A busy day in the office, trying to get reports done this week and prepare for the next three weeks worth of courses.
Managed to go for a swim, after the next three weeks I will be regularly hitting the gym again.
Wednesday, 9 March 2016
Saturday, 5 March 2016
Day 2259 & 2260 (05 & 06/03/2016)
I had a lovely sleep back in my own bed.
Then up catching up on my work and my calendar.
Saturday was fairly busy in the office.
Sunday was Mothers Day and I saw my mum and dropped off a card and prezzie for her. The kids were good and sent their mum some nice flowers and I made a nice dinner.
Then up catching up on my work and my calendar.
Saturday was fairly busy in the office.
Sunday was Mothers Day and I saw my mum and dropped off a card and prezzie for her. The kids were good and sent their mum some nice flowers and I made a nice dinner.
Day 2258 (04/03/2016)
I slept most of the journey, but woke up for the breakfast, thou I didn't bother eating it as it wasn't great.
Anyway we arrived a bit late but I managed to get thru the airport fairly quickly.
Then, despite taking a photograph of my car in the car park, I spent about 20 minutes walking around the car park as I couldn't find it.
Then a long but not quick drive home in the sun, hail and rain.
Really pleased to be home.
Anyway we arrived a bit late but I managed to get thru the airport fairly quickly.
Then, despite taking a photograph of my car in the car park, I spent about 20 minutes walking around the car park as I couldn't find it.
Then a long but not quick drive home in the sun, hail and rain.
Really pleased to be home.
Day 2257 (03/03/2016)
I was able to have a lie-in but then had to try and help one of the guys from the company, who had been to identify the body of a friend during the night, after he was mugged and left dead in a street about 30minutes away (he had spent many years in South America, so had friends in many of these places). He was obviously quite shaken and there was little I could do.
Clearly Mexico is a dangerous place and the police showed little interest in catching the assailants.
So after that it was a tourist coach trip around Mexico.
Then to a local bar / grill for some food, so I was finally able to have nachos, which were lovely.
Then to the airport, where I was specially selected for extra security screening. How nice for me and the man who had to frisk me (quite a lot to frisk).
In the airport I saw something that Gary would have liked.
I also saw the first sombreros of the trip.
Then onto the plane for a very ordinary lasagne.
Clearly Mexico is a dangerous place and the police showed little interest in catching the assailants.
So after that it was a tourist coach trip around Mexico.
Then to a local bar / grill for some food, so I was finally able to have nachos, which were lovely.
Then to the airport, where I was specially selected for extra security screening. How nice for me and the man who had to frisk me (quite a lot to frisk).
In the airport I saw something that Gary would have liked.
Then onto the plane for a very ordinary lasagne.
Day 2256 (02/03/2016)
Another early morning and out to the venue in the rain (yes its been chilly and now wet in Mexico, not what I expected at all).
Lunch today was a restaurant from the Caribbean coast of Mexico and was some bubbling hot roast pork dish (and were given bibs).
The afternoon section of the training went OK (still with the internet problems) and they all seemed quite happy, so that was my part of the week other with.
In the evening we went to a touristy restaurant, and had duck burritos (with far too much sauce).
Lunch today was a restaurant from the Caribbean coast of Mexico and was some bubbling hot roast pork dish (and were given bibs).
The afternoon section of the training went OK (still with the internet problems) and they all seemed quite happy, so that was my part of the week other with.
In the evening we went to a touristy restaurant, and had duck burritos (with far too much sauce).
Day 2255 (01/03/2016)
It was an early start with my body still not sure what time it really was.
We went to the venue and met the dignitaries and listened to the introductions. The lady from the embassy was lovely.
The course went well but the internet was painfully slow (nearly non-existent) and it was difficult using a computer that was set-up in Spanish.
We went out for lunch, of slow cooked ox-tail, which was a bit much for lunch.
In the evening we went to a restaurant (Le Polar) which was more for locals than tourists, with a Mariachi Band and Wrestling Masks on display.
Tonight it was similar to the previous night but was goat and tasted very different.
We went to the venue and met the dignitaries and listened to the introductions. The lady from the embassy was lovely.
The course went well but the internet was painfully slow (nearly non-existent) and it was difficult using a computer that was set-up in Spanish.
We went out for lunch, of slow cooked ox-tail, which was a bit much for lunch.
Tonight it was similar to the previous night but was goat and tasted very different.
Day 2254 (29/02/2016)
I arrived into Mexico City at around 4:30am and had a long queue for immigration, which went well as I was stood next to Henning Wehn, who I spoke to after showing him a photo of us both at his Bristol gig; then I was chatting to Jed Pitman, a previous HTV sports commentator, who lives in Acapulco.
This was the first airport I have ever been in where there is an area to book in your guns, possibly a scary place, especially for those without a gun.
Then a cab ride into the city and booking into the hotel, which despite being only a holiday inn express was quite nice.
I was still awake so had breakfast before lounging around for a few hours.
I went for a walk around and visited a nice Italian at lunchtime for a pizza.
In the afternoon I met the clients to discuss the training input. I think they were expecting someone a bit smarter as they talking about having to impress people from the embassy, oh well.
On the evening we went to a very nice Mexican for a local meal, which was slow cooked lamb & porky with a broth.
Then back to the hotel to sleep before an early start but seeing as my body doesn't know if it's on Mexican or UK time (6hr difference) could be a problem.
This was the first airport I have ever been in where there is an area to book in your guns, possibly a scary place, especially for those without a gun.
Then a cab ride into the city and booking into the hotel, which despite being only a holiday inn express was quite nice.
I was still awake so had breakfast before lounging around for a few hours.
I went for a walk around and visited a nice Italian at lunchtime for a pizza.
On the evening we went to a very nice Mexican for a local meal, which was slow cooked lamb & porky with a broth.
Then back to the hotel to sleep before an early start but seeing as my body doesn't know if it's on Mexican or UK time (6hr difference) could be a problem.
Saturday, 27 February 2016
Day 2252 & 2253 (27 & 28/02/2016)
A weekend of getting ready to go away to Mexico.
In the evening we had a Chinese and a bit too much to drink :-)
Sunday was spent doing some last minute things and getting ready for Mexico.
I had a long drive to Heathrow, trying to keep within the speed limit, so it's seemed to take a lot longer than last time.
I was flying from Terminal 4, which seemed to be every nation outside of Europe and was so busy & noisy it was like a Christmas shoppers nightmare, which I would rather not do again.
It's not just that I'm a snob who likes travelling business class (although I am & I do) it's more I hate people, not in a hating foreigner way more of a hating everyone way. After getting through security I went for a cool refreshing pint of shandy, which went in two mouthfuls. Then boarding a plane for 12 hours in Economy. Luckily the plane wasn't very full so I could move and stretch out as was originally next to the toilets AGAIN.
I ended up with a whole row to myself, and settled down watched a few films (The Martian & The Intern) and had a nice pasta dish with some red wine.
Then sleep and a breakfast of omelette & sausage but no tea as coffee was the only choice.
All in all the flight wasn't that bad as slept thru most of it and had three seats to myself but the choice of films was a it limited and there not as much nibbles on other long haul flights I've had.
In the evening we had a Chinese and a bit too much to drink :-)
Sunday was spent doing some last minute things and getting ready for Mexico.
I had a long drive to Heathrow, trying to keep within the speed limit, so it's seemed to take a lot longer than last time.
I was flying from Terminal 4, which seemed to be every nation outside of Europe and was so busy & noisy it was like a Christmas shoppers nightmare, which I would rather not do again.
It's not just that I'm a snob who likes travelling business class (although I am & I do) it's more I hate people, not in a hating foreigner way more of a hating everyone way. After getting through security I went for a cool refreshing pint of shandy, which went in two mouthfuls. Then boarding a plane for 12 hours in Economy. Luckily the plane wasn't very full so I could move and stretch out as was originally next to the toilets AGAIN.
I ended up with a whole row to myself, and settled down watched a few films (The Martian & The Intern) and had a nice pasta dish with some red wine.
Then sleep and a breakfast of omelette & sausage but no tea as coffee was the only choice.
All in all the flight wasn't that bad as slept thru most of it and had three seats to myself but the choice of films was a it limited and there not as much nibbles on other long haul flights I've had.
Day 2251 (26/02/2016)
On Friday I gave a talk at the International Crime and Intelligence Analysis Conference in Manchester.
I was asked to do it by an old colleague (the first analyst I ever met in around 1993), so I couldn't say no and it was great to catch up with him.
Being around so many police staff I may have ripped into the Met, WMP & College of Policing a bit too much (if that's possible) but I think it was fairly well received.
I didn't stay for lunch but wanted to get home as I have so much to do before flying out on Sunday.
When I got home I got my post, which confirmed it was a speed camera I set-off on the motorway the other night coming back from Heathrow. On the plus side I was doing 7 miles an hour less than when I got last time in 1998 and don't have to attend one of those speed awareness classes. On the bad side its £100 and 3 points. Oh well, if I only get caught once ever 18 years I can live with that.
Time for a new smaller (slower) car.
I was asked to do it by an old colleague (the first analyst I ever met in around 1993), so I couldn't say no and it was great to catch up with him.
I didn't stay for lunch but wanted to get home as I have so much to do before flying out on Sunday.
When I got home I got my post, which confirmed it was a speed camera I set-off on the motorway the other night coming back from Heathrow. On the plus side I was doing 7 miles an hour less than when I got last time in 1998 and don't have to attend one of those speed awareness classes. On the bad side its £100 and 3 points. Oh well, if I only get caught once ever 18 years I can live with that.
Time for a new smaller (slower) car.
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