Mark is bronzed

Hello Bloggettes,

Well its been another busy 'un... I was lucky enough to compete in the Transplant Games in Sheffield (which ran from Thursday to Monday)- and won a bronze in the table tennis..

I am still recovering from the sport and the finishing ball (Louisa - my former colleague from Sydney) - and I got through way too much wine - but it would have been rude not to....

The saga started on the Thursday when I hit the pool before driving across the Snake Pass to Sheffield - via JJB to buy a snooker stick! (Stick - see how common I am!)

Got to the posh Novotel and they hadn't got my booking down - so rushed off to the snooker (which I am very poor at) and then to register at the Don Valley (picking up my gear)..

I met my lovely team mates (and my other team mates!) and we went to the opening ceremony (I got to carry the flag being a debutante) then hit Cafe Rouge with some of my new friends...

The Friday saw me meeting up with Louisa and we headed for the English Institute of Sport and the table tennis... The first round was in the form of a league, then the others were knock-out.

Having a low lung function I was at a severe disadvantage - so had to do what I had been coached to do - make the other guys do the running..

Luckily every match was 2:0.... So didn't get too shattered and had plenty of rest...

That night Louisa did reiki on me and we went to a lovely Italian Restaurant in town...I think my room mate Jamie was annoyed I didn't stay out all night any night as he wanted the room to himself - I think he was going to entertain a lady...

On the Saturday I took it easy, swam in the hotel pool (well it is too small to swim) with Jamie, Susan, and Craig.... and just chilled around town with the others..

That night I was going to see Kate in Barnsley but things didn't happen as they were meant to... so I didn't... Long story.... Boring story...No scandal...

On Sunday morning Darren from Doncaster (former college matey) came over and we went to support the athletics team....

The evening was the ball. Louisa's hubbie dropped her off about 6ish and we started at the hotel bar before wandering to Ponds Forge...

It was a great night - but too much politics. The same old people got the same old awards apparently. The most-well people who got their reward with medals anyway..

Freeman (as we were mostly people with heart or lung or both transplants) didn't get a sniff in, despite some remarkable achievements by people who were very disadvantaged...

I know the sacrifices some of the people on my team had made.... But as you can see from the pics - a good time was had by all...

Back to Widnes on Monday.... tired tired tired..... Took my medal into work.. Too right I did. Who knows healthwise what will happen. It cold be my last - I will savour it...

Big thanks to Graham Marsh who did all the organising on behalf of Newcastle...

For my day job see the news at HALTON

xx

More from Natalie and the Transplant Games

Hiya Bloggettes!

The last couple of weeks have been eventful – as always! My health is ok.. It was great last week but not so good since the antibiotics finished.

The previous weekend my friend got egged in St Helens (its no yolk!) and we had the worst ever curry (They can’t do curry in the Merseyside)

On Friday I met my friend Caroline with the view of going to the cinema in Crewe. We spent too long at a country pub.

My food was lovely, and the only film showing which didn’t finish before 2.30am was Love Guru!

Despite crap reviews we risked it and actually enjoyed it! Got back at ridiculous o’clock though!

We are arranging a spa day soon. Bliss!

On Saturday I started at the gym (only a week before the Transplant Games) and then drove to Cannock Wood.

I met up with Jo in the evening in Wolvo and went to a Cuban bar before hittng a balti house in Wombourne. They just can’t do curry in Merseyside!

Wine and coffee and a trip back and woke up in Cannock Wood with a lethargy which only comes after alcohol.

How come I feel crap on Sunday all the time – so may as well have a reason for it.

Met up with the usual suspects for a pint at the Park Gate – we haven’t all met up for a while.. Watched the Grand Prix – but I was on Diet Coke.

Am at a loss on Sundays since not playing cricket anymore…

After the pub, still felt tender so had massive latte at motorway services on way home – Hmmm didn’t help!

Had message from Carla Imbruglia on Facebook saying her sister actually remembered me and thought I was funny….

Can’t believe I actually made an impression on the Natster…

Thursday to Sunday I am at the Transplant Games in Sheffield – I am entering the table tennis, but also the snooker and volleyball for fun..

So its every evening in the gym before that for me!

Everything is sorted. Got a house-sitter, meeting friends up there and hoping to enjoy the city I used to live in…

Wish me luck!