walking over towards the train station and going into the St. James Quarter shopping centre where I had a look in the Lego shop, Hamleys and where I bought a man bag from JD Sports.
I then had a drink in Five Guys before heading over to the train station to get a McDonalds then my train home where I managed to take my train selfies.
I got the 2100 train back to Newcastle and got in around 2250 where I managed to get my last bus home from the Haymarket.
On 9th February, in the evening, I went to see Live Encounters: Robson Green at the Live Theatre as part of events this year to celebrate 50 years of the Live Theatre.
It was an event where he was interviewed on stage and he spoke all about his career from his beginnings at the Live Theatre to the current day.
Afterwards I got his autograph and a photo with him and he remembered me from the WIRE IN THE BLOOD sets.
I also got Michael Chaplin’s autograph who is a local writer.
Afterwards, late on, I went around to my Mam and Dad’s to see if I could see any foxes with my Mam and Dad being away but there was nothing apart from a cat.
On 11th February, in the evening, I opened my new KNIGHT RIDER car from EBay.
On 13th February, in the evening, I went to see Chris Jackson hosting an event called TV Time Machine at the Tyneside Cinema.
As I was waiting outside the flats for the bus to go into town a group of kids walked past and said “That’s him who nicked Declan’s phone” who I assume was the kid whose phone I handed into the police in January.
This was the start of a series of problems with one particular lad from the group……
The event at the Tyneside Cinema was one where Chris Jackson spoke about his time as a B.B.C. reporter for LOOK NORTH and presenting INSIDE OUT which was interesting.
For Valentines Day (14th February) I had a lovely adventure with two canny people.
In the morning I met Jane and Gren from my coastal trips and we went up the coast to Seahouses with for the day.
Jane picked me and Gren up from opposite South Gosforth Metro station around 1100.
We then went up to Seahouses where Jane and Gren went out with Serenity and I went out with Billy Shiels with Jane subbing me until that evening when I got paid.
Once we were back from our two trips we had some chips before setting off for Hauxley Nature Reserve but when we got there around 1530 it wasn’t long until it closed and Jane didn’t want to pay the parking for a short amount of time so we set off towards our next location.
On the way we pulled over as Jane and Gren spotted some deer in a field where we got some photos before we got to our final location which was a field where there was a barn owl just outside Creswell.
Jane and Gren went off to the bird hide with some other wildlife enthusiasts but I decided to stay in the car as my feet were hurting by this time.
Afterwards Jane dropped me and Gren off at South Gosforth Metro station where we both got the same Metro.
I got off at Four Lane Ends to catch the 55 and Gren continued along to Whitley Bay.
In the evening I watched the first episode of CHRIS PACKHAM: INSIDE OUR AUTISTIC MINDS on BBC2 which was interesting.
He worked with two separate people to create two separate films about how they wanted to explain their Autism to their family and friends.
A week after the first episode was aired, in the evening of 21st February, BBC2 aired the second episode of CHRIS PACKHAM: INSIDE OUR AUTISTIC MINDS.
This episode was particularly interesting as one of the two people he was working with in this episode to create a film with was a lad from Middlesbrough who relies very heavily on routines and I could really relate to his life with my routines due to my Autism.
On 23rd February, in the evening, I went to see BLUE JEAN at the Tyneside Cinema that I saw some filming of at World Headquarters in Carliol Square in March 2022.
As I was getting on the bus I saw two kids running towards the bus from the direction of Boston Court near where I live.
I shouted asking if they were after the bus and they shouted “No ! We are after you, you fucking nonce ! You nicked our mate Declan’s phone !”
Just another incident with the kids from new year……
It was nice to see BLUE JEAN but not the type of film I would normally see.
It was all about how a school teacher was trying to keep the fact that she was gay hidden from her colleagues at a time in the 1980s when it was discouraged.
Mam and Dad also got home from their holidays in the evening.
On 24th February, in the evening, I went back to the Tyneside Cinema, for the second night in a row, this time to see LUTHER: THE FALLEN SUN which was a spin off from the t.v. show starring Idris Elba.
As I was sitting on the bus outside the flats, one of the lads who threatened me last night banged on the bus window where I was sitting and pointed at me.
As for the movie.
LUTHER: THE FALLEN SUN was full of action and was left wide open for a sequel.
On 28th February, in the evening, on Channel 5 was the first of a new two part documentary about the kidnapping of Stephanie Slater and how the police caught her kidnapper, Michael Sams.
It interviewed police officers who hadn’t been interviewed before and was very interesting.
On 1st March, at lunchtime, I met one of my mates, Claire, at Tynemouth for our regular Wednesday meet up.
It was too windy to walk anywhere so me and Claire had dinner in the Gibraltar Rock pub which was canny.
In the evening on Channel 5 was the second of the new two part documentary about the kidnapping of Stephanie Slater and how the police caught her kidnapper, Michael Sams.
It explained how she was thrown in front of the world’s media hours after she had been released and how she helped the police catch Michael Sams.
On 5th March, in the evening, was the NEIGHBOURS Celebration Tour at the City Hall in Newcastle.
It was originally going to be the Farewell Tour after Channel 5 axed it and the programme came to an end last July but Amazon stepped in and revived it after only a few months making it the Celebration Tour.
It was a good evening of nostalgia with cast members Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson), Annie Jones (Jane Harris), Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy), Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy), Ryan Moloney (Toadie) and April Rose Pengilly (Chloe Brennan).
The evening was slightly spoilt by a security guy outside the City Hall who wouldn’t let me in with a small bag which I was going to use to carry supper home afterwards which stressed me out with my Autism.
Luckily, two women saw what was happening and allowed me to leave my bag in their car until after the show.
On 8th March, in the afternoon, after refusing an inspection of my front door by Brannen and Partners, a fire station officer from Prevention and Education at the fire brigade called Jade Makarski came out to see me to see what the issue was and to see how it could be resolved.
I showed her the build up of rubbish in my kitchen and the new bin area and explained everything that had happened and she said she would see what she could do.
On 19th March, in the afternoon, Dad text me to say Mick Topping had died in the morning.
I rang to ask what had happened and he told me that Olwen had ran out of the house screaming that Mick had collapsed in the bathroom and she didn’t think he was breathing so Dad and Dean Watts gave him CPR until the ambulance arrived.
Dad said he was speaking to one of the paramedics later on who said he was probably dead before he hit the floor.
What was also sad was on Saturday evening it had been Sarah’s hen do and Jennifer had not long left to go back home to Liverpool.
They had tried contacting Jennifer to tell her to come home but they couldn’t get hold of her so they had to ring forward to her husband to get him to tell her to come home once she got back to Liverpool.
On 20th March, in the evening, I went to the Tyneside Cinema to see EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE which was a very weird film and too complicated to explain !
On 24th March, late in the morning, I had my annual MOT at the Doctors where I had my bloods, BP and weight taken and I handed in a piss sample.
See what the results are......
The 26th March was, of course, my Birthday - 43 years-old - but I was skint so I just lazed around the flat and slept most of the day.
In the morning my doorbell rang.
It was Stu and Lucas from next door who gave me a chocolate bun and a homemade Birthday card from Lucas which was canny. 😊
On 27th March, in the morning, because I had been paid, I got a taxi up to Aldi to get my fizzy water then went to McDonald’s for a Birthday breakfast treat.
I then came home and started a new routine for an afternoon for my Autism before heading into town to the dentists for an appointment with Emily which was a clean.
Afterwards I went to Bella Italia in town for my Birthday tea.
On 30th March, in the morning, I met my new support worker, Sophie, from Right at Home.
On 31st March, in the afternoon, I went to Paperchase to get some last minute bargains before it closed for the final time tomorrow.
On 1st April, in the morning, it was a sad occasion as I went to Paperchase for last time before they closed the doors for good and some of the longer term members of staff got a selfie with me.
On 3rd April I decided to cancel my new support worker with Right at Home as the hours weren’t suitable - Monday to Friday 1530-1600 then Monday to Sunday 1800-1845 in which time I couldn’t get anything done with my hoarding.
On 6th April, in the evening, as I was getting the bus home from the Haymarket, there were rats running around the Haymarket bus station amongst the bus stands.
Absolutely disgusting !
On 7th April, in the early hours of the morning, I opened my new A-TEAM van from EBay.
On 9th April, in the afternoon, I volunteered as a photographer at the first event of 2023, the Easter event, at the Springfield Centre.
On 15th April, at lunchtime, I was waiting outside the flats to get the bus into town.
The ringleader from the gang of lads at new year was walking past with another lad when he started asking if I wanted a phone as he knew I liked phones.
I said I hadn’t taken his mates phone and they carried on walking past.
As I got on the bus I told him to get lost and the lad said “Come on then !” so I went and reported him to the police at Middle Engine Lane as I had enough of him.
On 19th April, at lunchtime, I opened a second A-TEAM van from EBay before popping around to my Mam and Dad’s for a while to see my little Nephew, Lewis.
On 22nd April, in the evening, one of the police officers based at the Neighbourhood Policing Team at Killingworth with Northumbria Police rang me about the incident last Saturday with the lads outside my flat.
Afterwards they asked if I would class myself as vulnerable and I mentioned about my Autism with Anxiety and the bin cupboard situation.
On 23rd April, in the morning, one of the police officers based at the Neighbourhood Policing Team at Killingworth rang me and said they wanted to do a welfare check as I had mentioned a couple of things on the phone yesterday evening.
When they saw the rubbish in my kitchen they asked for my Mam and Dad’s number with them being my landlords and I refused saying both the council and the fire brigade knew about the ongoing situation.
One of the officers then said I could either give him it or he would find it out which really annoyed me.
I ended up giving him it so he contacted Dad which ended up in a blazing and unnecessary row as certain people in authority were aware of the situation.
On 24th April, in both the afternoon and evening, the kids were back smoking dope in the flats - so much for Northumbria Police taking down the details off me on Saturday !
In the evening I got video footage and screenshots on my phone of the lad who has been having a go at me.
In the evening I’M A CELEBRITY - GET ME OUT OF HERE ! SOUTH AFRICA also started so I got some snacks from ASDA to have to watch it with.
It was unusual watching I’M A CELEBRITY - GET ME OUT OF HERE ! pre-recorded as this had been filmed last year.
It just didn’t have the same feel as the live episodes.
On 27th April, in the morning, I was supposed to be meeting up with Laura Preston but she had to cancel as one of her sons, Harry, wasn’t well.
An officer from Killingworth Neighbourhood Policing Team also rang me about the kids in the flats on Monday and I sent her an email with screenshots of the lad who has been threatening me.
I was told by the officer that she would circulate the photo around the local schools to see if anyone knew who he was.
On 28th April, at lunchtime, I had my first appointment with Lindsey Clay, my Psychologist from Talking Therapies since before Easter.
We both went over to Wallsend Forum as she wanted to see how I react to various items in different shops.
On 2nd May I was paid one of the £301 cost of living payments so, after paying some bills, I went into town and nipped to The Works to get a Paw Patrol cardboard car for my little Nephew, Lewis.
When I got home I nipped over to give him it but my little brother, Michael and my sister-in-law, Leanne, were out so I left it in their recycling bin and took a photo of it in there and sent it on WhatsApp for them to find it.
On 3rd May I received some lovely photos of Lewis with his new car, him colouring it in and him wearing it.
On 5th May I witnessed a moment in nature that I have never witnessed before in my life.
Around teatime, one of my neighbours, Mick, knocked on me as there was a Sparrow Hawk at the back of the flats attacking and making a meal out of a pigeon which I got photos and videos of.
After the Sparrow Hawk was scared off, a crow came to try and make a meal of the pigeon before flying off and, after all of that, the pigeon was still alive so I went down and got some photos of it still alive.
Saturday 6th May, was the first day of a long weekend which was a very significant event for the whole of the U.K., as well as the rest of the Commonwealth.
After the Queen passed away in September 2022, it was the Coronation of King Charles.
I got up around 1000 to watch the ceremony on t.v.
My Mam also rang me asking if I wanted to go around to my Mam and Dad’s for a roast chicken tea to celebrate the event which I did.
Before tea my Dad took me up to Aldi and lent me the money to get some snacks for the Coronation concert tomorrow evening.
On 7th May I just lazed around the flat and wrote out my routine for my Autism for the final two weeks in May then watched the Coronation concert in the evening.
To round off the special Bank Holiday Weekend for the King’s Coronation, Monday 8th May was The Big Help Out so people could come together to lend a hand to experience how rewarding volunteering can be.
On the 10th May Laura Preston came to mine to see my hoarding in my flat as she was curious to see it.
I showed her it as I am not ashamed of it and she wasn’t judging me for it.
She also gave me a Dolphin stationery set as a late Birthday present which I loved.
We then drove down to Whitley Bay, instead of Tynemouth, for a change, where we had breakfast in the Spanish City before doing a Dolphin watch next to the Spanish City before Laura dropped me off back home.
That evening was my first coastal trip of 2023 on the Blue Eye 2.
There was heavy rain as we left the Tyne in two heavy rain showers, which were forecast, but, after that, it turned out to be nice weather for the rest of the evening.
Two Bottlenosed Dolphins were seen very briefly off Seaton Sluice.
On 12th May, in the morning, Linda from the Springfield Centre picked me up to take me down to County Durham to visit Danny, one of the volunteers from the Springfield Centre and who I had interviewed in 2019 for my “Then and Now” project with VODA and who was in a nursing home after having a couple of strokes.
I left the interview that I made through VODA on memory stick for his two daughters.
It was a real shame to see Danny like that.
On 14th May, in the morning, I had my second coastal trip of 2023.
We headed North and out to the offshore windfarm before heading back in close to the coast but we didn’t spot any Dolphins.
I came home and went back to bed and there were reports of Dolphins all afternoon !
In the early hours of the morning I watched the television BAFTAs.
On 17th May, in the afternoon, through the post, I received more leaflets for my coastal trips and an unexpected Dolphin badge from WDC to say thanks for the fundraising.
In the evening was my third coastal trip of 2023.
We headed South as Dolphins had been reported at Roker and Seaham.
There was a bit of a swell and we got as far as Seaham.
On the way back, off Roker, John, our skipper and his daughter, Lexie, spotted around 5 or 6 Bottlenosed Dolphins.
On the way back up the river Tyne we had a fireworks display greeting us behind Tynemouth Priory.
On 18th May, at lunchtime, I had a six month review at the job centre which would be the beginning of a new journey for me.
My advisor asked what I had been up to and I told her I raise money through my coastal trips for WDC and volunteer as a photographer for the Springfield Centre.
My advisor then asked if I had thought of paid work but I explained I have too much going on behind closed doors with my routines and my hoarding so she asked if I had considered applying for the Support Group on ESA where there is no expectation to look for work and I said I had may as well try.
On 25th May, in the evening, it was my fourth coastal trip of 2023 which was choppy as we left the piers but everyone was okay to go on.
After Sam Taylor, who was on board, said there were Bottlenosed Dolphins heading South from Berwick we decided to head North.
As we approached Newbiggin by the Sea we came across a pod of around 15 Bottlenosed Dolphins who escorted us all the way back down the coast which was a fantastic evening.
On 27th May, in the afternoon, we had a family meal at Adriano’s for Mam’s Birthday.
The week of 29th May saw the third Bank Holiday in May, having had the usual one on 1st May then a second one on 8th May for King Charles Coronation and the final one today on 29th May which was the other usual one.
I didn’t do anything special for it though.
On 30th May, in the morning, I was supposed to have Kay and a new support worker from KLMK visiting at 1100 with a view to starting a week on Tuesday but I received a text at 0825 postponing it so decided to scrap them with them cancelling last minute, the day after a Bank Holiday Monday, which I wasn’t impressed with.
On 2nd June, in the afternoon, I was supposed to be doing a coastal trip from 1500-1900 but the Skipper, John, forgot he was taking his daughter to the dentist at 1700 so I ended up having to cancel it.
On 4th June, in the morning, I heard some good news off one of my neighbours, Mark, who told me that Jeff from number 19, who falsely accused me of criminal damage last year, is moving.
On 5th June, in the afternoon, Bronwyn Banner, my Benefits Advisor from National Energy Action rang me to go through a draft copy of an ESA form for my application for the Support Group and, to help with evidence, in the afternoon of 7th June, Lorraine and Rosie from Safe and Healthy Homes at North Tyneside Council came to give me a witness statement for my ESA claim to move into the Support Group for my hoarding.
On 9th June, in the afternoon, - the day of the Blaydon Races - I had a Talking Therapies appointment with Lindsey Clay at Wallsend.
Afterwards I got the bus into the town quickly, popped to WHSmith then M and M’s then quickly home as both the Blaydon Races and a Sam Fender gig at St. James Park were on and I knew town would be heaving.
On 10th June it was a boiling hot day but I decided to test myself by getting the bus into town, a bus from Eldon Square to Central Station - with Haymarket Metro being exit only - then a train to Alnmouth and bus a from Alnmouth to Alnwick and, finally, the 418 from Alnwick to Seahouses to go out on a snorkelling trip that Jane Hardy had organised at 1700, just to chill on the boat.
As I was cutting through the Haymarket bus station to Eldon Square to get the bus to the Central Station I saw Justyna, my favourite Arriva bus driver, walking towards me who said hi to me.
It was nice to go out on the boat which was a trip similar to the Thursday evening dive trips I used to go out on with Northumbria Scuba Divers before COVID.
Afterwards Jane dropped me off at Alnmouth train station where I got the train back to Newcastle then the Metro up to Haymarket and the bus home before either Sam Fender, who was playing at St. James Park for a second night in a row, or Pink, who was playing at the Stadium of Light, kicked out.
On 15th June, in the evening, it was my fifth coastal trip of the year and we had Bottlenosed Dolphins for 3 hours from Souter to Blyth.
On 19th June, because of the hot weather we were having, around 1730, I nipped up to Wilkos before they closed at 1800 to get a new fan for the Summer for my bedroom.
I then went home, got ready and went straight back out to the Odeon at the Silverlink to see THE FLASH movie which had two Batmans - Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton - three Bruce Waynes - Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton and George Clooney - and Wonder Woman.
It was a good film as well.
Afterwards, in the taxi home, I got the driver to see if we could see any foxes and we saw one in North Shields.
On 21st June, in the morning, I spoke to Alan from the fire brigade about the bin cupboard situation and he said there’s nothing he can do because of the Grenfell rule.
In the evening was my sixth coastal trip of the year on the Summer Solstice which I always love to get out on.
We headed North up to Newbiggin by the Sea before heading back down to the Tyne and coming across a pod of Bottlenosed Dolphins in South Shields bay at the end of the trip.
On 23rd June, for my Talking Therapies appointment, Lindsey Clay visited me at my flat at lunchtime and tried to discuss a plan of action for my hoarding to organise it better.
On 26th June, in the morning, I met Laura Preston at Tynemouth where we had a catch up in Mr. Woods cafe before deciding to go for a walk along Tynemouth pier where we were lucky to catch a pod of Bottlenosed Dolphins that we heard had travelled up from Sunderland.
They continued heading North after playing around the pier for a few minutes.
Rachel Lilley had also came to spot them.
On 28th June, in the evening, there was a massive fire at the former For Your Eyes Only club in Carliol Square.
On 29th June, in the morning, I saw Dad drive past the flats.
I rang Mam to see where he was going as I knew they were supposed to be going on holiday and Mam said Dad was off to get his haircut and they weren’t going on holiday until later on as they were going to the Jolly Fisherman at Craster for dinner with Barbara and Mason.
I then told Mam I was off up to Craster as well to watch some filming and she said they couldn’t give me a lift as they were taking her car but I told her I was getting the train up anyway.
She also told me not to gatecrash their meal !
I got a taxi to the Central Station then the train to Alnmouth and got the 418 bus from Alnmouth to Craster to watch a new drama called THE RED KING filming.
I saw Marc Warren, Jill Halfpenny, Adjoa Andoh and Mark Lewis Jones filming and La’Toyah and Carley working on the set.
When the cast and crew stopped for lunch I went into the Jolly Fisherman for a couple of drinks and saw Mam and Dad and Barbara and Mason leaving but they didn’t see me.
Just before I was about to leave there was a pod of around 3 or 4 Bottlenosed Dolphins swam past Craster harbour around 1520 so I was able to combine both of my hobbies - watching a film crew and Dolphin spotting.
On 1st July, in the evening, I nipped into town and when I went to get the 55 there was a fella waiting for it with a young looking Alsatian.
I explained I was nervous of dogs and asked if I could get onto the back of the bus and he could sit at the front.
He said I would have to get the next bus but then said he would sit at the front of the bus.
On the journey he kept letting go of the lead.
Once we got to Benton Park Road he opened a can of larger and let go of the lead again at which point the dog came up towards the steps at the back of the bus.
I again asked him if he could get hold of the lead at which point he started calling me a fucking nonce, a paedophile and threatening to set the dog on me until a fella got him off the bus at Gearbox in Forest Hall.
As soon as he was off the bus I rang 999 to tell the police what had happened and where he was.
Their response ?
Because I was out of danger they offered me a telephone appointment next week !
On 4th July I was supposed to have an appointment at the dentist but it was cancelled as my dentist, Fiona, is at a funeral so I rearranged for next Monday at my favourite dentist appointment time of 1430.
On 5th July I went into the town to M and M's and sent off my ESA form with all my evidence to apply for the Support Group with my Autism and Hoarding getting worse during COVID.
See what happens now......
On 7th July I was on my balcony when I saw some bats at the back of the flats around 2230.
On 10th July I had my rearranged dentist appointment at 1430.
I was supposed to be on a coastal trip in the evening but I cancelled it because of the heavy rain.
On 14th July, around 2200, I filed the end of my Brexit newspapers away into A3 display files from Paperchase to end the collection now Boris Johnson has resigned as an MP and I put them into storage boxes.
I continued working into the early hours of the morning and moved and arranged both Brexit newspaper boxes into my hallway.
In the afternoon Mark Timmons came and helped me move my boxes of Brexit newspapers to my storage unit in Walkergate.
On 17th July I went to McDonalds at ASDA for a breakfast before coming home then going back out and over to the Odeon at the Metro Centre to see SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDERVERSE at lunchtime.
I even got my money back and a free ticket for another film at any Odeon after two separate groups of kids disturbed the film and their parents didn’t even do anything about them.
Afterwards, as I was heading out of the Metro Centre, I noticed a traditional barbers, rather than a Turkish barbers, in the Village so I decided to get a long, overdue haircut now Union Barbers in Newcastle where I was a regular has now closed.
When I was getting my "shit" all over - number 2 - one of the lasses said "You like the soaps !"
She remembered me from using the barbers in Eldon Square which changed owners and the one in the Metrocentre is the same company as the old one in Eldon Square.
I like familiarity so will start using the Metrocentre now. 😊
I then got home not feeling 100%.
On 18th July, in the afternoon, I had a dentist appointment and had a new filling without anaesthetic.
Brave me ! 😁
On 21st July, on the way to my Talking Therapies appointment with Lindsey Clay at lunchtime, I nipped to Armadillo in a taxi to take photos I didn’t take on Saturday on my Blackberry.
On 23rd July, in the early hours of the morning, I opened my Jodie Whittaker Funko POP ! DOCTOR WHO figure from EBay and took photos of it.
In the Afternoon I went over to ASDA to sit and fill out some of my on the go diary from 2022.
On 28th July it was the Springfield Centre’s Family Fun Day.
While they were setting up, Eric told me that Danny had passed away earlier that morning.
He had apparently had another stroke which had caused him to go blind a few days ago and then he passed away this morning.
At the fun day both a police car and Prevention and Education from the fire brigade that I had both organised turned up.
Unfortunately, a fire engine that was due to turn up for the day couldn’t get in because of the parking outside so was cancelled as it was on the way.
On 30th July Mam and Dad had a family do at theirs with Neil and Nouritsa and Francessca and Hugo up visiting for the week.
On 31st July I received a letter from ESA inviting me for a face to face assessment at Arden House at Regent Centre but I rang up and changed it to a telephone assessment as Bronwyn Banner was going to help me with the telephone assessment.
I was told by ESA there was no upcoming dates for a telephone assessment at the moment.
I also found out that the whole family had gone up to Craster to the Jolly Fisherman for dinner but didn’t even think of inviting me.
On 1st August, after speaking to Bronwyn about it, I rang ESA and changed my assessment back to a face to face appointment instead of a telephone appointment.
On 2nd August, in the early hours of the morning, I opened up another KNIGHT RIDER car I had got from EBay.
During the day I paid for and booked up my NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS ticket and train tickets for September.
On 3rd August, around 2200, my heat alarm went off in my kitchen for no reason at all.
I pressed the reset button and it seemed to rectify itself.
It then went off again around 0200, again for no reason.
I contacted the fire brigade switchboard number and they said there was nothing they could do.
It then went off around 0600 so I rang the fire brigade switchboard number again and the operator dispatched two fire engines to my flat after I had stated that all I was after was advice and there was no emergency.
I asked her to tell them not to put their sirens on or I would really have been popular with my neighbours.
A few minutes later two fire engines with blue lights on pulled up outside the flats.
Two firemen wearing breathing apparatus jumped off the first engine and I told the guy in charge that there was no emergency.
He said I had rang 999 and I explained that I had rang the 0191 number to get through to the switchboard and he explained that during the night the 0191 number goes through to the control room.
He came up and checked my flat, radioed to say the other engine could leave, gave me some advice about my hoarding and trailing wires from bar sockets then left.
Around 0900 I rang Prevention and Education who came and replaced the old heat alarm.
Around 1100 that morning Mam and Dad picked me up to go for a family meal at Sambuccas on the Fish Quay with Neil and Nouritsa and Francessca and Hugo there as well.
On 5th August I was going to do one of my coastal trips today but it was cancelled because of bad weather.
On 7th August I was going to do one of my coastal trips but it was cancelled because there was not enough people to do it.
It was also Tommy’s Birthday do in the afternoon so I popped over to Martin and Katie’s for it.
Afterwards I popped over to Curry’s at the Metro Centre to see if they could do anything for my Freeview box which had powered off the other week but they couldn’t.
On 11th August I went to Joe’s cafe at Regent Centre for dinner before going for my ESA assessment at Arden House in the afternoon.
The woman who did my assessment was an A&E nurse from the RVI.
I explained about my routines with my Autism and how they have got worse since the lockdowns and the fact that I have to do certain things by certain times of the day under certain conditions such as my phones have to be on 100% when I upload to Instagram or take screenshots.
I also showed her photos of my hoarding and explained about the bin cupboard situation.
She told me that I wouldn’t score any points on the physical side but the DWP may see me as “at risk” if they force me to look for work with my various routines with my Autism.
See what happens next......
On 12th August England Women beat Colombia 2-1 to get through to the semi-finals of the World Cup against Australia.
On 14th August, early in the evening, I went over to McDonalds at ASDA to write out out some of my on the go diary from 2022 and some of my photos list from 2021 in my brown book but then couldn’t do my evening routine as my IPhone 7s wasn’t charged to 100%.
On 15th August, I went to Gosforth in the afternoon to get some women’s World Cup stickers from WHSmith to stick into my album tomorrow while watching the match.
I also managed to get a Westie Radley purse from the Scope shop in the Gosforth shopping centre.
On 16th August England Women beat Australia 3-1 to get through to the final of the World Cup against Spain.
Early in the evening I went over to McDonalds at ASDA to write out out some of my on the go diary from 2022 and photos from 2021 in my brown book.
On 18th August, in the early hours of the morning, opened up another Jodie Whittaker Funko POP ! DOCTOR WHO figure from EBay.
Around 1100 I went to Danny’s wake at the Springfield Centre.
One of Danny’s Granddaughters, Sherry Harrison, recognised me - although I couldn’t remember her ! - as she works as a police officer in town and knows Michael and her partner, Peter Moscardini, knows him as well.
He even said Michael is one of the few experienced officers left which was canny to hear.
On 19th August, in the afternoon, I nipped into town to get some more World Cup stickers from WHSmith to stick into my album tomorrow while watching the match and snacks from Tesco for the match.
I also put a £5 bet on at Betfred for England to beat Spain.
On 20th August I got up in the morning to watch the final of the Women’s World Cup and filled in some more of my sticker album.
Unfortunately England Women lost the World Cup final against Spain 1-0.
On 21st August, in the morning, I went to the doctors to see Dr. Randall about my foot as I am still getting sore feet even with the special insoles I was given a couple of years ago.
Dr. Randall decided to refer me to Rake Lane for an x-ray of my feet but I asked him to change it to the RVI as it’s more practical for me to get to.
On 23rd August, in the morning, I rang ESA for an update on my assessment, just under two weeks ago, and spoke to a manager who confirmed that I had been placed into the Support Group for ESA and I would be getting a back payment next Tuesday of £835.25 for the period of when I made my claim to when the decision was made.
On 24th August, in the morning, Karen Soady from the fire brigade emailed me confirming a meeting at my flat for 29th August but because Jade can’t attend as she is on holiday I cancelled to rearrange it.
Katie Murphy also rang me from the Doctors for my diabetes check up and asked if I could cut out pop and I said I would try.
That afternoon was my seventh coastal trip of the year, after two months, because of bad weather in July and most of August.
Ian Walker from Direct Cars had booked his wife and Grandson on the trip who picked me up.
We headed South for the trip and we spotted two Bottlenosed Dolphins off Sunderland but they swam off really quickly.
On 26th August I nipped into town to pay money into the Post Office for a couple of bills next week and saw Michael outside M and M's working.
I then nipped up to Sainsbury’s on Gosforth High Street to get some smoked mackerel and creme freche and made some smoked mackerel paste when I got home.
On 27th August I lazed around the flat and finished my daily routines off for two weeks with it being Bank Holiday Monday tomorrow and me off to London for the NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS the week after.
On 28th August I just lazed around the flat.
In the evening I watched two Lionesses documentaries and started off my Women’s Euros 2022 sticker album from EBay.
On 29th August I received my £835.25 for going into the Support Group on ESA.
In the afternoon I went to the RVI for an x-ray on my feet after the referral last week.
On 30th August, in the evening, I went to see MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: DEAD RECKONING PART 1 at Cineworld in the town and
Justyna was driving the 55 into the town.
I got picked up by Direct Cars afterwards at the Junction pub and saw two massive rats running next to the Haymarket Metro.
On 31st August, in the morning, was my eighth, and final, coastal trip of 2023 on the Blue Eye 2.
Dad also came out on the trip.
We headed South and saw around 12 Bottlenosed Dolphins off Seaham.
On 1st September, after I was paid my unexpected money last week, I decided to upgrade to First Class going to London next week as well as already being in First Class coming home.
I was going to start my routine for next week with going to London but I knocked the bulb in my kitchen.
On 2nd September, in the morning, I got an electrician out who fixed my light in my kitchen by putting a new light fitting in and he replaced the light switch in my spare bedroom.
Before the electrician came I went to Forest Hall shops for cash to pay him and Justyna was driving the 55 there.
In the evening I started my routine for next week with me going to London on Tuesday.
Around 2330 I went on the Arriva app to track the last ever 55, as Arriva was giving up the contract after today.
I saw it was in Benton so went down and outside the flats to get video footage of it coming past and it never even drove past !
What a surprise !
On 3rd September I just lazed around the flat.
In the evening I ironed my clothes and polished my shoes for the NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS on Tuesday.
On 4th September I got everything for my adventure in London tomorrow with everything packed in my bag.
On 5th September, in the morning, I got a taxi into town for the 0930 train from Newcastle to Kings Cross.
I had booked First Class and I got a lovely cooked breakfast for free.
Once I had arrived in London, at around 1240, I headed straight up to my Travelodge at Walthamstow as it was too hot to do anything.
I also loved the fact that on the front cover of the Metro paper were various Dolphins and Whales and facts about each species - I just can’t escape them !
Once I arrived at my Travelodge, because I was too early to check in, I sat in the bar with a couple of drinks of Pepsi and got a pizza for dinner.
Once I had checked in and unpacked I realised I had forgotten my mini binoculars for when I am in the audience for the NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS so I went down and back up the full length of Walthamstow market, even popping into a couple of charity shops and the soon to be closed Wilkos, to see if anywhere sold a cheap pair of small binoculars, with no success, but I did manage to get a nice Holborn Filofax from the Cancer Research shop.
After going back to my Travelodge for a while and cooling down, I slowly made my way over to the O2 for the NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS.
For the actual NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS Ant and Dec won Entertainment Presenter for the 22nd year in a row but, unfortunately VERA lost against HAPPY VALLEY for Best Drama and Brenda Blethyn lost against Sarah Lancashire for Best Actress.
On 6th September, because of the ridiculous heat in London, which messed up what I had planned for the day, I decided to pay an extra £10 and do a late checkout at 1400 at my Travelodge and just chilled in my room.
Once I had checked out I had a drink in the bar before getting the Tube straight to White City to see the old B.B.C. T.V. Centre which is now called Television Centre and mainly all flats, bars or restaurants with one area used as studios where they do ANT AND DEC’S SATURDAY NIGHT TAKEAWAY, GOOD MORNING BRITAIN, LORRAINE, THIS MORNING and LOOSE WOMEN from.
After getting some photos of the site I had my dinner in The Broadcaster pub/restaurant, one of the places on site.
Afterwards I went across to the massive Westfield shopping centre opposite Television Centre which was nice and air conditioned.
I bought a THE BATMAN wallet from Hamley’s where the assistant allowed me to have a Ulkraine coin that had been left on the counter.
I also bought some art stuff and two Paddington Bear collapsible storage boxes from The Works.
After trying a couple of places that only accepted card, including McDonalds, I ended up going and getting three unlimited drinks in Five Guys which did accept cash.
Afterwards I got my Tube early from Wood Lane Tube station, which had the platform up, meaning you could see how close you were to Grenfell tower, heading to Kings Cross where I sat and chilled in the First Class Lounge at Kings Cross before getting my train home.
On 7th September I lazed around the flat resting my feet up after yesterday.
On 9th September, in the early hours of the morning my microwave stopped working so I replaced it with Mick’s old one that he had given me a while back.
On 11th September, late morning, Anthony, one of my neighbours, gave me a lift to the tip to get rid of my old microwave so, to say thanks, I bought his son Teddy a Happy Meal from McDonalds at ASDA.
In the evening Julia Nichols did a video call on WhatsApp which was lovely to have.
On 13th September a Satellite engineer came to look at the communal dish as there was no signal on my Sky.
He said there was a signal at the dish but not at the amplifier so he needed a new part.
On 14th September, I got a train in the morning, in First Class, from Newcastle to Berwick before getting the X18 back down the coast to Seahouses.
On the way to Seahouses the X18 stopped at a railway crossing at Belford where I was lucky enough to get video footage of the Flying Scotsman heading North to Edinburgh and an LNER train heading South so old vs new.
Once at Seahouses I booked up, for the first time, to go on the new boat that Billy Shiels had, Farne’s Lass, a double decker catamaran.
I went on the trip to Holy Island and, whilst there, I saw Liz taking part in the annual archeological dig and popped in to see Sean at the Lindisfarne Hotel.
On the way back down the coast Michael Craig let me sit in the wheelhouse back to Seahouses which was excellent.
Afterwards, because I didn’t realise the timings of the boat trip, I got the 418 to Alnmouth and my train, that I was booked on from Berwick, at Alnmouth train station instead.
On 15th September, in the morning, the contractors from Brannen and Partners came to look at my living room window for the latest leak and resealed some areas outside.
Another Satellite engineer came out to fix the amplifier.
He told me he had done a temporary fix but would be back next week to fix it properly.
On 16th September I popped over to Michael and Leanne’s in the morning to give a couple of presents to Lewis that I had ordered off EBay - Bedtime Stories and the Pocket Scavenger books.
After getting some snacks at ASDA, I got a taxi to the Odeon at the Silverlink for 1400 and saw BATMAN 89 at 1400, THE DARK KNIGHT at 1700 then JOKER 2015 all for Batman Day eventually coming out around 2230.
On 18th September, in the morning, I went to McDonalds at ASDA for breakfast and wrote out a mobile phones photos list in a DOCTOR WHO notebook.
On 19th September I, again, went to McDonald’s at ASDA for breakfast and wrote out some more of my mobile phones photos list in my DOCTOR WHO notebook.
On 21st September, in the morning, I went to the doctors to see Dr. Randall to get the results of my foot X-ray.
He said I have Osteoarthritis in my feet and general wear and tear with degenerative change with my big toe with bony spikes and reduced joint space mainly in my right foot.
He prescribed me Naproxen to take when I have flare ups of the pain.
Afterwards I went to McDonald’s at ASDA for dinner and wrote out some more of my mobile phones photos list in my DOCTOR WHO notebook.
In the afternoon I had a phone call from Lindsey Clay to say Shaun Kelly from Prevention and Education at the fire brigade is trying to arrange a meeting at my flat for the week of 2nd October.
She also told me that she is going to refer me to Together in a Crisis when my sessions with her come to an end.
In the evening I went back to McDonald’s at ASDA and finished writing out my mobile phones photos list in my DOCTOR WHO notebook.
On 22nd September, in the morning I got ready and went over to Morrisons at Blaydon to meet Diane and Anne-Marie in person from Northumbrian Water who were taking part in a cost of living event alongside Northern Powergrid and Gateshead Citizens Advice Bureau.
On 23rd September I just lazed around the flat.
On 24th September I again just lazed around the flat.
On 25th September, in the evening, I was restricted on Paulc1stInstantInsta again which knocked me out of my routine.
On 27th September, in the morning, I met up with Lindsey McCabe in Wallsend to have a drink and chat about my Autism.
Afterwards I got home and fell asleep again.
On 29th September I rang Jade’s fire station and was told she won’t be back at work until 17th October.
In the evening I got a kebab from Spice of Punjab in town and watched Jodie Whittaker in A THOUSAND KISSES DEEP that I had got from EBay.
On 30th September Go North-East started a 7 days bus strike.
On 1st October I double checked with Jade’s fire station and it was confirmed that she won’t be back until 17th October.
On 2nd October I just lazed around the flat.
On 3rd October I, again, just lazed around the flat.
I also had an email in the morning from Shaun Kelly to say a meeting had been arranged at my flat for 17th October from 1000-1100.
On 4th October I just lazed around the flat.
In the afternoon I had a phone call from Lindsey Clay who told me she doesn’t think Olivia will agree to give me access to the bin cupboard.
As a result, durning the night, I started an email to send to Simon Dangerfield at Brannen and Partners.
On 5th October I sent Simon Dangerfield at Brannen and Partners my email after finishing it off.
On 6th October, in the morning, Lindsey Clay rang me to say the meeting at my flat had been rearranged to 8th November at 1300 as Simon Dangerfield wants to attend.
In the afternoon I went to the Tyneside Cinema to see the last in the trilogy of the Ken Loach North-East films, THE OLD OAK.
Afterwards I had to get the 38 Stagecoach bus home because the Go North East bus strike doesn’t end until tomorrow.
During the night my living room window was leaking again.
On 7th October, at lunchtime, I got the Metro down to Tynemouth to look around the market at the Metro station.
The Go North-East bus strike also ended.
On 8th October I just lazed around the flat.
On 10th October, in the morning, the contractors from Brannen and Partners came to see my window again.
They got a cherry picker up and took off the panelling above my kitchen and living room windows and saw the cement was all rotten with slugs inside it.
They replaced the panelling and put wood below it.
On 11th October, in the morning, the contractors came back and finished off the work and sealed it with silicone.
Man and Dad also brought Lewis around to see the cherry picker.
On 12th October, in the evening, I went to the Tyneside Cinema to see BLACKBERRY about the rise and fall of the Blackberry smartphones which was a canny film.
Afterwards, I did my usual vlog review, that I do after every film, on my Blackberry KeyOne.
On 14th October, Go North-East started a second 7 days bus strike.
In the evening I went to McDonalds at ASDA Benton for my tea.
Whilst I was there Kaitlyn from the flats rang me on Messenger and invited me to watch the boxing with her and Anthony so I got some snacks and pop and gave them a knock when I got in.
On 15th October, in the afternoon, I got the Metro to Tynemouth to look around the Tynemouth Station Book Fair.
Afterwards I went to town and saw a lovely quote in a shop called Rituals about routines:
“Happiness can be found in the smallest of things.
It is our passion to turn everyday routines into more meaningful moments.”
Which I thought was lovely with my routines for my Autism.
On 17th October, in the morning, I went out on an all day fishing trip on the JFK2.
We left the Royal Quays Marina at 0715 and came back in at 1615.
We first headed straight out off the Tyne before heading in towards St. Mary’s and up towards Blyth before slowly heading back down the coast.
It was nice to be out for some escapism.
Afterwards two fishermen from West Allotment dropped me off at home.
On 18th October, in the morning, Michael picked me up with Lewis and took me to the Royal Quays Marina where I treat them to an Americano for Michael and toast for Lewis at the Lock.
I had bought Lewis dinosaurs and Paw Patrol toy packs from the British Heart Foundation shop in Newcastle but in the dinosaur pack there was women’s hair in it so I took them both off him.
Afterwards I got a taxi home as Michael was taking Lewis to a soft play at the Royal Quays then to see Leanne’s parents.
On 19th October, in the afternoon, I went to the town to get a refund from the British Heart Foundation shop on the toys I had bought Lewis.
Afterwards I waited over an hour for the 38 bus to turn up.
There was no 1917 and the 2017 turned up at 2040.
On 20th October, in the morning, I rang Stagecoach to ask what had happened with the buses last night.
They checked with the depot and I was told it was due to roadworks at 1900 at night so I made a complaint.
Storm Babet also hit really badly.
The top of South Shields lighthouse was knocked off with the waves and part of the walls around both Tynemouth and Roker were piers knocked off.
The Go North-East bus strike ended.
On both 21st October and 22nd October I stayed in the flat both days as I had a bit of a cold.
On 26th October, in the morning, me and Laura Preston had a tour of the tower at the Royal Quays Marina by David Hirst and had a go at opening and closing the lock gates to let the Pilot boat out of the marina before having a drink in the Lock.
On 28th October Go North-East started another, indefinite bus strike.
In the afternoon I volunteered as a photographer at the Springfield Centre for their Halloween event.
On 29th October, in the evening, I found my binoculars lens cap that I thought I had lost in my kitchen of all places !
In the evening Jodie Whittaker starred in the first episode of the second series of TIME.
On 30th October, in the morning, I received a rather disappointing email from Brannen and Partners to say they won’t be attending the meeting at my flat as they are being taken over in the new year by a different Block Management company.
Afterwards Laura Preston picked me up and we had an adventure up the coast.
We first went up to Seahouses where we walked around the harbour and to an area of the village I have never seen before where Laura got some fresh fish before getting fish and chips for dinner.
We then drove to Warkworth then to Amble where we walked around the harbour before heading home.
It was such a tonic after the crap email that morning.
On 31st October, in the early hours of the morning, I opened two AIRWOLF helicopters - AIRWOLF and Santini Air - I had won on EBay.
On 1st November I received my £300 Cost of Living Payment from the Government.
In the evening I decided to splash out and buy a ticket to see Aimee Kelly in Boy Parts at the SOHO Theatre in London for tomorrow.
I also saw on Louisa Connolly-Burnham’s Instagram story that a few of the WOLFBLOOD cast members including Bobby Lockwood, Kendra Williams-Stirling and Jonathan Raggett had gone to this evening’s performance so I commented on her story to say I was planning on going tomorrow.
On 2nd November, in the morning, I got up early to get ready and get a taxi to the Central Station to get my 1000 train to London to see Aimee Kelly in Boy Parts.
I got to London around 1250 and went straight to the SOHO Theatre with the play starting at 1430 and me not knowing where the theatre was.
The play was 80 minutes all the way through and it was a one woman show starring Aimee Kelly and she did excellent.
Afterwards I got a photo with Aimee who said she was happy I had came down.
After killing time in the bar afterwards and speaking to a lovely lass called Beth, a writer, about my Autism and the bin cupboard situation - it turned out Beth had ADHD so was also Neurodiverse - so it was nice to speak to someone who understood my brain, I headed to Kings Cross for around 2000 for my 2100 train home and found out all of the trains were being cancelled because of an electrical fault at Edinburgh and and an electrical fault at Peterborough with two failed trains at Peterborough meaning nothing could get past them.
LNER staff said they would refund people for a hotel up to £250 and get them on a train in the morning.
I then explained about my epilepsy and my medication which was at home to one of the LNER staff members who was on the concourse at Kings Cross.
I bought the staff member a bag of sweets from WHSmith as I knew he was going to have a hard night only to find out a few days later that he was David Horne, Managing Director of LNER !
Because I didn’t have my medication, I was then put in a taxi with two 17 year-olds, who were classed as vulnerable because of their age, up to Newcastle with the meter finishing at £1,162.40 !
On 5th November, in the evening, after being in bed all day and just lazing around the flat, I got a taxi to Forest Hall to get a Chinese takeaway of a king prawn chow mein with egg fried rice and curry fried rice and chips from the Wai Ho in Forest Hall and watched the second episode of TIME.
On 8th November in the afternoon, there was a meeting at my flat with Lindsey Clay and Shaun Kelly from the fire brigade.
What I didn’t like about Shaun Kelly was his attitude when he said about my flat
"You can't be happy living like this."
How I live has got nothing to do with him or anyone else.
Afterwards I arranged for the rubbish to be collected tomorrow morning.
Afterwards I went over to ASDA and got the photos of the mutual aid officers from London from September 2022 printed off at Max Spielmann which came to £33.85.
On 9th November, in the morning, a fella came to take the rubbish out of my flat which came to £90.
On 12th November, in the afternoon, I got a taxi to Benton Metro and the Metro to town to get some newspapers from M and M news and to post the photos of the mutual aid officers to various police forces around the country that I had printed off at Max Spielmann in ASDA at Benton on Wednesday afternoon.
I then went over to see Harry at IRepair Labs to get my HTC 620 and Freeview box that he had fixed for me before getting the Metro from the Haymarket to Benton and a taxi home.
After crashing out for a bit, in the evening I got a taxi to Forest Hall again to get a Chinese takeaway of a king prawn chow mein with egg fried rice from the Wai Ho in Forest Hall and watched the last episode of TIME.
On 19th November, in the evening, a new series of I’M A CELEBRITY - GET ME OUT OF HERE ! started so I got a KFC for the launch show.
On 22nd November, at lunchtime, I went for a haircut at Four Lane Ends Metro station.
On 23rd November, in the morning, Mam and Dad came home from their holidays and I tracked them on Flightradar24 all the way home from Nottingham and got a video of them landing from my balcony.
On 25th November, in the evening, episode 1 of 3 specials for DOCTOR WHO’s 60th was on so I got a KFC to watch it with.
On 27th November, in the afternoon, I went to Forest Hall Doctors to sign up with a Autism research healthcheck with Newcastle Uni.
On 1st December the indefinite Go North East bus strike was finally resolved so, in the evening, I went over to McDonalds at ASDA and had two celebratory Cokes.
On 4th December, in the early hours of the morning, I went out on to my balcony to get some photos of the snow before it melted away with the rain.
On 6th December, in the morning, I went around to Mam and Dad’s to see my little Nephew Lewis helping to put the Christmas decorations up and I got some photos of him doing it.
My Mam told Lewis that his Dad (my little Brother, Michael) could lift him up to put the Angel on the tree when he picked him up.
In the afternoon I got the bus into town which was my first time on Go North East since the indefinite bus strike had ended and it was nice to have some sort of routine and familiarity back after two months.
When I got home I rang Mam and Dad to see if I could go around and get a photo of Lewis putting the Angel on the tree only to be told it had already been done.
I asked if they could take the Angel off the tree so I could get a photo of Lewis putting the Angel on the tree and both them and Michael refused, saying Lewis wouldn't understand.
I then angrily went around to my Mam and Dad’s and had a massive argument until Michael held Lewis up so he could put the Angel on the tree so I could get a photo of him doing it.
During the argument my Mam said to Lewis “Don’t worry. Your Uncle Paul is ill” which really hurt me.
On 10th December, in the evening, was the final of I’M A CELEBRITY - GET ME OUT OF HERE ! 2023 so I got my regular KFC takeaway which I do as a tradition for both the launch show and the final.
I also won £30.71 with predicting the 1st and 2nd places and the correct winner.
Nigel Farage came 3rd which I was also happy with.On 12th December, in the afternoon, I volunteered in my usual role as a photographer at the annual Springfield Centre Christmas singalong.
On 13th December, in the morning, I volunteered at the Springfield Centre as a photographer again as volunteers were making up packed lunches and going out to deliver them for Christmas around the local community.
On 15th December I nipped into town before heading up to Morpeth to look at the charity shops.
On the way back down from Morpeth I got a lovely sunset from the bus on the way back into town.
On 18th December, in the morning, while sorting out my man bag I found a gold star at the bottom of it which I thought I had lost which I thought was a piece of good luck.
On 19th December, in the afternoon, I banked the money for WDC from my coastal trips which came to £105.32 before going to the opticians.
On 20th December, in the morning, I got the train to Hexham to meet Laura Preston where we looked around some charity shops before going for a Full English Breakfast.
On 21st December I volunteered at the Springfield Centre as a photographer again for their annual Christmas do for the elderly with Deborah Taylor-Smith singing for the Christmas entertainment.
On 22nd December, at lunchtime, I had my last Talking Therapies appointment.
My Psychologist, Lindsey Clay, said I can do a self-referral in the new year but it will take up to 18 months to be seen again, which I will be doing as my problems won’t just go away.
I told her that I have accepted that my hoarding, which I have been seeing her for, is part of my Autism, because of my intense hobbies and interests but there are positives such as certain collections have finished this year such as my Brexit newspapers collection and my collection of stationery now Paperchase has closed down.
I also said to her that it’s a shame that I haven’t been able to get help with the ongoing bin cupboard situation which she has classed as discrimination against a disability.
She said it’s a shame they couldn’t have given me the two months access last year to finish my routine or the access twice this year to finish it off then it would have been all over.
She also said that it has been frustrating that everywhere she has tried to refer me to, I haven’t met the criteria for.
I also told her it’s frustrating that professionals who are supposed to be looking after me aren’t even trying to look after me or bother getting in touch.
I was also truthful with her.
I told her about the big argument I had the other week with my Mam and Dad and little brother.
I was at my Mam and Dad’s the other Wednesday when my 2 year-old Nephew was helping do their tree.
My Mam said my Nephew could put the Angel on the tree when his Dad (my little brother) came to pick him up.
I went to town and got in around 1600 and rang to see if I could pop around to get a photo of him putting the Angel on the tree.
They said no as it had already been put on.
I asked if they could take it off so I could get a simple photo of him doing it but my little brother refused saying he wouldn't understand why it had to come off.
One of my friends said he probably loved doing it twice.
This ended up in a blazing row with my Mam saying to my little Nephew that I am “ill” and my Dad said I should go on medication for anxiety.
They also tell me I should get “professional” help but me seeing a Psychologist for over a year is not good enough for them.
Lindsey said I am not ill.
She said I have Autism and a different way of acting and she said I don’t have anxiety.
It’s because people with Autism have anxiety as part of their condition.
She even said my Mam could have said that I act differently instead of saying that I am “ill”.
I mentioned the fact that my Dad will not listen to me about me being unable to work with the DWP deciding this and they think it would have a negative impact on my mental health, with my routines, if they forced me into work but my Dad, because he won’t listen, thinks I should get a job.
My Psychologist said she thinks I do a great job for the local community with two volunteering roles and with volunteering I can do it on my own terms.
Ultimately, I should know my own mental health.
If my parents or anyone else want to be blissfully ignorant to it, it’s up to them.
Time to look after number one.
On Christmas Day I slept on and off during the day.
In the evening, because I didn’t go to my Mam and Dad’s for dinner and I didn’t ask for any to be kept, I ordered a chicken breast in batter and chips from a chippy in Wallsend and watched the Christmas episode of EASTENDERS.
On 28th December, in the afternoon, I volunteered for the final time over Christmas at the Springfield Centre as a photographer again for their kids party.
On 29th December, late in the morning, I went to my Mam and Dad’s to see Hugo and Francessca who have been up since just after Christmas and were leaving today.
On New Year's Eve I slept most of the day and woke up around 2230, got up, watched the New Year fireworks on B.B.C. 1 with a glass of Baileys to see the New Year in then went back to sleep.
So that was my 2023, good and bad.
It was a year of mixed emotions for me with my sessions with Talking Therapies and the ongoing battle with the bin cupboard situation which still has not been resolved.
Before I sign off I would just like to thank some people who have supported me throughout 2023:
1.) My family - my Mam and Dad, three brothers, two sister-in-laws, my soon to be sister-in-law, and my three nephews and two nieces.
I know I sometimes argue with my brothers and my Mam and Dad but they are there for me.
As for my two sister-in-laws and soon to be sister-in-law. Cheers for putting up with me. For my nephews and nieces.
You are always lovely to be around even if I sometimes find it too hard to cope with.
2.) My friends for constantly being there.
Special thanks has to go to six of them especially:
i.) Julia - Although I don’t see you often I know you are always at the end of WhatsApp which you encouraged me to use in 2022 and I am glad you did.
I was petrified of losing your support after the lockdowns ended but we are still in touch more than ever.
Thanks as well for understanding my Autism and understanding my mixed emotions in 2022.
You are a one in a million friend.
Cheers Julia.
ii.) Ellie - You are there if I need to moan to about my autism especially after getting to understand me and my routines more during COVID and the two years of lockdowns and restrictions.
During the first lockdown I remember video messaging you and you told me you had been annoyed with me about going to town during lockdown but you told me you are learning how difficult my autism is and how I see the world different which is true.
Cheers Ellie for understanding me more and may you rise in your nee job. x
You are my zebra.
iii) Mark - I know Mark from t.v. and film sets and he was one of the first people who rang me to check up on me in March 2020 when we entered lockdown.
He knew I lived by myself and rang me to check in on me and see how I was which I appreciated a lot and we have made repeated phone calls most weeks and they have continued since.
They do help.
Cheers Mark.
iv.) Laura - I first became friends with you on the Pelagic trips with Northern Experience Wildlife Tours in 2019.
You, like my good mate Julia, understand my Autism because of your own personal reasons which helps a lot.
I love our fortnightly meet ups down the coast.
v.) Another one of my friends called Julia who I first met, with her friend Maureen, on the Ocean Explorer in 2019 on a particularly rough pelagic trip.
Julia has cheered me up for whenever her and her husband Bob go on holiday, they always send me a postcard as I love receiving postcards from different parts of the world.
Cheers Julia and Bob.
vi.) Liz - I first became friends with you on the Ocean Explorer in 2018 and it’s always nice to catch up when you are up here camping to go on boat trips with.
It was nice to see you briefly in September at the Lindisfarne dig.
3.) For my mental health:
i.) Everyone at Billy Shiels boat trips. I love the trips to the Farne Islands. It’s escapism for my mental health.
I know I have struggled to get up there as much as pre-COVID because of my routines with my Autism have got worse but I will hopefully be up there for more adventures in 2024.
ii) John Thackray, skipper of the Blue Eye 2 for helping me with my new fundraising adventure on the coastal trips these past two years.
4.) Lorraine from Safe and Healthy Homes at the council.
Lorraine - You first dealt with me in 2016 when I first got help from your department after my Autism diagnosis when I said I needed help with my flat for my hoarding.
You are there if I ever need help and it has helped a lot that you are always there for a chat when needed.
Cheers Lorraine.
5.) My neighbours who have been good friends during lockdown and beyond.
Special thanks has to go to two of them:
i.) Barry who lives above me.
During lockdown I met Barry due to a situation arising with a problem neighbour and I don’t think we would have became friends because of this.
We still chat most weeks now.
ii.) A couple of the neighbours across the road from where I live, on a Thursday evening, after Clap for Carers, used to give me a can of pop and we would have a chat together for a little bit after everyone else had gone in.
To this day I still pop over for a chat with the same two neighbours.
6.) The staff at M and M news in Newcastle for putting up with me during the lockdowns and restrictions and since and helping me with my new hobby and being patient.
All I have to say is see what 2024 brings......