Day 307 & 308 (30 & 31/10/2010)

Nice to be home. I know people (my dad) always say "it's nice to be back in your own bed" but I can sleep anywhere; however it is nice to be back on my own toilet.

I know toilets are basically all the same size and shape but I like sitting (carefully spelt) on my toilet in my bathroom. The comforts of home.

Now to catch up on hundreds of emails & tweets plus lots of work stuff to catch up with.

Update - Sat 12:15 - OMG how many leaves are on the lawn, Thousands of the buggers. Thats tomorrows job then, raking them up.

Update - Sun 21:15 - to wet to rake up leaves.

Day 306 (29/10/2010)

Yesterday we went out out n a pedalo (probably spelt wrong).

Bloody uncomfortable things obviously designed for very small and very slim people. I merely acted as ballast.

The kids enjoyed re-visiting the play ground.

It's hard to believe it was 6yrs since our last visit, but I think the kids may have grown a bit since then.

Mr Pix now towers over us all and Kelly (must think of a suitable nickname for her) is an adult who drives (me mad mostly).

Today was our last day, so as usual a mad rush to get packed.

We managed to do quite a bit in the last day, include Mr Pix & Lady C (decided on her new nickname) played badminton, then we all met up at the lake. I looked after the bags while everyone else took to the water.

Then we went to the American Dinner and eat far too much for lunch. After a far too short a gap went to the pool and tried out the rapids, to re-live my youth. I have decided I am too old for the rapids and will stick to the main pool with a gentle wave action as my only excitement.

The week (well Monday to Friday) went really fast. Relaxed and eat too much, nearly the perfect week.

Day 305 (28/10/2010)

Yesterday, a little bit of golf,

and a little bit of badminton,

and a little bit of sausage & mash,



Its gone two and we are all nearly up and ready, must be time for lunch.

Yet to write anything apart from the blog but I do have a few more plot lines in my head. Must start writing before the year is out.

Day 304 (27/10/2010)

Up fairly early today as yesterday we were still in bed when the cleaner arrived. She obviously thought she would leave us a til a bit later today as its now midday and she has not yet knocked on the door. We could of had another hour or two in bed.

Its funny when we are away, we are often the last people anywhere and rarely see the morning, making up for it by staying out later. When people are on holidsay is it really relaxing to get up early and fill your day full of activities. Chill out man, lay back and don't make any plans, its a holiday.

The sun is out today and it is dry. I might venture into the pool, as long as there are no Norweigan Whalers nearby.

Thinking about trying the Spainish resturante toinght.

Day 303 (26/10/2010)

Got here yesterday, the weather was fine. We sorted the rooms out and then went to the centre and ended up at the Italian, which was very nice.

We had a lazy morning and made it out in time for lunch, at the Pancake House.

It's rained all day. Mr Pix and his girlfriend went to the pool for the day, whilst we went to the arcade.


Went back to the room still stuffed from the pancakes, then ordered a takeaway later.

Day 302 (25/10/2010)

I can't imagine being organised.

Its 9:15 Thomas has a job interview in just over an hour, we have to pick up his girlfriend at 11.30 and the suitcases are still in the loft.

Mad rush

Day 300 & 301 (23 & 24/10/2010)

Early morning. I got to the train station but the cash machine was broken, so I had to pop into town to get some cash so I could get a cup of tea and a croissant. By the time I got back to the station it was packed and I couldn't even get into the cafe to get a cup of tea.

The queue eventually died down just as the train arrived. Who would of thought that there were that many Spurs fans in Taunton. I couldn't leave my seat for fear of loosing it, so couldn't go to the buffet car. Plus I couldn't do any work as I didn't have a table. I didn't have a book or my headphones. I tried to sleep but woke up when I started snoring. Ended up having an interesting (not really) talk about complementary medicine with a pensioner from Devon. Next time I'm definitely taking headphones, even if I don't plug them in. How much is First Class, it might be worth it.

Luckily the underground wasn't on strike but the line I needed was closed for maintenance. Oh thank you, You Bastards. London Black Cabs are great, not cheap but great.

Went to a lecture by some impressive guy from America, which only confirmed to me how good I am.

On the way back popped in for a Yo Sushi.

I needed the wine.

Home, at last.

Update - Sun 20:00 - My laptop has got sick and has had to go to the computer doctors, I miss him. I will have to take the netbook away with me to do my blog but wont be able to do the new websites and powerpoints on it as its too fiddly.

Made my best ever roast potatoes today.

Still have two reports to do before I go away but had a few glasses of Pimms with dinner so had to have a bit of a snooze.

Day 299 (22/10/2010)

Will be missing my lie-in tomorrow as I am going to London on the train to have a meeting and listen to a lecture.

A few things left to do before I take some time off.

Update - 15:45 - Fed up with my broken chair.

Gave in and got a new one.

Ssurprisingly much more comfortable.

Update - 17:30 - Kelly bought some things to go with a cup of tea. She checked and a Waffle is neither a cake nor bread but it was very tasty.

Day 298 (21/10/2010)

No Orange Wednesday yesterday, although it was still Wednesday, but we went to see "Craps Last Tape" at the Brewhouse, which Kelly had helped produce.

Interesting and short, by Samuel Beckett. A bit of culture instead of a rom-com at the Odeon.

I now have half a chair, only the seat. It means there is a lot more room in the office but i can't lean back and relax. Might put up with this for a week or two before getting a new chair.

Day 297 (20/10/2010)

Surely one of the worst things in the world is having the satisfaction of a brand new toothbrush only to discover that the bristles start coming out every time you use it.

AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK there are worse things but it is bloody annoying.

Hopefully, I will soon be doing things for three different Universities. How long should I wait before dropping hints for an honorary degree. It seems easier than having to study or pay tuition fees.

Update - 11:00 - OOOOPPPSS, just had a really big yawn and a stretch and snapped the arm off my office chair. Time to pop to staples for a new one.

Day 296 (19/10/2010)

Cold, wet and horrible grey morning, welcome autumn, your very much like every other bloody season in the UK.

Why don't I live somewhere that has four different seasons, so we can at least have a nice season rather than a nice few days. I hate this country and last night the Internet went down for most of the evening, it was unbearable.

I want to live somewhere that has nice weather and has super fast reliable broadband, speaks English, has proper toilets and descent food. OH NO that sounds like America.

Can things get worse, I agree with some of the Tory welfare changes, work for the French and the American Military and now think I should live in America. Shoot Me Now.

This is like a bad dream. Hopefully I will wake up and the weather will be great, the broadband fast and I will be president of the UK.

I have checked, I am awake. The broadband is on but not fast enough, the weather is S**T and we have a Tim "Nice But Dim" and his mates in power.

Day 295 (18/10/2010)

The joy of getting up early to take Mr Pix to the train station. Looking forward to a few days off next week.

Update - 14:45 - Spent all day sending out emails and answering phone calls, now for some paid work or a cup of tea.

Day 293 & 294 (16 & 17/10/2010)

Kelly has gone to look at a University in London for next year, wont be back until late tonight. Mr Pix will be going out this evening to the carnival & the wife is going to Bristol to see her mum.

Me, I'm here in front of my computer but the sun is out so I must go in the garden for an hour or two.

Update - Sat 18:15 - Spent a few hours picking new website and power-point designs then went into the garden and cut the grass and raked up the leaves.


It will only be a few days before the garden is full of leaves again but it needed doing. I must get the garden done properly as we never use it. It would be nice to have it all designed and done properly, maybe next year.

Made a curry and updating the i-pad, now to work.

Update - Sun 21:15 - Did a lovely roast chicken for dinner followed by a very nice toffee pudding with apple. OK it was a bought that one but very nice. I could have eaten it all but my wife said there were four servings and seeing as only two of us were eating it, she said I had to leave some for tomorrow. Oh well, that will be breakfast taken care of.

Day 292 (15/10/2010)

Met up with an old colleague and friend today to catch up over a cuppa in town.

Now got stuff to do and aiming to cut the grass & rake up all the leaves this weekend.

I might even get around to throwing some stuff out.

Update - 17:00 - Booked Centre Parcs, its 4x the price to go away during half term, damn these kids. Still it will be nice to have a break.

Day 291 (14/10/2010)

Back home, nice sleep and a cup of tea - now back in the office.

Update - 18:00 - Had to raise my voice to a client who didn't seem to understand the rules of paying invoices, they do now. Thankfully they are a body that the government have announced that they are disbanding, so hopefully they will all soon be out of work and then they may have time to reflect that if they were better at their jobs then they may have been saved.

I hate having to be horrible but I am good at it.

I can't wait to take a week off and sit relaxing with a nice glass of wine.

I must start writing my books soon. I have a plot idea which may involve my hero having to do something at a Center Parcs. Obviously I will have to research this properly and may be forced to go to one for a few days to see what they are like.

I have another plot idea that involves Kylie or Anna Friel but don't think that would be possible :-)

Day 290 (13/10/2010)

Second day went better didn't get home until 10pm now knackered and want a cuppa and my bed.

Day 289 (12/10/2010)

The course was a bit hit and miss today but I think most people enjoyed it, it was just a bit rushed at times. Strange how you can do the same material and feel that it goes down differently. Hopefully tomorrow will go a bit smoother.

Stayed afterwards and gave a presentation to another group which went better, but ended up working till 7pm.

Went for the burger and fries tonight, very nice.

Honestly its just a strange photo, it wasn't really a giant burger ;-)

Looking forward to going back home tomorrow.

Day 288 (11/10/2010)

I have to pack this morning and leave around 11am as I have to meet a client in the West Midlands this afternoon before driving up north for a course.

Hoping to pick up a few freebies at the meeting but mostly more work and a few nice corporate days out.

Update - 19:00 - Had a good meeting with a client, hopefully get some work and a few fun corporate days but no freebies.

Now up north, have work to do but think I will have dinner first.

Update - 20:00 - Went for the Piri Piri Chicken.

It wasn't very nice, didn't look much what was on Jamie's 30 minute meal, wont have it tomorrow night.

Now, how much longer can I put this work off for.

Day 286 & 287 (09 & 10/10/2010)

Hectic hectic hectic, busy busy busy.

Loads to do but off to Bristol this evening to see Jason Manford with my wife and a friend.

Update - Sun 18:15 - Well Jason Manford was fantastic. He was on from 7.30 for an hour, then had a 20minutes interval then on until 10.30. Great value and very funny, even if the Bristol crowd had a few drunken idiots in it.

The seats were bloody uncomfortable but we had a nice meal at the Bistro at The Colston Hall beforehand, very nice.

We went for the pork.




Got too much on but still had a bottle of wine with dinner today. That might have been a mistake.

Day 285 (08/10/2010)

Updating my tomtom, which I have not done for ages. Oh my life is so interesting.

Loads of reports to do and must get ready for the course next week. I must find a descent curry house in Preston otherwise is the Brewers Fayre for me.

I have been sent an invitation to my old school about a forthcoming reunion. Deleted it straightaway as I hated being there and only really liked a few people, who I doubt I have that much in common with now.

Why can't I have a reunion at somewhere else more interesting with people I actually want to talk to.

Update - 11:00 - Just downloaded a load of Indian Restaurant stuff to the tomtom, should be sorted for food now.

Update - 13:00 - Hate of the day, clients who phone up to ask how their work is going, having forgotten to tell you it was urgent and that there are only 24 hrs in the day. Give us a break.

Day 284 (07/10/2010)

Enjoyed The Essence of Ireland last night. Think they should have been handing out pints of Guinness to the audience.

All the apples have now gone from my neighbours tree, now its all the bloody leaves that are falling onto my grass.

Must clear them up at the weekend.

Thinking of having a new rule at work. If I have to tell any client twice about an overdue invoice then I will only work for them again if I am allowed to kick them in the head. Might put that on my website see if it gets a reaction.

Day 283 (06/10/2010)

Still going thru a mass of work.

Mr Pix is off today. He hasn't been well for quite a few weeks and just wanted a day off, lazy sod. I never give in to feeling ill or if I do hardly ever mention it, much.

It's Orange Wednesday but we are going to the theatre to see Essence of Ireland. Not a talk about Guinness but a cheap version of the Riverdance. I just hope there is no audience participation.

Day 282 (05/10/2010)

I am suddenly inundated with work.

Today, Mr Pix who is not very well is in Bath visiting an exhibition, Kelly is at the theatre all day, helping produce a show during the day then working front of house tonight and my wife is seeing her mum in Bristol. So nicely alone to get on with things.

Day 281 (04/10/2010)

On a train going to London at a time when I should still be asleep in bed. I might as well have a proper job if I am going to do this.

Annoyingly I have brought the wrong pair of headphones for my phone, so I can't even listen to my music. That will teach me to borrow my wife's, instead of going and getting mine from the car.

Tomorrow I can have a lie-in and still take Mr Pix to the train station.

Also the underground staff are on strike today, so I'm going to have to catch a bus across London to an area I don't know. You swines, get back to work

Update - 12:45 - My meeting was fairly short due to strikes. Rather than sitting around for the next 4 hrs at Paddington until my train I bought another ticket. It's been an expensive day but the meeting was very interesting.

Update - 20:00 - Nicely relaxing at home but a few things I saw today;



You probably don't realise that the above is a photograph of the comedian Tim Vine. OK so it's not the best photograph ever taken and clearly not up to Mr Pix standard but by the time I had got my phone out and turned the camera on he had walked some way off but it is him. You can see his back on the left of the photograph, honestly.

Update - 22:30 - Just heard that Norman Wisdom has died. A great comedian who made some great films, he should be considered up there with Chaplin. He did a special Sunday Night at the London Palladium with Bruce Forsyth, which happened during a strike, so it was just the two of them. It was way before my time but I have seen it several times and shows that both are true great talents.

Day 279 & 280 (02 & 03/10/2010)

No lie-in this morning off to see an art show in Yeovil which Kelly had helped produce.



There was some nice tea and cakes, but I didn't have any cakes.

Stopped off and shared a savory-tea & a cream-tea at Montacute House.

The word cake does not appear in the title so it was OK to eat.


Home now and feeling tired but have work to do.

Update - Sat 21:30 - Decided to phone up for a curry.

Money well spent but I might explode.

Update - Sun 14:45 - Is this going to be a good week or what. I am now friends with the lovely Elise Rayner on Facebook. It's like being a stalker and being invited in for a cup of tea.

Told my wife, who laughed at me.

Update - 16:15 - Just saw on the internet that the staff on the underground are going on a 24hr strike from 18:30 tonight. Thanks you crap bunch, I am in London tomorrow and was going to catch the tube to get across London. Why is this not properly advertised on TFL website or anywhere else. You usually bunch, you are doing your best to spoil my good mood brought on by Elise.

Day 278 (01/10/2010)

Off to see an old friend today who has moved back to Somerset from New York. I'm guessing his kids will hardly notice the difference or NOT.

Update - 14:15 - Back in the office after meeting my friend Colin and his wife. Nice to catch up and chat about old times and things that we are up to now. Must keep in touch and arrange to go out for a curry.

Checked my emails and am a bit stumped. I offered a few free training sessions to a large government organisation that currently has no money but they are overly concerned about the protocols of providing training. Simple you have no money and can't afford anything. Either have a free session from me or miss out and fail to do your job properly you idiots.

Counting to 10,,,,,,, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 thats better (wa**ers).

Now to do some paid work.