Big Tour. Malaysia planning

Going well - very exciting to be planning and sorting out all the places we're going to visit

Babysitting the boys. Theo and Ralph

Bit of a heavy head this morning. Nothing too bad though to be honest. 

Up and tidied up so we were ready for the boys and Vic’s and Danny are having to work as things are tight at the pub. We don’t mind of course, they’re lovely lads and no trouble. 

We knew today was going to be nice weather, which it was, so we had ideas as to how to keep them occupied. First we finished housework and the Airbnb rooms, alone we have Jacks one being used. Then we let they play in the garden and then went up the road to the park. That was nice, I sat outside the pub as I had Bess and she can’t go into the playground part with the swings and slides. 

We then went to the lakes to feed the ducks. Ben Molyneux is house sitting at the top of the road so he wandered down to the lakes as well with Eimily and Jorge. Goodness they’ve grown up, hardly recognised them. 

Came back to ours and got the pizza oven going to use the last of the dough and then Ben and the kids came over for an hour. It was nice. 

They had plans so when they left Tash took the boys into the hottub and I tidied up, they loved it. Got them bathed and sorted and I then decided to go to the golf club to see if I could manage to swing a club or not. Tash was happy to let me drive so off I went about 4.15pm, got there and the carpark was empty, I had the whole golf course all to myself, it was great. I was a bit nervous of my hip and played within myself but it was fine, there was no pain or reaction so I went round and did 9 holes. I was tiring and aching but it confirmed that I’d be able to play so that was great. 

Had an okay round, parred the 1st which I don’t think I’ve ever done and birdied the 4th, the rest of it wasn’t too good. My wedge work was appallingly bad. Came home after 9 as it was getting dark, but that was enough for me. 

Had a bath to relax aching muscles and Jack got home from seeing Jodie in Bournemouth and we watched a good film. Twice we guessed how long left and I was 55 minutes and 21 minutes and got it right both times. Really funny and a bit spooky!

Busy day, busy weekend and back to work tomorrow…no doubt even busier!!

Cream Tea in Chipping Camden

Very nice!

Tough Day

Hard day at work

Busy

Drove out and got golf membership 

Hello fresh. Prawn Thai red curry

More work

Exercise for 30 mins

This week I have been mostly cooking "Hello Fresh"

 Lewis sent Tash a voucher for Hello Fresh meals as an introductory offer and this week we had a delivery of the ingredients and recipes for x3 meals. 

Tash used this as an excuse to get me to cook! Bit lazy if you ask me. In saying that, I really enjoyed it, they give you very good instructions and the ingredients are exact. It was quite interesting how small the rice and pasta portions were but when cooked they were more than enough for Tash and I, in fact we even had enough for me the day after one of them. 

The meals were vegetarian chilli, pasta bake and beef mince with black bean and potato wedges. All of them were very tasty and yes, I did really enjoy doing it. We are going to do it again next week and have a better choice of meals. But it’s me that will do them again. 

Jack's Bedroom conversion

Up bright and early today and on a mission to get things done. We’re going to change Jack’s bedroom into an Airbnb room but it needs a bit of an update. So we gave it a new coat of paint and we’ve bought new linen so it’s good to go. 

I still have a bit of wood I need to sort for the skirting board but that’s it, need to take some new photos and get it advertised. We will charge a bit more for it as it’s a larger room but won’t go overboard on the cost. We will also likely not rent it out all the time as Jack will want it sometimes when he’s home. 

I also set up the new Rattan furniture and that looks good. 

Tash did loads of gardening and we got loads sorted. Even had her nice homemade tomato soup, sadly it’s not the tomatoes from the garden, I think those will only be good for chutney sadly. We will see, some of them are ripening. 

About 4.00pm we went over to Sue’s and did some jobs and then a lovely lamb roast, it really was very tasty! Treacle pudding with custard for dessert so I was happy!! I also had three large gin and tonics, instead of lager, made the most of Tasha having to drive instead of me for once!!

Came home and still more jobs and getting ready for the working week. Charlotte has been down in Devon with GG and Ev, they look like they’ve had a fantastic time. Jack has poured fat down his sink and been blocked for 2 days!! Getting stressed with mum and her solutions. Not heard from Lewis really. 

Nice day and nice weekend. 

Ikea Shopping Trip…with meatballs

Had a shit night's sleep again, keep being wide awake at 4.00pm. Woke up around 9.00am and spent the next hour doing Wordle and Quordle and wasting time on the socials. So much to catch up on, this government under Liz Truss is a fucking nightmare. Anyway, can’t be bothered with that. 

Didn’t do much the rest of the morning other than working out the flights and plans for the Big Tour. It’s going to be upwards of £7k, we’re going to use the £5k from great grandma as I think travel is a good homage to her and use of her money. I hope she agrees. 

Quite excited about it, we’ve got some dates and need to get it cleared with work, but pissed off that we couldn’t use the BA companion voucher, that would have reduced the cost by half. Odd we can’t. 

We then went out and met Charlotte and Miles and went to IKEA in Milton Keynes, wandered round, I kept stopping. It was fine but it’s a bit dull and lacking interest for me. But for Charlotte, it gave her the chance to spend her birthday vouchers and she did well. We ended up spending £95 on god knows what!! Had meatballs for dinner of course! And bought a big bag of Daim bars so I’m happy with that!

Came home and relaxed, watched the end of a series we’re into and then had an early night. 

Just realised that the trip is 4 months away, I need to be walking fit but also beach fit…that’s going to be a VERY interesting challenge. I wonder how I will do!

Blenheim grounds walk

Felt knackered all day today. Slept on the floor in the front room when trying to do exercises, not ideal. 

Bit of an odd day really, tried to sort the problems either stop cock out the front but was unsuccessful and a waste of time and didn’t get much else achieved. Much to Tasha’s criticism…no further comment. Didn’t need it though. 

After nice lunch we went over to Blenheim and wandered through the grounds and got a coffee in the courtyard. I did okay, it was a lot of walking and it tired me but I keep telling myself it’s what I need to do and need to get the miles under my belt.

Came home and had a couple of Gin and Tonics and just chilled - also started looking properly into the flights for the Big Tour, need to get things in motion. 

Only spent an hour or so and also bought a new set of Rattan garden furniture - that was £1k!! Mad

Watched a bit of TV and waited on the next Airbnb to arrive  

Dreamgirls

Managed a full day at work today. Quite productive but again very tiring. Managing to remain disconnected from the emotion which is pleasing

Tash came home after work but not for long as she was meeting up with Sharon and Kerry to go to the theatre and watched a show called Dreamgirls, came back quite late but said it was well worth it and really enjoyable. Can’t remember the leading lady’s name but she was on the voice and Tash said she was amazing so that’s good. 

I just had dinner and got the fire going after going for a walk around the village in the pouring rain. It gave me a good excuse to use my Dry Robe though! The main reason is I’ve got a fitness app and I’ve reduce the daily steps target to 4K whilst I’m doing rehab. So I forced myself to do it as it’s the second day to meet that target, didn’t need to worry, ended up about 5.5k in the end!! That’s steps, not distance!!

Tash went out so lazed in front of the fire and watched a few episodes of Narcos, got back into it very quickly, it is addictive viewing. Really enjoyed it. 

A decent day I guess. 

Bit of a nothing day today

Up bright and early and got straight to work. Starting to feel the strain and what’s really odd is that I’m being asked about tasks I know absolutely nothing about, it’s like I’ve been expected to be fully up to date and have checked emails and be on top of everything whilst I was off. I’ve not even caught up with the emails and the tonne of stuff not dealt with my in absence. Mental. 

Had a tough meetings, lads are getting stressed, it’s not a happy workplace. I was tired by 2.00pm to be honest, I shouldn’t even be working, I’m a fucking idiot!!

Did a full day and finished at 5.30pm and just wanted to sleep. Did some chores, like sorting the broken handle on the vans fridge door, took Bess for a walk and made it round the allotment and feel even more tired now. Waiting for Airbnb to turn up and I’m dying to go to bed. 

Nice dinner, leftovers from yesterday lasagna and some cake. Got exercises done so hopefully keep that up. 

Like the title says, but if a nothing day but I wanted to post a diary entry all the same. 

Suppose I could comment on politics, Liz Truss is our new PM and she’s useless, as is Kwarsi Katang. He’s just done a mini-budget and completely yanked the economy, sterling is almost at parity with dollar and interest rates are going up. So as well as the energy bills crisis is that is simply disgusting the cost of living and now mortgages is going throught the roof. Pensions almost folded yesterday, it’s a bad time in Britain at the minute. 

Charlotte’s 26th Birthday

Charlotte is 26 today…how does that happen?!? My kids are all grown up, I hate it. Looked through old photos of her and the kids and friends and saw them when they were about 5 & 8 and it’s so lovely, I even looked slim and fit!! Yes, I used to be…

Had a nice morning opening presents and breakfast, and throughout the day she got loads of love on social media. 

Everyone was working and we then had lunch in which Tash and I took her to Jacob's Inn and Sue met us there too with Bella. Had some fizz and nice food and was very relaxed, Charlotte got some nice presents too. Back to work and then signed off around 5.45pm - I am getting back into my stride and of course, all the shit work and atmosphere is coming back. I am desperately trying to distance myself from the emotion that comes with the role - we'll see. It did affect my evening if I am honest, I kept thinking about emails and work that is building up!

Anyway, enough of that - I have to compartmentalise it and forget it, it's just a means to an end..payday!

Got the fire going because it's getting colder now we're hitting Autumn, even put the heating on for 30 mins - sacrilege!!

Mum came over and then Tez, Rua and Harvey and it was a nice evening of wine and lasagne. 

More presents for Charlotte and then an earlyish night to bed.

It was a good day and she was suitably spoilt by everyone so that was lovely and she definitely deserves it, she's a good one and Tash and I are very, very proud of her.

Physio

Started work fairly early and made time to break through the day. I’m determined to listen to my body and not overdo things with work. It’s clear that things can progress without me so I need to keep my input and the emails down as much as possible and not let others influence my working day and workload as much as I’ve allowed them to. 

Anyway, Jack gave me a lift you the NOC as he was home from seeing Jodie at the weekend and was driving up to Manchester so it worked well. Sounds like he’s got a clothing business on the go now so that sounds promising already, they bought if to £8k and think they’ll have it all recouped in a couple of months already. He said he couldn’t believe how little the lad sold it to them for. 

Physio was good, she was impressed with my mobility and flexibility after on two weeks since the op. Gave me more exercises and I am back in there again in a fortnight. Need to keep on pushing the exercises as it’s starting to feel better, but it was interesting how she found weak spots. 

Called mum and she gave me a lift home and stayed for a coffee too. 

Worked in the afternoon as normal and then clocked off around 5.00pm as I was tired. 

Not much doing in the evening. Did chores and the house was bloody cold so got a fire on the go and that was nice. Early night. 

Back to Work

So today I went back to work and it was okay. I’d got up to date with emails and to be honest, when you’re not working it’s surprising how few emails you actually get come in. So working appears to just generate work!!

I focused on a couple of key things that I’d been requested to work on and had a catch up with Darren etc. 

I did have breaks and alternated between sitting and standing at the desk and it was okay. 

Had a meeting at the local surgery to trim the sutures and reset my dressing. There was nothing to trim, the sutures were dissolvable and all that’s left is a bit of an angry looking scar, about 8 inches long…hopefully that’ll become less noticeable in time. It wasn’t painful but it was interesting to view. 

Got a lot done otherwise and clocked off work on time, nice dinner (pasta with sausages that we didn’t use kn the fry up yesterday!) and then Jack and Tash went to bootcamp so I took the chance to watch the next episode of House of the Dragon. Decent. 

When they were back we watched a treasure hunting film that was a bit shit but enjoyable nonsense. More a Sunday hangover film. 

So now I’m coming back to normality after my time off, wonder how soon I’ll be stressing and hating everything?? I’ll give it this week! 

Hip Replacement Operation - Update

It's now two weeks since the operation, not sure where I stand in terms of how successful or not it has been, I will actually find out tomorrow as I have a visit to the physio in the morning.

I think it's been okay - it's been a rough fortnight and it has certainly caught me by surprise with how hard it's been, but at the same time there have been lots of positives.

The operation itself was successful but I apparently wouldn't open my teeth so they couldn't put any suction tubes down my throat and I was fighting them off a number of times - all in my sleep!!

They were pleased (and surprised) to be working on someone as fit and young as me - they're used to only getting the "dregs" - their words - who are morbidly obese and have heart problems etc. I was the fittest person they've had in there for about 6 months!

Anyway, the time after the op was hard, I was being sick due to one of the liquid painkiller drugs that messed me up (Oxycodone) - the worst was in the morning when I was projectile vomiting into the toilet bowl - it was mad. But also lucky I was in the toilet!!

I was moved to a ward with three other men, Ian, Michael and Robin, all in their late 70s and had been there a while and had similar operations, they were in good spirits although Michael wasn't well at all - heart problems! 

Anyway, the Friday night was appalling, I was in so much pain, couldn't eat on Saturday and alternated between sleeping and listening to music. 

Tash and Charlotte visited but I wasn’t in the mood, my mum also came round. 

Saturday night sleep was better and Sunday was good and after physio they felt I was okay getting around. 

When home I was being looked after and no one really knew how much I could or couldn’t do. I was fine getting up and down stairs but the first week I was tired. Just sleeping on the sofa and having early nights. 

The seconweek I was on my own because all the family went to Katie and Oscars wedding in Cyprus. Obviously I was disappointed to be missing out but it’s the decision I made. 

I was fine at home, perfectly happy in my own company. Watched tv, completely the beers puzzle, watched the wedding, and slept. Started getting my appetite back so are more and was also able to do exercises they’d given me. I did stop the painkillers for a while as I felt okay and they “blocked me up” but after a few days the pain came back so I had to use them and they made me sleepy again. 

Managed to get out to walk a couple of times but again it hurt so stopped overdoing it. 

I did a few jobs around the house but if you look at what I’ve done with 2 weeks off work it’s literally nothing, but then it’s not exactly been a holiday!!

So now it’s a fortnight since the op, I started back at work today, that was tough, I find looking at a screen tiring. But also sitting or standing at my desk isn’t comfortable. I’ll do what I can and increase the hours I’m doing. 

Can’t say it’s good to be back, and I’ve not really been missed as my emails weren’t mental when I returned although to be fair I did tidy them up a few times last week when trying to look at what I had on my plate. 

Anyway, had the dressing replaced today and I’ve a scar that’s about 8 inches long, and I’ve physio tomorrow, so will see how I do there. 

Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason

So Tash is home for one day and then off on another trip out, this time to London! She and Charlotte took Sue to Fortnum & Mason for afternoon tea for Sue’s birthday. 

I looked after Bella when she finally arrived at our house about 90 mins late! 

They had a great time and I was right to tell them to take a chance on parking because they did find on-street parking for free right next to where they needed to be in Piccadilly which was great. Only had to pay the £15.00 congestion charge. Sent some photos of their food and all pretty standard and they said it was unlimited and they had a great time. 

Travelling home there were Iranian protesters and fights at Marble Arch so they were stuck in traffic for a while but they weren’t too late. 

Brought me home some cakes so that was nice. 

I had a quiet afternoon, slept again as I was knackered through lack of sleep at night and then I worked in the office getting things up to date. Sort of productive I guess. Went through all my Notes and also provided more ideas for my birthday and Xmas presents - they laugh but also say how useful it is for me to tell them what I want

Charlotte did say she thought it a bit sad that I was asking for coffee beans - "Why don't you just go and buy some?".

Finally watched the last episode of This Is Us - it's been enjoyable and it was sad at the end, but that's all over now thank goodness!

Fam Home and Tucks Over

They got home around midnight and were obviously all knackered and had a lie-in in the morning, Tash did actually go to Yoga and I pottered around the house, nice and easy catching up with this still but then Tash came back and cracked the whip! All a bit irritating to have my routine messed about with, to be honest, but there we go.

Tucks sent a message earlier in the day saying he was in England so we arranged to meet up later and he come over to ours - I made a reservation for Jacob's Inn.

The rest of the day was mostly clearing up things and sleeping - I keep getting pain in my leg so back on painkillers.

Jack went off to see Jodie down in Bournemouth and I caught up on the gossip and stories from the holiday and sorted Tash's O2 account.

Andrew came over around 5.30pm (I'd had a quick snooze as I was knackered) and it was a really nice evening. I broke my month-long target to not drink lager but it was okay really - didn't have too much. Really good to catch up - chatted for ages, then went to Jacob's and had a nice dinner then back home, watched some TV and Tuck's stayed the evening in Jack's room.

Really good to see him, he's off early in the morning so will likely miss him as he's helping move things in his parent's house and then back to the States. His new house is looking very impressive and his kids, Olivia and Grace) are settling in etc.

Sounds like all is good

Home Alone Update - Last Day

So the fam are trying to come home again today, similar times but this time they are coming via Romainia!! Don’t ask. Completely mad. 

I had a strange day really, did a couple of hours work for Raintree and then more diary entries but nothing for the Big Tour. Took Bess for a walk on the meadow which was nice but I am struggling here in bed this evening, in loads of pain and it won’t go away. 

Didn’t really have a decent dinner, just snacks and treated myself to gin and tonics sat outside with the heater on and watching some of the England v Italy Nations game. It was very poor. 

I can’t write anymore, I’m in agony. Just received a text saying they’ve landed at Gatwick and it’s 22:25pm. So they’ll be home in a couple of hours. 

Night. 

Jack has moved up to Manchester

So the final child has fled the nest back in August. Jack's business (Reseller2Reseller) and his partners are based in Manchester and over the last few months, he and Noah have been up there for weeks at a time which has involved staying at Lewis's house for extended periods. 

That in itself has caused a bit of friction which is a crying shame but I think that's done and dusted now, quite upsetting all round the way it was handled, but I don't want to be negative on here and for this to be read as such in the future - only that it clearly was a temporary situation and family should do "anything" for each other. That's enough on that!

Anyway.. Jack's been trying VERY hard to find a place to rent for him and Noah and it's been nigh on impossible, places are gone almost as soon as they are advertised and/or there are loads of bookings.

Natasha wasn't convinced he was trying hard enough and got involved and soon was pulling her hair out as well! Even Lewis at one point too. This went on for weeks.

Anyway, just by chance a place that Jack had viewed and was unsuccessful with came back on because the residents pulled out and with a lot of hoop jumping Jack and Noah secured the contract.

So for a couple of weeks, Tash has been travelling up to Manchester with Vinnie full of beds and household items and she's helped him move in - at the time of writing this I've not been to see it yet but from the photos, it looks fine and he's happy now. It's on the outskirts of Manchester in a village/suburb and appears "safe" enough. I didn't go because of work.

On the first day of handover whilst Tash was there it was apparently very emotional, Jack was crying his eyes out as much as mum and for a few weeks following the day one move he was clearly quite homesick and was sending various messages over to us and calling etc, it's settled down now and he's more into the routine and happier up there it seems. It's quite a shock to the system for him as he didn't do Uni or anything and has only known home comforts and being looked after - very different prospect doing it all for yourself.

I think what's also helped is he now has the internet connected and I think they're using the front room as an office so it's busy there most of the day (I think with Noah playing football he was a bit lonely).

Feels like he's grown up, although that perception was shattered when he came back down and stayed a few days ahead of the wedding trip to Cyprus - he was a pain in the backside and back to his shouty self!! :-) Lol

I don't think it's going to be a permanent solution, him staying in Manchester, let alone this accommodation, but it's great he's got out an experienced it and can now make decisions going forward, the business is going well so that's all good and the correct decision.

It's made the house a whole lot quieter, and with no Charlotte now it's been a very emotional couple of months with "losing" the kids. People we speak to often say they're pleased when their kids move out - we're not like that, we love having the kids around, we LIKE our children!!

Anyway, they have to move on at some point, don't they? So as much as it's quieter, there's also more food left in the house - Jack eats so bloody much! Tash and I need to scale down our weekly shop and also when we cook remember it's only the two of us, its caught us out a few times and we've had leftovers for the following day as a result!

We will convert one of their rooms, probably Charlotte's as she's the more 'permanent' leaver, into an AirBnb room but we won't rush it so neither of them feels we've been desperate to get rid of them and change things and get money from their departure, but it makes obvious sense to use one more room as the small box room is full nearly all the time.

Anyway, sad to lose Jack but he's close to Jodie, so I think we'll be seeing them a lot as Jodie used us as a stopover the other day on her way up to Manchester from Bournemouth (stayed the night - lovely that she's that comfortable with us).

We'll definitely be going up to Manchester more now as having x2 kids up there makes it easier to catch up with them!!

We shall see what the future holds...

Home Alone Update - One Day more!

 Sort of productive day today - worked through a list of chores which included cutting back the roses (front and back), cutting the lawn, refilling the pond (after accidentally draining it!), sweeping the patio, getting the dustbins out for tomorrow, re-inflating the hot-tub and also doing some work for EdCo and Raintree - all just in the morning so was very pleasing to see things up together.

Tash told me early in the day that their flight was delayed by at least two hours but annoyingly the taxi firm wouldn't change so they were getting to the airport very early. They made the most of the last few hours by the pool and then came to the airport where I started getting additional updates on later and later departure times.

There was a post on Twitter where someone on the flight from Gatwick to Larnaca showed some idiots being kicked off the plane which eventually meant that the flight Tash and the kids are waiting for is cancelled until 5.00pm tomorrow evening - what an absolute nightmare!! At the time of typing, they're waiting for their luggage and I think they're then being put up in a hotel. What a shame.

So that was evening occupied with loads of updates from them.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful, I started looking into the Big Tour, as I am going to call it - i.e. our trip to South East Asia, to be honest, though I am quite overwhelmed with it all, it's something we definitely need to work out together but also ask other people who've been, like Charlotte and Miles!! I am excited by it though I have to say, some of the places that we're going to get to see look amazing.

After dinner, I then watched a film and had the drama of the cancelled flights and then had an early night. Have taken a painkiller as I've had two horrible nights of interupted sleep so I am hoping tonight works out okay - fingers crossed.

Home Alone update - diary entries

Oh goodness - I've been on a mission today - I have created so many entries to catch up with what I've not been posting and it's been enjoyable if a little time-consuming!

Luckily all the St Lucia ones were already written on my phone so it was a case of transferring them over and adding tags etc. Hopefully, keep it up - challenging target tomorrow again to add historical ones.

Got my new sim card today so spent time trying to get my number transferred over, if all goes well I've reduced my monthly cost from £35 to £6 - it's mental! 

Watched the new Star Wars series, Andor, that came out today - they've released 3 episodes in one hit which makes really good sense as the first two are a little slow so watching them all in one go means you are hooked into it as opposed to giving up after ep 2! I've enjoyed it.

So that means I've got Andor, Rings of Power (Lord of the Rings) and House Of Dragon (Game of Thrones) on my playlist at the minute...all good fun.

Managed to get out for a walk this evening so as to start building up the leg muscle and fitness, also managed 90 mins of work (in the whole day!) - I did 50 mins and I was knackered and my back was hurting - next week when I plan to come back "properly" is going to be tough going.

Oh, I also managed to properly update my birthday list and even found a Xmas present for Tash! How organised am I?

Or it's just spectacular procrastination because the planning of the Asia trip is just too much for me to face!!