Woke up around 4.00am cold and with toothache again. Turned air conditioning off and back to sleep thankfully until 9.00am. Up and all out quickly and went to the subway not before grabbing some breakfast from a deli.
Got the subway straight down to the South Ferry so as to get on the Staten Island ferry which was fine and we went over on it to see the Statue of Liberty. That was good, straight back and then walked through the Veterans of Vietnam
Woke up a bit late around 9.00am. Tucks was ready for a run so I was dragged along. Did ok to start with and we went to one beach but I was then flagging and he left me behind. Went to another beach and then the Galley for a rest. We'd stopped a few times but I was very slow. It was hot as well!!
When we'd completed 4 miles and were in town we stopped and wandered around the harbour. Some amazing boats there, so much money on display.
Went back to the house, made some sandwiches and then went on to Cisco Beach the same as yesterday but Alison cycled instead of Tucks. Went the wrong way once. Nice down on the beach. Not too busy, relaxed drinking and eating, playing bat and ball etc and loads of swimming. I went for one swim for a long distance.
Around 5.00pm we called it a day and made our way back to the house where we planned to have dinner. Tucks had bought this huge slab of steak, haven't seen one like it before. Loads of other food prepared and then nice sweet tea vodka as well.
Really nice evening that finished with more beers and sharing round the iPad to play YouTube music. Good fun
Finished around midnight
Up at 4.30am having gone to bed at 12.30am so was a bit groggy but we were all out by 5.00am and on the road to Heathrow. Lovely quick journey and passed over the car at 6.00am. No problems checking in and because of the queues ended up in Business class check-in...there's a hint there!!
Nice breakfast and then a wander round the shops before embarking. At the gate she took out tickets from us and replaced them...we got an upgrade to Business Class after all!! Everyone was excited but it was only a short flight and a small plane but there was more food, proper cutlery and glasses etc so it was a lovely way to start the holiday.
It was only 9.45am but I couldn't resist asking for a beer..no problem..Swiss beer. Nice. Was only one drinking, typical Brit abroad.
Typing this whilst on the first leg to Zurich where we change to get out flight over to Boston. I'm not expecting an upgrade there though of course. Will have to make a note to thank the airline lady for the upgrade. Nice treat. Loads of room.
Worked in Birmingham today at Peters Books and it was successful, Jayne from EdCo came in for a Management meeting and I was involved, went well and then in the afternoon worked hard before leaving at 4.30pm to get the train to London. Couldn’t believe that 3 days ago I could have got the ticket for £9.00 but it had jumped to £28.00 – not good!
Travelled into Marylebone, bloody hot, and then travelled across London to Brixton and walked down to meet John & Pauline Bampton who had driven in with Tash. Got a drink at a pub and then went to the O2, queued for ages to get a drink and then at 9.00pm were in place for Faithless.
They came on and the place rocked, it was so enjoyable, they were brilliant! The place went mad for all the favourites and then they finished with an encore of We Come One – which was so good. When we left we were soaking wet from the sweat as it was incredibly hot in there – like a sauna.
John drove us home of course and we stopped at MacDonalds – home by about 12.45am – tired but buzzing, such a good concert.
Short clip of video I took is here on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/BJQ6Q_lAkfd/?taken-by=juliandark
Went to Oxford City today for first game of the season but more importantly for the respect of Colin Taylor. Turned up at 2.30pm when Tash dropped me off and managed to get in for free, £12 otherwise...not paying that much!
Lots of familiar faces and chatted to people and gave Laura a hug and had a quick talk. She was composed and was telling me how much support and messages she and the family were getting. All very, very sad
Before the game there was a minutes silence but on checking the programme there wasn't much else to be fair. I was slightly surprised. The game was okay, I'm not a good spectator I have to admit, so I just kept having a few pints and wandering around the ground to see who was there.
Bloody hot day and City won via x2 penalties so that was pleasing. Had a chat in the bar afterwards with Paddy and Justin then Lewis picked me up. He had a pint and we went home for the BBQ.
I continued to drink and got a bit drunk if the truth be told!! Food was nice.
Invited John Bampton over and he was down like a shot and we stayed up chatting nonsense for the rest of the night
A really good day & evening all things considered.
But I am drinking far too much alcohol at the minute.
Didn’t get too much done for work throughout today, not sure why, just seemed distracted and not interested, not ideal with my holiday coming up and so much to get done. The day didn’t start too well because I needed to drop Tash to work because she woke up late and as soon as I got home I needed to take Lewis out to drop his car in the garage so I was out at 7.45am until 9.05am…
Anyway, in the afternoon it was Colin Taylor’s funeral at the Crematorium, we got there at about 2.40pm and had to drive through all the people there – about 400 I reckon in total. Walked round and obviously too many people for us to go inside so we listened from outside and it was very moving and sad. Loads of people there as I mentioned and so many faces I knew and chatted to briefly. Sad that it’s events like this that you see people, but we say that each time and it is only things like this where we will catch up.
Went back to Oxford City for some drinks and food and chatted to more people like Paul Lee, Mick Woodley, Justin Merritt, Mark Jones, Rob Tutton and so on. A number of conversations regarding the set up at Oxford City and how things need to change there in terms of new blood coming into the club etc, it could be the catalyst for change, we shall see.
I then dropped Tash into town as she was meeting work friends at Thai Khun for a meal.
I went home, took the dog out to the meadow and ran. I didn’t do very well as I kept stopping for Pokemon and my back was a nightmare as I appear to have trapped a nerve, in fact by the time I got home I was in agony – didn’t get much sleep at all – desperate problem.
I have to get out and run because I have signed up for the Oxford Half Marathon so we’ll see how that goes!!
Bess was absolutely shattered as a result because she was running to keep up with me..
Tash phoned for picking up at 10.40pm and she was quite drunk…not surprised but it was nice, she was happy.
So a sad day and people were continuing to question why Colin did what he did, we will never know or understand why – it’s something I hope I never get to a stage in my life that I want to take such drastic action.
Spoke to Jack this evening and he’s confirmed he’s enjoying the football and it was better today. Sounds like the coach is a bit of a twat as he’s not encouraging any of them and is also excluding a lot of the less able lads. That seems harsh to me and I would have thought they’d change the squads around so that the level of ability is better. Fortunately Jack is one of the better players so it’s not affecting him but it’s a shame for these other lads who’ve paid money to be there.
He said the food isn’t good but he’s making friends and is holding his own so I am very proud of him, it’s good he’s enjoying it.
Some people at Oxford City have suggested a team be entered into the Oxford Half Marathon as Team Taylor as a mark of respect for him and his love of the Casuals (Learning Difficulties team) and I have agreed to be part of this event.
So I have paid my £40.00 entrance fee and now committed to taking part and running in this. It’s a dual thing for me as it’s a mark of respect and showing that respect but also from a selfish perspective I hope it gives me that kick up the backside to push myself to get that little bit fitter, well a lot fitter and less fat over the coming x8 weeks.
We shall see, I tried the other day running and got to 4 miles and struggled so it’s three times that which I need to get to…oh dear!
First training session for the lads today. I was really nervous and hardly slept last night, no idea why but got all this planned and sorted and then met the lads at 9.00am at Cutteslowe. In the end there was x7 of them which was a bit disappointing but hardly a surprise as I'd been told of the numbers that were missing and on holiday
It was a decent session I felt, very hot indeed, I joined in the football to make it 4v4 and that was bloody hard work, I was shattered!!
They all worked really hard on all we did so I hope they enjoyed it. We will become a fit side is my intention. Need to do some more plans as well.
Finished at 10.30am and my back was killing me...I'll never learn it seems but I can't help myself. Even though I gave the ball away and didn't track my runners!
Horrible morning today as I sent out x2 emails to Twariq and Maro advising them that I was releasing them from the squad for the coming season. Not heard from Maro yet but Twariq was begging me to change my mind, it was really sad and I hated it. I like him and wish I could help him with hi life etc but I had to make the decision for the team and moving things forward. Maro I will feel less emotional about but this was painful.
Jack text me later in the day to say that Twariq had been on their Facebook Group wishing them luck and thanking them for him being involved with them and he’s taken it quite well now it’s sunk in.
Jack is then asking me if this player and that player can come along to train and join the club – I have too many players to choose from, it’s so hard. Will let them train for a couple of weeks and then have to make a tough decision to include or drop them.
Anyway, will keep an eye on Twariq’s progress and see if I am proved to be wrong.
Jack has been nagging at me to play tennis against him so I agreed today and regretted it!!
We went up to Cutteslowe Park and paid for once – although I don’t think he really needed to and played two sets. I was struggling to get around if I am honest, very stiff legged and my back was playing up but it was good fun.
I tried I must admit and he won the first set 6-3 I think, I upped my game a bit in the second set and was leading by about 5-2 when we decided we needed to get going and stop. He’s so well coordinated and mobile it was pleasing to have a good challenge. I will have to challenge him to a rematch and get some better tennis balls for the next game.
It was also nice to spend that time with him, he’s a good lad.
