There's nothing like a bit of National Pride.

Well we're absolutely hooked. The Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2014 have taken over. 

I spent 4 hours watching the games last night, hopping between the different sports, trying to grasp all the different rules and tactics. And I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed myself, having the same overwhelming sense of patriotic pride that the Olympics gave me. Never in my life have I voluntarily sat down for such a length of time to watch sport, but you're drawn into the Commonwealth bubble and you don't want to leave. It really is fabulous seeing all these young competitors putting in every ounce of effort and seeing people with genuine ambition fight for what they have worked so hard and so long for! Living in Berwick-upon-Tweed we find ourselves supporting both Scotland and England, with no preference to who will win (however at the 800m Men's Final tonight we'll be cheering from the crowds for Guy Learmonth, another fellow Berwick-er.)

Here's hoping that it inspires many young kids to keep fit & try a new sport!

So far the results are as follows (31/07/2014. 12:11pm):

So whichever country you find yourself supporting, I don't think anybody can deny the comradery that has taken place and the sheer pleasure that the athletes have running on their home British turf!

A huge congratulations to everybody who has taken part, everybody who has cheered a competitor on, or even just switched on for a bit of evening entertainment, you all have helped make something memorable.

Did you know... it's Burns Night!

(Well not just yet) On the 25th of Jan, Scots everywhere will be getting kilted up and enjoying a dram or two to celebrate the life and work of Robert Burns.

And so here's some of my favourite facts about him!

• Born 25th of Jan 1759 - 1796, Burns was just aged 37 when he died.
• He fathered at least 12 children by four different women, one of which, his youngest, was born on the day of his funeral.
• Robert Burns was voted the Greatest Ever Scot in 2009 by television viewers.
• Burns wrote 'Auld Lang Syne' which is recognised by the Guinness World Book of Records as being in the top 3 popular songs in the English language (Along side Happy Birthday and For he's a jolly good fellow).
• He produced more than 550 songs and poems.
• Burns is known as The Bard, Scotland's national poet.
• His net worth on his death in 1796 was £1.
• When measured after his death, Burns' head was found to be larger than the average human.
• Micheal Jackson said that his famous song Thriller was inspired by Burns' Tam O'Shanter.

• Robert Burns has been into space!... Well not really... his poems have. Nick Patrick, when doing a 5.7 million mile trip and 217 orbits of the Earth, carried a miniature book of Burns' poetry in 2010.

• Pedestrian crossings in Japan play a rendition of "coming through the Rye" to indicate to a walker to cross.
• The US President Abe Lincoln could recite Burns' work by heart.

If you want to celebrate Burns Night too, but you're not quite sure what exactly to do... Here's some quick and easy steps to help you along the way.

 

1. You should be eating the traditional "Haggis, Neeps (turnip) and Tatties (potatoes)", or similarly, a vegetarian Haggis is a tasty alternative!
2. Why not get into the spirit with a nice dram of whisky, in true Burns fashion!
3. Music: For those of you who can't handle the drone of the Bagpipes, you'll be able to find many Cd's of Burn's own songs and poems to play.
4. And no Scottish celebration would be complete without a bit of tartan! There's hundreds to choose from, and you never know, you might find that you've got your own family tartan!