Day 1626 (10/06/2014)

We might not have exciting holidays but we gave enjoyable relaxing ones. So once again lazy morning with breakfast on the balcony.

Down to the pool for a few hours.

Then lunch on the balcony.

Then the pool for a few more hours.

Then off to a different beach-side restaurant for some lovely food.

Tonight I had red snapper in a butter & garlic sauce whilst my wife had the grouper in an orange & almond sauce.

Both were fantastic and we will probably come back to this place again.

My wife is still very sunburnt and her leg is quite painful but on the bright side it could have been me.

Day 1625 (09/06/2014)

After a lovely sleep & lie-in we had a nice breakfast on the balcony.

Then we spent the day relaxing by the pool.

On previous years I have always ended up getting badly sunburnt so this year my wife kept on making sure I was properly covered in factor 50 lotion. Unfortunately she may have been concentrating too much on me and neglected herself.

In the evening we went to a beach-side restaurant and had some great rose sangria.

Then I had the mixed meat kebab and my wife had the swordfish steak.

Both fantastic.

A very sad day as I heard that Rik Mayall had died. He was a true comedy great, one of the funniest people ever. I remember watching him as a kid on the telly in the 80's and saw him live in Bristol. He had so many iconic characters and it is truly sad that he has gone at such a young age.

Day 1624 (08/06/2014)

The plan was to get ready and then go to bed early for a few hours before catching the flight at 6:55am but as always we were still packing at midnight and by the time we were ready for bed it was time to get up.

So off we went on a chilly morning to Bristol airport and a 2hr 45min flight to Portugal, which went quickly as we both slept for most of it. I don't think many other people on the flight managed to sleep as aparently there was someone snorting loudly but it never woke me, so it couldn't be that bad.

The flight in to Portugal was nice, seeing mile after mile over golden sand. The airport went well but it took ages to pick up the hire car and then the 50minute drive to the hotel took nearly 2hrs as we took as slight detour and didn't actually know where we were going anyway.

Every time I think I'm getting the hang of driving in Europe my wife reminds me that I'm driving on the wrong side or some nice local tries to wave me down to warn me that I'm going up the wrong lane.

When abroad I am very much like the stupid British airmen in Allo Allo.

Anyway we got to the hotel and it seems very nice. Our studio apartment is nice with a private balcony and plenty of room.

After stopping for a quick drink and a sandwich we went to stock up at the supermarket then collapsed on the bed for a few hours kip.

In the evening we drove into the town and found somewhere where we'd had some Portuguese fish stew thing.

It was very nice.

Looking forward to a relaxing week as still quite stressed.

Day 1623 (07/06/2014)

Kelly made some nice burritos last night.

I do like Mexican food, well that and Indian food and Chinese food, well and Italian food, and well lets just stick to I like food.

Finishing off doing things in my office then time to pack as this tomorrow we will be at Pestana Alvor Park in Portugal.

The reviews make it sound great, so I'm hoping for a lovely relaxing week in the sun. I'm not too sure about the wifi situation, there appears to be some so I may update this from there or wait and do it later when we are back.

Day 1622 (06/06/2014)

It is so nice to be back home, especially as Kelly is back for a few days.

Catching up on things in the office but I'm not going for a swim as I will have to start packing for my holiday soon as we fly our first thing Sunday morning. I am so looking forward to this break and really need to get away and relax. I'm still very stressed but hopefully I will get things sorted soon, one way or another.

Anyway in a slightly ironic way this this day as well as being the anniversary of D-Day it is also the anniversary of my passing out parade in 1986.

I'm barely recognisable but will definitely get down to that size again within the next few years.

Day 1621 (05/06/2014)

Thursday and a presentation in Haydock, up north.

The food wasn't quite as nice here.

Then a very long drive back.

Day 1620 (04/06/2014)

Wednesday and I was in Coventry at the University opposite the iconic and historic Coventry University.

I got a bit wet walking to the venue from the car park.

The venue for the talk was very modern and space.

But the total irony that they had invited a few local West Midlands Police Officers to attend. Some times you couldn't make my life any stranger.

Anyway they all really enjoyed the presentation and were impressed at how much more I knew than they did, which I think surprised them as they said they already teach some of this to students.

Then a long drive way up north to another cheap crappy Travelodge. I couldn't face another Toby Carvery so I drove down the road for a curry.
 

Day 1619 (03/06/2014)

Tuesday I gave a talk in the Watford area.

It went quite well and the food was quite nice.

I only had one of the chocolates cakes but could have eaten plenty more.

Then I drove to Coventry for the second Travelodge of the week and a visit to the Toby Carvery, which was OK but not great.

The mint aero bubble sundae was definitely the high point of the evening.

Day 1618 (02/06/2014)

Sunday saw a new Kylie photo on the calender.

It also saw a nice dinner.

Monday and busy in the office and going for a swim just for a change. It's a busy week and am away training at various places until late Thursday night.

I'm also feeling stressed and looking forward to going away on my holiday.

Day 1616 & 1617 (31/05 & 01/06/2014)

Weekend, so busy in the office but no swim as I let my body relax of a weekend.

Great dinner last night.

Tidied the front driveway today as the weeds were getting a bit of an embarrassment, even for me.

That's better but the wed killer will take a few days to kill of the small stuff.

Day 1615 (30/05/2014)

Guess what, a busy day in the office then went for a swim.

The traffic in Taunton is a nightmare at the moment and as a result I can understand how some mad Americans walk into a local council office with a machine-gun and wipe out the local highways department for making things so bad. Obviously I wouldn't do that (I'm not American and don't have a machine-gun) and it is clearly wrong but I bet it keeps them on their toes when they fuck up the traffic as they have in Taunton.

Stressful times but am hopeful for a positive outcome, one way or another.

Day 1614 (29/05/2014)

Busy day in the office and then went for a swim.

I couldn't decide what to have when I got back but there were some great cinnamon bagels.

Day 1613 (28/05/2014)

Busy day in the office and went for a swim. As always I spent the whole time thinking about lunch so when I came back I had a lovely cheese, apple and crisp sandwich.

Then in the evening we shared a lovely omelette.

A great day as far as food is concerned.

Day 1612 (27/05/2014)

Busy day in the office but didn't feel like a swim today.

Day 1611 (26/05/2014)

Bank Holiday Monday and it is likely to be another nice relaxing day which will probably involved cutting the grass which is now very very long.

Saw this photo of Thomas on-line.

Was he really working or just supporting the team, hard to tell although I suppose we did see some evidence of him working.

And he also had a few publications.

Update - 17:30 - The garden is looking a bit better now.

Day 1609 & 1610 (24 & 25/05/2014)

A long relaxing weekend which was mostly spent eating a very lovely Chinese take away.

I needed the rest and feel better.