Day 1 Cape Verde

Up early and everyone got ready and set off at about 9.15am. I was a bit concerned because it’s the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham at the minute. I needn’t have worried, we sailed through and were parked up no problem just over an hour later. 

Zoe was following us with the girls and Lewis & Emily turned up at exactly the same time so it was perfect. A short walk later and we’re queueing up to drop off the bags and then to security. Absolutely no issues whatsoever. 

Wetherspoons for food and beers and then to the gate for our 2.20pm flight. The only fly in the ointment is that we were delayed for some reason, genuinely not sure why but we took off exactly two hours late.

Now on the plane relaxing and listening to music. 

This promises to be a great week I reckon. We’ll soon see!! 

There's a second post created that covers the whole holiday as sadly I didn't keep a journal for this one

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ABC - Lexicon of Love

 As you all know this is my favourite album of all time and takes pride of place in the centre of my gallery of albums in the bar.

So when I heard that ABC were going to do a tour to mark the 40th Anniversary of the release of the album by simply playing it from start to finish live there was absolutely no way I was going to miss out on that. I'd got the tickets on the morning of release and John & Pauline were coming as well.

There was no way I wasn't going to enjoy and remember this event so when we went for a beer before the show I think I only had one - similar to the Pet Shop Boys evening.

It was brilliant - I loved every minute of it, we had good seats near the front and I was like a kid in a sweet shop, they kept laughing at me as I sat on the end of my seat straining forward to hear everything and take it all in.

They got it spot on by playing some of the music from other albums (Lexicon of Love 2 and Zillionaire) in the first half and then after the break it was the album itself, magical! Shame there was no dancing as such but the place erupted with The Look of Love and they used that as the encore as well which wasn't surprising as it went down a storm.

Such a fantastic memory, it was good as he asked the crowd if anyone was in the New Theatre when ABC played here about 40 years ago and of course, I was there then!!

Brilliant, brilliant night - loved it.

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Royal Ascot

 So we were posh today! Very, very lucky indeed. 

It was Clare Barnes 50th birthday celebration (belated) and Greg had organised for us to go to Ascot for the day in the Princess Anne enclosure - what a day it was, we were treated like Royalty!

So we went to Wooton (Didcot) to meet up and there were 10 of us in total - Miles and Lucy were meeting us there. So x2 new couples we needed to mingle and get to know and it was fine and comfortable, they were friendly enough. Had a drink of bubbly - it was early - and then the taxi arrived to take us there.

Not long and we were at the hustle and bustle of Ascot and it was great, we were in the Princess Anne enclosure and had a table to ourselves with unlimited drinks and loads of food all through the day - it was an amazing experience. 

Didn't go overboard on the free drink, partly because it was midweek but more importantly neither of us wanted to show ourselves up or let Clare and Greg down - so we kept very much within control, which was a pleasant change! 

Forgot to take any cash but fired up the Paddy Power app and was able to use that all day, worked a treat. I had mixed fortunes - no one in our group was a gambler so it was very much a case of guesswork but I ended up even so can't complain.

We wandered about but when the racing finished we were on a tight timeline to get the taxi and leave so we didn't stay for any after-party or music - but that was okay - we stuck my Spotify on!

After we'd dropped Clare and Greg home the taxi took us back to Oxford train station and everyone went their own ways - Charlotte came to pick us up and couldn't believe how "sober" we were.

Anyway, not all about the drink is it and we proved that, although I've mentioned it numerous times in the post!!

It was definitely a day to remember and we were so pleased and grateful to have been invited and included. 

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Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge

 Tash has been training for a while with Anna Ballance to complete the Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge - I wasn't to be involved at all but unfortunately, Anna got Covid so dropped out at the last minute. Tash didn't want to delay any further because of other events and activities planned in the coming weeks so she decided to go ahead with it and I offered to drive her up and accompany her instead (obviously not n the walk itself!! I'm not mental!)

So, I left work early on the Friday and set up in the back of Vinnie with my laptop on the table and Tash drove off and for the next few hours I worked on emails etc offline - it worked really well - bit bumpy and felt a bit travel sick if the truth be told, it wasn't as comfortable and steady as if we were on the train, but it worked. When we got north of Birmingham I tried out turning my phone into a hotspot and it was brilliant - emails and access to the support website worked super smoothly. Made me start thinking that this is what we definitely need to start doing much more of - I could just as easily have been sitting at my desk at home. The only thing that would be an issue is web calls - but if I can avoid those then all is good! Anyway, something to think about for the future and having long weekends away.

Tash started to tire of the driving after a few hours, and I felt sick enough, so I drove the rest of the way up there - bloody long way. We got to the Yorkshore Dales National Park and it was beautiful, it really was, very impressed. I dropped Tash off at her "hostel" and then headed for my campsite which was about 20 mins away with Bessie. As I was unloading the van I found Tasha's walking boots - tried calling but mobile reception where she was wasn't good but got through to the hostel and they located her and yes, she did need them!! So off I went back there again, didn't mind as it wasn't too far and was another excuse to drive through the hills and countryside.

Back to the campsite and just relaxed with Bess, nice dog walking area. 

Saturday was the day of the walk and Tash set off around 6.15am, I was awake of course and wished her luck (then went back to sleep!), the location of the campsite was great and I had a good view and I just sat and worked all day with the van door opening looking out - interupted work with walking Bess and eating and getting the odd update from Tash as they got phone signal on the walk - she was doing it pretty quickly and was enjoying it.

As the day wore on (around 4.00pm) I thought to myself, "I'm up here in this amazing area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and I am sat here on my laptop doing work for no additional pay and no additional thanks - what the fuck am I doing???" Yes it felt good to have got things up to date but I have so many alerts and reminders telling me that work is "never done/completed" - so I decided right then to close the laptop and get out exploring - Tash wouldn't need me until about 6.30pm.

So Bess and I went for a drive and up on the Dales and it was spectacular, loved it, parked the van, took photos and let Bess run wild - a couple of cars went passed and loads of keen cyclists - some big hills to climb which I would not have fancied! Really enjoyed it, photos don't do those sort of views justice to be honest but got some good ones. 

Then after a bit we went back and travelled to the hostel to meet Tash as she walked in and completed the trek - I was too late! They'd already got in and she'd collected her stuff and that and didn't want to stay with her new friends any longer so came back to the campsite with me. She was due to stay one more night and have dinner with the hotel people but preferred my company, I guess I should be flattered.. :-) Had a nice evening and caught up on her stories of the experience, hopefully when I am sorted with a new hip then I'll be in a position to join her on these sorts of excursions as opposed to being the backup/base camp!

Next day (Sunday) we mad our way home and stopped off near Manchester and met up with Lewis is a very nice village for a coffee and cake and catch up. Then carried on home - shit traffic and it took bloody ages, but all in all a really good weekend, well worth it.

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Pet Shop Boys - Dreamworld Tour

I had always regretted not seeing Pet Shop Boys in concert when I was younger and vowed that I would do so when they were next touring (if ever they did tour again) and when they announced a new tour that was going to be all their "old stuff" I was delighted and we got tickets for it with John and Pauline. 

That was a couple of years ago and then Covid hit and pushed it back but thankfully it finally went ahead - it's been 40 years but it was so very, very worth it

John drove, it was in Birmingham Arena on the outskirts, but that wasn't a concern for me as I wasn't going to drink anyway as I wanted to soak in all the atmosphere and remember it.

Our seats were near the back of the floor-standing area but it was fine, just pleased to be there and they put on such a great performance, even with my back aching like mad I don't think I actually sat down at all.

As promised they did play so many of their old tracks and it was wonderful, the show was such an impressive sight, I really, really enjoyed it. Loads to sing to, oh, it was just wonderful, simple as that.

When it was over we went to the hotel opposite and had a drink upstairs looking out over the venue watching everyone leaving and then after 45 mins we wandered to the car and there was no traffic at all - will have to keep that in mind for the next time we go to that venue.

Such a great night

The set list is below - a great memory

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Suburbia

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1. Can You Forgive Her?
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2. Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)
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3. Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)
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4. Rent
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5. I Don't Know What You Want but I Can't Give It Any More
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6. So Hard
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7. Left to My Own Devices
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8. Single-Bilingual / Se a vida é (That's the Way Life Is)
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9. Domino Dancing
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10. New York City Boy
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11. You Only Tell Me You Love Me When You're Drunk
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12. Love Comes Quickly
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13. Jealousy
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14. Losing My Mind
    (Stephen Sondheim cover)
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15. You Were Always on My Mind
    (Gwen McCrae cover)
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16. Dreamland
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17. Heart
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18. It's Alright
    (Sterling Void cover)
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19. Vocal
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20. What Have I Done to Deserve This?
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21. Go West
    (Village People cover)
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22. It's a Sin
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24. Encore:
25. West End Girls
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26. Being Boring

Playing (and losing) against Jack at Chess

 Jack has been getting into chess again and playing online and doing really well. He asked me yesterday for a game and I said I no which I later regretted as it was a chance to spend time with him.

So this evening I suggested playing and instead of a quick game we were playing for almost 2 hours! He’s really good now and I couldn’t break him down and in the end he beat me.

He was chuffed to bits and I can’t really see how I am going to get back at him.

It was enjoyable and so much better than being in front of the TV – why I said no yesterday I can’t understand!

St Lucia. Last day. Thursday

Breakfast in the morning and then 9.00am shuttle to the beach. Only have 2hrs but enough to soak in the atmosphere again. Less windy than the first day and more sun so really is a good end to the holiday. 

It’s been lovely, a good mixture of doing things and relaxing. I think 7 days is enough, but definitely something we will think about next year so we can have “Winter Sun”. 

Writing this on the beach now so will update this when we get on the plane or arrive home. It’s going to be a long day/night as when we get back to Heathrow it’s going to be 6.50am and I need to work. 

Best sleep on the plane!! 

Day 7 St Lucia Wednesday

Up nice and early and asked to get shuttle bus to beach but then found out it doesn’t run today. Bit annoying but our own fault, it does say on the notice board. 

So went to gym and then breakfast and then a day by the pool

The weather today rained constantly, more rain than sun. Not ideal but you just got on with it. Caught up with news and all that. 

Sorted luggage for travel home tomorrow and had a few cocktails and beers. 

Nice last dinner and then it was Reggae night with a DJ. He was a bit hopeless to be honest and we ended up (well Tash did) chatting to the gay guys. They were really engaging and it was a nice evening and end to the holiday. 

Bed at around 1.30am so we were knackered 

Day 6. St Lucia. Tuesday

Hungover. Quiet. Pissed off about phone. 

Got a message they’d found it and would return it later. Great relief and all was well in the world again

Went down to Castries for a bit of a wander around. Nothing special and it rained the whole time. 2hrs was enough and then back to the hotel to relax and sleep. 

Weather was on and off. But it was fine. 

Day 4 St Lucia. Sunday

Hanging a bit

Tash did Pilates and then joined me for breakfast. I wasn’t overly keen but had loads of coffee. Not a serious hangover, just funny stomach and not wanting to eat really

Sat by the pool and had a WhatsApp video call with the kids. Cold and cloudy where they were. 

Didn’t do much else, relaxing day

St Lucia. Day 2. Friday

Didn’t sleep too well, nothing more than different bed and strange times. Wide awake at 5.00am but managed to get back off to sleep for a bit and were down for breakfast at 8.00am. Didn’t overdo it, fruit and poached egg and yoghurt. Might have a fry-up tomorrow, this is going to do any sort of diet a lot of damage!!

Got our bearings and booked tonight’s meal then jumped on the minibus through town (Castries) and to the beach. Bit secluded but nice and we walked along for a bit before coming back and reading or listening to music. Sea is warm and weather good, but cloudy and windy but it’s shorts and best weather so no complaints. When the sun is out the photos are great. Typing this now on the beach without a care in the world. It’s very easy to down tools and relax really

Will try the beach shack shortly, see how much it all costs. 

St Lucia. Day 1 Thursday

Up early. Did some work, cleared up Bessie’s shit all over the front room and finished last few bits and bobs. Have the kids a send off and then made our way to Heathrow. 

No hassle getting there and all good getting through security. Had some food and drink and then on the plane. 

Time seems to pass so quickly and we were finally on the plane. Okay, not half full and we were treated well. Tash made note of her birthday so we got some champagne which was nice. 

Sat on the plane typing this after 4 hours. Another 4.5hrs to go. Got another beer but might have a snooze. Very excited. Can’t believe we’re going to the Caribbean!!

Decent flight, then an hour to get through customs, was a bit stressful with the forms being right and also having to complete more but we got through it all and then got out 90mins transfer to the hotel. 

Bel Jou is the hotel. Really nice, everyone is super friendly, I think they’re so pleased to have tourists here. Dumped our bags, got into the wifi, and then went up to Lulu’s Cabana as it was Caribbean BBQ night. We were entertained with music and fire eating and limbo. All good fun. 

The food was good and we had a few cocktails and then a wander around before having a nightcap! We’re 4 hours behind here so 9.00pm was 1.00am and we were tired so called it a night. First impressions are good. We should have a good time here.

Back to Boot Camp

Oh my, I’m aching lying here typing this in bed about to sign off for the day. Went to boot camp at the gym on my own as Tash was in town and im knackered. Obviously I overdid it, that’s what I do! There were 5 of us there, haven’t seen the others before and it was a good session. I’ve not done any exercise since middle of November!

Anyway, busy day today. Loads done with work and dropped Tash and Pauline into town for a lm afternoon tea at the Ivy which they really enjoyed. 

Also, I went to the Churchill first thing this morning and basically got accepted for a hip operation. Loads of tests and pre work, makes it all feel very real, have to admit im a bit nervous about it. But pleased that it’s appearing to be happening!

Finally, after sharing that we’ve booked our holiday, Zoe and the girls have booked the same as well. Not sure how happy I am about it to be honest. 

Motivation starts now!

Jack talked Tash and I into going to his gym today. Tash did a workout with him, I did my own thing. I’ve not done any exercise for 2 months and it showed. I struggled. 

It was nice in the sauna and steam room though. It’s a great fitness club there, although they’re all fit already it seems!! 

In the afternoon we worked on listing the things we want so that was productive

Charlotte and Miles were in Westfield Shopping centre in London all day so didn’t seem them

Nice crispy duck for dinner and then tv and lots of Gin and Tonic. Dry January is definitely out the window!

Nice day

Dry January drink January dry? . 07.01

Worked from home today. Loads on my plate so was downstairs working by 5.30am. Got a lot done but it was a long and busy day. Finished up around 6.30pm

Decided that my effort at Dry January had been impressive enough so had wine and beers watching TV. Watched the Hitman Bodyguard’s wife, really very poor. Waste of time that I’ll never get back. 

Nice evening though. Set us up for a nice weekend hopefully. Tash sorted some more things for the St Lucia holiday so hopefully that will be going ahead after all. Fingers crossed. 

Down in Kent

Got a new starter with the team so travelled down to the office today. Up and out around 6.15am and a long day and typing this at 11.00pm. Haven’t stopped working

The new lad Scott seems on the ball which is good. Spent all day training him and the. Came to the Holiday Inn here in Sittingbourne. Must admit I hate it down here. Scared silly about Vinnie being left in the car park. So worried he won’t be there in the morning!

When at the hotel I just worked solidly. I’m absolutely knackered now.  At least I get breakfast at this one and then I go home tomorrow night instead of staying down another night

Tash, Jack and Mum went to the cinema taking advantage of the cheap tickets they get. Watched the new Kingsman film. They enjoyed it. Bit disappointed they went without me. Bit harsh!

Some good news on the travel front, sounds like some tests and restrictions are being eased up. So hopefully our trip to St Lucia is on!!

Catch up before back to work

Spent the day from 8.30am until about the same time in the evening doing jobs! Loads to do and was productive. Decorations all removed from the bar and lights from outside. Job after job..even sealing the kitchen sink. I was knackered. 

One good thing was Charlotte and I put the other decal on the side of Vinnie and we did it perfectly. Really pleased with it. 

A long day. Early night. Back to work tomorrow!

Birthday Weekend - day 1!

 Up early for golf - Wayne, John Hawkins - good round

Bath

Walk round Burford - mum, sweets, beer, coffe

Meal at home, um, family, Sue, presents, drinking, Who am i?

Stayed up instead of bed - too noisy in front room - out to bar. On my own - absolutely loved it, 3.00am finish... 

trip to the seaside

Decided to go down south for the day so as to feel we’ve got out the house. Me, Tash, Charlotte and Mum drive down in Vinnie and decided to try somewhere different and ended up through the New Forest at Milford on sea

Nice enough place and walked along a spit that was getting absolutely blasted by the wind

Made it to the castle there and when walking back got hit my a rain storm that soaked us through. There was nowhere to shelter so we endured 30 mins of rain and wind. Soaked!

Didn’t dampen our spirits though, was nice to get out and by the sea but didn’t stay any later and jumped in the van and came home. Nice and easy and a nice day. 

Watched the film Spotlight in the evening with Jack about the Catholic Church hiding abuse. Been meaning to watch it for a long time and it was well worth the wait. Excellent film but hugely frustrating and thought provoking. 

Anyway, one more day off then back to work. A good day today. 

Happy New Year

Up around 11.00am. Heavy head. Tash absolutely knocked out and throwing up. She didn’t surface until about 3.00pm. 

I finished the Witcher series and did some tidying up. We did well last night so there wasn’t too much anyway. 

Walked Bess when Tash woke but then watched films. A nice lazy day and start to the year. 

The kids were all fine and had a good time too.