Wimbledon 2014

We had ticked for the Ladies Final on Centre Court this year.

Bit of a problem getting there as we set out and got to Wheatley when Tash realised she’d left the tickets at home, the traffic was a nightmare and it took us an hour to get home! So we had a tense time getting to Wimbledon and after parking we got to our seats 10 minutes before the final was due to start – a stress we could have done without!

The final was a let down, no idea who the women were but it was so one-sided, she completely outgunned her.

The Ladies doubles final was the same, I was getting frustrated with it because it’s not good quality when it’s like that. We had a wander around Wimbledon, there was a lot of rain which didn’t affect us because of the roof being over but it eased up and people there for other matches got to see some tennis as well

Went back for the Men’s Doubles Final and within 3 games we saw better quality in the rallies and matches than we saw in either of the women’s games. It was so close and we reluctantly left at four sets because we’d have been home so late otherwise. Found out the Bryan brothers had been beaten on the way home – bit of a shock

Really nice day in the end, glad we went.

Wimbledon 2014 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Charlotte & NTU, BBQ & Grandma…

I took the day off today to take Charlotte to the Nottingham Trent University Open Day.

Easy trip up there, 2 hours, and we wandered around and managed to get everything we planned to do…done. She’s very focussed and is determined to be able to do Psychology there. She’s excited by all the activities & clubs that are possible and is confused as to why Lewis has done so little. She’s certainly very keen to get as much out of life as possible, it was very refreshing spending time with her and listening to her.

We liked the tutor, the location, the accommodation and everything about it. We will likely look at other places as well to give her a good idea of what’s available but I think the grades would enable her to get into this one and I think that would be good for her.

A nice day.

Mum and Grandma came over in the evening for a BBQ which didn’t get going at all well, very odd. I’ve not had problems with a barbie for years not lighting. Got there in the end and it was very nice indeed! Grandma is getting more and more frail, physically and mentally (she is 94!) but it’s a shame for someone who’s managed so well. She forgets things and worries a lot. Her eyes and hearing are shot as well!

The sad thing at the minute is that she’s convinced that Tash and I said we’d take her out for a meal and boat trip a couple of weeks ago and when we didn’t turn up she thought that she’d upset us! We knew nothing about it, nothing was even mentioned so no idea where this idea came from. So she’s brought it up again this evening and is apologising like mad saying she’s so sorry and she’d never say anything whatsoever to upset me and Tash – I thought she was going to cry, it was heart-breaking. She repeated it about 4 times throughout the evening, that’s what it’s like now. Anyway, we said we’d organise something and get her on a boat trip asap!!

Busy with work–but good!

Work is quite busy at the minute, I was at Birmingham yesterday, I am driving down to Carmarthen in South Wales today and Thursday I am driving up to Sheffield, so all over the country and clocking up the miles but obviously it’s going okay. Tiring though! It does mean that with so much going on and all these companies wanting my time I’m not having too much time at home which isn’t ideal.

But it should settled down although a possible contract with a company called EduStaff which I have pitched for might change that as it’s loads more work again. Still, mustn’t grumble, I am sure it will go quiet and I’ll be worried about where the next job will come from!!

Things going well though and this month is likely to be my best month for raising invoices so far since this company has started, could be close to £10k which for a month’s work isn’t too shabby!!!

Royal Ascot Family Trip

We all went to Royal Ascot yesterday and had such a great time.

Started off a bit slowly as the driver was very late and meant we were drinking at home and also didn’t get to Ascot until about 2.35pm, instead of 1.00pm as planned!! We were in the Grandstand area, found somewhere to sit and drank and bet for the rest of the day. Jack stayed with me and we had a good laugh and quite a bit of luck. Spent a lot of money as expected!

Didn’t see the queen but she was there!

Coming home we were all very drunk indeed – no one more so than myself but hopefully I made it amusing for them all!! Even coming home the driver took us the wrong way, nightmare!

Got back to our house, carried on with more drink and also got some food. A great day and night had by all!

Family Ascot Trip 2014 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Reading Colour Run

We’ve been meaning to do one of these for a long time and finally made it this weekend. The five of us went down to Reading, Prospect Park, and took part in their inaugural Colour Run. Basically we were all in white and had to run 3km and at about 6 stations were people with powdered paint ready to chuck all at us!

Just over 1,000 people were there and it was such a good laugh. Got absolutely covered in the stuff and videoed as much as possible as well as taking photos.

Recommend it to anyone to have a go, don’t really need to do it again but glad we’ve done it once!

Went to Jacob’s Inn in the afternoon and had a lovely set of food, were spoiled a bit because Tash recognised the name of the chef (Noodle) as he worked with Vics before and he gave us free food and didn’t charge for three of the meals, couldn’t believe our luck. Great food as well! Will likely go again, although won’t expect such a great offer as last time…

Jack’s Highworth 6-a-side

Played at Highworth (Swindon) yesterday and it was a good tournament. It started in the afternoon because of the England match being on so late the night before and it was refreshing to play against teams we were not familiar with. The standard was quite good and in fact Jack’s team lost two of their five games. The other side were strong and did well and we got through as Runners Up.

The quarter final was a good performance meaning we had to play each other in the semi and Jack team edged it. It meant we played the team from our first match of the tournament and we tore them apart but the keeper was brilliant, went a goal down near the end and Jenson equalised with a stunning effort, sudden death extra time Steph hit the post and then penalties and we edged through.

For once the team seemed pleased because they’d had to work for it and that was pleasing.

Made it a nice Father’s Day as a result!

World Cup 2014 – Brazil

So the World Cup is finally with us, in Brazil, the ‘spiritual home of football’ and all that guff! The TV companies are going completely over-board with it of course but it’s football, the very ugly and commercial sport that it has now become.

So far so good though, the matches have been really quite good, open and attacking and a couple of shocks, nothing more so that Holland’s demolition of Spain 5-1, some fantastic goals in there, I think Van Persie’s header for the equaliser was the pick of the bunch.

On Saturday night, 11.00pm kick off, we had England’s opening game against Italy. I was planning to go to the pub to watch but was over-ruled!! So watched on the sofa with Lewis and it was a very entertaining match in fact. England made a decent fist of it and attacked Italy but they seemed in control for the most of the game. Andrea Pirlo in good form doing whatever he wanted. I think a draw could have been a far result but Italy ran out 2-1 winners. Wasn’t too disheartened as I felt we created chances and looked promising in attack. Unfortunately, we looked suspect defensively and when we play Uruguay, I think Suarez (if fit) will cause us serious problems. There is muted confidence in England on the back of that defeat as opposed to doom & gloom which is interesting. There is such a lack on expectation for once, unusually low for a tournament…we’ll see.

Last night Messi (who else??) scored for Argentina and tonight we have Germany against Portugal…that’s worth staying up for!!

Anyway, we’re up and running and so far it’s been enjoyable.

Rik Mayall Dead

He died today, not too sure what of which is such a terrible shame, really saddened. I’ve read Facebook, Twitter and the news websites and everyone is in a state of shock and real disappointment, such a very popular and influential man. He will be very much sadly missed.

Too many characters to think of as a favourite, I guess it has to be Rik from the Young Ones, but when you factor in Lord Flasheart and Alan B’Stard along with Bottom and Drop Dead Fred, where do you finish???

So many memorable scenes as well, many hours will be spent now watching him on YouTube

I really am sad about this!

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jun/09/rik-mayalls-funniest-tv-moments-young-ones-bottom

Back on Track–a brief update!

So much has been going on recently, just a succinct recap on here I think…

Football season for Jack has finished, won the league and the cup, went to Butlins and that was okay, they came runners on on penalties, didn’t concede all weekend.

Lewis was home for a bit and did a skipping session at Lilleshall same as last year and enjoyed it. All is good for him at the minute and he’s working through exams currently.

Likewise with Charlotte, she’s got her A-Levels and it’s going okay, she’s working so hard and doing loads of revision, definitely deserves high scores with the work she’s putting in. She’s officially with Miles, as far as she allows ‘official’ to be stated, he’s still not classed a ‘boyfriend’!!

Tash has taken up yoga!

I’m not doing very well with my bike exercise sadly, getting out once a week if I am lucky! Not good enough, need to get on it better, I know but I allow work and other reasons to get in the way…as usual! Work is fine, lost my contract with Lifetime which is a real shame, but really busy throughout the month of June, every day is booked – madness!

Talking of madness, we’ve got tickets to go down to Brighton in December to see them play, looking forward to that for certain, going with Nikki and Gaz

Charlotte delivery confusion

Charlotte ordered something off the internet the other day and when she got home from school there was the ‘sorry we missed you’ message and it advised that the package was at Karl’s shop. It’s a new process but that’s it now

So she took the notice and went round to Karl’s and queued up and then said to Karl,

“Hi, I’ve got a package waiting here for me, is it okay to pick it up?”

“Yes of course” he replied, “Address?”

“No it’s a grey jacket with black down the sides!”

….silence…..”Bless!”

Fair play to Charlotte, she told us about it and was laughing her head off!!

Cool Dad

Jack made me smile at the weekend, I was driving him back from the Chinnor 6-a-side tournament where they’d come runners-up in and we had the music absolutely blaring and he looked at me and said, ‘You’re a cool Dad!’, I asked if he was being sarcastic and he replied,

“No, you’re just sat there one hand driving, driving fast, shades on, music blaring and you know all the words to Tinie Temper and Swedish House Mafia! What other Dad does that??”

So I was quite proud of that!!

Not sure if i should be proud or if that’s a bit sad…I’m going for proud!!

General Catch up on all things!

Haven’t done the diary for a long time and I’ve allowed myself to get side-tracked by TV and catching up with all the things I’ve had series-linked like Elementary, Banshee, Game of Thrones & Nikita! It’s just too much, ridiculous and I feel I need to watch it. To be fair, they’re all programmes I really love!

I’m travelling down to Rochester today for the second time in two weeks, this time to train EduKent on Data Mining, but should be fun. EdCo doesn’t change at all, the office is exactly the same, different faces and layout but still the chaos around everything. I like going down there and catching up with people but I am so happy with how things have panned out for me now and I’m happy with what I am doing. Funny how it’s worked out, could never have imagined it would have been such a success for all parties when i lost my job.

In saying that, I still have to deal with Lifecycle not sorting out my contract with them to stay involved. Hopefully this will be resolved. Busy with EdCo, Peters and Raintree though so there’s plenty of work to keep me tied up and going.

How long it will last we don’t know!

Fitness-wise, not good at all!. Cycling has dropped off the radar – only 6 weeks until the cycle challenge – I’m really nervous about it now. I am nowhere near fit enough to do this and will let myself and my mates down as it stands. I have to get out on the road and get the hours under my belt!

Next 6 weeks – eat properly and get fitter than the state I am in now – which is fat and slow! Not good! Round is not a shape!

Lewis has been down, he’s done skipping at Lilleshall again and it was lovely to see him of course. He’s gone back this morning on the Big Bus – decent service and cheap. He’s doing well.

Charlotte’s doing her mocks and she’s working so hard. I really hope she does well as she’s very conscientious and is putting in so much effort. She finds it harder than Lewis but she definitely deserves success which I hope she gets and it will boost her confidence in what she CAN do. Her attitude and work ethic is impressive, she’s always got her head in a book or down at the library – so much more than what Lewis did/does!

Got her driving test in two weeks time, she should pass as she’d definitely ready. She should have passed the first one but some weird excuse stopped that happening. Very frustrating.

Jack’s had his success with football, Horspath won the league and it’s their last game tomorrow so hopefully I will get back in time to watch that. They won the cup and it’s a strange atmosphere there. They’re funny buggers as there is little team-spirit and a lack of celebrations taking place, it’s like it’s a chore and they expect to win all the time. A bit sad really as they should be celebrating and making the most of these successes. Hopefully I will be able to get involved and change that attitude. We will see!

I want to get involved and look forward to next season

McBusted

Sat in Costa in Greenwich waiting for the girls to watch the McBusted concert here at the Millennium Dome. Tash, Charlotte, Nikki and the girls are there and I have found the coffee shop nearby on a retail park to sit and work, although I haven’t achieved much to be honest.

Couldn’t believe the parking at the O2 Arena is £30.00 – astonished. Hopefully they had a good time, will get them shortly and drive home. I am driving as Tash doesn’t like driving in the dark any more, apparently, I think she just wants a few drinks!!

Jack’s working tonight in the Plough – washing up again – he doesn’t like it but if he can get a regular shift that would be good because he could then give up his paper round. We shall see!

Collecting Lewis

Long day today, up at 5.30am and then drove up to Manchester for a morning session with DataSpire. Went quick as he was on the ball and happy to keep progressing.

Once done I then drove around the Manchester ring road and collected Lewis from Uni, we went to his digs and tidied up and picked up his stuff. His room was okay, but his shared kitchen was horrible, really badly looked after and minging! I did update Facebook to say that it made the Young Ones appear house proud…

Driving home took ages and we stopped at Burger King on the way and eventually made it for 7.00pm. Finished the packing for the trip to Snowdon tomorrow, had a couple of beers and an early night!

Nice to have him home for a while

30 miles (second time..)

Back from work and out for the ride

Lewis home for Mothers Day

Worked in St Albans on Friday and then as agreed wen down to St Pancreas Station in the centre of London to pick Lewis up. Found each other in the end as busy as it was at 5.20pm on a Friday night and then we travelled home to Oxford. Took a long time to get out of London but it was nice as it meant we had time to catch up with things.

On the way back we picked up Jack from a friends house in Headington, Miles’s brother funnily enough and I had a quick chat with Terry and then we went down to Cherwell School where Tash was at a parents get-together organised by one of the parents for Yr 8s! I wasn’t overly bothers but popped in and had a drink and a chat and then had to drag Tash out as she was enjoying it all. We’d stayed in the school a little too long really as the boys were still in the car waiting for us, about 35 minutes!!

When Tash got to the car Lewis popped out and shocked her! Loads of swearing and a few tears but it was a great surprise. Went home and sat around in the evening, had a few drinks and something to eat and watched TV.

Next day we all had different things organised, I cut back trees over the pond, quite dangerous and Lewis was helping, I then went to a seminar at the Holiday Inn about Forex currency exchange dealing, lasted a couple of hours and was a waste of time. Wish I’d not gone.

Everyone was out when I got home as they were in town getting Mum some presents for Mothers Day and Tash was working so I went out on my bike with the intention of getting two hours under my belt.

I went on a large circuit of the ring road and around Cumnor etc and it ended up as 2h 45m bike ride – 37 miles – it completed wiped me out! When I got home I was shattered. Need to work on that more and more and build up the miles/time in the saddle. This 100 miles is going to be shear pain. Not looking forward to it one bit now, it’s starting to dawn on me what I have let myself in for…

In the evening there was a Barclays reunion – it’s now 20 years that the office has closed. It was held at the Red Lion pub in Kidlington and there was a decent turn out. Spoke to a few of the people and spent much of the evening with Little Heather and Sarah. Had a chat with Gill, Roger and Ken. Roger is looking older, as I am sure we all are, but it was good to hear everyone’s news. As we said, everyone seemed very positive and things were looking up. Stayed quite late and had a few beers and then home

Next morning it was Mothers Day, Tash was in a funny mood so it wasn’t a normal nice morning but it was fine. I think it was actually her mum that caused the awkwardness as Tash invited her round to share breakfast but she preferred to stay and clean her patio slabs! Sometimes I think Tash feels left out, I don’t think Nik cares but it’s all about Tiffany which is a shame.

Around midday it was time for football for Jack – and they were playing Didcot in the cup semi-final, it was a great game and performance by all concerned, really enjoyed it and was buzzing afterwards, Jack was quality and it was a very competitive hard game but Horspath ran out 5-1 winners to book a place in the final. Really pleased for Jack about that. Lewis & Tash came along as well so that was nice for him.

Back to Sue’s in the afternoon and we had all the family turn up and we organised a Chinese take-away which was surprisingly good and everyone enjoyed it.

Tiffany then announced that she was pregnant, not to much surprise, but everyone was pleased for her and Paul. I think we’d guessed but it was good to hear it was confirmed, she was about 11 weeks gone but doesn’t want it to be proper news just yet.

I’d agreed to drive Lewis home on Sunday and we said our goodbyes to everyone and then made our way home to Huddersfield around 8.00pm. Some bad traffic on the way (20 miles of 50mph in some road-works) but we got to his halls around 11.00pm so wasn’t too bad, I crashed out at his as I am down to Birmingham the next day (what a bad decision that was!)

It was a very good weekend, really enjoyed it and really enjoyed having Lewis home for some time with us. He’s down again in a fortnight as well and once again I can time it with my work so can collect him after training a new client in Manchester.

Gangster time in the West End you slag!!!

Dropped Charlotte and Liam at Bicester Train station to visit Lewis – she had a great time

Joes friday night to treat Jack – really nice

Saturday – Nik and Gaz to London

Pie and Mash shop, liquor

Cemetary – Krays graves

Pub at 3.00pm – meal in the evening – very drunk indeed!

Hangover/still drunk – Columbia Road flower garden, Blind Beggar, home

Slept all the way and then when home.

Picked up Charlotte in the evening following her trip to Lewis – loved every minute of it!

Vets Match v Didcot

Played football last night for the first time since November when I had that awful match against Thame and lost all interest in playing again. Wayne asked me to play and it was for the over 40s cup. We’d been promised that we’d be on the main Didcot pitch, I’ve not played on there actually, but when we arrived clearly we were going to be on the training pitch – and that was shit!!

The pitch was bone dry and hard and impossible to pass the ball, we tried to play football as usual and got caught out loads of times – eventually had to play a lot longer and we got in the game in the second half. Went a goal down and then with 8 mins left I went into midfield to create some energy and was involved in creating our equaliser. Went to extra time and penalties and their keeper was useless and we won 4-2 after Graham Savin saved two. Pleasing to beat them but it was a strange atmosphere with some of the lads.

Managed to last the match and it was okay, can’t say I really enjoyed it but was pleased to make it through and not feel too bad afterwards. Started stiffening up and feel stiff this morning but it will pass, it’s my back that’s the problem!

So, need to decide if I want to play u35’s football again, I don’t think that I do.

Last Team Talk

Received a nice photo from Alex’s Dad, Paul…

Got my Cycling gear…

Tash said, ‘You don’t look at stupid as I thought you’d look!’

Not sure how to take that to be honest! When she sent the image to Lewis he simply replied ‘OMG’…

Oxford City Girls FC

In the afternoon yesterday we went and watching Wayne’s girls side play in the u16’s cup final at Thame Utd. This is the u15’s team that win all before them which Chloe plays in and they were in control from the first minute. I took my camera and wandered round taking snaps so hopefully I’ve got some decent ones. Saw a few people we know and caught up, it was good to see Sharon Carroll as she was over from Ireland. The football was enjoyable and City finished convincing winners at 6-0. Jim Austin’s daughter Dara was very good as was Chloe, she reads the game well, has good energy and seemed to get in the right positions most of the time – I was pleased for her.

Afterwards it was back to Old Man Holdy’s for a couple of beers and a few hours and that was good fun. Didn’t stay too late and then home and bed – a really nice weekend again. Busy week ahead and early start on the train today, although I chose a later one because I couldn’t face getting up at 5.30am today.

I need to find some time to get out on the boke this week as well, this is the week I have to push myself and get some miles under my belt.

I also need to get my head around my business and what I’m going to do about it going forwards with things dropping off work-wise.

View from Port Meadow

When Tash and I went for the walk in the meadow it was dusk as we returned and the sunset was amazing. Loads of rabbits out and about as well

Sunset in one direction, the moon in the opposite direction.

A routine Sunday

For the second Saturday running we had a bit of routine of working in the morning and then up to things later. So today I cut more wood and nicked more from the skip next door. I think I’ve got a lot in readiness for next winter, I doubt I’ll collect any more for now, I have nowhere to store it! I also cut back one of the trees again and then made a visit to the dump as I had other stuff to get rid of as well.

I then continued to Sports Direct and bought myself a pair of cycling shorts and a top – I’ll look the dog’s bollocks now!! I then had a call from Mum as they’re sorting out their kitchen and there were a couple of things they needed help with so I got under the sink and sorted that as well. Wasn’t there for long as they didn’t need me to do too much.

When home Tash and I went for a walk to the Perch and took Bella – she loves it – and then back again. I dropped Charlotte off at Miles house and we had a nice curry for dinner and watched TV, I collected Charlotte at 11.30pm and that was the night over. Another lovely day, very hot again – seem to be getting nice weather at the minute!

100 Mile Oxford Cycle Challenge – Day 1

Day one of my new fitness regime, this time cycling!!

So I went out on my bike at 4.30pm quite excited having finished promptly at Raintree so I could get out on it, got back from work, got changed and straight out on the bike. Up to the roundabout and down the Witney Road – managed to get a really good speed. It certainly helped having all the cars sat in the traffic not being able to get anywhere and it gave me that incentive to go zooming passed them all.

Got past Eynsham and Cassington and then the road disintegrated so turned back on myself and instead of returning to Oxford went left towards the Hanboroughs. That wasn’t the best idea as by now I’d been out for 45 minutes and was starting to feel a bit flaky and tired – already!!

On checking where I was at Church Hanborough I realised I was halfway to what I wanted to do so I decided to continue on to Long Hanborough and through Bladon. Walked a bit in Bladon and then got to the Woodstock roundabout and came back passed the airport and to home

All in all, I did 15 miles – took me an hour and 20 minutes and it was hard. I struggled to be fair and I am concerned now about the cycle ride. I definite, definitely, definitely have to work on this to get anywhere near the fitness I need to be at as it’s affectively a marathon. And that really is the best description for this, it’s a marathon for bikes because on doing the maths, even if I managed something as good as 15 miles an hour that is still 8 hours that I will have to cycle for, and I think 15mph is being very generous indeed, I can’t see that happening!

So, yeah, I don’t think I realised or appreciated how hard this is actually going to be – but it’s a challenge. It will help with my legs, arms and back because these are killing me now but it’s really given me an incentive to get up to speed. It’s going to drive Tash mad as it will be very time-consuming

Let’s see how it goes!

Day One of Bike Project

I finished work at Raintree bang on time today, in fact early, so that I could leave at 4.30pm and get home, got changed and was straight out on my new bike. I only wanted to go for an hour but over-did it as usual and was out for ages. I went well going down the road to Witney but on the normal roads I then found it quite hard going.

Love the bike though, felt good and it was a pleasure to be out there. Anyway, the link to my effort on Run keeper is below and you can see I did a 15 mile loop. It was quite slow and I definitely need to ensure that I push myself over the coming 15 weeks to get into the shape to be able to do the 100 miles I have entered for. Bit concerned I must admit!!

I was knackered in the evening but I was all finished by 6.20pm, although I didn’t do anything else, just sat on the sofa recovering!!! I will certainly aim to be out on the road in the mornings from now on, if only for 30-45 minutes to get the legs and heart going.

Anyway, I’ve begun…

Run keeper Entry Link

Bike Ride

Okay this is something I’m probably going to regret!! When Tash and I went on our long walk yesterday I mentioned that some of the old footie lads are signing up for a 100 mile ride around Oxfordshire, she replied that I should sign up for it as well – even though I don’t have a bike!!

So I said on Facebook that I would go and today after football we cycled to Cycle King in Cowley and I purchased a new bike, a very nice one! Really pleased with it. I’ve not cycled for ages but need to get going and get into some sort of training. Which is what I will do.

I think Tash is worried about my weight, and not without reason, so hoping that doing this will help, we shall see!

Giorgia & Football

This week I announced to all the parents that I am stepping down as Stars manager and I’ve had a couple of people say thanks but most important to me is the response I had from Giorgia Laird’s dad, Julian. I’m really pleased and proud to get this below:

“Also, to respond to your important announcement - I know Giorgia has only joined the group this year but I'm grateful to you for the coaching you've given her.  Thanks to the matches she's done with you, and the confidence she gained, she challenged the school to let her play football and she's now playing in one of the school teams - the only girl in the whole school to play football as the rest are condemned to netball!  She's also started a girls football club at school, so one unintended consequence of your Summertown Stars coaching is a contributing role to a feminist revolution!”

Had the match this morning as well, didn’t do very well and got beaten easily by Oxford City. Had a few players from the Comets, they held their own and did okay. It’s been a while since we’ve had a game so everyone was a little rusty.

Cup Final Win for Jack

Jack’s school football team were in the local cup final this afternoon against a team from the Ducklington area. He was very excited by it and was buzzing in the morning but only my mum was in a position to go and watch as both Tash and I were working.

Anyway, I cried off one of my appointments so I could make it, it was down at Rover and as I got there after a phone call that over ran he was being substituted! I was a bit miffed and he said he’d not played too well but others said he was fine. They were in control of the game, they’ve got good players in their side, many from Horspath and they ran out comfortable winners, 4-1. I was pleased for them and proud of Jack, he’s a good lad.

Managed to get a photo of him at the end, for some reason my phone stopped working during the presentation so missed that part, annoying!

They went off to MacDonald's to celebrate and were in high spirits – but then they always are!!!

Saw a few parents I know, including Liam Carroll, this was the first I’d seen him since our incident and he gave me a hug and it’s all brushed under the carpet now.

Start of another week…

Decent day today, up nice and early to get the 6:47am train from Bicester and then into the Peters Books offices. I knew it was going to be because of the email from Margaret on Thursday that it was going to be a full on day and it certainly was – I worked my bollocks off!

We had a load of mailings that needed to go out, i needed to create the mailing lists and Tom worked on the design etc but we got them all completed by the end of the day which was good. I had to push EdCo to upgrade the Data Mining App as it wasn’t doing what I needed it to do. A bit frustrating working with them at the minute as they seem to be making all the requests more work than they need to be. Ah well.

I also had a meeting with Ray and Richard Butler (in charge of Customer Services) as they want to get CRM fully integrated with all areas of the business. Had to answer a ton of questions from Richard but I think he was satisfied that the system will meet his requirements. Now to proceed with a project on this for them, I also had a meeting with Ray in the evening to review and discuss all the other items that need to be addressed. He seems happy with the work I’ve done for them and there is additional work if I want it for them. Also met with Krishna who has various demands and also finally with Teresa. She was in good form, she’s off to Australia for 5 weeks so is looking forwards to that.

I left in the normal time and on the train home there was an almighty bang and the window across the aisle from me shattered. Some kids obviously had thrown a brick or stone at the train, luckily it is shatter-proof so it looked like frosted glass. Not good!

Did some more work in the evening, got a bit stressed with the kids which was wrong as I was trying to concentrate on some work and also get things sorted for tomorrow. We managed to have some pancakes though as it’s Shrove Tuesday tomorrow!!

Return to football, for one of us..

Up nice and early and went and picked up Jack from Timmy’s to go and played against Oxford Blackbirds in the cup. My football was cancelled last night so I was pleased that I’d be able to take him and watch and I took my camera as well. His mate Timmy, who plays for Oxford City and would have been against me today said he wanted to come along and watch so that was fine.

Blackbirds are in our league so I know what they were like, it’s the loud female manager, and it was an okay game. Too easy for Horspath and they ran out 10-2 winners in the end. I managed to get a few photos and video and when I got home I was pleased with some of them so it was a good morning’s work! Jack played well, he’s getting his left back position well established, certainly as an attacking full back, it was pleasing to watch him.

On the way home I spoke with the Comets manager and we agreed the handover from my Stars to him and in fact it’s going to be in 2 weeks time…scary!! Unfortunately, I missed out the cancellation message to two parents, and they turned up at football for the match, how awkward?!?!

Anyway, got home and Tash was quiet but she’d been busy and got a load of chores done and then suddenly went very ill! She was being sick and sleeping everywhere. So from 12.30pm we didn’t see her again until 8.00pm. I just continued with various jobs I wanted to get sorted, books on eBay, train tickets for Charlotte and Liam’s visit to Lewis at the end of March and so on.

When Charlotte got home from work I took her out driving and we managed an hour around Headington and Wood Farm etc. She’s put in for her test, should be end of April, it will have been 30 lessons all told, that’s a lot of money, but it’s all hers though!

In the evening I watched the new episode of The Blacklist, it was a very good start in fact, a lot darker than the previous series, I really enjoyed it.

Set the alarm for an early start as I am off to Peters Books tomorrow – 5.45am alarm call…not nice!

		Horspath Match VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Summertown Coach No More

Today was my last stint as manager for Summertown Stars, quite sad to be honest but also a weight off my shoulders and I will move on now. So this season I have been running the Stars team that I started as 7 year olds even though Jack has been playing for Horspath. It’s been really tough going to be honest and at Xmas I said that I was standing down and we talked the Comets managers to take over and they’ve been involved the last fortnight and brought some players across with them.

Today we played Oxford Blackbirds who are pushing for promotion, I had 19 boys to choose from and I used them to my own ends for once and for the first time that I can remember the result was more important and 4 of them didn’t get a game!!! I felt guilty for that but the nature of the match made it hard to give them all a game because we ended up edging them out 4-3 in a thrilling match which I was delighted with.

Obviously I apologised but they were fine with it. I played some of the new lads and they were excellent so hopefully the team will do well next season. Had a few speeches afterwards and some cards and alcohol given to me. It was all a bit of a blur to be honest but I shook all their hands and the parents and it was quite emotional all round. I got some photos taken as well, I’ve really enjoyed seeing them grow up and I am saddened that it’s stopping now, I would have liked to have seen them through to 18s but Jack is more important and I will likely get more involved with them now and help Horspath improve.

Some nice comments in the cards thanking me for encouraging them and teaching them their football, I liked a comment from Cian that was he’s known me ‘half his life’!

Some nice comments on Facebook as well so all in all a nice end to an era. We will organise a get-together at the end of the season, probably paintballing.

I’ve made the right decision though, in Jack’s match it was too easy, he was pushed up to centre forward and scored a hat-trick, shame I missed that, but won’t from now on!

Some other photos from days gone by:

Charlotte and a boy..

Beautiful day today, bright sunshine, amazing after all the rain and rubbish weather we’ve had lately. I pottered around the house and garden today. Mowed the lawn and also cut more of one of the tree down, Jenny wasn’t pleased about that and was out like a shot moaning at me. I carried on though and typically one of the huge branches fell into her patio…awkward!

I then took Jack into Oxford, he’s spending a lot of time with a lad called Timmy Gribble (what a great name eh?) and they went to the cinema to watch the Lego movie, later got a text from him to stay the night which was fine. I went to the dump to get rid of all the tree stuff and it took an hour because I went down the Abingdon Road and there were road works taking place and it was grid locked – absolutely nightmare!

When I got back Tash and I picked up her mum and the dog, Bella, and went to Millet’s Farm. Sue bought some new pots and plants but we were only interested in getting out for some fresh air. It was nice. The dog is mad but then so is Sue…

In the afternoon I washed the car, also Natasha’s and got them sparkling and then In the early evening we had a visitor! Charlotte has been getting quite close to a lad called Miles Phelan, he’s the son of a lad I went to school with, Terry so that’s a bit strange. Although, Terry was a year older than me and it was only recognition that we have in common from school days. Anyway, she’s been going round there quite often and it was his turn to come around to ours and it was very ‘sweet’. They fixed up pudding for the meal, Eton Mess, and he was chatty etc and very confident which was pleasing. Charlotte’s not into the ‘going out with each other’ thing, but she’s obviously keen on him as well which is fine.

It wasn’t very late, 8.30am, when I realised Tash was acting oddly, then I realised she was steaming drunk and off her head, and it was a strange drunk that was uncomfortable. Kept going on about how lovely Miles was and other stuff, it was really awkward and annoying. Anyway, I took them into town for pre-drinks, they’d had pre-pre-drinks at ours, and on the way Charlotte talked Rose into coming so I turned around and got her and told them to call me when they wanted picking up saying that 3.00am was fine.

Back home and Tash was so drunk, I was hoping she’d be asleep I must admit, but we watched Breaking Bad, or at least tried to, she kept talking shit but eventually shut up and went to sleep so I watched a couple more episodes and then we went to bed at midnight.

Sure enough, 3.00am Charlotte text and I picked them up from the usual place, all three of them again, and they were so full of it. I don’t think that Charlotte and Rose have been out together in Oxford yet and they’d got into the Cellar and loads of people were there and so on and so forth. They had a great evening and Rose loved it and was very thankful that Charlotte had talked her into going out.

Dropped Miles off in Headington and Rose home and then to bed. Charlotte was thankful, I don’t think too many of her friends parents to the same, I hope she remembers I’ve done this for her… I don’t mind it though to be fair as I like her to be safe and also not waste her money on taxis etc.

Night out in Deddington

Jason and I have been trying to get together for a couple of drinks for a while now and it was organised for last night. I was in Southend in the day for an MFC training roll out and it was very uncomfortable to be honest. Not particularly pleasant people but also very tough to involve them. Frustrated by the time the end of the session happened, quite a few issues to deal with!!

The area was familiar and brought back memories such as Billericay, Basildon and Canvey Island relating to my times playing Non-league football. I was home around 4.00pm and had been expecting a night out in Oxford but the plans changed so I went to Deddington instead with the intention of driving home the same night…didn’t happen!

Got to the Unicorn around 7.00pm and met with Jason, Kate Higgins and Peter Roberts. Loads of the Deddington friends of Jason were there and it was very busy and a good atmosphere in there, we stayed all night and it was an enjoyable evening. I tried to stay off the drink but after 3 shandies gave in and had a few beers (and a Jager bomb!) and then we went to the local Indian restaurant. JG was very drunk, and tired, and was soon asleep but the food was excellent and I made sure we all paid our way as Jason always pays for everything and Peter was very much expecting to wake him up and make him pay for it.

Kate got a taxi home and the three of us remaining finished off our drinks in the kitchen, Pete with a bottle of red wine and a stray, me with a Cobra and then to bed. I slept in the front room, it was fine and a nice evening.

Up in the morning around 7.00am and was about to leave but the others got up so had a coffee and then around 8.30am made a move. I gave Pete a lift as he needed to get back to Oxford.

Had a bit of a heavy head all day

Lewis back home for the weekend

As the title suggests, Lewis was down South again for the weekend and he brought with him his current girlfriend Beth. We’d seen her a few time on Skype and Facebook photos and were looking forward to meeting her in the flesh and getting to know her. Mmmm, didn’t really happen…

They came down on Thursday and visited London, partly because it was cheaper to go there first but also it gave her the chance to see the place for the first time. They then got the bus to Oxford and I picked them up from the station and got them back home and we all caught up. I needed to work on Friday and we went out Friday night to the Kings Arms and she hardly said a word. In fact I’m not going to dwell on it but basically the whole weekend was quite awkward as she just wouldn’t speak. Lewis said it was shyness and homesick but it just really struck me that their characters were so opposite. I found it frustrating but tried to hide it all.

The meal at the Kings Arms was nice, it was partly as Lewis was down but also it was Derek’s birthday earlier in the week so a double celebration. Saturday morning I did loads of the jobs that Tash had listed and then watched a couple of minutes of the rugby match (England v Ireland) and made a throwaway comment about watching it up the pub and Tash said, ‘go on then, you deserve it!’ – so without further ado Jack and I went up there and watched it, we won and it was an enjoyable game and a nice couple of hours and 3 pints later I was home and starting on the drink at home…that was my night over!

Had a bit of a hangover the next day and Tash took Lewis and Beth home early, this was because he’d been offered some work at the Huddersfield FC stadium for the first time so he couldn’t turn it down, although it was a midday start so he left a lot earlier than planned.

Didn’t do a great deal Sunday as a result but it was fine

At the point of writing i am not sure what’s happening with Lewis and Beth, he and I had a long chat about the situation and him breaking it off but i think he decided against it and will see what happens, he was really frustrated and disappointed by the weekend as well because she just didn’t want to do anything and even had a ‘funny’ spell at Dan’s house and stopped talking completely. They both are wasting their time it seems, we suspect they just sit around at his digs as opposed to going out and experiencing Uni life…I think we need to change that in him!!

Fitness drive…again?!?!

Yes, yes I know, if you look through this blog you will see the odd post about me being determined to lose weight, get fit and get into shape. But this time…

I have been meaning to get going again for some time, but various excuses from the weather, and couldn’t be bothered had stopped me. Looking through this diary though I saw a post from 4 years ago saying the same thing and it hit home that I have been saying this for so long, I’d not actually realised it has been this many years that I’ve been talking about getting fit and not being happy with my body shape

So, I went out this evening for a run and it wasn’t good. Shit weather but also so out of shape, I think this is really the worst I’ve ever been, so I managed 3 miles (slowly) and I hope that’s the kick i need to get out more. We shall see.

I forget I’m middle-aged now and can’t eat and drink like I used to, especially when doing some exercise

I don’t have a target to aim for, which I probably should do, anyway, less talk, more action and all that!!

Social Media boost

I’m trying to boost my social media standing both personally and company-related so this weekend I got Hootsuite back up and running and scheduled in a load of tweets over the coming weeks and re-tweets in the coming months. I have set myself a target of getting to 100 followers by the end of the year, I think it’s going to be a tall order but it’s a challenge and I have increased by 7 within a week so that’s a start and is on schedule.

I am now looking for content to use and push so as to grab people’s attention but it’s time-consuming!

Watch this space

Charlotte’s NekNomination

This is a craze at the minute where they have to make a horrible drink, neck it and then nominate 3 friends to do the same. Not very intelligent or responsible but Charlotte wanted to be first of the girls to do it and we kept it down to a decent level so it's fine...

Loads of likes on Facebook, the best bit is the last 25 seconds…she thinks I’ve made a mistake recording it!!

Bounce at breakfast time

A normal Sunday morning in the Dark household...I'm cooking pancakes for Charlotte and Tash is doing what she does.... :-)

Jack & Jevans School Project

Jack & Jevans are working on a school project together and Jevans has been around the last couple of weekends to build it up

They want to have it erupting so were planning for it but I then suggested they have a trial run to make sure they get their measurements right.

The following is their attempt, it wasn’t the only one but this one we videoed

First phase of testing…

Breaking Bad…

Woke up with a bit of a hangover, nothing too major but had a tough stomach all day long. Caught up with jobs not done yesterday by chopping loads of wood up, this helped clear up the area where all the wood has been stored so it’s beginning to look a lot better around the side of the house now. Put some pictures up and also put some things on eBay, Gaggia Coffee machine, table and chairs, Xbox wife adaptor so quite expensive things of which the coffee machine has already had a bid (starting price of £75.00)

Also made it down to the dump to get rid of the patio door, the Abingdon Road was closed because of the flooding so it was a bit of a ghost town down there. Collected Jack on the way back, he’d been at Isaac’s until 3.30pm and then went to Sue’s for dinner.

In the evening we finished off jobs and got ready for the weekend and then set up the laptop so that we could watch Breaking Bad. Everyone has said it’s one of the best things to have been on TV, I’d missed the original series so we were watching it on the online streams and watch two episodes. Tash wasn’t too bothered by it but I thought it was good and look forward to getting through it all – 60 episodes!!

Millars’ Dinner Date

Bit of a nothing day really, wasn’t in the mood to do the jobs that Tash had assigned me, the weather is really shit at the minute, constant rain and the flooding is unbelievable all around the country. Oxford is badly affected, mostly Botley and Abingdon Road. The meadow is flooded but we’re not remotely affected by it. I wanted to watch the Liverpool v Arsenal game at 12.45pm so after getting some wood for the rabbit hutch from Blanchfords, cutting wood for the fire and pottering around I did watch it and it was incredible. Liverpool were fantastic and were 4-0 in 20 minutes. Arsenal were abject so it wasn’t a good combination!

Jack had Jevans over and they were working on their volcano project for school and playing on the Xbox all day, they seem to get on really well which is nice, Jevans is a nice lad. My Summertown football was cancelled so got the message out to all the parents. We were looking after Bella for Sue as she was in Ikea and I took her out for a walk, mental dog with so much energy. Unfortunately, I noticed that her claws have scratched and ruined the kitchen floor so I’ve banned her from the house now and she can sit outside and whine/bark for all I care.

Tash went out with Zoe as it was her birthday and no one else had treated her and Liam was in Anfield etc etc. When she got back we took the dog home and dropped Jack at Isaac’s house as Stefan was going round as well and they were having a sleepover.

We then went to the Millar’s house for 6.00pm. We stayed there until midnight and as usual us men got very drunk indeed. Wayne was steaming already but the beers flowed and we got a Chinese takeaway and it was a really good evening. The girls (Kate, Laura, Chloe & Nicole) kept coming down and dressing up and entertaining with dance etc and eventually we all ended up having a head-stand competition, very amusing. It was a really good night, had such a laugh.

Got home fine and Charlotte was still up with Isobel Wright as she was staying over. Chatted for a bit and then straight to bed!

Horspath Training

Bit of a strange day today, had a webinar in the morning but the rest of the day was used catching up with things. I’ve set myself a target to increase the number of followers on my Dark Enterprise Twitter feed so I have scheduled in a load of tweets and also followed a load of people to try and increase that way. Will see what happens!

I did Summertown training in the evening and then took Jack to his training at 8.00pm at the Oxford Academy, Peers School. Was about to work in the car when Jack came running back and said that Phil wanted help. So I went along and actually did the whole session. They think I speak funny so they were joking initially but once I got going and worked them and made a fun session, more than just playing football for the whole time, they seemed to really enjoy it. They were buzzing when we finished and also some of the parents were impressed. I was pleased, I want to get involved with them and I can use that session as my way into the group. I’ll offer to do some more sessions in the coming weeks for them.

By the time I’d got home it was 9.45pm so bit of a wash out really in terms of a Friday night!!

Mid-week update

Sat in the car outside Jack’s dance lesson in Rose Hill (doors locked!) writing my diary update and there’s a fair bit to report.

Monday was early start for all of us, I went to Peters Books and got a 6.47am train from Bicester, made such a saving it’s ridiculous. Enjoyed working there today and got loads done. The seem pleased with me as Margaret said to me at the end of the day that they’d like me to work weekly for the next month or so and then once a fortnight. Pleased with that as the original agreement was only once a month! Travelling was fine, got home and was shattered, hard work getting up so early that’s for certain!

Tash was up early as well as she was taking her mum in for the operation that was cancelled before Xmas. This time did all the pre-med and that and then they gave her the option to not proceed if she didn’t feel it was necessary. Obviously she didn’t go ahead. I don’t think that’s the best decision but there you go, it’s not up to me. So they went for a slap up breakfast and all that they do to waste as much money as possible.

Tuesday I was in St Neots, near Cambridge, doing more MyFinanceCentre training. It went well and I am back there again tomorrow. Nearing the end of these training sessions, it’ll be odd going back to normality when these are finished. Need to look at how to get more buy-in and follow up sessions organised. Again, another long day so did nothing when I got home.

I was at Raintree today, a full on day, loads on my plate to get sorted which I did and then had some spare time to catch up with other things for them. Went well, very productive yet again.

At the minute there is a NekNominate craze going on within Facebook. People are videoing themselves drinking ridiculous concoctions of drinks in one go and then nominating three other people to do the same. Lewis has done it, and now Charlotte has been nominated which I am not very comfortable with to be honest. She’s excited and wants to do it when she gets back from work this evening, but I might try and put her off. I think I am worried about the possible reaction/consequences of this, she’s not a big drinker and she’s lining up all sort of spirits. I might over-rule her on this one, that’ll be interesting…she won’t be used to me saying ‘No’!

What a weekend

Madly busy but good weekend. Got home from Leicester around 5.20pm and Tash and I then went out for our Red Letter Day. We’d booked a hotel in the Cotswolds, Lower Slaughter, which was your 100% picture postcard location of a Cotswold village, it was lovely. The hotel was great, really nice room and we opened a bottle of bubbly and had a fantastic meal. The food was excellent

Had an odd phone call around 11.30pm from someone called Gracie which caused a bit of friction, no idea who the fuck that was or how they had my number, very odd.

Next day, lovely breakfast, good quality again, went for a quick walk around the village and made our way home. Pottered around during the day and then in the evening Victoria picked us and the Carrolls up for a night out over in Bicester. So we were there from about 6.45pm in this famous Highfield club of theirs. It was nice to be fair and I liked it, very cheap as well, a pint was £2.50!!

The Inflatables were playing and they were as good as usual and it was a great evening, Ted and Kay were there as well and we all got very drunk indeed. Don’t remember too much else other than Liam having a real go at me about missing out on a round in the car journey home. It was incredible and has obviously been gnawing away at him for some time as he was saying it wasn’t just last night but for the last 15 years and everyone else thinks the same etc etc. I stuck up for myself and we almost came to blows outside his house. All very unsavoury indeed.

Next morning he called and didn’t back down and wanted to meet in Sainsbury to discuss what he’d said, I said No, I had other plans and to be honest there was nothing to discuss. I just took his comments and said to move on, I could have destroyed him if I’d wanted to because when it comes to spending money I think I’d rather be known as being tight than be in his situation. But each to their own! I was quite surprised as Tash appeared to be on my side for once. Didn’t expect support from her, usually I am always in the wrong!

The rest of the day was a bit of a nothing day, the hangover kicked in and I struggled until after lunchtime. Ben and his kids turned up as planned around 4.00pm, Ruth didn’t come, not really a surprise, but his kids were lovely. Emily is the youngest and was so happy, but Jorge and Helena are growing up well too. They stayed for about 90 minutes which was good to catch up with them and Ben has lots going on, he’s doing well for himself.

Caught up with Silent Witness episodes in the evening and an early night as early start tomorrow for both of us. I have an early train to Birmingham to catch from Bicester and Sue’s going in for her operation which Tash is picking her up at 7.00am

It’s going to be a tough few weeks now with Sue being immobilised as a result of the op!

P.S. Forgot to mention…no football for me or Jack because of waterlogged pitches yet again

Tyre issues!

My car has been making a terrible noise lately and stopping on the way to Northampton this morning I found that where the type pressure should be 33 for the passenger rear it was actually 7!! Pumped it up but the noise was awful and unbearable to drive.

After the training work I checked it into Kwik Fit and they showed me the problem, the tyre had lost any sort of shape, replacing it should work, they didn’t have a cheap tyre so paid £140 but well worth it. Back to a normal car once again!

Definitely need to keep a check on that sort of thing as it could have been dangerous

Bad Dad

I thought I was doing so well to be picking up Jack from karate today. I got there on time and waited outside the dojo, hadn’t seen him but I was outside the door. Katharine Casey walked past me with Finn at the end and asked why I was there, ‘waiting for Jack’ I replied, ‘but he’s not here’ says she…

I looked in and he’s nowhere to be seen, got on the phone and he answers ‘Where are you Jack?’, “Never mind that Dad, where are you? I’m waiting at Wolvercote Boys club”

The penny drops, he’s TEACHING at karate, not participating!!! Tash is then on the phone to me and she’s got there before me…in the dog house for me!

Up here in Brum..

Working for Peters Books today and decided to come up by train instead of driving and I think I have made the right choice. It’s a longer day but with organisation and once I have found my feet I will be able to leave their offices on time and then catch up with other work for clients. It also means that I can use the travel time more effectively – although updating my diary probably isn’t the most effective use of my time!

Got the 7.36am journey up here, bit of excitement near Birmingham as a fare dodger got caught out and was arguing with the guards, lying git! Really full on day in the office, I hardly spoke to anyone, they’d asked me to get so much done, still not finished when I left. Might do some tonight, haven’t decided yet. I think they like what I have to offer so hopefully my position is secure…for now.

Left around 5.30pm and then wandered through the Bullring to the station and got the 6.33pm train home. Might look at Bicester as it’s cheaper next week. We’ll see.

All in all a decent day, busy couple of days ahead but that’s fine, that’s what I get paid well do to!

The Great Train Robbery

Interesting weekend as it was Gareth’s birthday and we organised (well he did!) a tour of the Train Robbery key areas. We met at the Oxford Services, where Tash dressed up in a boiler suit to look the part and then we went off to Highgate Cemetery in North London. This is where Ronnie Biggs and more recently Bruce Reynolds are buried.

Didn’t really know what to expect but it was some cemetery, incredible sculptures and the like and so atmospheric. Other famous names were there including Karl Marx, Malcolm McLaren, Douglas Adams & even Jeremy Beadle. Some people I’d not even realised were dead!

Highgate is such an affluent suburb of London, really impressed by some of the houses there, very interesting.

Stayed there a while wandering around and then went to Leighton Buzzard to see the bridge where the robbery actually took place, not much there but took some photos and then made our way to Brill. We were planning to have lunch in the pub but it had stopped serving so we let Benson out and then quickly got back inside the car…it was freezing up there and then chucked it down with rain. We visited the farm where they hid out but didn’t venture outside of the cars – we’ll come back and do a walk when it’s nicer weather as it’s so close by

That was it, we then went to Bicester and had dinner before going home and continuing to drink! Charlotte was going out with friends so they were all round our house drinking and getting ready before going clubbing and Tash and I went up and watch the Great Train Robbery BBC series that was on just before Xmas, as predicted, the wines had done her in so she was asleep before the opening credits had completed!

It was a strange thing to say we’ve done but I am glad that we did as it was really enjoyable and interesting.

Another late night

Lovely weekend at the minute – the sun is out, it’s mild and we’ll go for a walk shortly to go and soak it up. I am at the Academy again doing some work in the car whilst Jack plays football.

My Summertown side played Oxford City this morning and got beat 6-3, a little disappointing as we were awful in the first half, I had a real go at this which is unlike me but I was getting so pissed off! Much better in the second half and got back to 4-3 but conceded two really sloppy late goals.

Yesterday was tough, worked in the morning on my accounts, then worked with Tash in the office to tidy that up a bit and after lunch Tash and Jack went to the cinema. I stayed and worked on my accounts again and got there in the end. Still more to do but I am more up to date now. In fact, just finished the receipts entries in the car!

Late night in the end yesterday, we took Bella fro a walk and then sat round Sue’s and drank a lot of wine, I then made some rude updates on Facebook and Twitter and we then watched a film at home, Bridesmaids – it was good enough. But when Tash went to bed I watched the last episode of Dracula and then instead of bed got onto the Xbox and GTA5 – what a mistake that was…finished playing at 3.30am! Not very clever…

Great game though, loving it. I can’t imagine what it must be like online

Very busy week indeed…

So it’s Friday evening, 9.00pm, and I am sat in the Peers Academy car park working and waiting for Jack to finish his football training. We’re down here at the minute because of the awful weather we#re experiencing, everywhere is flooded.

So why so busy then??

Monday – brand new client. Worked at Peters Booksellers in Birmingham as part of a lead in from Teresa Morris. Was nervous and meant I didn’t drink at all the night before for Liam Carroll’s 18th Birthday party. Anyway, made it up there fine and enjoyed the day, they definitely need me up there and I was able to book in three more days over the coming weeks so that was good

Tuesday – this was the first of the My Finance Centre training sessions and was at St Albans. I have been fretting about this for so long and was dreading it but the two sessions went well and hopefully that will continue to be the case for the others that I have ahead of me. 13 in total!

Wednesday – I was working with Raintree and had a part in their Sales Team Conference, it was fine and the usual thing. But in the evening I took Lewis back up to Huddersfield. It worked out perfectly because I needed to be in Warrington on Thursday so I slept in Lewis room, he was on the floor. Nightmare sleep, loads of students coming home pissed up at all times through the night making so much noise! Before then, I picked up a Chinese takeaway from Summertown and then we drove up there and I made a wrong turn for some reason so we got their 30 mins later at 10.45pm. I said he could go off with his mates but they weren’t around.

Thursday – left him to stay in bed. Had a hug, gave him some money and then went to Warrington, 90 mins away, for another MFC training session. Bit cosier this time as they don#t have the facilities there and this time Jim Austin was involved. It was fine but I need to polish up the act a bit ahead of the sessions next week I reckon. No idea what Jim thought of my delivery and style – will have to find out one day!

Friday – finally got to work from home. Busy again though but nice not to have to go all over the place

We have a student this week, a lad called Oliver who is from Germany, really nice lad, 27 and an absolute giant. I didn’t think he’d stay because of the size of the room and bed but he was fine with it and he feels comfortable coming down and chatting with us or reading so he’s fine. He’s had to return to Germany today because his grandmother died, expectedly, so he’s going back for the funeral. A shame but he said it was a bit of a relief for her so they’re all okay with it happening. He’ll be back sometime next week

So that’s my week. Probably missed out loads but there you go. I think we have a full on weekend as well, Tash wants me to complete a load of jobs…no rest and all that!

Grand Theft Auto 5

Jack got this for Xmas on his Xbox – I think I have played it more than him now. I keep staying up late and getting hooked on it. Really enjoy it and have spent hours on it and still only 11% through, amazing!

Anyway, saw a lovely car and posted the following on Facebook – but behind the joke there is some seriousness, I really did have the urge to walk across and pull the driver out..who says video games corrupt you?!?!?

“Been playing Jack's Grand Theft Auto 5 too much - instead of admiring this Lotus in Summertown I wanted to drag the driver out & shoot him, speed off and beat up some whores. I went to Costa Coffee instead...”

Confusing Hygiene Notice

I was at Catch Up today in Norfolk training them and went to the toilets and came across the following notice…not the most obvious thing you’d expect to see pinned to the mirror in what is quite a nice office apartment:

Back to Work with a bump

So it’s been two days back and it’s been hard work. Had such a great time over the Xmas break and could easily not work!!

Yesterday I worked from home and it was okay, loads of data work and today I travelled into London to see Ruth Miskin and train with them. Really good session that we all enjoyed. I was pleased that they were so positive – doesn’t happen too often! It was an early start and I drove into London for once, I won’t be keen to do that again in a hurry I must admit.

Normally I would get the train but I needed to go to St Albans in the afternoon for a meeting so took the plunge. The weather has been awful and true to form it pissed with rain all the way there and also caused an accident on the M40 before the M25 which meant everything was a standstill. Finally got passed it but driving in Central London was an eye-opener. I am confident and comfortable driving anywhere but I realised after 20mins that my jaw was aching and I’d been clenching my teeth so tightly and concentrating…

It was a good plan though because it meant that getting to and from St Albans was so much easier

Got home and collapsed. Nice dinner and then worked on my laptop in the front room and watched a couple of programmes that Tash wanted to catch up. There was a second part of a drama called The 7:39 which was about a romance on a train, for some reason Tash then gives me stick whenever these sort of stories are on and accuses me of having a secret life and it would be so easy for me to do what’s on the TV. I have to take it but it’s a shame!

Anyway, meant to get an early night but stayed up watching the news and then played Jack’s GTA 5 – it’s addictive I have to admit and it was soon 1.30am…time for bed I think!!

So, back into the routine all too soon but with the target of the Thailand holiday on the horizon it’s all worth it

Happy New Year 2014

So another year and Christmas has passed us by – another year closer to my pension, and I guess death! Something cheery to consider there!! It was a good year and the posts on this blog with attain to that, I;’ve not done many updates over Xmas period so best do some catching up now..

It had a familiar feel and ring to it this year, we were out on Xmas Eve down the White Hart which is now a community pub and then to the Richardsons for a couple of drinks and then home by midnight so not particularly drunk or out of order!

Xmas Day on the other hand was an absolute riot!!It started off lovely and serene, up around 8.00am with the kids and their opening which was great, some lovely presents this year, if a lot of clothes! Sue popped round and we took Bella for a walk before stopping there and more presents, quick shower and change and then to the White Hart again, only for a couple and then back to Sue’s where the drinking was out of control – what a great day that was…what we can all remember. Quiz with Gareth being the host and we won, lots of dancing and madness. Me, Gaz and Paul still dancing at the end around 2.00pm and had to be kicked out.

Boxing Day was nice and easy because we didn't have to entertain or go anywhere so we took it easy and wasted the day in front of the TV.

On Friday we went to Bristol with Wayne and Kerry and that went really well. The weather looked horrendous but once we were there it improved and we spent the time walking the shops before going to their outdoor ice rink. It wasn’t the biggest but it was fun. Nice meal and then back to the Days Inn hotel I’d booked. Dropped the kids off and we went to the pub I knew about from the last time and had a huge, lovely pudding!

Next day we went to Weston Super Mare – didn’t know what to expect but it was pleasant enough town and we walked along the water front after a huge fry-up breakfast and then made our way home

Did other things on the remaining days until New Years Eve, in the day time we took Mum and Grandma to the Cotswold Lodge for afternoon tea as Grandma’s present. She’s getting more and more forgetful and harder to speak with. It’s such a shame but she is 94!! She seemed to enjoy herself and it was a nice afternoon.

In the evening we went to Anne and Rob Dennis and spent the night there. It was fine but quite quiet which was a bit of a shame and the people that were there in the early part of the night made their excuses to leave just before midnight which struck me as odd. We made the best of it though and ended up very drunk again! I think we left around 2.00am but I didn’t wake up the next day until midday!!!

So it’s been a fun break, it’s been really hard to get back into any sort of routine and it’s still not sorted yet, I’ve been working the last two days but have got hardly anything done. Have taken the chance to watch a couple of movies with Jack – Kick Ass 2 today in fact and that was really good.

We’re out tonight with the family for Nathan’s present to us – a meal at the Opium Den which I’ve looking forward to and then tomorrow we’re meeting Mum and Louise/Trevor and all at Milton Keynes as a Xmas catch up. Should be interesting, only going to Pizza Hut but it will be good to catch up with them all.

Oh, we have also booked our holiday for August, we’re going to Thailand as a family but also taking mum along as well. She is thrilled and delighted so we’re looking forward to that, I just need to work my bollocks off to get the money in time!!

So, hopefully 2014 will be as successful as 2013 has been with my work, I can’t see how it can be as this year has been