KERRY KELSO Senior associate in the specialist family law team at Hay & Kilner in Newcastle.
Do you ever have to work weekends?
Sometimes, yes, if there are court deadlines to meet or a contested hearing to prepare for at the start of the following week, but this isn’t a regular occurrence and I do try to avoid working at the weekend if at all possible.
Are most weekends the same?
Not really! I try to fit in quite a lot in at weekends, as I work full time and that doesn’t leave much spare time through the week. Priorities include spending time with family and catching up with friends socially. I have three children aged 15, 12 and 6, so a lot of the time at weekends is spent taking them to and from social engagements or activities like football and dancing.
Do you find it hard to switch off?
Not really – I’m so busy doing other things that I tend not to think about work much at the weekend.
What do you do at a weekend which you can’t fit in through the week?
Lots of catching up, whether that’s with lots of the usual domestic tasks in the house, or more enjoyably, with friends and family is the main one.
Morning exercise or a recovery lie in?
Definitely a recovery lie in, although it’s never a long one, as we like to get up and get out if the weather is good, so that we don’t waste any part of the weekend.
Big night out or a night in the house?
I enjoy both, but it is good to let your hair down every now and again with friends.
Do you watch or play sport at a weekend?
My daughter plays football, so I’m usually cheering her on somewhere on Saturday mornings.
Where do you like to eat out at a weekend?
I like to try new places for food, with current favourites of mine including Café Andaluz, The Kiln and Blackfriars. I do love a Sunday Lunch and find it hard to get through a Sunday without one. The Impeccable Pig at Sedgefield is somewhere I’d highly recommend for this.
How important is the weekend to you?
With work life being quite hectic, my downtime at a weekend is really important to me. It gives me a chance to recharge my batteries and spend quality time with my family and friends.
What’s the best thing about weekends?
I love being able to get out for long walks with the family and our Cockapoo Biffy, in our own time and without rushing around. We’ll often have a wander on the beach, around Jesmond Dene or on Newcastle Quayside, stopping off for food and refreshments. When time allows, I love getting away for short weekend breaks. Listening to live music is also one of my favourite things to do – being at a festival in the sunshine would be a perfect weekend for me.