Welcome to my lonely planet, the picture was taken at Bamburgh Castle Easter Monday 1998, this is part of what is often known as the heritage coast.

One of the most spectacular sights is of Bamburgh Castle situated on a rocky outcrop above the sandy dunes of a magnificent and often deserted beach. The castle was founded by the Northumbrian Anglo-Saxon King Ida. He invaded the Bamburgh coastline in AD 547 and there he built a wooden fortress on the great Whin Sill. His Grandson Ethelfrith gave the castle and the capital to his wife Bebba. In later years 'Bebbanburgh' became Bamburgh. During the early medieval border wars between England and Scotland the keep was often used to house hostages and prisoners, most notably David Bruce, the Scots King who was wounded by an arrow at Neville's Cross in 1346. In 1356, Bamburgh Castle witnessed the historic surrendering of the Scottish crown by Edward Baliol to Edward III. During the Wars Of The Roses, the castle was seen as a valued prize. In 1464, Yorkists used Edward IV's new cannons to force the Lancastrians to surrender, reputedly making Bamburgh the first castle in England to be taken by cannon fire.

Contrary to the southern view of Northern England we are far from being an industrial wasteland. Having said that I would go as far as to say it's a view I hope southerners continue to maintain.

First and foremost I must state that I wore the glasses for a bet, ok 12 hours solid is a bit excessive....!!!! but, I think the picture is great. My one regret is you could not see the faces of the people who were laughing at me. I was in Trinity College Dublin playing tunes on my mobile phone looking like the geek from hell. Despite their laughing I maintained a serious studious look.

Perhaps the funniest thing though was walking around St Stephens Green, as the tour bus of the city passed almost in unison the entire busload of tourists gawped at me and laughed!!!!!! Oh happy days....

However, when I wore them on the night out wearing my All Blacks top and looking seriously psychotic, not one person said a word.....it truly is a strange world.......

More to follow...Coming soon, I'm just wild about Oscar!!!