First ever hat-trick!

We have one of those 1,000 Places to Visit before you die calendars and the last 3 days have been Naples, Monet's Garden and the Masai Mara...done, done & done...not a bad hat-trick

Catch up with Tucks

Andrew was over yesterday and I got a phone call from him to say he was at the Trout. Luckily I was working from home and had a clear spell so went out to meet him and he was with his sister and parents. They all looked well and the weather was fantastic so we sat out by the river and caught up with things. I only had a shandy as I was working/driving later but it was good to see him.

He’s not up to a great deal and is travelling around as usual. Work’s not good in terms of performance which is a concern for him but he gets on and does what he needs to do. He’s off to Paris at the end of this week, meeting with a friend there.

Also over again in August to Italy for a break and cycling round there.

It was good to see him of course but I only stayed for 90 mins as Jack was home being sick so I couldn’t leave him for long really. Glad I went though

Jacks Disco and Dream Team selection!

Worked from home today for the first time in ages and it was a great opportunity to catch up with things that have been dragging on. The only problem was that the weather was lovely so I ended up outside working on the patio and got burnt! First time in the sun since last year so hardly a surprise, just a bit embarrassed..or red faced…

Jack went to his school disco in the evening and came back ‘full of it’. There was a dance off and he told us about the other kids and then said what he did on his turn, sounds like he blew them away with his gymnastics and dance routine, it was good to listen to him being so positive. Very talented and able boy…

We were also having a clear out of things and Tash came across a sheet of paper that Jack had been writing on and it was a Dream Team selection he’d sorted out and it was so funny I put it on Twitter, a few friends thought it brilliant, which I agree…see what you think:

Knackered.com & OUFC Youth Team Professionals

Worked my bollocks off today at Raintree, over 10 hours in their office with so much to get through. Nice feeling by the end of the day but so tired. Early night I think.

Interesting read in the morning, Oxford City are playing Oxford Utd this evening in the Senior Cup final and it was showing that 3 OUFC lads from the Youth Team were going to play have just signed professional contracts there. Reading the names I saw they were Sam Long, David Lynn & Callum O’Dowda who were lads in my under 9’s Centre of Excellence team. Obviously I cannot claim any sort of credit for it as it was 9 years ago and they’ve done their own thing with other coaches but I was delighted to see that they’d made it.

Hopefully they’ll do well and progress, I’ll be keeping an eye on their futures

End of an Era

Lewis’s team had their last Youth level match today. Away at Steventon and they won 3-2 which was good. Lewis didn’t play because he was doing a karate grading but I went along and it was a good performance. We then went to the Dew Drop pub later to watch some football and have a couple of beers and say good-byes. They’re a good bunch but I don’t think they’ll keep in touch in the same way that we all do but we’ll see

Weekend away, Red Letter Day…

Tash and I went away on Friday afternoon to Kenilworth to use the Red Letter Day that I always get from my Summertown parents and it was lovely. I worked in the morning to catch up with a few things and then made our way to the hotel. Nice place, perfect for conferences and was busy with people attending. We grabbed some golf clubs and went around their pitch and putt, as expected we were both useless but it was a laugh.

Read some papers with a coffees and then went into the swimming pool and sauna. I can’t swim well and hate it but Tash was up and down doing her lengths. After that we had a drink and then went for our meal, it was very good indeed, had another drink once we finished and then to bed quite early.

I took a notepad with me and we sat and made notes about things we want to do and achieve in the coming months/year so that was motivating. Just need to plan and action all the points we’d made..watch this space…

Tasha’s Birthday

So another birthday comes and goes…started in the usual manner, presents for Mum in the morning in bed, nothing too huge, lots of little ones but she seemed happy with what we’d got her. Normal working day for me in St Albans but she was treated at work as you’d expect. They love her there and got her presents etc so she had a lovely day there.

Getting home to collect Jack from karate was a nightmare, traffic accidents and all that but got him dropped off in the end and then me, Tash, Zoe and Sue got a taxi to the Dew Drop in Summertown where we met with Nikki and Gaz to have a drink and then went next door to Joe’s where we had a table booked.

The food at Joe’s was great, and then there was a Bryan Ferry tribute act afterwards which was very good. We got through some of the drink and everyone had a really good time. Even treated myself to a Mojito at the end of the night instead of a coffee! Lewis was our taxi to come and pick us up which was great, not sure how soon the novelty will wear off though!!!

Another year older, was a good birthday and the rest of the weekend looks like being fun, I am sure we’ll drag it out for her…

Interesting Day today…very Polish

Went to Crewe to visit a customer for Lifecycle today and they were 100% Polish. They intend to only work with Polish and Russian community. I didn’t mind, they were friendly enough but I didn’t like how they spoke in Polish nearly all the time…thought that was quite rude. I couldn’t have installed anything on their PCs or Laptops as those were all foreign language as well!

Met with Jason in the Deddington Arms on the way home and saw loads of people from Hodder as they were having their sales meeting there. Of all the places!! Said Hi to Janice and that was nice.

Worked into the evening, although I have a VERY early start tomorrow to get to the other side of Cardiff for Daydream SPIRIT training so can’t stay up much more writing this.

I have created a list of action points that I need to try and tick off each day and adding a diary note is one of them, not sure how long it will last but we’ll see. Just need something of interest to say.

Oh, Bayern Munich stuffed Barcelona 4-0 in the Champions League semi-final this evening in Germany. The strange thing though is that Bayern can’t go to Spain next week thinking they’ve done the job. How odd much that feel that you’re 4-0 up and must still be nervous about the return leg…surely though that is one step too far for the greatest team we’ve ever seen…or is it?

Diet Update

So far so good…I am logging my calorie intake again and have kept below the recommendation every day and yesterday I found I’d lost 4lb so that was a pleasing thing to achieve.

Just need to keep up the low food intake and the exercise past this initial enthusiasm stage

Jack’s 12th Birthday

So this was Jack’s Birthday weekend and he made the most of it! he’s such a lovely lad he really is, lives life so fully.

On Friday we went to Aylesbury Theatre and watched the Mousetrap with Mum and Derek and it was really enjoyable. The kids liked it and it was a pleasant evening. Made us quite proud to hear Charlotte and Jack discussing it and Jack say that he preferred Shakespeare…not many 12 years old would say that I doubt!

Saturday was his birthday and I took him and three friends (William, Stefan and Ben) to paintballing in Reading. We were there from 9.15am until 3.30pm and it was a fantastic day, we all had a fabulous time. Well worth it and they were so well behaved and disciplined with not spending too much money, that’s the one drain on things is the amount it costs for the paint. We were all buzzing afterwards though, really good fun.

We then went to Sue’s in the evening and had dinner and made a fuss of Jack

Sunday we had football in the morning and lost to Rotherfield 4-3, Jack played well and handed out chocolate afterwards and then Mum and Derek came up for lunch, they’d watched and enjoyed the game, there was plenty happening in it!

He’s gone to William’s this evening as they have an Inset Day tomorrow so he’s going to the cinema as well.

He’s had a great birthday and really appreciates it all and kept saying so, like I said, he’s a lovely lad.

Back on the diet

So been out of the loop for a long time and middle age spread has sneaked up on me in the last year. Therefore, out for a 5 mile run yesterday and today back on the diet to watch what I eat to see if I can combat the last 12 months.

8 weeks target to lose weight and get some shape.

Will be putting the simple equation of 'eat less/exercise' more to the test...

Lewis is now a driver..

Very proud of Lewis today, can’t believe he’s old enough to drive, let alone pass his test first time.

He was obviously nervous beforehand but he’s allowed something like 15 minor faults and he only got 2 which was excellent and even those were very …minor!

He’s now out and about offering lifts to everyone.

It’s the one thing that makes me nervous though I must admit, we stressed to him the importance of driving carefully and not ever messing about. That’s all you can do isn’t it?

Well done him. Very proud of him indeed!

A weekend of computers..

The home pc has finally given up the ghost and no longer works. Luckily I had some software installed that enables me to dial into it externally and I spent the whole of Saturday downloading all the photos and files from him onto an external hard drive before we send it to the bin!

Bought a new pc on Thursday from HP this time, not a Dell for once so hopefully it’s okay. Should be arriving tomorrow which means my life will be lost for ages now as I get this up to speed with everything to make it run as I want and install all the new apps. Bit worried as it’s got Windows 8 on it and I’ve not read any articles yet that have something positive to say about this Operating System. I tried it in PC World and it seems okay, just something new that people don’t like I hope!!

What else over the weekend? Jack played Greater Leys this morning and same as we did a few weeks ago we completely bullied them off the park! Surprised me that my lads could be so dominant, prompting me to add this as a Facebook status update:

Jack was prepared for this match and had initially felt-tipped a 6 pack on his stomach but changed it to “Why Always Me?” on it instead. He scored a decent free-kick so had the opportunity to show off his masterpiece!

Jack played okay, but it was nice because Cian and Wynn both scored really good goals, they have both worked really hard and it was pleasing for me to see them score well deserved (and well taken) goals.

We have Oxford Irish in the Quarter Finals now, they’ll be far too strong for us but we’ll try and keep the score down…it will be that hard!

Anyway, early start tomorrow so best get some sleep.

Current musical favourite…

Love this!!

Skiing in Sainte-Foy…no broken bones

Over the half-term break last week we went to Sainte-Foy skiing and took Wayne, Kerry and the girls with us. What a fantastic week it turned out to be.

Travelled down on the Saturday getting up at 4.00am to get to the airport in time and then picked up cars from Grenoble before driving for a couple of hours. Made it to Maurice St Borg which is where the supermarket was and stocked up for the week before driving up the winding roads to the resort.

We had apartments within a complex this time and it was right on the nursery slope which made life so much easier throughout the week. We well remembered the long walk to the apartment last time we were there, this was total bliss! Picked up our skis and re-acquainted ourselves with the resort and then went swimming and used the facilities and then cooked dinner and had one or two beers before bed!

Next day we were good to go but it took an age to get the ski passes, hour and a half in the  and then we were off. Spent an hour with Wayne & Kerry to help them get to grips with some of the basics and then had a go ourselves. Didn’t take long to get back into the groove and were soon zooming around.

I won’t bore you with details but thankfully the week turned into such a success. We’d spend the morning with Wayne, Kerry and the girls and we’d coach them whilst taking them to harder and harder slopes which they were able to cope with, and then go back to the apartment after 2 hours to get some rest and something to eat and then in the afternoon we’d be out by 2.00pm where we’d go off and they would have their lessons. We’d all get back when the slopes closed at 5.00pm, go swimming, have a sauna and then have something to eat with beers, suited us right down to the ground!

Went out one evening to the local bar and also went sledging and on the last night we treated ourselves to a lovely meal, that was a laugh when I asked the bill and she brought us cream instead! It’s been amusing Charlotte and her friends she tells ever since!!

In terms of the skiing all the kids have come on leaps and bounds, they were brilliant, me less so! I couldn’t keep up with them and was often in so much pain from being so tired and aching, I am not fit at present…shame! We would go off-piste as much as possible and that was such a buzz, I really enjoyed that. We didn’t make a black run but that’s for the next time I reckon… Loads of crashes and lots of cups of coffee and hot chocolate at intervals on the slopes, god knows how much we spent on those hot chocolates, well actually I do know and it was over £100.00. Ah well!

During the week I did some work and get up to date with things, I obviously needed to because of being self-employed and I think that paid off because I think I got a couple of jobs as a result of doing so, that will pay for the hot chocolates..

We didn’t want the week to end, I’d happily have stayed there longer, 10 days would have been great, perhaps 14 would be too long.

Anyway, it was another early start to come home so we were up at 4.00am and drove back to Grenoble without incident, although it was surprising to see how busy the roads were. Back to Gatwick and home all too soon.

Another wonderful holiday though with fantastic memories and will start saving again to try and go again within the next two years instead of three. I think Wayne and that would be keen to go again asap and we’d be more than happy to go again with them, it worked out really well and we’re well suited to go together as we all get on really well and seem to have the same ideas/principles which is obviously important.

Some photos below…

		Skiing at Sainte-Foy VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Flaw R Tists Audition

Sat in a studio at Brookes University whilst Jack is auditioning for the dance crew Flaw R Tists who he’s been practicing with a few times and now wants to join the team for shows and also they got to Got To Dance this year and are planning to try and do the same again this year.

Will see how he does throughout the course of having this laptop open. Mind you, he has the Murray boys ‘judging’ him, he’s a better dancer than them so it’s a bit rich to be honest!! Anyway, if he doesn’t get in then there’s something fundamentally wrong there!!

Well, got a phone call later and he’s in the squad. He’s delighted and it sounds like there is a lot going on and plans for the team so that’s great. Things such as busking in town and performing in events and also at Cornbury so we’re looking forward to it

One month of Self-Employed status…so far so good.

So, January has been and gone and did I work bloody hard or what?!?! It’s been great though, I’ve been very committed to the work that’s coming in and been getting it completed. It’s been a bit of a strain already as I have been working away, late nights and also at the weekend, but I’m getting paid to do the work I do so can’t complain. Sent off the invoices last night so will have to wait on those being paid without being queried…we’ll see!

What’s been great is the variety and the positive response I’ve had from people. Andrew Adkins during the Consortium training I did was pleased with my work, Science Learning Centre are interested in my services as are Peters Books. OUP have been using me for Data Mining and training, EdCo work has been coming in and the weekly visit to Raintree has been great. It’s been really good to get them up to speed and deal with issues that haven’t been addressed for such a long time. Bit of concern when a change in role for Teresa happened but Claire Dowse has said she wants to keep me on board, would have been surprised had she said no because they definitely need me. I get a lot done in a single day compared to what they’d pay anyone else.

Finally I am up and running with LifeCycle, that’s been a steep learning curve, I did a couple of visits and then was dropped into it and did a couple of training sessions. I had a few sticky issues but have got through it and they’re delighted with what I’ve been doing for them and were offering me full time employment. It was tempting but at the same time I want to retain my self-employed status for now and have the flexibility of other work coming in. Will see if I come to regret it…they’re reducing the money but it’s to a level that will be okay in that it will be regular work for 8 days a month. Just waiting on sign-off on Monday, fingers crossed!

February is already fully booked up and 12 days in March are too so it’s looking good. Hope it continues along these lines and I’ll be very happy indeed!

Snow Chaos…

Yes it’s that time of year once again, a light sprinkling of snow and the whole of the UK comes to a standstill. It’s been snowing a couple of days and all sorts of bother taking place, schools shut etc etc. I’ve not been out in it at all, I’ve been incredibly busy this week and thought there’s no time but actually there’s no need as we’re skiing in a couple of weeks time..

It’s melting now and so there are flood warnings!!

Pushed Tash over and she couldn’t get up so she pretended to make snow angels…

Charlotte borrowed my hat to keep warm when cleaning out her rabbit…

Afternoon tea at the Ritz

Yes indeed…you read correctly. For Mum’s combined birthday and Xmas present we took her to the Ritz for afternoon tea. I must admit I wasn’t overly bothered about going when Tasha initially mentioned it but I thought that I should as it is my Mum!! And I’m really glad that I did go as well, it was a really good experience and we all enjoyed it immensely.

There was a bit of doubt to the day because of the snow we’ve been experiencing but the roads to London as expected were fine and we drove straight up there at 11.30am. I found somewhere to park just off Green Park and as we were early we went and looked around Fortnum & Mason’s, that was an experience in its own right! Like walking into Harrods, and the same price! But it was interesting to wander around and there was a sale point on so we got a couple of things for Xmas presents.

We then went to the Ritz and Mum and Tash took their time exploring the toilets and coming out with souvenir tissues…no I’m not joking.

The sitting was due to start at 1.30pm but we were ushered in around 1.20pm and took photos and all that and took in the surroundings. We were in the Palm restaurant which was cosy but absolutely lovely. Choice of loads of teas, I went for one which smelled of smoke and didn’t it just, stank the place out but I liked it! We were then bombarded with sandwiches (refilled all the time), scones (lovely) and tit bit cakes. Also had someone come round offer Lemon cake as well…we had everything! Quite surprisingly there was too much and we left some of it, including a really rick dark chocolate cake!

We then walked around a bit, there was no pressure or snobbery and it was really pleasant. Drove home and then had some coffee at Mum’s and she told Derek all about it.

I think that was a very successful present! I enjoyed it anyway and we’ll now start thinking of the next place to go to!

Consortium Training and away from home

Seems off being away from home for 2 nights but I am down in Trowbridge at The Old Manor House. It’s a lovely place and an absolute bargain at £60 per night compared with the same price for the Premier Inn…no comparison really!

I’m down here doing two days training for The Consortium Group and it’s going okay so far. Experienced the usual sort of problems linked with Offline SPIRIT earlier this morning when everything went pear-shaped following syncing over the weekend and the stress levels for myself and Andrew Adkins went through the roof! I managed to keep things on track and we got the sessions completed without too much disruption to the attendees