Manchester and Hamilton Show

 Woke up early and wasted time on the phone as usual

Went down and had some coffee and croissants and gradually everyone got up and came through to the kitchen. Charlotte made us all laugh with sending an image of a lake and a lovely morning saying that was her view. Even Jodie was asking if they'd driven off somewhere in the evening!

Nice scrambled eggs for later lunch and then Charlotte, Miles and I went over to Go Outdoors as I wanted to get the gloves that I had seen previously, couldn't find the ones I wanted until about to leave and a small pair were in amongst a load of others and they were exactly what I needed so I bought them right away and Charlotte ended up getting a wet-suit!

Back to Lewis's and it was time to set out for the train station, it was just me, Tash, Mum, Lewis and Emily. The others, Charlotte, Miles, Jack and Jodie didn't have tickets so they went to the gym so we said our goodbyes as Charl and Miles were heading off to Nottingham ad not coming out for a meal after the show.

We walked to Cheadle and were a bit early so has a drink in the local pub and then got the train, we were in good time and got some food and walked to the theatre and took up our places in the top circle. Was the best seats but we've had worse so nothing to complain about.

Must admit I wasn't overly bothered about the show and didn't really know what to expect but it was very, very good. I really enjoyed it. The show is all rap and hip/hop-style singing and very little talking of any sort. It was hard to follow at times but very glad that I went and experienced it. Ate far too much rubbish but when we left we walked to The Anthologist which is a cocktail bar to meet Jack and Jodie was was met with a pleasant surprise to see Charl and Miles - they decided not to go to Nottingham afterall so were out with us for the evening which was great news.

Had a couple of drinks and then wandered down to our restaurant, Ciccheti which is near Deansgate which is such a great, lively road - love it along there. The restaurant was a good choice, nice atmosphere and food and drink.Once all done and dusted we were going to make our way home but ended up at NQ64 which is the place with all the arcade games, that was a laugh and we had a couple of drinks in there and played the games, me and mum were decent on the dance mat!

Jack took Mum home so it was just me, Tash, Emily and Lewis on the train, nothing exciting to report. Back at Lewis's and we sat in the kitchen and had a few more beers and then then everyone went off to bed but Charl and I stayed up talking and listening to music.

We chatted for ages about all sorts of things, a few tears, especially when I asked about marriage and Miles fear of flying. Such a shame. It was good to talk though and around 4.00am we gave up and went to bed.

A great day and evening - absolutely loved it.

Love our family and how we all get on together and do this

Manchester with all the kids

Normal day at work - managed to get up to date with things because of my holiday coming up very quickly!

I dropped Bess off at Vicky and Danny's - Nicki was there with the boys and they were lively and then back home again after filling up with petrol

Jodie came over in the afternoon as planned and then Mum did and eventually Tash got back from work meaning we could set out for Manchester. There were problems on the M40 and the road to Brackley was closed meaning there was loads of traffic up to Banbury but once that was past it was a decent run up North and we got there around 8.00pm - about 5mins after Charlotte and Miles.

Unloads everything and Tash and I got the spare room - I was expecting to be sleeping on the sofa! The airbed had a puncture which was annoying so Jack and Jodie slept on the sofas combined and Charlotte and Miles slept in the van - it all worked out well.

Before that we had a nice curry made by Emily (and a bit by Lewis I think) and then played games in the evening afterwards. Didn't finish and go to bed until about midnight. It was a lovely evening and great to have everyone from the cruise all there.

Edinburgh day 2

Hungover

Breakfast 

Late out

Walk to st Mary cross tour 

Raining 

Mystery continued 

Too wet

Storm isha

Hotel

Waiting

Sleep

Shower and exercise 

Hotel Bar

Meal in Edinburgh with Gareth's sister - Alison and Mark

Rat Pack Bar/club

Late night

Walk and Sunday Dinner

Lazy morning, struggled to get up to be honest. A combination of too much Night Nurse and missing the night's sleep on Friday..got up and had food and then Tash and I did our walk around Wytham Woods and when we got back Tiffany was at the front door.

We took her to her Dad's (Michael) in Blackbird Leys and helped with dismantling some beds and the washing machine and general house clearance type stuff as he's moving out in a couple of days and moving to Bicester. Mike's got early dementia and it's hard to tell just how far gone he is - I don't know if he knew it was me and Tash to be honest, very confused. Sad to see in anyone.

We were there for a few hours and it was useful for them and we also got a coupe of tools as a result because they would have just been left over for the house clearance company that's coming in. 

Took Tiff back to Bicester and she obviously appreciated what we'd done for her - and it was fine.

Got back home and Charlotte and Miles came over and we had a nice Sunday Roast (chicken) and finished with Xmas pudding and cream which was lovely!

Got the fire on the go and enjoyed some red wine we have - it was a nice evening and they didn't stay too late to be far, they'd been out on the piss in Leeds all day yesterday so were tired and wanted to get sorted at home for the coming week.

It was still early(ish) so Tash and I watched a film that's on everyone's lips at the minute called Saltburn. I wasn't too bothered about watching it but got into it and to be far it was a bit shocking but it was enjoyable if not VERY odd in places. Glad I've watched it but won't watch it a second time, there's no need to.

After that the weekend was over! Been a good one, I've enjoyed it

Golf

Quite clearly I was still drunk when I woke up this morning - luckily golf wasn't until 9.30am meet but I was struggling! 

Anyway, made it there and played with Wayne, Creedy and Julio - played against each other doing "better ball" and it was good fun. Wayne and I are a good team, when one has a shit shot the other seems to dig the other player out and that worked again today. It went down to the wire and we only won off the second to last hole when Wayne chipped in my decent tee shot - bit fortuitous but we took it and took the fivers off the lads!! 

On the way home I got some wood for the bamboo planter that has collapsed and also some coal and then pottered around at home not wanting to do anything but did get jobs done like the Xmas lights from the gutter and that.

Didn't do much in the evening, Tash is still really struggling with her cold so it was watching some TV and an early night for us!

Book Club and Boozy night in the Dark Side Bar

Tash and her wine friends decided they wanted to formalise their get-togethers so agreed to do a book club and Tash was hosting the first one at our place this evening.

So she'd sorted out lovely food and all that and there were two cancellations so just Dierdra and Jill were coming over, I made myself scarce and ate dinner in our bedroom whilst watching the most recent episode of Reacher which was good. By the time I came downstairs it was 8.00pm so the gym had closed so I went and pottered around in the bar and sorted a few things out and had a couple of beers.

I'd offered to drive them home and they did accept so I didn't drink but I then sorted out the photos that Charlotte had got me for Xmas and put those on the fridge - that took ages but it looked great. It's very much "Charlotte-centric" so I need to order some new photos to balance things out. 

Around 11.15pm I took the ladies home and they'd had a nice evening and came back again and fancied staying up so Tash went to bed and I played music (not video) and drank...loads!! It was such a nice evening, I did get quite drunk and danced and just enjoyed my own company, Bess wasn't even there!

It got to about 4.00am and I knew I had golf later so gave in and went to bed - a nice evening as far as a I was concerned!

Mum's Birthday

Worked as normal, nothing to get excited about, finished a bit earlier as we needed to take Natasha's car to the Kassam to get the front windscreen replaced because a huge crack in it

That was a mistake!! The A34 Southbound was closed which I didn't know about, I just went towards Headington to avoid Botley but then everyone else was being diverted to Headington and Cowley and there were accidents so cut off and went through Wood Farm and that was all snarled up - it was an absolute nightmare, really was. We missed out slot for the windscreen and having left home at 4.10pm we got to the Kassam around 6.00pm!

Charlotte was as Frankie and Benny's when we got there and shortly after Mum turned up too and we had a birthday meal for her. It was nice and the food was good. Had a nice time. A few presents and singing Happy Birthday from the whole restaurant that was amusing!

We then went upstairs to the cinema as we had tickets for Wonka, we really enjoyed it actually. It was about his setting out as a young adult and was chock full of famous British actors - it was good fun and a feelgood movie for certain

That was it, another birthday done and dusted so we came home - I took Bess for a walk and then listened to music and ate chocolate and then to bed!

The diet has gone out the window it really has, a shame as before Xmas I was really proud of my body shape but it's gone pear-shaped, figuratively and literally!

Back to Bootcamp!

Worried this morning getting out of bed but as much as my calves were screaming at me I was able to walk down the stairs without holding the banister so that was a relief! Wasn't too, too bad to be fair. Walked in the morning with Tash and Bess and then worked all day outside. It got colder and colder as the day went along and it even tried to snow in the evening, but it wasn't good enough and nothing happened.

So back to boot camp in the evening, could easily have given it a miss but went along and as usual it was the two of us, quite hard and we weren't as committed as normal but it was a decent workout. My steps were way down so I went and walked/ran along Five Mile Drive and Davenant road and back home so I registered by 10k steps and we had the fire and watched the Michelle Keegan series (Fool Me Once) which we're enjoying.

Not much to report today - thought work would be a lot busier with companies being back to normality now but it was okay so no complaints and the boot camp was good to get under our belt again.

Malvern Hills Day 2

Woke up about 7.00am and walked to the bathroom and wasn’t too, too bad. Not comfortable though. Tash was fine as you’d expect. 

Downstairs for breakfast and Bamptons were the same, stiff but ready to go again. Breakfast was fine and decent and filling. Got sorted and drive back to the usual carpark. The flooding visible now we were driving in daylight was incredible, so much damage being caused. 

Parked up and got going about 10.15am, the first part was hard, just walking through the town it’s so bloody steep!!

Did our usual hills and it hurt, also the windchill factor took the temperature right down, at times it was bitingly cold. We walked for a few hours before turning round and retracing our steps. That was hard work, I just plodded on one step at a time. But got there in the end. 

Made our way back to the car and then I drove us home, no problems at all. 

Tired out and sorted clothes and had a bath. Struggling to walk but there you go

Sorted out a few things, had food, watched TV and early night. 

It’s been a great weekend and was hard work. We all feel we can’t do much more and we’re feeling sort of confident that we will manage to do this. Will see soon enough, only 4 weeks away!!

Malvern Hills Very Long Walk. Day 1

Up at 5.00am. Got sorted and Bess was going mad as she could tell we were going out and didn’t want to be left behind. 

Went and got John and Pauline a bit late at 6.15am and then drove to Malvern, bit of a problem on the normal route because of the flooding but made a work-around and got to the car park we’re familiar with. 

Followed the route over the hills that we’re familiar with knowing we had to come back the same way! It was our longest walk and was hard work - the British Camp area was interesting and a decent place to get to and walk up.We had a break for food and reached a point where we just stopped, turned around and retraced our steps!

This was hard work and I went on a real go-slow but I plodded along, it was exhausting but we did it and got back to the main entrance and walked through town to the van. the last few miles and hour or so was really quite painful and everything was hurting.

Drove to Worcester and experienced loads of problems with road closures because of the flooding and even when we got to where we wanted to the height to get in the car park foiled us! Found a multi-story and walked to the hotel right in the centre of town, nice area and looked the sort of place to return to for a day/night.

We stayed in a Travelodge and got changed - no time for a sleep as we were late getting there and then went back out into town and found Bills restaurant for dinner. It was Pauline's birthday today so it was her celebration but we were all so tired we just wanted to eat and go back to bed - only had two drinks! It was nice though.

Back to hotel and bed, aching like mad. Bit worried about cramps tonight an also in the morning - we shall see.

It was good to do this and it's going to show how hard work this is going to be on Kilimanjaro because we have the space and home comforts of the hotel and it was still hard work to get sorted - living out of a cold tent is going to be tough. 

Not feeling well

Both Tash and I struggling with cough and cold/flu symptoms, not even checking if we have Covid as it makes no difference   

Darts

 Busier day at work today, not much fun but it never is. Did what needed to be done though.

Took Bess for a walk in the morning and in the evening, hadn't done my 10k steps so had to stay out longer even though Mum had come round for dinner. Not a problem though.

Not much to report on the day itself.

Nice evening with Mum and Charlotte also came over and when they left I watched the PDC Darts final, Luke Littler is playing and he's only 16, youngest ever finalist and it's an incredible achievement. I am watching it now whilst typing this and it's a great game. I think he might do it!

I feel like death though, my cough/cold is dragging on and I am struggling - so annoying.

Really want to go to bed but this darts is keeping me up!!

        

Back to Work!

 Back to it today, although I obviously did some work during the break. Not a lot to get done today and it was a nice easy route back into the routine - next week will sure enough be busy!

Tash was also at work today and went by car because it was throwing it down with rain, can't blame her

I got sorted and then realised around 3.00pm I'd not had a break so went out for 45mins and ran around the usual route to get my steps in. Running was okay but it was hard in the storm winds - we are currently experiencing Storm Henk.

Tash called as leaving work and suggested we go straight out to Decathlon to change the pants she'd bought for Xmas (they were VERY tight) which we did. Aldi first to get some food shopping and then Decathlon and Sports Direct. I noticed yesterday that my hiking boots were splitting so had no choice but to buy some new ones. They're okay, basic, but I hope they'll do the job.

Driving back through Wytham and the road was flooded but we got through it okay, quick dinner (beans on toast), both Airbnb's had let themselves in and when we took Bess out for a walk and got our steps over the line for the 10k for today.

Back home around 8.00pm and then spent the next 2hrs sorting my bank accounts for Dark Enterprise so I could send information over to Simone, I am useless, should have done it four weeks ago.

I'm coughing and sneezing and feeling shit, don't think it's CovID, just flu. Hope that's all it is.

Well, day two of the diary completed!!

Happy New Year. 2024

Yes it’s arrived! 

We had a quiet evening last night as everyone was doing their own thing and I was happy enough with that. Couple of beers and bed by 12.30am. Sonia and Pete were still going at 3.00am but the ear plugs worked a treat. 

Up around 9.00am and got sorted and went for a walk again around Wytham Woods. Tired and not feeling well I could easily have not gone but we did it and it was 2.5hrs again so not bad. Took a detour and didn’t really stop. Getting a bit worried about the trek now as we’ve done a few hours each of the last 4 days and my legs are hurting. 

Just need to ensure that the whole of January is dedicated to the fitness regime, fingers crossed. 

Had an hour’s turnaround at home to shower and eat and then picked up Charlotte on the way to Sue’s for 3.30pm. Jack and Jodie were there as was Nathan and we had spag bol and he left and we played a couple of card games which was nice. 

Dropped Charlotte home and then watched films and ate with Jack and Jodie. This time it was a Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston film called Murder Mystery which was surprisingly good. Nonsense and fun with some laughs and very lighthearted. So good we watched the second one straight after. Then to bed and typing this. 

I was very poor at doing my diary in 2023 and I’d like to make it a more regular occurrence in 2024. All the things we did last year and I’ve not recorded it. A shame. 

Well, I hope this is going to be another packed and adventurous year ahead, we will soon find out!!

Have a good one  

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