Getting back into the swing of things but just unable to focus much on work at the moment, I don't know if that is the travelling or just fed up with things.
I went to the gym but only for a swim, trying to break myself back in gently without damaging my calf muscle again.
In the evening I went to our regular meetings for Injury On Duty Pensioners. There were a few new members and a few interesting bits of news.
They are strange meetings, where I am grateful for all I have and have not lost as so many are so much worse off than me. People I knew as strong individuals in tears and appearing broken, when learning how much they have been shafted by an organisation that they thought was looking after them.
Wednesday, 11 March 2015
Saturday, 7 March 2015
Day 1896 & 1897 (07 & 08/03/2015)
I took a pill giving to me by someone in Australia which was supposed to help clear you of jetlag. I must have worked as I slept very well and was back to normal by the afternoon.
I spent the rest of the day catching up with stuff in the office, like setting the new month on my Kylie calender.
It seems Thomas had fun at the football and was luckily OK this time with him and his equipment all coming out unscathed despite the pitch invasions.
On Sunday I did a roast beef and opened the red wine we had from Australia.
Not really our thing, so we only had half a bottle.
I spent the rest of the day catching up with stuff in the office, like setting the new month on my Kylie calender.
It seems Thomas had fun at the football and was luckily OK this time with him and his equipment all coming out unscathed despite the pitch invasions.
On Sunday I did a roast beef and opened the red wine we had from Australia.
Not really our thing, so we only had half a bottle.
Day 1895 (06/03/2015)
The journey from Dubai to London seemed to go on forever, even though I managed to sleep thru most if it.
Eventually we arrived in London and I managed to get thru immigration and get my bag nice and quickly so had time for a cup of tea before catching my coach home.
It was great to get home and shower but only had time for a quick sleep before going out to a meeting for the night.
Eventually we arrived in London and I managed to get thru immigration and get my bag nice and quickly so had time for a cup of tea before catching my coach home.
It was great to get home and shower but only had time for a quick sleep before going out to a meeting for the night.
Day 1894 (05/03/2015)
I woke early again and had a relaxing breakfast and then struggled to pack the wine into the suitcase. Fingers crossed it doesn't break as if it does I won't have any trousers to wear Friday night.
Then I caught a taxi to the airport and a short flight to Sydney. I was offered a window seat for the main journey but went for an isle seat so I could at least stretch out a bit more and get up when I wanted.
Although I had two hours until my next flight it was amaze rush goof they immigration & security before the flight to London.
On the flight I was sat next to a nice couple who had been holiday in New Zealand & Australia touring in a camper van, which I would love to do with my wife. He was quite interesting as he was a carpenter working on scenery at the royal opera house in London.
I had some nice fish watching Birdman.
Then later watched the film about Alan Turin and fell asleep, then a Tom Cruise film and fell asleep,
It was during the flight that I realised the two draw backs of my seat which was next to the toilets, so it was very busy with people walking by & queueing and it was not always the best smelling location.
I must have missed a meal whilst I was asleep but had a quiche watch an Elle Golding gig the a One Direction Documentary (I was that bored).
Eventually we arrived in Dubai for another pointless walk around the airport and a security check.
Then I caught a taxi to the airport and a short flight to Sydney. I was offered a window seat for the main journey but went for an isle seat so I could at least stretch out a bit more and get up when I wanted.
Although I had two hours until my next flight it was amaze rush goof they immigration & security before the flight to London.
On the flight I was sat next to a nice couple who had been holiday in New Zealand & Australia touring in a camper van, which I would love to do with my wife. He was quite interesting as he was a carpenter working on scenery at the royal opera house in London.
I had some nice fish watching Birdman.
Then later watched the film about Alan Turin and fell asleep, then a Tom Cruise film and fell asleep,
It was during the flight that I realised the two draw backs of my seat which was next to the toilets, so it was very busy with people walking by & queueing and it was not always the best smelling location.
I must have missed a meal whilst I was asleep but had a quiche watch an Elle Golding gig the a One Direction Documentary (I was that bored).
Eventually we arrived in Dubai for another pointless walk around the airport and a security check.
Day 1893 (04/03/2015)
I woke early and had breakfast then got to the conference centre early to see if I could connect my laptop but I had to use their computer, so it seemed like I would have to split my talk, giving the first half from the lectern at the front and the second half from the rear doing a few live internet examples.
It went quite well and I got lots of great feedback afterwards. As a thank you the organisers were giving all of the speakers a box of wine, worth about $200. It looked really nice but I was left wondering how I would get it home.
The FBI Special Agent speaking afterwards was so impressed he gave me one of his pained medallions / coins, which was nice of him.
Hopefully the feedback will be good enough to warrant coming back to do some courses later in the year, so that me & my wife can combine it with a nice long holiday.
In the evening there was a drinks reception, where I got talking to three people from a company and they invited me to join them for dinner at an Argentinian Steak House, which was really nice.
On the way back to hotel I watched the light display on the roof of the theatre that was really quite good.
It went quite well and I got lots of great feedback afterwards. As a thank you the organisers were giving all of the speakers a box of wine, worth about $200. It looked really nice but I was left wondering how I would get it home.
The FBI Special Agent speaking afterwards was so impressed he gave me one of his pained medallions / coins, which was nice of him.
In the evening there was a drinks reception, where I got talking to three people from a company and they invited me to join them for dinner at an Argentinian Steak House, which was really nice.
On the way back to hotel I watched the light display on the roof of the theatre that was really quite good.
Day 1892 (03/03/2015)
I woke early had breakfast and went to the conference to introduce myself & pick up some freebies.
It was quite handy as this included a Little rucksack, which I had thought about buying to save filling the pockets of my shorts with things when I went out for a walk.
I changed at the hotel and went out first of all visiting the Adelaide Writers Area, which was part of the fringe.
I listened to a couple of interesting discussions with authors, one an aboriginal poet, then one about sexual politics with a lady from Haiti and a Doctor who had fled Iran.
It was quite interesting and reminded me that I must change my life and start writing.
Then I had a walk back along the river and got onboard a boat trip.
After that I thought I would wander into town to grab a drink and a bite to eat. It was really hot and in the end I found a bar and had a few cold lagers.
They went down easily, like lunchtime drinks always do, but it is never to be recommended.
When I got back to the hotel I fell asleep and woke just in time for the gala meal.
The food was really nice and the drink flowed like water and God how the locals could drink.
I started feeling light headed with the first drink, the lunchtime ones clearly still effecting me. I probably had a bottle of wine but stopped and drank water and tea and left by about 11, with everyone else still partying hard.
It was quite handy as this included a Little rucksack, which I had thought about buying to save filling the pockets of my shorts with things when I went out for a walk.
I changed at the hotel and went out first of all visiting the Adelaide Writers Area, which was part of the fringe.
I listened to a couple of interesting discussions with authors, one an aboriginal poet, then one about sexual politics with a lady from Haiti and a Doctor who had fled Iran.
It was quite interesting and reminded me that I must change my life and start writing.
Then I had a walk back along the river and got onboard a boat trip.
After that I thought I would wander into town to grab a drink and a bite to eat. It was really hot and in the end I found a bar and had a few cold lagers.
They went down easily, like lunchtime drinks always do, but it is never to be recommended.
When I got back to the hotel I fell asleep and woke just in time for the gala meal.
The food was really nice and the drink flowed like water and God how the locals could drink.
I started feeling light headed with the first drink, the lunchtime ones clearly still effecting me. I probably had a bottle of wine but stopped and drank water and tea and left by about 11, with everyone else still partying hard.
Monday, 2 March 2015
Day 1891 (02/03/2015)
Thankfully I woke up in time, probably due to my body not realising that it was 5am. And do you know Australian actually do say "G'Day" but no cork hats or kangaroos seen yet.
I checked-in and was once again lucky to be randomly selected for extra security screening. I laughed with the man doing it that is was depression to look to old for a drugs search but dodgy enough for an explosives check. Anyway thankfully it's was negative.
I then grabbed some very nice roasted banana bread and a cup of tea then got on a slightly smaller plane than yesterday. I watched nearly a whole Emma Thompson film and had a yogurt with fruit for the in-flight breakfast.
Arrived in a Adelaide at about 7:50am and took a taxi to the conference centre / hotel. One of the first shops I past in the taxi was the "booby trap" a shop which proudly announced it had 200,000 bras, how subtle. And actually while I think about it I noticed that at both Melbourne & Adelaide airports they had a branch of Victoria Secrets.
Could it be that Australian men are obsessed with women in sexy underwear. I'm thinking I may fit in with these unsubtle sex obsessed Kylie's loving people. I wonder if they like curry & 1980's music.
Anyway back to the conference centre / hotel although I was really early they let me book in to my room and so I could relax, with a nice view towards the Adelaide Oval.
I had breakfast and then wondered around Adelaide for a few hours, where they are currently having their Fringe Arts & Comedy Festival, so had a few street performers doing their bit.
I went back to my room for a quick snooze, aiming to wake up for dinner but never quite made it, waking around 11pm then at about 3am.
I checked-in and was once again lucky to be randomly selected for extra security screening. I laughed with the man doing it that is was depression to look to old for a drugs search but dodgy enough for an explosives check. Anyway thankfully it's was negative.
I then grabbed some very nice roasted banana bread and a cup of tea then got on a slightly smaller plane than yesterday. I watched nearly a whole Emma Thompson film and had a yogurt with fruit for the in-flight breakfast.
Could it be that Australian men are obsessed with women in sexy underwear. I'm thinking I may fit in with these unsubtle sex obsessed Kylie's loving people. I wonder if they like curry & 1980's music.
Anyway back to the conference centre / hotel although I was really early they let me book in to my room and so I could relax, with a nice view towards the Adelaide Oval.
I went back to my room for a quick snooze, aiming to wake up for dinner but never quite made it, waking around 11pm then at about 3am.
Day 1890 (01/03/2015)
We got back on the plane and I had to take my original more squashed sit for the journey but it wasn't that bad but someone on board needed a Doctor so we had about a 90 minute delay.
I watched Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, and had a salt beef wrap.
Then I feel asleep watching Chicago but to be honest that is the best way to watch any Catherine zeta Jones film.
I was in a deep sleep but got woken when one of the stewardesses dropped a pack of biscuits on me. I took the opportunity to get up and walk around for a while, whilst eating the biscuits.
Then I watched The Gone Girl on the recommendation of the Australian sat next to me, it was OK.
Then another sleep on the endless leg of the journey and I watched SkyFall whilst eating a beef dish.
On the entertainment screen, as well as having loads of movies, tv shows and music, there was also details of the journey, including a view from the tail of the plane in the sky.
This half of the flight seemed to take forever but eventually we landed and it wasn't too much of a pain to collect my bag & get thru immigration and get to my hotel, which they had booked me into as I had an 8 hr lay over in Melbourne before flying to Adelaide
I watched Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, and had a salt beef wrap.
Then I feel asleep watching Chicago but to be honest that is the best way to watch any Catherine zeta Jones film.
I was in a deep sleep but got woken when one of the stewardesses dropped a pack of biscuits on me. I took the opportunity to get up and walk around for a while, whilst eating the biscuits.
Then I watched The Gone Girl on the recommendation of the Australian sat next to me, it was OK.
Then another sleep on the endless leg of the journey and I watched SkyFall whilst eating a beef dish.
On the entertainment screen, as well as having loads of movies, tv shows and music, there was also details of the journey, including a view from the tail of the plane in the sky.
This half of the flight seemed to take forever but eventually we landed and it wasn't too much of a pain to collect my bag & get thru immigration and get to my hotel, which they had booked me into as I had an 8 hr lay over in Melbourne before flying to Adelaide
Day 1889 (28/02/2015)
An early & cool start to the day, with another 2:20am coach from Taunton to London.
It's hard to believe that it was actually -5 at this time the other week when I was setting off to Abu Dhabi.
I got the Heathrow early, had a sleep and saw Richard Bacon at check-in when I woke up.
I looked for Gordon Ramsey's Resturante but they didn't have one at Terminal 3 so I had to hunt out another restaurant for breakfast, which was nice but no posh toilets.
Then whilst waiting to board I saw Linda Barker from Make Over, for my second and finally celebrity spot of the day.
Then aboard the plane I managed to get an OK seat in economy on the top deck but had to walk past business class to get to my seat. I put my tubular bandages on to help with the DVT and then sat down to watch a few films and eat & drink.
I watched Philomena, which was very sad as although I knew about the film but didn't know the end.
Luckily the plane had a few free seats & I got directed to a row which had loads of leg room. I was supposed to move back to my own seat later for landing but stayed for the whole flight.
I watched Captain Phillips, whilst eating a nice salmon dish.
Then had a hot chocolate with marshmallows & a kitkat.
Then another film, a snooze and a slice of pizza.
Then we landed at Dubai for 90 minutes. Strange that I have avoided the Middle East over the last few years but have now been in the United Arab Emirates twice in two months, admittedly this visit was only to the airport but did involve two security checks and a long walk both pointless.
It's hard to believe that it was actually -5 at this time the other week when I was setting off to Abu Dhabi.
I got the Heathrow early, had a sleep and saw Richard Bacon at check-in when I woke up.
I looked for Gordon Ramsey's Resturante but they didn't have one at Terminal 3 so I had to hunt out another restaurant for breakfast, which was nice but no posh toilets.
Then whilst waiting to board I saw Linda Barker from Make Over, for my second and finally celebrity spot of the day.
Then aboard the plane I managed to get an OK seat in economy on the top deck but had to walk past business class to get to my seat. I put my tubular bandages on to help with the DVT and then sat down to watch a few films and eat & drink.
I watched Philomena, which was very sad as although I knew about the film but didn't know the end.
Luckily the plane had a few free seats & I got directed to a row which had loads of leg room. I was supposed to move back to my own seat later for landing but stayed for the whole flight.
I watched Captain Phillips, whilst eating a nice salmon dish.
Then had a hot chocolate with marshmallows & a kitkat.
Then another film, a snooze and a slice of pizza.
Then we landed at Dubai for 90 minutes. Strange that I have avoided the Middle East over the last few years but have now been in the United Arab Emirates twice in two months, admittedly this visit was only to the airport but did involve two security checks and a long walk both pointless.
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