Another day - another entry by ChatGPT

 I added bullet points this time and told it not to copy the wording from yesterday - not bad at all!

**Diary Entry: Tuesday, 22nd October**

Today started earlier than I wanted, thanks to the Airbnb guest leaving at 4:50 am. They made so much noise—why can't people just close doors quietly? I tried to get back to sleep but ended up tossing and turning until I finally got up and started working around 8:00 am.

After a while, I took Bess out for a walk. The fresh air helped clear my head, and she seemed to enjoy it as usual. Later in the day, I played around with ChatGPT, getting some cocktail suggestions based on what I had in the bar. That was pretty fun—got a few ideas for the next time we have people over.

Work was good today, nothing too stressful, and I managed to keep on top of everything. Wrapped things up on time and decided to try a decent stir-fry recipe for dinner. I swapped out the usual chicken for spicy sausages, and it turned out really well. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

After dinner, I took Bess for another walk to wind down. Then, we played a couple of rounds of Monopoly Deal with Jack and Natasha. Jack completely crushed me in the first game, but I got my revenge and won the second one.

We finished the evening with some TV before heading to bed around 9:30 pm. Overall, a solid day!

Diary entry written by Chat GPT!!

See my prompt and what it produced!!

Prompt:

Write a diary entry for me that includes the following events that happened. Natasha worked around the house and garden, I worked with customers remotely and was busy but finished up to date, diner was spag bol, bootcamp at the gym for us both, watch Netflix and monsters documentary in the evening before bed with hot choc yams night time tea

Response:

Diary Entry:

Today was a productive one. While Natasha spent most of the day working around the house and tending to the garden, I was busy with remote work, handling customer requests. It felt like a non-stop stream of emails and calls, but I managed to power through and finish up everything. It’s always a good feeling being up to date with work, especially after a hectic day.

For dinner, we had spaghetti bolognese—simple, but always a favorite. Afterward, we both headed to the gym for bootcamp. It was intense, but we pushed through together, and I felt great afterward, like the perfect end to a productive day.

In the evening, we settled down with Netflix and watched a documentary on monsters, which was surprisingly gripping. To wind down before bed, we made some hot chocolate and had Yams Night Time tea, a nice calming finish to the day. Feeling ready to rest up and take on tomorrow.

Additional prompt by me:

Add to this that I was up at 5.30am as I couldn’t sleep so went for a light run but was useless and unfit and walked a lot. Say that I started work about 6.30am to get ahead of the day and catch up with weekend work

Remove the bit about Yams night time tea, just call it night time tea

Diary Entry:

Today started earlier than expected. I was up at 5:30 am because I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to go for a light run. It didn’t go as planned—I felt pretty useless and unfit, ended up walking more than running, but at least I got outside for a bit. After that, I started work around 6:30 am to get ahead of the day and catch up on some work from the weekend.

While Natasha worked around the house and garden, I stayed busy with customers remotely. It was a non-stop flow of tasks, but I managed to keep up and finished everything. Feels good to be on top of things.

Dinner was spaghetti bolognese, which hit the spot. Then we both headed to the gym for bootcamp. It was intense, but we pushed through together, and I felt great after the session—definitely needed that after such a long day.

We wound down by watching a monster documentary on Netflix, which was more interesting than I expected. Before bed, we had some hot chocolate and night time tea, the perfect way to relax and finish off the evening.

Scary isn't it? I might just put bullet points into the system and let it write it again for me - will try tomorrow and see what is comes up with when I tell it to change the wording!

Early birthday celebrations with the boys

 Woke up with a bit of a head on me but nothing too drastic, got sorted and then made my way to golf, Wayne, Nathan Creed and Julio made the foursome and we started at 9.00am to avoid the rain and it worked. But it was super wet out there - wasn't much fun. Went round in 96 (35 points) - bit disappointing to be honest but can't have great rounds all the time.

Got some shopping done on the way home and Lewis had arrived and we had a nice fry up for brunch. We were all a bit tired so had a snooze after clearing things up and then 3.30pm went out and parked at Mum's work and went to the Sixes cricket set up in John Lewis

Had a cocktail that was nice and a beer and then played the cricket - it was great. Very well done - I'd have liked to play longer but they were quite strict on the time limits unfortunately. We then went looking for a roof-top bar but they were full so ended up in the Chequers for one and then back to the Lebanese restaurant near the Westgate centre and the food was lovely. Really enjoyed that.

Stopped off at the Wig and Pen and then came home

Started watching a film but gave but because we were falling asleep - went to bed about 11.00pm in the end

Really good day and evening, loved it. Nice to spend time with Lewis and Jack.  

Home alone - sort of - Jack is here still

This morning at 2.30am Tash got up and with Charlotte and Simon flew over to Ibiza to see Marc and Dani - she's not well with cancer which is obviously a concern so Tash wanted to see them and lend her support. Tash has sent photos already and I saw that Wendy and Graham are there too so that's brilliant all round.

Jack is home now for the weekend and was working hard, as was I! After saying I was in control yesterday it's been pretty full on today but I am on top of things which is good. Had a meeting about the new Job Description and I was very positive and that so not letting on that there are any issues. Which to be fair is true, I am quite "happy" with my situation at the minute. See how long it lasts

I've been lazy and distracted with things of late so I need to get back on track with the diary and fitness and that so hopefully this will be the start of improving myself.

We will see!

Early morning golf and evening Gym

Up bright and early again today so went straight off to golf at 6.20am and had nine holes out there in lovely sunshine, but there was a chill in the air so needed some layers. I did okay and had a brilliant tee shot on the 4th to land only 1yrd away to birdie it - pleased with that!

But lost two balls in the water again.

Back home by 8.15am and did a day's work as usual

My new putter was delivered and as it said on the site, it was brand new and in its wrapping - seems okay so need to go an practise with it now.

Got my Kili diary transcript completed which is pleasing but there was an abrupt end to it as I obviously gave up on summit day. I have kept the entry open so I can go an update it from memory. I plan to keep the pages of notes and not throw them away.

Tash was out again all day walking with Anna and then pottered around the house and garden in the rain! Had dinner, and I walked Bess - I decided that Run Club is a bit of a waste of time - thinking about it there's a 2hr round trip as we leave at 5.30pm to join the traffic and get home about 7.30pm having run for about 30 mins. I said I'd rather spend that time here - and I did, I went to the gym and got 90 mins workout done so a much better use of my time. Struggled a bit with the running but rowing and cycling I sweated my bollocks off.

Home and wasting time on my phone, watched a bit of TV and then early night (well 10.00pm)

A decent day all told

Golf and Kilimanjaro Diary transcribed

Woken up bright and early this morning by the alarm at 5.45am - Tash wasn't impressed..

Got up and did about 20mins work, and then got my stuff and left for the golf course. I couldn't go any earlier as it was too dark, got to Radley about 6.40am and was on the course on my own but it took a while to lighten up - such a shame that summer is on its way out..but there you go.

I had a decent nine holes, although I struggled on the 7th which was annoying. Only did the nine as two groups of old men teed off and it was about 8.00am so thought it best that I get back home to the office.

Traffic was okay and I had a busy day of it

Halfway through I checked the doorstep and sure enough my new laptop arrived - hopefully take more care of this one - and as usual that meant losing time setting it up and downloading all the programmes I need for it, it seemed to go fairly smoothly so that's good - nice to have a proper keyboard that doesn't miss characters when I type.

Work is getting busier but the lads are experienced now so coping with things being thrown at them.

Made dinner in the evening, Tash got wet cycling home, and then went off to catch up with Lucie - I took Bess on a long walk and then home to continue transcribing my Kilimanjaro hand-written notes into this Blogger diary. It's slow going but it's bringing back so many memories, I am so very pleased that I wrote in the detail that I did, it's making everything so really and remembered. I'd spent some of the day doing it and then a couple of hours in the evening as we were waiting for our net Airbnb who arrived at 10.00pm meaning I could go to bed

A long day.

Something I am pleased about is I was able to put into practise some of the golf shots I've been practising at home in the garden - just using my pitching wedge to hit 20ft. It made hell of a difference, I felt confident in what I was doing and how far to pull back my swing when checking out the distances close to the green. Very useful and will definitely continue to practise that going forwards.

Tonight Josephine and Charlotte late night!

Woke up early as we're off early and have things to do so jumped in the hot-tub for a bit and then I made bacon sandwiches. Got sorted and ready to go and Jodie arrived then Tash and I went to get Sue and Lewis/Jodie got Charlotte and we all made our way to Birmingham.

I dropped Sue and Tash as close to the station as possible and then found parking and went to the pub and had a nice pint of Camden Hells Pale Ale - as good as lager to be far. The girls all went off to Tonight Josephine round the corner and Lewis and I went off wandering around the Bullring shopping.

I was looking for new trainers, found some but couldn't get my size, loads of shops that I could have bought from but was ultimately unsuccessful, back to the drawing board.

Lewis and I then went to the market and as much as I hate it the very first stall had the frying pan fat protectors I had on my birthday list for £3.50 total (for two) so I went ahead and got them.

We then went to Bills for lunch which was lovely - nice burger, shit fries!

Went and met up with the girls when they'd finished their show and they were in a downstairs bar (along with all the other women from the show too) and it was a good atmosphere. Sue had absolutely loved it, Charlotte less so complaining about the food, drinks and music - she wasn't the only one - but they'd all had a good time it seems. Loads of posing and photos and a few drinks but the car park times were running our so we needed to leave.

Lewis and Emily going up North, me taking Charl, Tash and Jodie - stopped for beers and chocolate and wee break and then back home. Dropped Charl at Bicester because Miles was in Bournemouth with his mates and Charl had the taste for it so was going out with Katie, we took Jodie back to her mum's in Stokenchurch and the made our way back home.

Sat in the hot-tub with a few beers and then came in and watched some TV before going to bed.

Got a phone call about 11.30pm from Katie asking if we could get Charl as she couldn't walk or talk - last thing we needed, especially as I'd had a drink, but we had no option and went and got her - sure enough she was a state!

Got her home to her bedroom but she was noisy and it was awkward because we had an Airbnb (I don't think she was impressed as she left the following day and didn't reply to messages..oops!). Finally Charl collapsed and it was quiet, we laid out a towel and bucket and hoped for the best

We did check on her in the night and she was fine. Quite a long and eventful day!

BBQ in the rain

What a shit day it was today, nothing to do with work - that was fine - the weather was awful.

Miserable and raining and very dark the whole time. I manged some exercises in the "bar gym" which was good but we had Lewis coming down and Charl, Miles and my mum coming over in the evening so I still went ahead and got things readied in the garden to sit out and have a BBQ - I did have an umbrella over it so that was good but no-one was interested in staying outside so we started out - got very smoked out and then ate inside. I think that pissed Tash off.

Nice evening, few beers and bottles of wine drunk and then about 9.30pm people went home. Lewis and I watched the Guy Ritchie film - Ministry of Ungentlemanly Conduct - third time for me and he loved it too. That finished at midnight and he took Bess for a quick walk around the block as she'd eaten so much in the evening

Really nice evening - enjoyed it 

JK Run Club

Bit of a nothing day in terms of work - keeping up to date and dealing with all issues and ticking along. 

Been working through the photos I have in iCloud and moving them into folder on OneDrive - amazing how much we fit into our lives it really is

 

We travelled over to Bicester for Run Club, and were v early for once, did the warm up and then it was a straight 30mins run - I came last!! I completed the time but I am so slow, but then I go at a steady pace that suits me, just it's not very fast..

Came home and pottered around, I watched the Deacon Blue concert video I'd recorded which was great fun, exercised too and then another early night.

Afternoon run AND Bootcamp!

Starting to get busier at work because people are coming back after their summer holidays, so it won't be long before we're snowed under again! However, it's been nice to catch up and have a comfortable few weeks.

I went out for a run at lunchtime, got as far as the Trout and then cramp hit my left calf, my fault I am sure as I've not drunk must water today, thought about turning back but carried on and it was okay, it was like a strain but nothing dangerous. Ran to Wytham and back which is what Tash did in the morning so I was keeping up with her.

Tired me out for the rest of the afternoon if the truth be told.

Had a snooze for a bit and then we went to boot camp for our private session! We worked hard today but also felt better during it so that was a definite positive. Sad news as we left in that Steve told us he was moving on and joining Radley College as the Gym Manager there.

Didn't do much in the evening, watched a bit of tv (Celebrity Race Around the World) and then an early night. Will be aching in the morning no doubt!

Golf and French Bistro evening

Didn't even realise it was the 1st of September until Monday morning (2nd) - how time is flying.

Really good day today.

Up early and down to Wickes and Aldi for shopping, Tash got the food and drink and I got the varnish for the table and back home worked on the table really taking my time and as much care as I could and though I say so myself, I did a brilliant job, the table looks as good as new, really, really pleased with it.

Sorted the garden and then Tash went over to her Mum's to help get things in order and I went off and played golf on my own, it was great, hardly anyone there, so fortunate to have such a quiet golf course. My round was pretty indifferent but I do feel I got some consistency with my driving, not straight but I was able to address/accommodate the pronounced fade that I have in my game.

Anyway, pretty shit round and did 100 strokes, really need to be getting into the low 90's. That wasn't the main story for the day..on the 17th (water hole) I was putting and then heard a crash, my trolley had rolled into the lake and my bag was face down in the water - incredibly nothing was lost but it was all soaking wet! Made the guys on the WhatsApp chat laugh. Plonker!

Didn't go home, we arranged with my mum to meet her at Shotover, Tash and Bess came separately too and we went for a walk around the park, mum was a bit slow and seemed to find it tough going but as usual she plodded along uncomplaining. She asked about Jeff, that was interesting, I didn't shy away from the subject and said what we'd talked about and that we'd arrange to meet up - no idea how she took it, probably pissed that we've not been to see Louise and Joey etc.

We then went home and it was a lovely hot day so I took a detour to Summertown and got some wine because we're out and then Tash did more in the garden and I cooked chicken tarragon and it was lovely. But what made it fun is that I set up the outside garden table as a restaurant complete with napkins and French bistro music on - it was a lovely setting under the grape vines and felt very "international" and "holiday" like. Stayed out and drank more and just relaxed - it was such a lovely (and almost romantic!) evening. 

A perfect end to a lovely weekend.

Long run from Blenheim

Tash went off to yoga early in the morning and I pottered around and got jobs done and then we went over to Charlotte's and in turn went to Blenheim Palace so they could do a long run to end the week.

They were going off to Milton Keynes shopping for Charl's birthday and needed Tash's car so instead of taking two cars I decided that I'd just run home instead, sounds a long way but it's only 6 miles so a perfect distance. I was with them in the Blenheim grounds not for long but to view some of the amazing cars they had there on show for something going on - God only knows how much money was on display for all these beautiful cars on display.

So anyway, off I went and it was okay, I did stop for a few seconds because of a really annoying Airbnb person (Meredith) contacting us, thank goodness she leaves today - she's been hard work. But otherwise I then stopped at the Dog Kennels roundabout for 5 mins, I was knackered and it was only 4.8miles! Not ideal.

I then ran the rest of the way home pushing my legs although I so wanted to stop. The thought occurred to me that having done that once, I'd have to do it 4.5 times to complete a marathon - this is quite a challenge we've taken on!! Think I'm regretting it a bit. Hopefully it will get me fitter though so there's a motivation behind all this!

I then had the afternoon to myself and was a bit lazy for an hour or so and watched cricket and hid from Meredith until she left. Then I decided to get things done and worked on sanding the dining room table, it's very battered and worn so we're hoping that sanding the top varnish off and re-doing it will give it a new lease of life. I only used the handheld mouse sander as my belt sander would be too heavy duty and it worked fine but was time-consuming, dusty and quite hard work to be honest. But slowly I got it done and then covered it in case of rain - which is exactly what happened! 

Tash called late and said they were all going to come over to ours and have a Chinese take-away as no-one could be bothered to cook and they got here about 7.00pm, same time as Miles and the food was excellent - really lovely. Watched a film, Chilren of Men, which I sort of enjoyed but no one else was fond of it so that was disappointing and then Charl and Miles went home as they wanted their beds this evening which of course was fine. Not a boozy evening at all and an early night in the end.

A decent day all told.

Tiff's Kids Over for the night

 Normal day at work, got jobs done in between and even made it out for a run - bloody hot at 12.30pm but I managed a few miles, I am going to find this marathon really hard to be honest, I am not doing well with this initial training.

Tash has Tiff's kids tomorrow and is taking them down to Bournemouth for the day as she's off with her new boyfriend (Aaron) for the weekend, yep, she's got a new bloke in already...no further comment from me on that though, it's none of my business.

Anyway, Tash was in Bicester in the afternoon so thought it best and most convenient to pick the kids up today instead of in the morning and have them sleep the night.

No Brendan, but that's not a surprise, he's almost 18 now, so Dulce, Ellwood and Ivy came over and they were full of beans and energy from the very moment they arrived, they're really lovely children and it was fun having them over. Dulce is so cute and cheeky, so like Charlotte. We ate so many treats and crap I felt quite sick by the time for bed - even stopped the ice cream van too.

Took them to the local park when walking Bess and Dulce kept asking to carry the poo bag and was eager to pick up any poo when Bess next went (she didn't go) but that was both amusing and odd. I said she's going to be a vet!

We got them settled down, much later than they would normally go to bed, Ivy and Ellwood shared Charlotte's bed and Dulce said she wanted to sleep with Tasha - so I ended up sleeping on the sofa! That wasn't ideal I'll be honest

So the evening finished and everyone went to bed except the Airbnb we have staying who sat at the dining room table whilst I watched the end of my Viking series, she was still up when I settled myself down to sleep, but it was uncomfortable and I woke up with a real pain in my back - not nice

But it was lovely having the kids - they really are great and they look out for each other so well.

Run Club again

Not much to report in the day itself, took the old dining room chairs to the dump at Ardley, that was a bit of a shame throwing those away!

Tash came back from work and went out with Anna and Cathy down at the Medley pub along by the Perch so didn't see much of her.

As agreed, I went out to run club in Bicester and met Charlotte - just us two today. We did 12 mins together, then for the next two intervals she ran on ahead - I struggled to be honest but it's good I was out there. I really just need to keep putting in the time and hours like I did with walking and preparing for Kili.

I have had an odd muscle strain for two days now which I think is from golf and sitting down too much - really painful to touch and yet wasn't a problem for me when running - most odd.

As I came back home I felt I needed to do a bit more so popped in the gym for perhaps the shortest time ever! I did 3 mins running and then 10 mins rowing - then left..

Relaxed at home and watched some episodes of Vikings Valhalla - I am nearing the season 3 end which is where it stops I think, pretty sure they're doing season 4 though. 

New dining room chairs

I bet Samuel Pepys didn’t get to write about such things in his diary! 

Pretty nothing day today, I was feeling well, I’ve got a cold and couldn’t concentrate on my work. Luckily it’s still not very busy. 

As per the intriguing headline, we had new charis for the dining room delivered and I put the legs together and were pleased with them. See how long these ones last then. Sadly I’ll take the others to the dump tomorrow. 

Charlotte came over in the evening to bring back the camping stuff they borrowed for their festival (Creamfields) at the weekend and we caught up on each others news. They had a fantastic time with such great DJs, of course I was jealous!! She stayed quite a long time and had dinner with us so that was lovely. 

Walked Bess, had a bath because my left leg is absolutely killing me and I should have gone for a run but sucked out of that. 

Bank Holiday Weekend away in Braunton

 Went down to Braunton for the long weekend with Wayne and Kerry. They arrived at ours around 6.00am and we were on the road 10 mins later, the run down to Devon was very good indeed, we didn't need to stop and the traffic was busy but kept at a steady 70mph so that was great.

Sadly, the weather wasn't great so instead of going straight to Baggy Point for the walk, we stopped in Barnstable for breakfast with the intention of delaying a bit and giving the weather a chance to improve, and to be far it did.

We drove through Braunton and on to the coast and through Croyde to the National Trust car park, got sorted and then went on the walk around the coastline - it was excellent, so dramatic and the weather was good so we had great views and no rain.Very enjoyable, walked all the way around to Putsborough Beach which is the south end of Woolacombe (which we could see in the distance) and then had lunch on the beach. Bloody windy which meant the surf was huge and it was exciting, really wanted to get into it!

We made our way back to the van and then onto the campsite just in Braunton, seemed nice enough and we got sorted out - I set up the awning but it was very windy, storm like, but it was needed so we took the risk.

It was a small site, right next to a cricket pitch but flat and decent. Had a few drinks and a relax and then got dinner on the go - Kerry had cooked spag bol so that got heated up and we played cards outside until late. Tash was a bit tipsy and kept winning at crib which she made the most of celebrating and rubbing Wayne's nose in it! Was funny to be fair. Walked the dogs and went to Tesco and they found some pillows as they'd left theirs in Oxford - then hot drinks and bed!

The wind was howling but the awning held fast so that was a relief.

Sunday we emerged about 8.30am, so convenient and comfortable and warm in the van, makes hell of a difference. I cooked breakfast, I had three hobs on the go and it worked really well, got it all delivered hot at the same time and though I say so myself, it was lovely! Made packed lunches for later in the day and then tidied up and got on the road and went the few miles down to Westward Ho. I like it here, it's a real seaside town, parked in the dunes and then went for a walk past the "haunted house" along the cliff edge. It was very, very windy and then sure enough, it started pissing down with rain! We'd got a decent distance and then decided to turn back and return to town.

Wayne attacked the sweet shop and then we had drinks in the pub garden nearby as the sun shone (very fluctuating weather!!). After a bit we made our way back to the car and Tash and I decided that we'd definitely like to get out in the sea and do a bit of body boarding. We ate in the car, it was raining again, and then braved the elements, got changed into wetsuits, made our way over the boulders and into the sea that had gone out a long way. Thankfully Wayne and Kez looked after our jackets and the dogs and we ventured into the sea - surprisingly it was mild and not a shock to the system.

Tash first and then she went back, then me, the waves were decent but I didn't do any good boarding - no idea what's wrong with my technique, but I just don't get pushed along by the waves sadly. I felt conscious that they were all waiting on me but I'd happily have stayed out there a lot longer that the 15/20 mins that I did. But we did it so that was good.

Back to the car and got changed back into dry clothes (the dry robe is great for warmth and also as a cloak room pretty much!) and then back to the tent. 

Cricket was on so everyone relaxed with a book, or slept, I got a few beers and watched the cricket - it was a shit standard but they enjoyed themselves. Tash made dinner, butter chicken curry and rice and did it well. Wind and rain again and we decided to play cards in the van this time - walking the dogs didn't take long because it pissed down with rain again!

We did get a bit of a break with the weather so I quickly took down the awning so it didn't get damaged in the evening - we also decided to buy another side panel to make it more enclosed next time we use it.

Cards in the van was nice and it was a bit more even this time with Wayne and I making a comeback but the girls still won 3-2 for the weekend. We were all a bit tired so it was an early night and not too much drinking but that was fine with us. 

Next morning, as predicted the weather was nice and sunny, we got packed up and as we were about to make a move Tash and I decided we'd visit Saunton Sands quickly and walk Bess but Wayne and Kez wanted to get going so we said our goodbyes and agreed to catch up later to play golf depending on when we got home.

We were only at the beach for 20 mins just to say we'd been there and avoid parking charges and then we were on the road. As expected for a bank holiday Monday the traffic was pretty bad and tough going - I think I might have been caught speeding in a 60mph zone, pissed off about that but nothing I can do about it now!

We had a new Airbnb arriving today and she got a bit shirty with us about the checking in time - sill girl as she's with us all week, very odd. Wound us up a bit to be honest.

Anyway, got home about 2.45pm and unpacked etc and then I cheekily sneaked off and played Wayne at golf. I didn't have the best round but still got 34 points and hit 97 and I was disappointed with that so I know I can do so much better!

Back home for dinner and more sorting out of things and then Tash had an early night and I just watched a film and then wasted time on my phone.

A long weekend but really enjoyable, look forward to getting out in the van again soon.

Bit of nothing day

Work is quiet at the minute which means I've had an opportunity to catch up with house-keeping and such like.

Didn't do any long run (or short run for that matter) but did exercise so need to keep that going

Went out for a walk with Tash in the evening when she was back and Jack and Jodie came over for dinner after they'd been out for a spa day which they'd enjoyed - didn't have a pool or anything so was very much focused on the spa/sauna type rooms and relaxation which worked for them.

Played Monopoly Deal after their dinner and I got well and truly shafted - didn't even have a property at the end of the game - horrible!!

Knackered so had an early night in the end.

Busy weekend ahead so go prepped and sorted for that in the day too

Normal Work, nice lunch and Run Club

Being back at work this week has been okay, it's been a quiet Summer break thankfully meaning we've been able to catch up with work and tasks which is always appreciated, even had a bit of spare time to work on other projects - I've now set up an app called Notion (seeing Jack using it) which is similar Trello and might not be necessary but if it's going to help with planning things then it's worth giving it a go!

Jack was around at lunchtime so the three of us went to Summertown and had lunch together which was lovely sat in the sun and chatting - Tash made us laugh when answering Jack about coming to Summertown more for coffee she replied "I don't have time,  I work three days a week!!" Seriously?

We set out for Bicester Run club at 5.30pm and hit the usual traffic, it was that slow at one point I even got out the car to remove a burst tire from the A34! 

Run Club was quite busy - not as many people as last time I went but there were the four of us (Charlotte was there direct from work) and we did 5 mins on, 2 mins off - I was slow and at the back again, not a surprise but I did it.

Back home Charlotte and Miles came over and so did Mum and we had a nice spag bol and two bottles of lovely red wine - didn't need it and felt guilty because of exercising earlier, ah well..

Jack went off to Jodie's around 9.30pm as they have a spa day organised tomorrow which sounds lovely and the evening ended around 10.00pm when everyone else left to go home.

A nice day and good to have the kids around

A week in Cyrpus

 Been back a few days now but had a great week in Cyprus last week. We went on the Saturday morning (Me, Tash, Charlotte, Lewis and Emily) and following us was Zoe, with Niamh and Kate Millar - we met Laoisa there as she could get the train direct

Left quite early and had a good run down there although a bit of a problem for us as the van was too high for car park 5 but we sorted and it and were on our way.

The hotel was very nice and we settled in quickly - it was all inclusive and it was also adults-only which was noticeable.

In the coming days we had Jason and Sharon turn up late (after midnight) on Sunday and then all the Holdens arrive on Tuesday evening (Wayne, Kerry, Nicole, Dan, Paul and Pauline) - so all 17 were there

We relaxed during the day, sleeping, drinking, eating and messing about in the sea - that was a challenge to get into, Tash had a horrible fall on the first day when she and Charlotte tried to get in using  shortcut and badly bruised her leg for the rest of the holiday.

The weather was very sunny and very hot all week - sweating and keeping in the shade as much as possible. I played a table tennis tournament but only came second - but was happy with that. Played Lewis the following day and he beat me comfortably - didn't get to play against Wayne in the end, couldn't be bothered I don't think.

Evenings we would have dinner in the main buffet area or in booked restaurants - we managed 3 of the 4 so that wasn't too bad, Greek, Italian and Asian. Better food in those as you'd expect.

Each night we would do a round-robin announcing our highlights and lowlights from the day which was fun

We went out to Paphos one evening after lunch, just wandered around and then went to Bar Street which is their "strip" - not much to it but we also chose a shit bar to sit in but it was a night out.

The highlight of the holiday was easily the boat trip, whilst still in the UK Tash (who else?) organise a 3hr sunset booze cruise, we found the boat at 4.30pm and he let us on straight away, Sharon put her Boat Party playlist on and from the first 10 seconds we were on it - singing, dancing, drinking - we'd not left the harbour and you could tell this was going to be a great evening. 

And it was!

We set out and stopped a couple of times, first time we were diving off the boat but the current was so strong, I found that hard initially but otherwise everything was great. As the trip went on we got more drunk and the playlist was open to everyone - ah - it was amazing, we had a such a good time, everyone got totally hooked into it.

We saw the sunset and made more and more noise with our singing, even when back at the harbour at 8.00pm and everyone sat in their nice restaurants with us all singing at the top of our voices!

I wanted to stay out and go to a karaoke bar but was over-ruled so we all went back to the hotel to get changed and eat. I wasn't happy about that because I knew most of us wouldn't go back out and the opportunity had passed. About 6 of them (the kids) did go back out but they were finished by 2.30am we heard in the morning. Still, it didn't detract from such a brilliant day.

Didn't have a heavy head on any of the mornings which was a pleasant surprise, I guess we did drink (and eat) in moderation throughout the day to be fair.

So we were only there for the week and left Saturday around 7.20pm, Holdens and Millars waved us off and the airport was busy and not well organised but eventually we got the plane an hour late and back to Gatwick in the early hours, no problem getting the van and said our goodbyes with Carrolls and got home to bed about 4.30am.

Such a lovely time - really enjoyed it, even if it started off a bit rough because of my idiotic antics on Thursday night/Friday morning - I so regret that! 

Scafell Pike

The alarm went off at 5.25am as planned and we got up and sorted - made hot drinks and left Bess in the bedroom but I had doubts that she'd stay quiet in there for long, and Lewis confirmed in the evening when we returned that he had her in their bedroom not long after we'd left!

We drove over to Jack's house and got there bang on 6.30am as planned but he made us wait 15 minutes! Irritated me..but he'd not got in from the boxing event until 1.30am so fair enough. He went in the back and went straight to sleep and Tash slept in the front as I drove the next 2.5hrs up North and into the Lake District. 

The last hour of driving was painful as it was along these tiny, winding roads that just seemed so needless but then we were beside a lake and the views were stunning, I was in awe of people that were just pitched up and camping there, I definitely need to look up whether it's legal or not as it was beautiful.

We got to the car park and got sorted no problem and were on the move by 9.45am, even after 100yrds I was puffing and we had a stop a couple of times to remove layers as in the car park it was quite chilly but the walk was immediately upwards, and this was the theme for the whole hike, not once was there any level ground, it was steep uphill all the way. 

I was struggling to be honest, the sweat was pouring off me and I had to stop so many times, I just wasn't up to it, very disappointing to be so unfit, not good at all. Anyway, I trudged along slow and steady (ish) and as we progessed it got mistier as we ascended into the clouds and it got windier and colder. We were well prepared and got the layers out so it wasn't a problem, but seeing some of the people go past us I culdn't believe how little or flimsy clothes and walking shoes they were wearing.

We made it to the top after about 2.5hrs and took some photos of course and made our way down the way we came as we were on a bit of a time limit to get Jack back home as he had football in the evening but he wasn't looking forward to that as he was feeling the fatique too!

The descent wasn't too bad, but it was hard work on the knees, and we stopped at a decent point for some sandwiches and drink and then made it back to the car-park for a coffee, changeover of clothes and then back on the road to Manchester which was uneventful and they both slept again!

Got Jack back and said our goodbyes and wished him luck with footie and also a meeting with his business partners tomorrow as things aren't too rosy with R2R so there needs to be a meeting to clear the air and determine next plans there.

Tash drove to Lewis's and I got some zzzz's and we didn't spend too much time at his, said thanks and appreciated them having Bess for us, sounds like she got on well with the cats so that was a relief. I then drove us back down to Oxford and we got home and sorted around 9.45pm.

It's been a long but enjoyable weekend, we do push ourselves it has to be said, but well worth it as we're trying to live life to the max!!