Copenhagen - Day 4

• Tired this morning. Slept in

• Bit of breakfast. Not a lot

• Checked out and left bags down in basement

• Walked back to usual place for 10.40am for the bike food tour.

• American family from Washington turned up bang on 11.00am and they were nice enough.

• Our guide was good and off we went stopping for all sorts of food along the way. It was great fun and what was pleasing is we visited parts of the city we’d not done yet.

• Lots of food and it was all good and worthwhile

• Finished at 2.00pm and walked back to collect bags and then got train to airport. Worked like clockwork. Very smooth indeed.

• Airport time was good. Writing this waiting to board

• No problems with the flight. Home safe and sound and John drive us back.

Very enjoyable City break.

Big Tour - Flights Booked

As it says in the title - how exciting!!

TV Audience today at BBC

 Charlotte got free tickets to a recording of a new TV show that Rob Beckett (the comedian) is hosting. Miles has had a tough week so dropped out so my Mum joined me, Tash, and Charlotte. I drove and we left after work and got to the car park at Westfield around 6.45pm and were in the queue soon enough.

It was okay and pretty smooth and after a bit of a wait outside, we were allowed into the studio. We had decent seats and got comfy. It was interesting there seeing all the lights set up and that and Charlotte and Mum were in their element.

The warm-up comedian was pretty good and was amusing and then at about 8.00pm the show started - didn't really know what to expect as it was a new show and we quickly found out that we were the recording for the last show of the series.

Rob came on and the guests were really good, Alison Hammond and Josh Widdecombe, and then on their teams were David Tennant, Sara Cox, Roisin Conaty, and Lydia West. There was a lot of talking and not much action or questions - it's amazing how much they have to fill to try and get the material that can be used in the show. The people were interesting and funny and were obviously prepped for a number of the questions but it was funny and enjoyable

We had one break after about 90 minutes and then another segment and another break but this time it was 10.30pm and we thought we'd seen enough here so we decided to make a quick exit and blamed the trains that we needed to catch - even though we'd driven!

Pissing down with rain and the traffic getting out of London was tough because they've got a lot of roadworks set up but we dropped Mum home at midnight so not so bad. 

Sadly I didn't meet my 10k step goal today - 9.6k, bit pissed off it the truth be told as I've done it every day since 23rd September. I'll make up for it tomorrow.

A decent evening all told, look forward to seeing the finished article

Oh, and Roisin was the best on the bunch, although Sara was good fun, I liked her.

Ashbourne in the Peak District today

Jack is a bit down about his work so we agreed to go and meet him today. We were planning to go up to Manchester but he wasn’t keen on that so we compromised and met in Prak District for a walk, ended up being about 9.5miles in the end. 

Listened to Colin Fleet’s podcast interview and it was amusing, quite unpleasant in places as he gleefully recited stories about him shitting on slides or in suitcases, I got picked in his tram though so that was good. 

This one wasn’t up and down hills although we were very close to Stepping Stones which is where I met Lewis that time and we’ve been to before. I took us on a slight detour because I wasn’t reading the Komoot app properly, oops. 

We did walk up a steep hill that was off our route and glad we did so, it was a great view. Walking back we got very wet feet and dirty shoes, flooded ground everywhere but it was all worth it and took Jacks mind off his problems with work and such like. 

Had a mini changeover and then found a small local pub and had a lovely dinner (I had beef and beer pie which I’d been thinking about on the way up there!)

Said our goodbyes and made our way home. Got back without issues around 8.30pm and got sorted out. A lovely day and a good workout again. 

This Kili training is working really well, I feel like I am getting in better shape, looking thinner and losing weight. Might just be my imagination but that’s how I feel so that’s all good. 

ABBA Voyage

Great fun - honestly felt like they were there - the holograms were amazing

Back to Leicester Square for a meal in the evening that was lovely too

Such a fantastic day and night

Daily targets being met

So I've set myself a target of 10k steps every day and so far for all of October I've managed it - even tonight when it's absolutely pissing with rain outside I took Bess for a walk up to North Oxford - she wasn't very pleased about that and just stopped walking a number of times. 

Got back and dried off and sat here listening to the rain outside - Tash has gone on a yoga experience in Kew Gardens with Charlotte and Jodie as part of Charl's birthday present so that's nice. 

The target is good, it's making me go out in the morning and evenings to hit the number and very often I am breaking the numbers - which in theory shouldn't be too, too hard but it's still about 3-4 miles. Tash and I do some of it together but I am equally happy on my own because I have my music to keep me happy.

I've also downloaded a Calorie Counter app - we've been reducing food portions and careful of what we eat anyway but this gives me that extra focus and it's only been 3 days but it's interesting how little I do eat - but also with the exercise removing calories I've put on. 

Anyway, it's still early days - but 3 weeks in and I feel better for doing all this

Training for Kili is on-going - Malvern Hills

We've been training for 3 weeks now - started properly on 23rd November. We've done one long walk with John & Pauline which took us around Wytham and was good - this weekend we challenged ourselves a bit further and went to Malvern Hills

John drove at 7.00am and by 8.30am we were walking through the town and into the hills - not hill, definitely multiple!! John had a walking route on his phone which was good but we did have to stop a number of times throughout the time to get the right trail, had to turn back a few times too because the GPS highlighted us going the wrong way.

It's a combination of many hills there so there was loads of walking up them to get puffed out, quick enjoyment of the scenery, and then back down the other side. And the scenery was amazing - it was a lovely day with full sun and the views from the top were beautiful.

Quite a cold wind up there, we're definitely moving into Autumn/Winter now and we needed to wrap up, but at the same time, when out of the win and basking in the sunshine it was lovely.

We pushed ourselves and it was a very good workout - took about 5.5hrs in total and by the time we were in the car and had traveled about 5 miles Tash and I were fast asleep!

Went out into town in the evening for Buzz Fowler's birthday which was great seeing all the old faces from Sunday football. Got a bit drunk truth be told.

Ticking along

It’s been a long time since I’ve added a post to this diary and it’s a shame after I’ve had such a busy year of it. I’ll hopefully get some things added in the last few months of the year. We will see I guess. 

Work is tough. Isn’t it always? I’ve been working late today which to be fair I’ve avoided doing and I’ve done well to mostly keep it in check and out of my personal life and time and thoughts  in fact I’m not even going to mention it any more on this post. 

So for the last fortnight I’ve managed 10k steps every day. Not bad and I’m feeling fitter and bettter for doing so. We are both eating more healthily so it’s a win win all round. I don’t have the hunger pangs quite so much now as to begin with so hopefully my stomach is shrinking, although it doesn’t appear that way when I look in the mirror. Early days yet so will see again at the end of the month if there’s progress. We have to remind ourselves that we were on holiday for 6 weeks and we did lose weight but it’s a long process. 

Tomorrow I have my interview with Pick That Out the podcast that Lee Smith created. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve 7 pages of notes so see how much I can cram in. Nervous and excited in equal measures. 

This will do for now. Speak tomorrow. 

Boston - Day 7

Last day

Pissing down with rain

Saw kids off to school

Tucks was working but changed his meetings and took us to Wrentham retail park which I’ve been to so many times it seems!!

Got some shopping done. Pleasing.

Back to home and then out to dinner for burgers and last minute chat.

Back at house and kids turned up from school for last hour and Alison too.

Said goodbyes and Tucks drove us to airport

No problems. Gave me a Newport Shipyard cap as present. Very nice.

Everything through customs was easy.

Hour delay for plane though

Have had a fantastic break. Feels like we’ve done so much.

Flight was fine. Just over 5 hours which was so quick

Slept a bit and tired. Landed 7.15am in Heathrow. All good. Got the car. Home and to work!

Boston - Day 6

Hot day

Watched some of Grand Prix and then left at 8.30am to go back to central Boston where Tucks used to live for Grace to have tennis lessons

She was decent.

The others had a go and helped collect balls. Nice hour

Went for breakfast at Tatte’s and then SoWa craft market. Bloody expensive!!

Back to house to drop Hunter off and then off to orchard for apple picking

Impressive

Wandered round and picked apples. Nice ones too

Cider which no one but me liked

Stopped at Yoghurt Beach place for frozen yoghurt. Very nice then home

Beers. Wine. Grand Prix

Pizza

Chat

Bed

Boston - Day 5

Up and out early.

Drove down to Alison’s parents and met Dad.

Dropped girls off

Carried on to Newport, Rhode Island.

Watched rugby, Wales v Portugal in Irish pub. Enjoyable

Walked round

Then made our way to Black Pearl for lunch.

Boat show

Shopping. Helly Hansen. Not us.

Back to get girls. Very quick stop and then home.

Tucks a bit drunk and listening to music for rest of night. Watched Grand Prix qualifying in Singapore which brought back memories and was enjoyable to watch.

Then watched English PL football highlights before bed

Boston - Day 4

Tucks had day off.

He did some work and then we drove up north to NewburyPort. Nice town and wandered around.

Lunch and back again for kids and Hunter came over to babysit and we went out to Boston Centre and Newbury Street to a Greek Restaurant

Bit special. Very enjoyable

Drove back and beers and wine.

Boston - Day 3

Jumped on by the girls

Breakfast and walked them to bus stop

Caught up on emails. Lucky because I’d sold some Madness tickets in viagogo

Got train to South station today to explore the harbour area

Walk to Pleasure Bay. Hot

Along harbour

Pickle ball and beers at Harpoon brewery

Yankee lobster

Walked to aquarium

Jeff and Erin’s boat around bay with Tucks

Great fun.

Beers

Back to tucks for BBQ.

More drink

Boston - Day 2

Decent sleep although 5hrs ahead.

Downstairs to see the girls

Walked them to bus for school

Then train to Boston

Back Bay and Newbury Street to start.

Wandered around. Not looking for or at anything in particular.

Nice weather

Lots of walking

Donut for breakfast

Nice basket of seafood for lunch then rain!

Decided to come home

Got train back without hassle

Kids home

Kids put me in jail and did our makeup!!

Alison home and beers in kitchen chatting.

Out to Italian restaurant for dinner. Very nice.

Back home. Watched bit of tv

Bed. Tired as to us it was 3am!!

Boston - Day 1

Heathrow airport after dropping Bessie off at Charlottes.

No hassle and relaxed. Couple of beers in spoons and then flight

Watched two films and ate/drank as usual

40 mins through customs and picked up by Tucks

Home to his and straight to bed.

Cruise Diary - Day 7

Heavy heads all round. Up around 10.00am

Breakfast and then out on the sun deck. Bright hot sun for an hour or so and then cloudy and windy

Just relaxing all day. Lovely

Played cards.

Slept and ate

Meal in evening. Opal restaurant

Watched show in sky dome. Triboo

Cruise Diary - Day 6

Haugesund

Walk around to sculpture park

Shopping

Terrible cramp and slept for a few hours

Evening drinks

Gareth Gates meal in the limelight club

Very enjoyable

Monroe in sky dome

Dancing and singing

They loved it

Beach club bar. Shit awful comedian

Disco

Loads of dancing to requests

Drunk

2.00am finish

Everyone gets on so well together

Cruise Diary - Day 5

Didn’t have an early start today, thanks goodness.

Felt a bit rough, but not enough to ruin any time.

Breakfast about 9.30am and then waited in the library for everyone and then left the ship

We were at Hellesylt today and it’s a tiny UNESCO heritage site. Only 300 residents

We had a walk around and then found the netting place for the speedboat trip that we’d booked.

Got suited up and climbed aboard and then went out into the fjord, the driver was great and we went at a great speed. He’d stop every now and then explaining the terrain and whales etc. really interesting and very engaging bloke.

The scenery was breath-taking and there were waterfalls cascading down everywhere you looked. Just mesmerizing.

Absolutely worth every penny, it was such great fun for 50mins. Everyone really enjoyed it.

Back to harbor and Charlotte’s hangover kicked in so they went to bed and we did more exploring. Lovely water fall and not much else.

Back to the boat for food and rest. Slept for a while on deck and it gradually got colder and colder. We didn’t see sun today, just cloud cover the whole time.

As we left port and headed back to the North Sea you could feel the cold wind coming down through the glacier valley. Didn’t stay out much longer!!

Just pottered around killing time and then met up with kids to have dinner. Just stuck to buffet today. Didn’t feel too good and went and showered and changed. Having the buffet food showed the marked difference from the restaurants that we’ve been eating at. It was okay but not a patch on the others.

They all went to the spa session they had booked at 8.00pm and I wasn’t interested so had a couple of hours free time to myself. Just walked around the ship, bit of golf practice, cheese and biscuits and nice coffee in Brodies. Perfectly happy.

Silent disco. Wow

Food

Bed

Cruise Diary - Day 3

Arrived in Stavangar

Taxi to pulpit rock

Jack, Jodie, me and Tash

£100

Hike. Hard

4km

Cliffs. Mental

Busy

Didn’t like it much. Don't like the edge any more

Taxi back.

Wandered around town. Very nice.

Everyone else had done it because they’d stayed whilst we did the hike.

Caught up on the ship for food and then got clothes to sit in deck and look out over the twin

Slept a bit and then back to cabin and slept 20 more mins.

Got ready. Everyone a bit quiet and flagging. It was a late night last night.

Food in Italian restaurant

Take that show

Shit comedian

Coffee and cakes

Early night

Cruise Diary - Day 4.

Arrived at Olden

Waited public bus. Bit stressful

Briksdale glacier

Bus back

Camping sites

Amazing views

Not much to see other than outlet and souvenir shops so had a wander around those

Back to ship for some food

Adult area on the deck for a snooze

Cocktails and beers

Hot tub and people

On the shore waving us off for ages in the rain. Not quite the whole town that Tash suggested it would be, but it was a lovely gesture.

Got ready

Drinks in Crows Nest. Nice bar.

Lovely meal too

Off to the Limelight club with a decent live band and singer.

Second half we got up and danced.

Made it lively!!

When that finished at midnight went to usual bar that was empty with a disco.

So we made requests and got the dance floor busy, mostly!!

We were very drunk.

Finished about 2.00am.

Knackered.

Cruise Diary - Day 2

Decent sleep

Clocks went forward

Up and to breakfast.

Incredibly busy. Ate outside. Queues everywhere. Hard work

Outside and relaxed

Oil platforms we went past in the North Sea - didn't expect to see those - impressed

Relaxing all the time

Brodies for beer and watch England women’s World Cup match

Celebration night

Drunk

Cruise Diary - Day 1

 Drove down

Huge ship (Iona)

Nice cabins

So much food and elegance

This is going to be a good week!!

Croatia general diary

 

• Nice hotel

• Breakfast and evening meal

• Never sitting outside.for either

• Good food

• Plenty of drink

• Pool

• Sun beds early shift

• Late nights

• Not feeling well. Concerning

• Cards. Nomination Trumps

• Beach bar. Banned

• Thunder and rain storms

• Dubrovnik GOT

• Boat taxi. Soaked

• Netball and football tournaments for women

• Charity shield

• Bird saving

• Walk with lads. Bar at 11.00am

• Chocolate deliveries

• Table tennis

• Walk with Tash, swimming. Turtle

• Swimming in pool. 20 and 30 mins

• Sleeping

• Sunset drinks

• Supermarket savers

Croatia - Day 1 - Monday 31st July

Had to work in the morning, that was a bit of a mistake because I had too much to do in the time available to me. There will be things to go back to that will be quite uncomfortable. It’s my own fault, I should have done the work last night. Instead of thinking I’d be able to get up at 5.00am. Ah well, nothing I can do about it now as I’m on the plane typing this!

Tash sorted things whilst I worked so we had petrol, snacks and dropped Bess round to Charlotte who I think was okay after her drinks and excitement last night!! Bless her.

We set off a bit later than planned but it was fine. Traffic was busy but we got to the hotel but we were using for the transfer and 20mins later we were dropped off at South Terminal ready to meet up with the Millars and Holdens, just one slight snack…they were at North Terminal!! Ah well, had a couple of beers and a wander around and then on the plane. Only 30 mins late so that was acceptable. Both of us were knackered so slept quite well for a bit.

Looking forward to this week, should be enjoyable.

Had an email exchange with Jason Gould earlier in the day and mentioned Kilimanjaro and said I’d need some tips…”only tip I’d give is don’t do it, hated every minute of it!” Oh dear!!

Golf and Punting. Hot, hot, hot!!

Woke up with a bit of a heavy head, but nothing too serious or concerning so got ready and went to golf for 8:30 am. Today there was myself, Wayne, Paul Creed and Robbie Baressi. It was a slow start, but my round got better and better as I went along and by the end of the day I scored my best ever round of 91, which is 23 over par; Wayne shot 90 and was really pissed off and yet I hit 91 and was absolutely delighted.Different standards. 

My round included three pars and 1 birdie so not bad at all.

The weather was absolutely boiling hot, the Sun beating down, and you can smell the grass, being scorched, didn’t put us off, and I went home to leave straight away so that we could go punting on the river.

Zoe, little Liam and Georgia met us down at the college, and both Georgia and Liam had never been punting before , so that was nice to take them out and they enjoyed it but neither of them wanted to have a go but that was fine although it was bloody hot work.

When we finished Natasha and I went back to our house to sort Bess out and I had a quick snooze for an hour Then went over to Zoe‘s for some food which was nice and she enjoying enjoyed entertaining us.

After Zoe as we went back home and sorted things out ahead of the weekend and tidied the house et cetera and I did loads of searching on the Internet for a new golf club because my three wood snapped earlier in the day. Had quite an early night as we were both tired, but it’s been such a lovely long weekend, really enjoyed it.

Best round so far

After work today I went to the golf course and played with Wayne, Paul and Nathan Creed. Was a bit worried because I’ve had really bad back pain ao week because I played to much last week in practice for the golf tournament. 

Today I felt fine though and had a really good round. We played off the white tees and that made such a difference. Odd really becuase it’s only about 10-20 yards but mentally it just seems closer and easier. 

Played some good shots today which I was pleased with, and went round in 90 shots, my best so far has been 94, but I think that might have been off the white tees. Anyway I don’t care, I was chuffed to bits with that, especially when Paul said his target is to break 90 and he’s been playing so much more than me. 

The practise is definitely helping, plus the drive weather meaning shots travel a further distance. 

Hopefully I can build on that. 

30th Wedding Anniversary

 Wow!

So we did it, we've hit the 30-year mark of being married, can't quite believe it really. 35 years of being together, mad isn't it? Just checked and 30 years is a Pearl Wedding - oh dear, didn't get anything for each other though - other than our trip to Norway on the cruise and Le Manoir meal booked to look forward to.

Nice morning but I was working and Tash did jobs, we would have gone out but Jack and Jodie were coming back from their week in Lake Como, Italy, so wanted to be home to see them and it also meant Charlotte and Miles were also able to come over.

We both posted messages on Facebook and got a lot of love and messages on there which was nice

The evening was lovely, nice dinner and plenty of wine, got a bit tipsy if the truth be told

The kids even bought us a present where we have afternoon tea on a boat down the Thames in London.

A very lovely gesture and very expensive, no need for them to spend that much on us.

We looked at photo albums from the wedding, which brought back great memories, it was a lovely day, we did it well. So strange seeing how people have changed over time. It's inevitable of course, but I'd also not realised the people we'd invited to the actual day!

Ah well, here's to another 30 years... 

Early Fathers Day

Up bright and early and down at the golf course this morning. Had an exceptional round scoring really well. Was pleasing and got 12 holes in and back home by 8.00am for work. Happy with that. 

Fairly busy day but comfortable and got things done and organised. 

Emily and Lewis came down after work, as they can’t come down next week for Fathers Day so this was my weekend celebration with them!! They picked up Sue from Bicester, and met us at Charlotte‘s house, where Charlotte and Miles did a barbecue for us 

They have now got an electric one, and it works very well making me wonder if I should get one too. They have used it every day I think and not bored of it yet! Mum was also there and it was a nice evening. 

Had a few beers and it was a relaxed evening but we left about 9.00pm ish as we needed to take Sue home. Left Lewis’s car and will pick it up in the evening. 

Back home we just chatted for a bit, everyone was tired so not a late night

Santorini - Day 3

Quick breakfast

Hike 6.5miles to Fira along coastal path

Great view

Hot and tiring

Loads of people on the track

Fira was decent town

Food and drink and then home

Hike back tiring

Burned my shoulders

Beers in supermarket and sneaked onto pool

Music

Drank out blue tin bottle

Snoozed

Showered, changed and out to town again.

Less worried about sunset but nice meal as a result of beating the queues!

Drinks in a decent bar afterwards

Nice day/night

Santorini - Day 2

Breakfast

Walk into Oia. Amazing

Back to pool

Showered and out for sunset

Busy!!

Found lovely restaurant and got moved at 7.30pm

Great view and food

Loved it

Boozery bar. Americans everywhere.

Few beers and then home

Santorini - Day 1

Up at 6.30am to get some jobs sorted and adding work tasks and clear down my emails. Did well. Pushed to get us out the door so we could get to meet and greet on time for 10.00am and I was worried about the traffic on the M25.

I needn’t have worried. Traffic was a dream and pick time was 10.30am so got that wrong too!! We were there by 9.40am. No hassle getting through security meaning we had loads of time in departure lounge and made the most of it. Breakfast and beers at Wetherspoons and 20 mins delay. Onto the plane and it was delayed further so we took off around 2.00pm instead.

Food and music in the plane, that was enjoyable, it always is.

Taxi to location - very nice place indeed

Happy with where we are - had a meal but didn't venture far as it was late and we were tired - early start tomorrow instead

Manchester and Lewis Birthday

We went up to Manchester in the early morning, leaving the house at around 8.30am and Charlotte and Miles were a bit quiet; Charlotte, more than anything with a big hangover having been out night before.

The journey up was without incident, but we stopped at services in Birmingham right next to West Brom football stadium.

Got to Lewis's and had some lunch before ordering taxi which was eight seater to take us into town instead of using the train. Unfortunately it didn’t arrive and we had the stress of being 45 minutes late and being picked up it was a bit of a shit show.

However we resolved not to let that affect us and got on with enjoying the afternoon. First up was the Wash House which was a cocktail bar that was hidden behind doors that resembled washing machines and vending machines so the whole idea was that it was a secret location. It was done very well and you had to have a table booked and had to buzz in reception to be allowed in.

The area the bar area was really quite good and we chose various cocktails that were very expensive but when they came out, they were delicious. The time it took for one to be created meant that there was a little chance of having a second one and we decided to move on to the next location which was axe throwing.

That was great fun - I don't remember much more about the day as I am updating this over a year later! Sorry

Golf

Early good round

Tired

Reclamation

Bamboo

Meal

Games

Drinks

Bootcamp

Made it to bootcamp last night for the first time in 7 months. I found it hard but it wasn’t as hard as I was expecting it to be. Quite enjoyed it, but then I didn’t over push myself and if I needed to stop I did. 

I’ll soon get back in the swing of it and if I can also make it to the gym another night (or two) then that will be a great bonus. 

I did wake up in the night and could almost feel my body timing up, a strange feeling indeed. 

The Big Tour - Day 41 - Friday 10th March - Ha Long Bay/Home

 Last day of this spectacular tour. We leave for home this evening.

Slept well, only woken when Tash started banging about getting ready for her Tai Chi, I got up and didn’t join in but had the experience of a lovely sunrise. It really was a bit special.

Had some food, I feel better today and then we went on the small boat to a lm platform and went on Bubble Boats out into the rocks for a bit. Light and Dark caves I think it was, it was fine, and what we’ve enjoyed so far.

Chatted to people on the boat who were nice and it was interesting to see how many people of our age and demographic are doing this sort of trip because their kids have left home and that.

Back to the boat for a relax and more bloody food. Paid the bill and got waved off by the captain and crew and got back to harbour. It didn’t seem as chaotic as before, perhaps we’re just used to it. Got allocated a coach and back to our hotel in loads of time, chatted to the manager who was very keen to see us pleased and our taxi came and we were at the airport bang on time. Everything has gone really well.

I’m on the plane typing this update so will complete all the others shortly and then watch a film.

The Big Tour - Day 40 - Thursday 9th March - Ha Long Bay

Not feeling well

That's it!! Wonder what we did today..

The Big Tour - Day 39 - Wednesday 8th March - Ha Long Bay

Check out

Taxi free to airport

Pick up for Ha Long Bay trip

Oyster farm

Departure terminal

Really busy, arrivals and departures all congregating about.

Got a small boat to the larger boat. x9 people and x7 already on it. Nice and cosy

Got our cabins and then lunch. Fucking hell! They just kept coming out with more and more dishes. Nice enough but far too much.

Rest of the people are keeping themselves to themselves, not a particularly good group. Ah well.

Tash and I went out canoeing and he said just around one of the islands so we set off. And the island was large! We kept going and slowly panic was starting to creep in because I’d wondered if we’d missed the inlet to get back to the main boat and was tiring and didn’t want to go back ourselves as we’d been going for 50 minutes. Luckily the boat came into sight. They scraped off all the oysters and barnacles that had attached themselves during our canoe trip!! Scary. So I decided immediately not to go swimming there!!

Relaxed on deck for a short while and then got showered and changed,and listened to my JoolsD chill out playlist on our little balcony so that was nice and relaxing.

Fish eagles

The Big Tour - Day 38 - Tuesday 7th March - Hanoi/Mai Chau bikes

Decent sleep and down for breakfast at 7.00am, drive turned up 7.10am, 10 mins early and then fucked off leaving us. Luckily hotel brought him back, bit of a twat and continued to be so for the bus journey picking people up around Hanoi.

Just another thing to make me not warm to this place.

The Big Tour - Day 37 - Monday 6th March - Hanoi

Train arrived at Hanoi around 5.45am, we just crossed all the tracks to find the way out and get a Grab to the hotel. Unsurprisingly they weren’t ready for us so we dumped our bags and went for a walk around Hanoi.

We do things quickly it has to be said!! Went around the lake and watched so many people exercising either on their own or in large groups. That was so interesting to watch and made us feel guilty that we weren’t working out.

We just explored around, went through Train Street and found a couple of markets that were closed and ended up at Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum that Tash wasn’t allowed into because of her short shorts so I still went and took a look, not much going on. More walking and after breakfast went to the prison dubbed the Hanoi Hilton.

The way the information was written was so one-sided and biased from a Commission leaning it was a bit irritating to be honest and I gave up. They really were anti-American which doesn’t bother me other than it all felt like propaganda. “Our valiant comrades this and the violent oppressors that!”

More walking around until we finally got back to the hotel around 1.30pm and having not slept a single minute last night so booked 90 mins on timer and crashed out. I was knackered.

Woke up and went out and did more exploring and found the place where the train comes through the streets and had a drink there which was interesting when it finally came along - very touristy attraction.

Made our way back to the hotel for an early(ish) night

The Big Tour - Day 37 - Sunday 5th March - Hoi An to Hue

Alarm at 7.00am so as to go to the gym before breakfast, but both of us couldn’t be bothered!

Picked up on time to travel to Hue and stop along the way.

We went to the Marble Mountains first which is where there are loads of shops all selling marble statues. Very impressive quality and size, weren’t really too interested and didn’t waste time there.

We then moved on to Ba Na Hills as we really wanted to go to the bridge with the hands and made our way there but we’re shocked to find out it’s actually a bloody theme park. We had no idea at all, it was like Disneyland!! This explained why tickets were about £40 per person and the driver was concerned we didn’t have enough time. Any normal people would have spent the whole day there. We thought it was just a cable car and bridge. Badly mistaken!!

So we boarded the cable car and it went on and on and on. So long and so high up. The hills were lovely, what we could see of them. Sadly, we’d picked a day where it was low cloud cover and extremely misty and hard to see further than 20 yards. And it was cold, Tash in a tiny thin strapped summer dress and me in shorts and t-shirt. It wasn’t exactly freezing but it was cold!

When at the top it wasn’t possible to see where to go for the Golden Bridge so we just guessed and had to get on another cable car to get to it. Quite funny as you could just make out the shape of the hands. Nightmare!!

We were patient and were rewarded with about 60 seconds of the mist lifting and I got some decent photos. We were conscious of time and were cold so didn’t think it worth spending more time up there in the rest of the park so came back much to the surprise of the driver, Hoa.

From there we headed to the Hai Van Pass that appears to have been made more famous by Top Gear, Tash and the driver both mentioned it along the journey. It was lovely up there in amongst the mountains and greenery and the winding roads but sadly again it wasn’t a clear day so photos weren’t that great. I can well imagine what it would be like in nice weather.

Once through the pass and a couple of stops for photos we ended up at a lagoon where they catch the oysters for pearls and stopped for some food. Then finally drove to Hue where Tash and I both fell asleep for an hour on the way. Said our farewells and had food at Mr Pho’s and bought some beers for the train journey ahead.

Bit of a delayed train and then we got to our cabin and at the time of writing this we were delighted to find that in our VIP cabin for 4 people we were the only 2. People keep looking in, we have a few stops ahead of us, so there’s every chance we might be alone for the whole journey. If we are that would be amazing good fortune as there are loads of people on this train, but then it is bloody huge. So many carriages.

It’s a sleeper train, we’re on here for 14 hours, should be interesting!

We’re quite settled, Tash playing Sudoku eating crackers and I have my music playing on the speaker and drinking beers. A trolly dolly just went passed and she has Tiger beers if needed, which is likely as Tash and I only bought four cans from Mr Pho. Well, I’ll come back to this later, I’ve loads of diary entries I need to complete, I’m about 5 days behind!!

Update. Some guy turned up and climbed into the bunk bed next to us, clearly not his, doesn’t speak any English at all so communicated via Google Translate. Then his family came along to see where he’d got to and all poked their head around the door saying hi to us. Quite funny.

So I went for a walk to find the beers lady and just kept going through all the carriages, you had our 4 berths, then 6 berths, then normal train seating and finally the last one so I couldn’t go any further was dark wood seats full with men and women in sky blue uniforms which was clearly the staff, I was in the restaurant. It was great, loved it. Got some more bees and came back again. Enjoying this because it’s so old you even see spaces and air when moving between carriages.

Toilet just went straight through to the tracks

We tried to get some sleep but it wasn't ideal, I was very conscious of people coming in and stealing our items so I got VERY little sleep at all

The Big Tour - Day 36 - Saturday 4th March - Hoi An

Heavy heads this morning, not really in the mood for breakfast but had a bit anyway and then we’re picked up at 8.45am for the basket boats experience, and that was an experience!!

It was in one of those round palm leave/wicker boats that seem to be famous in this part of the country and we expected a nice slow row through the palm tree forest, that was NOT the case. 

As we went down the river with our coolie hats on you could hear music, it was parry town on the river!! It was mad. There were guys doing the spinning around in the boat, a chance to stand on the chopped stems of palm trees, karaoke/disco groupings and even a chap throwing his net out onto the water to try and catch fish. He wasn’t too successful and then our boatman took us closer and I got on board and had a go. 

I was no more successful than him but it was enjoyable to have a go and obviously a decent photo opp!! Bit more chaos trying to get through all the other boats and when we’d finished the girl said to us it’s a lot quieter in the morning! We thought that was busy enough but she said they get about 10,000 a day. Incredible, they must make so much money, we couldn’t imagine how busy the waterways would be with many more people on there!!

Our driver took us back to the hotel and we borrowed bikes again and cycled to town. Stopped at our short and dress one first but no one was there so went to Me Xe and collected that dress, no adjustments needed at all, it was perfect and Tash was thrilled with it. 

We did a bit or touring round Hoi A before returning to Hay Hay and Tash tried her dress on, again perfect and she was even more delighted so that was good. Me less so! And I didn’t accept what work they’d done as the cuffs were too short and the stomach area too wide. I also felt it wasn’t quite long enough but I let that slide. They were happy to make adjustments for me and I’d go back later. I was pleased about that because as it was I wasn’t happy with it at all. 

So we went back to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon and that’s exactly what we got. Just lazed by the pool although I did go into the gym for an hour and worked out. Was delighted that I was able to run 15 mins and feel good. I only stopped as my chest was tightening up, my legs were fine. So pleasing. Tash then had a facial so I went back to the room and sorted packing and money we need for the trips we have lined up from Hanoi. 

We then went out for dinner and straight back to Hay Hay and Nina and she was as lovely and full on as yesterday. Very gushing girl, lovely.  I was a bit anxious about my shirt and was pleased that they’d made a big improvement to it and I was happier  now and accepted the changes. We did a review for them there and there and paid and left.  

We wandered around Hoi An a bit more, it’s all very similar but different too, I found a couple of shops I really liked and bought some beer mats for the bar. Could have bought some posters too, they were great. Also we bought some lanterns for the garden, that’s a job for me when we get back as I’ll have to try and sort out lights to go inside them!

We got some food from a very popular restaurant and pudding from a street vendor we used last night, this time banana and Nutella pancake, could have had two!! Lovely. Then found a bar for a couple of beers and played cards. A group of women were loud and having a good night and had control of the playlist, I wanted to take over but held back. I think they all knew what they wanted and my music wouldn’t have been that!! I left them with Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas so I was happy with that!

Back to the hotel, we’ve both really enjoyed Hoi An and as Tash said this is the one place we would have been happy to have stayed at for longer. It was a very touristy place and that was fine. We really did like it.