Day 1495 (29/01/2014)

Course going well, though there have been a few strange things.

Had a nice meal out at The Pheasant, which was recommended to us by those on the course.

Looking forward to being back home tomorrow.

Day 1494 (28/01/2014)

The course is going OK but not feeling very well, possibly going down something, so taking loads of tablets and drinking lots of water.

Felt a bit better after a nap and dinner, pork stew with jacket potatoes, which was very nice.

Shame to be away from home at the moment as Kelly is back for a couple of days.

Day 1493 (27/01/2014)

First day of the course and it went fairly well but I didn't quite cover as much as I wanted.

Stayed at the hotel for dinner and went for the all you can eat carvery / buffet.

Thankfully the have a cheese & biscuits selection as well.

Day 1491 & 1492 (25 & 26/01/2014)

Busy weekend catching up on work and still preparing for next weeks course.

Kelly is at a theatre conference in London, whilst Thomas is at Bournemouth v Liverpool for an FA Cup game which is live on ITV, so busy time for us all.

Obviously my wife is always busy, normally tidying up for me.

Update - Sunday 09:30 - Thomas enjoyed the match & was even on telly.

That's him stood up taking a photo of Suarez.

The weather is crap and I'm driving to Heatrow later, so not much time to relax.

Day 1490 (24/01/2014)

I picked up several 1000's of sheets from the printers today. It was quite expensive but should save me money in the long run and a great deal of time, as each course takes about a days worth of printing out these handouts.

So a fairly tiring day preparing for the course.

Day 1489 (23/01/2014)

The course went well and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Then a long drive back, in the traffic, so didn't get home until late.

Nice to be home and to relax but unfortunately its only for a couple of days and they will be busy preparing for the next weeks course.

Day 1488 (22/01/2014)

The second day of the course and things still going well.

Had a nice meal out with Kevin.

This week hasn't been too bad though I have fallen asleep easily of an evening, now just the next three weeks at Heathrow to get past.

Day 1487 (21/01/2014)

First day of the course and it went quite well, having cut a few bits to so the day wouldn't over run for a change.

I've done lots of training for Lancashire Police over the years but I think they have been told they should be teaching some of the basics themselves, so there are two trainers sat in on the course trying to understand it at a level where they could teach it but they are not feeling confident, which is hardly surprise as it isn't really a subject you can see delivered, then never use and then deliver a few months later.

I'm sure that it won't effect my business too much but even if it does I'm raising the prices dramatically this year, so hopefully can do less but earn more.

Went for a meal in the pub next door and had the most disappointing cauliflower cheese ever.

Day 1486 (20/01/2014)

Mad rush getting ready, visiting the printers and picking up my medication, then a long drive up north to give a talk to some students at the University of Central Lancashire.

It was fairly well received and I will probably end up doing some more stuff with / for them.

I sometimes think that if I had stayed in the police I wouldn't have achieved half as much as I have already, let alone what I have planned and within the next few years I would have had to retire and would probably be far too institutionalised to make a go of anything much but still far too young to just do nothing.

Had a burger for dinner which tasted OK as didn't fancy going out for dinner.

Day 1484 & 1485 (18 & 19/01/2014)

I'm having to prepare for next weeks course in Preston but wishing I could have at least another week off but needs must.

I was hoping to go to the printers to have all the handouts printed but didn't get around to it yet but I must do it on Monday before I go so I can have them done for the next few courses as it takes all day to do.

After about 9 months Thomas has had a haircut and looks so much better.

Apparently the woman didn't want to cut his hair too short, obviously not realising he just has it done once a year.

Day 1483 (17/01/2014)

Well my leg is getting much better but looks awful where the skin in coming away.

I tried a Manuka Honey ointment that my mum bought me and applied it thinking it would be more lotion than honey. Well that was a mistake, it was just like trying to spread slightly lump honey on to yourself.

Very sticky and smelt awful, so I think I will go back to the E45.

Day 1473 - 1482 (07 - 16/01/2014)

So there I was having enjoyed a nice curry and a relaxing evening watching the telly, then I woke up in the early hours shacking uncontrollably and within 2hrs my leg was full inflamed again. So off to hospital which was quite interesting as they had a shortage of beds but I needed one quick, so I ended up in resuscitation, which was reassuring.

To help with the pain they gave me some Tramadol, which I fully recommend.

This was fairly early on and my leg did get quite a bit worse.

So a couple of days in hospital on a ward with mostly very old and confused men, which was very depressing but at least I didn't disturb them with my sleeping.

After a few days I was allowed home which was nice but I was left totally exhausted with no appetite.

Also I ended up with a bit of a pressure sore on the back of my leg. It never rains.....

Once again this coincided with a course so cost me quite a few quid but the rest has been nice.

Day 1472 (06/01/2014)

I fear a slightly stressful & tense day at my Nans funeral in Wales.

When you are a kid and get told you have to do things you long to be grown-up so you only have to do what you want, then when you grow up you realise that actually there are many things that you still have to do to please others and you just get a bit of wiggle room.

Oh well, lets see how it goes.

Update - 18:00 Well that didn't go too bad but we did leave straight after the service as I didn't want to stay for any more, despite the fact that there were relatives there that I would love to spend more time with. Hopefully I will see them all soon to catch up at a better place.

I am tempted to arrange my own funeral as I don't want a vicar, especially a dodgy one like today, who doesn't know me saying things that everyone knows isn't true.

I would much rather a few people who knew me speaking and saying something about me. I would be happy with someone saying that I was at times an argumentative c**t as I am, but that if I was a friend then I would always try to help out if needed and I often was and often did.

A bit like the Rich Hall joke, "a friend will come over to your house and help you move, and a good friend will help you move a body". To a few people I am a good friend, though I've never buried any bodies, and I'm the sort of person who doesn't want more than a few friends.

I will also only have Jerusalem song at my funeral, the rest of the music will be a selection mostly from the 1980's including the last few tracks from Marillion's Misplaced Childhood.

Day 1470 & 1471 (04 & 05/01/2014)

Saturday started quietly, well when I say quietly I mean there was a power cut and everything went off, for a few hours. Luckily I was able to pop round to Mum & Dads to fill up some flasks and toast some crumpets, so breakfast went ahead pretty much unaffected.

We (OK mostly my wife) spent the day tidying away the Christmas stuff.

I made a nice lunch, with smoked salmon & cream cheese bagels.

Sunday was a cultural day, watching my friend Sam sing in a choir.

The evening finished slightly strangely as after the concert a group of us went to the neighbouring school where we had been directed to park to find that the gates had been locked. After much trying to get released through the official means someone came along and with the assistance of what could have been a pretty large anglegrinder we were free.

I don't think the school will be too impressed but they may have learnt to vital lessons. Firstly have an up to date key holder list lodged withthe local police and secondily don't empoy an utter arse as a caretaker who locks a load of cars in your car park when there is an event on at a neighbouring school.

Day 1469 (03/01/2014)

I had a couple of meetings, which involved a bit of driving in the awful wet & windy weather but then on the way back I had to put my sunglasses on as it was bright & lovely.

What strange weather systems we have.

Whilst I don't have the pressure of doing to many research jobs now I am very busy preparing for courses.

Day 1468 (02/01/2014)

Back to work but I can't get any enthusiasm to do much and even haven given up most of my research work I have loads to do as I have lots of courses coming up.

I have started using Thomas's Christmas present to me, my Kylie calender.

I shall post the fresh image every month as there a few good ones coming up.

Sad that Kelly had to go back to her Brighton homer tonight but we will see her again soon.

Day 1467 New Years Day (01/01/2014)

Last night was great at Gary & Elaine's, with even Kelly making the journey from Brighton in time for the party.

Great company, great food and silly games.

New Years Day was relaxing but continued in a spirit of great company, great food and silly games.