Day 826 & 827 (31/03 & 01/04/2012)

Weekend but not exactly relaxing as I'm still preparing for the course this week. Printing off loads of stuff and making sure all of the material is up to date.

Update - Saturday 20:45 - Got a Chinese delivered as we are all busy.

I know there was far too much food but it is for tomorrow as well (and maybe the day after that as well).

Update - Sunday 12:15 - Just about finished preparing for next weeks course. Quickly went over to see my parents. They always have a nice flowers in their garden, and this is just the driveway.

I can't wait until our garden is finished off with flowers and some patio furniture. (I'm not going to mention the gnome or mushroom that have recently appeared in the garden courtesy of my wife).

Day 825 (30/03/2012)

Busy catching up and preparing for next weeks course in Bristol.

Day 824 (29/03/2012)

Spent the day doing a presentation to Private Investigators in Manchester and then the evening sat in traffic on the M6. What a nightmare journey back with one hold up after another. Back at 10pm and knackered.

Day 823 (28/03/2012)

Gave another presentation this morning and then drove over to Manchester, to a much better hotel, although it only has half the TV channels of the PremierInn, but I did love the set up for the lone businessman in the restaurant. A table for one with a TV & headphones.

Nice Indian Sharing Platter for starters. I know I didn't have anyone to share it with but I was hungry.  

Day 822 (27/03/2012)

Up north (again) but it was only a short day and I was finished by lunch time, which was nice. If I was nearer home I could have spent sometime with my family but being 3hrs drive away meant I got to relax a little in the hotel and catch up on my work and emails.

More of the same tomorrow except in the afternoon I will be in Manchester and a much nicer hotel (hopefully).

Day 821 (26/03/2012)

It seems a lovely day out already and its only 9:00am but I have lots of stuff to do as am going away later and have three talks to give this week.

Day 819 & 820 (24 & 25/03/2012)

Really impressed with the efforts of the fundraising on Sports Relief to raise over £50 million last night but I find myself asking the question where were all the sportsmen & women putting themselves out, it seems to be comedians doing nearly all the hard work.

Today has been mostly cutting grass and tidying up a garden or two.

I gave the patio a quick going over with a jet wash, it really cleaned them up and brought out the different colours. I might do it again with some detergent before we buy the new patio furniture.

I'm really looking forward to spending a few evenings this summer sat out there with a glass of wine relaxing.

Updated - Sunday 21:45 - My body aches after yesterdays gardening exercise. Thankfully when my garden is done it will take very little maintenance.

Nice dinner today, had a salad with other bits and pieces.

Working away this week, not looking forward to going away again.

Day 818 (23/03/2012)

Busy catching up with paper work, getting my car services and having a hair cut.

Should be a busy weekend, cutting the grass at both houses and doing my work. Away again next week but would rather not be.

Day 817 (22/03/2012)

Last day of the course and it went quite well but was a bit rushed at the end.

Nice afters at lunch time.

Got home in time to see a programme about John Bishop raising money for sports relief with his, cycle, row and run from Paris to London. These comedians, with the like of Eddie Izzard and David Walliams, appear to be able to go on forever with the physical endurance's. Very impressed.

Day 816 (21/03/2012)

Second day of the course and it is going OK.

Went out for a curry tonight and came up with plans to increase the size of my company, with the idea of arranging more and different courses but hopefully actually doing less work myself and starting to involve more people with some other skills.

I'm quite excited about what could happen over the next few years and just hope the hard work pays off and means I get to spend more time with my family and get time to start my writing.

Day 815 (20/03/2012)

Up north doing a course, missing the family but earning money so can't complain. looking forward to get home on Thursday night.

The course went well today, hopefully the rest of it will go as well as I have made a few changes.

I have come away with quite a bit of work that needs doing but never have enthusiasm to do the reports when I'm away.

Day 814 (19/03/2012)

Now to do all of the preparation for this weeks course and catch up on my emails before driving up north tonight.

Busy couple of weeks but hopefully I will have some people to help me with some of my research enquiries in a few weeks time then I can concentrate on other things, including my writing.

Day 812 & 813 (17 & 18/03/2012)

Went to Norfolk on Friday for a long weekend which was so we could visit the bench that had been put by the Norfolk Broads in Kim's Memory.

The setting was just down from The How Hill Trust. It was lovely and peaceful, although whilst we were there it rained and rained and rained.

Obviously most of the rest of the time, apart from driving, was spent eating nice food.

Home late on Sunday after driving about 750 miles over the last 3 relaxing days.

Day 811 (16/03/2012)

Booked a few days up in Edinburgh in August for me and my brother to enjoy the comedy.

So now how to claim this as a works expense. I feel a story line coming on for a book and me & my editor have to go and check things out. Well its worth a go.

Actually I honestly have half an idea of a story now.

The last pair of my new shoes arrived today.

They are neither gay nor middle aged crisis shoes and especially nothing like what Harry the Bastard / Prince Harry was wearing the other week.

Off to Norwich for a few days with my wife.

Day 810 (15/03/2012)

Quick catchup. Yesterday I bought my mum some flowers for Mothers Day. She had to have them early as we are going away for the weekend.

Then we went out for a pizza (we had lots of vouchers).

I spent the day in London at a boring and depressing meeting but bumped into Nick Clegg at the building. I was going to tell him what I thought but he already looked so sad I could say what I really thought so just laughed.

Also saw John Suchet.

I know they are not great photos but I wasn't going to hang around, it wasn't as if it was Kylie or Richard Herring.

Day 809 (14/03/2012)

Still working away in the office as in London again tomorrow for another meeting, then away for a few days.

Day 808 (13/03/2012)

Trying to cram all my work & stuff into the two clear days in between meetings in London and then thankfully a few relaxing days away on Norwich.

When I come home I have loads of training courses & presentations to prepare for and do.

Day 807 (12/03/2012)

Early morning train to London for a couple of meetings.

Rather shockingly I got mistaken for a visitor to the Diana Memorial Trust, as if!

I went to the much more impressive offices of the BPI.

And this is the view from the office, pretty bloody impressive.

Had too much sushi lately (is that possible) so had a smoked salmon bagel instead, lovely.

Day 805 & 806 (10 & 11/03/2012)

The day started well with my new shoes arriving, although I'm still waiting for the dusky blue pair.

I know I'm definitely having a change of image, a little bit more grown up & smarter. Well trying anyway.

Then we had some bacon rolls for breakfast. Lots of work then a curry delivered for dinner.

If it wasn't for the work it would have been a perfect Saturday.

Day 804 (09/03/2012)

Still loads of work, hopefully getting thru the back-log.

Whilst I still like wearing my shorts I have recently thrown away some of the oldest pairs and bought 4 pairs of fairly casual trousers, with belts not just the comfy elasticated waist ones. I have also bought a new fleece jacket and some desert boot things.

I still look like a fat scruff but at least a fat scruff in trousers with a new jacket.