Just like my Christmas entry, I refuse to call today 'New Year's Eve' for the simple fact I'm in work today and tomorrow. It's simply December 31st followed by January 1st.
It's been a strange year. To save you the task of going back through this blog, here is a brief summary of what has happened to me in the past twelve months.
January: Started the New Year flying to Shannon for Tara's 30th birthday. I made my first visit to Malta at the end of the month, still unaware I was going to decide to move here on a more permanent basis.
February: Half of it I was still in Malta, and while there, I found out I was going for a quiz show audition in Bristol (an audition that might have got me a walk on part in Casualty too). The month ended with the news I was going to be living alone in Southampton (and paying double the rent). I also found a pair of ladies knickers on the train!
March: A strange month. Lots of depression, but also highs as I met up with Jackie in Bournemouth and was made a formal offer to move to Malta.
April: Busy bee time. Jackie came to visit me, I spent another week in Malta and then went off to London to film a weeks worth of quiz shows. Quite an important month as I met lots of new friends through the recordings, and ended up two thousand pound richer!
May: The month ended back in Malta again, this time I experienced something approaching the hot weather too. I returned to Wembley for a quiz show reunion and officially agreed to move to Malta full time.
June: My birthday month. Went to the cricket with Jackie, and horse racing with some friends from the Isle of Man. I also managed to pay my own visit to the rock, spending some quality time with old friends. Spending a day in Peel with Ali was an especially high point of the trip. I was supposed to be hosting Tara in Manchester at the end of June, but sadly plans fell apart at the 11th hour. I still went home and took my 2nd cousin to another race meeting in Pontefract.
July: Another strange month, only one month to go until I move away. I spent one weekend in Brighton at a quiz show reunion. A wonderful few days, and more importantly, the 'birth' of Bob the Duck.
August: The moving month. Also managed to fit in a race meeting in Haydock and a quiz show reunion in Norwich. By the end of August I was living and working in Malta.
September: I moved out of the staff flat into my own place in Sliema. This was a month of experiencing Malta common occurences, but for the first time. My first thunderstorm, first downpour, and a whole month of being eaten by mosquitoes. It was also the month I almost destroyed my insides by eating a whole jar of curry paste!
October: A quiet month for me really. Experienced my first full Malta power-cut, but of course October 2009 will be in my head as it maks the birth of Jackie Junior, little Emily, my star :) It was also the month I realised light-bulbs are not only rare over here, but bloody expensive! I also managed to make successful omelettes on a regular basis thanks to a new frying pan.
November: If my blog is to believed nothing happened in November! Mt parents visited and the quiz show finally got broadcast, but other than that, I did nothing!
December: I managed to get over to the UK for the first time since I moved here. Met up with friends in Derby for an ice-hockey game and travelled down to Bournemouth to meet Emily (and Jackie of course!) Christmas was spent in work and I've been there ever since...
...Happy December 31st/January 1st to you all and hope 2010 brings you everything you desire.
December 31, 2009
December 30, 2009
Big Air Dogs
This is one of those stories that will shoot off at tangents while I try to explain things, and by the end of it you'll probably wonder why I bothered starting it. However, this is the story of what I got up to yesterday on my last day off before starting a run of 10 work shifts in a row.
Firstly, I had no intention of going out, or if I was going to venture outside, it was only to the shops. My plans were scuppered though when there was a knock on the door (a very rare occurence because that means the visitor has managed to get into the building, but come up 6 flights of stairs.) It was the maid asking if I wanted the apartment cleaning today, or should she come back another time.
I told her she was welcome to clean now (ok, it meant going out and leaving her to it, but if I sent her away the chances of her actually bothering to come back on a different day were close to zero. Couple this with the fact the flat was in need of a feminine touch. I was happy for her to make me change my plans)
Ok, so I'm going out, but what to do? I only have to be out for a couple of hours, then I can go back to a nice clean pad, and carry on doing the 'nothing' I was intending to do in the first place. It was just past 1.30pm (Malta time) so I decided to walk down to the harbour part of Sliema and have a few pints watching the darts which started at 2pm. I already knew Portside bar would have it on as I saw the advert for it the last time I passed. With me so far?
Ok, got to Portside, ordered a pitcher of local brew (cheaper than buying seperate pints) and settled down in front of three seperate TV sets. The left one seemed frozen on BBC sports from the previous night, the middle one was showing the 4th day of the cricket test and the end one had Eurosport, showing a live ice hockey game. I politely asked the lady behind the bar if I could have the darts on now, but apparently I would have to wait until the cricket ended as they only had one Sky Sports box. (ok, the excuse makes sense, but advertising the darts AND cricket seemed a bit naughty). Hey ho, nothing wrong with watching the cricket instead for a while, especially as England were on top.
..but on the third screen, the ice hockey game ended and Eurosport moved on to 'The Incredible Dogs Eastern USA Championships from Florida'. No, you didn't read that wrong, it's a tournament, divided into separate 'events' for talented dogs. The thing is, this wasn't a shock to me, I've watched it before, and here comes one of those tangents...
...Back in the Isle of Man, when I only worked for the casino at night, I often found myself in The Outback bar in the afternoon, sometimes with only the bar staff for company, or occasionally a few stray friends who also had the day off. On one of these quiet days there were only three or four of us in the place, but this 'Dog Championships' came on the TVs and we were mesmerised. One particular event involved a sort of long-jump competition, but instead of landing in a sandpit they landed in a giant pool of water. To make the scene even more bizarre, the event was called 'Big Air Dogs'. If you were sat in a pub with three or four other blokes, watching a 'legimate' sport but knowing nothing about it, what would you do? Correct. We started putting 50p bets on it!
..and word got around. The next day when we all agreed to meet up again there were eight or nine of us. Some of us were even trying to sound like we were now experts on the sport. There were other events too, the traditional 'agility course' (the one you see at Crufts where they go through tyres, over see-saws and through tunnels etc), a target frisbee catching event, and this time, they even had Jack Russell hurdling. You haven't lived until you've seen eight Jack Russells chasing after a stuffed rabbit, jumping over small plastic fences! I seem to remember that when the dog championships finally finished back in the Isle of Man we resorted to watching the lumberjack world finals instead. Plenty of betting opportunity there as well.
..so there I was in Portside in Sliema, watching dog championships and wishing I was back in the Isle of Man sharing the moment with some fellow dog-sport enthusiasts.
(highlight this time was 'Freestyle Flat Disc' where the owner throws frisbees in a variety of ways for the dog to catch. Both the owner and dog get scored on their performance. Award winning television)
...with all this going on I'd missed the fact that the cricket had ended early for bad light and the nice barlady had switched the channel over to the darts for me! I really have no idea how long I stayed there. I know I watched the end of the darts, I know the dog competition changed to another live ice hockey game, and I know I wasn't there when the Liverpool game kicked off later in the evening. I probably drank far too much (although thankfully you don't get hang-overs with the local beer) and I was starving hungry, but it turned out to be a lovely afternoon of reminiscing. On top of that I got back to find the flat in a lovely state (she'd even lined my teddy bears up on the bed and tucked their paws under the duvet). Basic pasta and sauce for tea, then an early night. Couldn't have asked for much more....
...except if it had been back in The Outback.
Firstly, I had no intention of going out, or if I was going to venture outside, it was only to the shops. My plans were scuppered though when there was a knock on the door (a very rare occurence because that means the visitor has managed to get into the building, but come up 6 flights of stairs.) It was the maid asking if I wanted the apartment cleaning today, or should she come back another time.
I told her she was welcome to clean now (ok, it meant going out and leaving her to it, but if I sent her away the chances of her actually bothering to come back on a different day were close to zero. Couple this with the fact the flat was in need of a feminine touch. I was happy for her to make me change my plans)
Ok, so I'm going out, but what to do? I only have to be out for a couple of hours, then I can go back to a nice clean pad, and carry on doing the 'nothing' I was intending to do in the first place. It was just past 1.30pm (Malta time) so I decided to walk down to the harbour part of Sliema and have a few pints watching the darts which started at 2pm. I already knew Portside bar would have it on as I saw the advert for it the last time I passed. With me so far?
Ok, got to Portside, ordered a pitcher of local brew (cheaper than buying seperate pints) and settled down in front of three seperate TV sets. The left one seemed frozen on BBC sports from the previous night, the middle one was showing the 4th day of the cricket test and the end one had Eurosport, showing a live ice hockey game. I politely asked the lady behind the bar if I could have the darts on now, but apparently I would have to wait until the cricket ended as they only had one Sky Sports box. (ok, the excuse makes sense, but advertising the darts AND cricket seemed a bit naughty). Hey ho, nothing wrong with watching the cricket instead for a while, especially as England were on top.
..but on the third screen, the ice hockey game ended and Eurosport moved on to 'The Incredible Dogs Eastern USA Championships from Florida'. No, you didn't read that wrong, it's a tournament, divided into separate 'events' for talented dogs. The thing is, this wasn't a shock to me, I've watched it before, and here comes one of those tangents...
...Back in the Isle of Man, when I only worked for the casino at night, I often found myself in The Outback bar in the afternoon, sometimes with only the bar staff for company, or occasionally a few stray friends who also had the day off. On one of these quiet days there were only three or four of us in the place, but this 'Dog Championships' came on the TVs and we were mesmerised. One particular event involved a sort of long-jump competition, but instead of landing in a sandpit they landed in a giant pool of water. To make the scene even more bizarre, the event was called 'Big Air Dogs'. If you were sat in a pub with three or four other blokes, watching a 'legimate' sport but knowing nothing about it, what would you do? Correct. We started putting 50p bets on it!
..and word got around. The next day when we all agreed to meet up again there were eight or nine of us. Some of us were even trying to sound like we were now experts on the sport. There were other events too, the traditional 'agility course' (the one you see at Crufts where they go through tyres, over see-saws and through tunnels etc), a target frisbee catching event, and this time, they even had Jack Russell hurdling. You haven't lived until you've seen eight Jack Russells chasing after a stuffed rabbit, jumping over small plastic fences! I seem to remember that when the dog championships finally finished back in the Isle of Man we resorted to watching the lumberjack world finals instead. Plenty of betting opportunity there as well.
..so there I was in Portside in Sliema, watching dog championships and wishing I was back in the Isle of Man sharing the moment with some fellow dog-sport enthusiasts.
(highlight this time was 'Freestyle Flat Disc' where the owner throws frisbees in a variety of ways for the dog to catch. Both the owner and dog get scored on their performance. Award winning television)
...with all this going on I'd missed the fact that the cricket had ended early for bad light and the nice barlady had switched the channel over to the darts for me! I really have no idea how long I stayed there. I know I watched the end of the darts, I know the dog competition changed to another live ice hockey game, and I know I wasn't there when the Liverpool game kicked off later in the evening. I probably drank far too much (although thankfully you don't get hang-overs with the local beer) and I was starving hungry, but it turned out to be a lovely afternoon of reminiscing. On top of that I got back to find the flat in a lovely state (she'd even lined my teddy bears up on the bed and tucked their paws under the duvet). Basic pasta and sauce for tea, then an early night. Couldn't have asked for much more....
...except if it had been back in The Outback.
December 25, 2009
Bah Humbug
Today is not Christmas Day. Today is December 25th.
I'm sat in the office now, about to start my work shift. There won't be a turkey dinner, roast potatoes, gravy, stuffing and carefully hiding sprouts on someone elses plate. For dinner I have a frozen Admiral's Fish Pie (with added Omega 3), a tomato cup-a-soup and some instant noodles if I still need something else.
I got a pleasant treat yesterday, a Christmas Card turned up in the post all the way from Ireland. It was a lovely surprise. Thank you Tara x x
I was surprised how many people were out and about this morning. The bus into work was standing room only, and the little pastry windows were open selling pizza slices and pies. There was also a giant teddy bear in a Santa suit waving at passers-by (unless I was halucinating at that point).
Last night, Christmas Eve (no, sorry, December 24th) I met up with a mate in the pub for a few 'sociable drinks'. About 5 hours later I was home with a spinning head and the urge to eat something bad for me.
I've no idea if places open up on December 25th, but whether they are or aren't I don't think I'll be going out tonight anyway. I've made the same mistake I did a few weeks ago, and forgotton to stock up my food cupboards, but I think I have just enough to make a meal of sorts. If nothing else, I have a ton of pasta and jars of sauce I can use up.
Hope everyone that reads this has (or had) a lovely December 25th. Hope to see you all soon in the New Year.
I'm sat in the office now, about to start my work shift. There won't be a turkey dinner, roast potatoes, gravy, stuffing and carefully hiding sprouts on someone elses plate. For dinner I have a frozen Admiral's Fish Pie (with added Omega 3), a tomato cup-a-soup and some instant noodles if I still need something else.
I got a pleasant treat yesterday, a Christmas Card turned up in the post all the way from Ireland. It was a lovely surprise. Thank you Tara x x
I was surprised how many people were out and about this morning. The bus into work was standing room only, and the little pastry windows were open selling pizza slices and pies. There was also a giant teddy bear in a Santa suit waving at passers-by (unless I was halucinating at that point).
Last night, Christmas Eve (no, sorry, December 24th) I met up with a mate in the pub for a few 'sociable drinks'. About 5 hours later I was home with a spinning head and the urge to eat something bad for me.
I've no idea if places open up on December 25th, but whether they are or aren't I don't think I'll be going out tonight anyway. I've made the same mistake I did a few weeks ago, and forgotton to stock up my food cupboards, but I think I have just enough to make a meal of sorts. If nothing else, I have a ton of pasta and jars of sauce I can use up.
Hope everyone that reads this has (or had) a lovely December 25th. Hope to see you all soon in the New Year.
December 19, 2009
Definition of an Eejit Part XIV
I've done something I thought I'd never do in my time here in Malta....I got on the wrong bus!
For the first two shifts back in the office after my UK break, I've left work at exactly 2pm, walked down to the bus stop, and on both occasions a number 62 bus has pulled up into the lay-by almost immediately. Both times it was busy, but with a few seats still free, and on both occasions I've walked in the front door of my apartment at 2.30pm. Was there any reason to doubt it would happen a third time?
Third shift, again I leave the office at exactly 2pm, again I walk down to the bus stop and as I arrive the number 62 pulls up, again it's busy but seats still available, so surely I'm destined to walk into my front door at 2.30pm for a third time? Well I would have been if it had been the 62...it turned out it was the number 42 and was going no where near my apartment!
Of course I didn't know it was the wrong bus as I took my seat near the front - in fact, for the first couple of miles it took the route I expected it to. It was at the roundabout just after the Exotic Pet Store that things turned for the worst. Instead of heading right towards Sliema, it carried straight on, and headed into the unknown.
How would you react? I wasn't going to ask a passenger 'what bus is this?' for two reasons. Firstly it makes me look stupid if I don't know what bus I'm riding on, and secondly, even if they tell me 'it's the 42' that doesn't help me work out where I'm heading!
So, when do I get off? Do I get off straight away, possibly still in walking distance of home? (although without a clue in which compass direction I'd need to head in to find Sliema) Do I wait to see if I recognise a landmark? (again unlikely, I haven't exactly explored much of the island, and as I know it's not heading in the direction I was hoping, I can't imagine something would seem fimilar. Do I stay on until the end of the journey and then just get a bus back in the opposite direction? (Dangerous as it could be a long way, and may enter a different fare zone, and then I'd be travelling on an invalid ticket)...
..What I chose to do was wait until the bus was fairly empty and then got off when a group of other people got off (rather than a stop where only one person got off). My logic seemed to say if lots of people want to alight here, it must be a popular place and easier to find my way back. That is logical isn't it?
Ok, so where was I? I had just passed a big Lidl supermarket, there was a dual carriageway next to me, and a nursey school with kids in the playground. Not much help so far. Across the road was another bus stop, so I dodged the traffic and stood in the shelter. After no more than 5 minutes a number 65 bus turned up, and with trepidation I held out a 50c coin to the driver and said 'Are you heading to Valetta?'
My head was telling me, 'get to Valetta and start again.' Yes it would mean two more buses but at least I wouldn't be lost anymore.
The driver replied: 'No, I don't go as far as Valetta, only to Sliema'.
You'd think I had just won the lottery by the broad grin plastered across my face. I think the driver was a little stunned I still wanted to ride on his bus, considering it wasn't going to Valetta, but little did he know he was actually going to take me home. 20 minutes later I was pulling up at the same stop I catch my morning bus from, arriving home in the opposite direction to the one I'm used to. Instead of 2.30pm, I was walking into the flat just after 3pm, but at least I was home.
There are a few curious things to consider about this adventure though...
1. Recently I've taken to only bringing my exact bus fare with me. two lots of 47c. Yesterday, however I had a few loose coins I'd forgotton to take out of my coat pocket after a night out, so I had enough for two more buses if I needed them.
2. I only discovered the extra coins while I was on the wrong bus. If I'd discovered them on the way to work, I probably would have bought a bottle of Pepsi or 7up with them (I'd been craving a cold drink all day).
3. According to the Malta Transport timetable I checked when I got home, the 65 bus should have cost 1.16 per ride (which I didn't have) but the driver only charged me the standard 47c. I still don't know why he did that.
...So perhaps the God were taking pity on me because I was being such an eejit.
For the first two shifts back in the office after my UK break, I've left work at exactly 2pm, walked down to the bus stop, and on both occasions a number 62 bus has pulled up into the lay-by almost immediately. Both times it was busy, but with a few seats still free, and on both occasions I've walked in the front door of my apartment at 2.30pm. Was there any reason to doubt it would happen a third time?
Third shift, again I leave the office at exactly 2pm, again I walk down to the bus stop and as I arrive the number 62 pulls up, again it's busy but seats still available, so surely I'm destined to walk into my front door at 2.30pm for a third time? Well I would have been if it had been the 62...it turned out it was the number 42 and was going no where near my apartment!
Of course I didn't know it was the wrong bus as I took my seat near the front - in fact, for the first couple of miles it took the route I expected it to. It was at the roundabout just after the Exotic Pet Store that things turned for the worst. Instead of heading right towards Sliema, it carried straight on, and headed into the unknown.
How would you react? I wasn't going to ask a passenger 'what bus is this?' for two reasons. Firstly it makes me look stupid if I don't know what bus I'm riding on, and secondly, even if they tell me 'it's the 42' that doesn't help me work out where I'm heading!
So, when do I get off? Do I get off straight away, possibly still in walking distance of home? (although without a clue in which compass direction I'd need to head in to find Sliema) Do I wait to see if I recognise a landmark? (again unlikely, I haven't exactly explored much of the island, and as I know it's not heading in the direction I was hoping, I can't imagine something would seem fimilar. Do I stay on until the end of the journey and then just get a bus back in the opposite direction? (Dangerous as it could be a long way, and may enter a different fare zone, and then I'd be travelling on an invalid ticket)...
..What I chose to do was wait until the bus was fairly empty and then got off when a group of other people got off (rather than a stop where only one person got off). My logic seemed to say if lots of people want to alight here, it must be a popular place and easier to find my way back. That is logical isn't it?
Ok, so where was I? I had just passed a big Lidl supermarket, there was a dual carriageway next to me, and a nursey school with kids in the playground. Not much help so far. Across the road was another bus stop, so I dodged the traffic and stood in the shelter. After no more than 5 minutes a number 65 bus turned up, and with trepidation I held out a 50c coin to the driver and said 'Are you heading to Valetta?'
My head was telling me, 'get to Valetta and start again.' Yes it would mean two more buses but at least I wouldn't be lost anymore.
The driver replied: 'No, I don't go as far as Valetta, only to Sliema'.
You'd think I had just won the lottery by the broad grin plastered across my face. I think the driver was a little stunned I still wanted to ride on his bus, considering it wasn't going to Valetta, but little did he know he was actually going to take me home. 20 minutes later I was pulling up at the same stop I catch my morning bus from, arriving home in the opposite direction to the one I'm used to. Instead of 2.30pm, I was walking into the flat just after 3pm, but at least I was home.
There are a few curious things to consider about this adventure though...
1. Recently I've taken to only bringing my exact bus fare with me. two lots of 47c. Yesterday, however I had a few loose coins I'd forgotton to take out of my coat pocket after a night out, so I had enough for two more buses if I needed them.
2. I only discovered the extra coins while I was on the wrong bus. If I'd discovered them on the way to work, I probably would have bought a bottle of Pepsi or 7up with them (I'd been craving a cold drink all day).
3. According to the Malta Transport timetable I checked when I got home, the 65 bus should have cost 1.16 per ride (which I didn't have) but the driver only charged me the standard 47c. I still don't know why he did that.
...So perhaps the God were taking pity on me because I was being such an eejit.
December 17, 2009
Promises Promises
There was me promising I wouldn't let my blog go quiet for more than a week again, and this is the first post of December! I do have my excuses though... good ones this time.
Main one of course is I've been off work and away in the UK for a week. Before that there was my parents visit and through all of that I had very little computer access. Ok, I'm sure I could have made an effort at some point to login and fill you all in, but therein lies the second excuse...I didn't have the urge to.
If I had kicked myself into life I could have written a separate entry for my trip to Derby to see Cat and Darrell (think that's the third different way I've spelt his name now, and I still don't know if I've got it right). It included a drive over to Coventry to see a live Ice Hockey game, and getting a personal mention on The Radio One Chart Show too! The important things you need to know is it was a fantastic trip, great to see them both and meet their respective partners, and to take Bob the Duck to a new destination.
Talking of new destinations for Bob, the next day I was off down to Bournemouth with him to see Jackie and meet Emily. It was quite strange being on the Cross Country train to the south coast again. As I passed through Southampton Airport Parkway station, I instinctively got my bag down from the rack and put my coat on. It was only getting a text off Jackie at that moment that stopped me getting off at Southampton Central station like I had done a million times before.
Meeting Emily was wonderful, and seeing Jackie as a 'mum' was also a treat. We spent the evening in, watching a bit of telly and eating pizza with her partner Mark - and the next day, went into Bournemouth centre for a bit of Christmas shopping and a mulled wine in the German market. I haven't pushed a baby around the shops since I was with Sarah and Caoimhe (I think I need to learn to be more agressive with shoppers who get in my way really.) Wish I could have stayed longer, or at least spent more time with them both, but there will be other times. Worth noting at this point that Jackie has about as much willpower for keeping presents wrapped up until the 25th as I have of passing a pub that's open without going in!
Next stop on the roller-coaster ride was Ellesmere Port to see my sister, have a couple of games of ten-pin bowling with the family, and use the opportunity to get my hair cut. For the record Bob the Duck won both games (which I think put my Dad's nose out of joint hee hee).
Before it felt like the trip had even got going, it was all over and I found myself back in Malta. No rest for the wicked though, 3 more days off before work started again, but a friend was coming over to visit. Had to make sure the flat is tidy, and the fridge is stripped of anything I left behind that now has it's own eco-system growing in it... and now it's back into the work routine.
..as I lay in bed last night, unable to sleep (for the second night in a row) I realised that these last two nights have been the first in three weeks where I have been alone. Either home or away I've not been in an empty house for 20 days. Not having to listen to see if the bathroom is available, not having to worry if I'm running low on milk, not having to 'tread on eggshells' if I move in the night for fear of disturbing someone, not having to explain to someone else what I'm doing or where I'm going. I've no idea if this is why I'm not sleeping (it seems unlikely) but something is keeping me awake.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I want to have someone around on a permanent basis, nor am I saying I don't want to share my home, just trying to make the point that there is a world of difference between the two, and in the past few weeks I've experienced both.
Oh well, Christmas looms ahead of us. Thankfully I managed to bring back a few winter clothes with me (the temperature is definitely dropping now). Sadly, my suitcase decided to attack a bottle of shower gel on the trip home, so Christmas presents and clothing got drenched in Imperial Leather 'Just for Men', but it all seems to have come clean in the wash. I won't promise to be in touch again soon, look what happened last time I did that...
..but I will try.
Main one of course is I've been off work and away in the UK for a week. Before that there was my parents visit and through all of that I had very little computer access. Ok, I'm sure I could have made an effort at some point to login and fill you all in, but therein lies the second excuse...I didn't have the urge to.
If I had kicked myself into life I could have written a separate entry for my trip to Derby to see Cat and Darrell (think that's the third different way I've spelt his name now, and I still don't know if I've got it right). It included a drive over to Coventry to see a live Ice Hockey game, and getting a personal mention on The Radio One Chart Show too! The important things you need to know is it was a fantastic trip, great to see them both and meet their respective partners, and to take Bob the Duck to a new destination.
Talking of new destinations for Bob, the next day I was off down to Bournemouth with him to see Jackie and meet Emily. It was quite strange being on the Cross Country train to the south coast again. As I passed through Southampton Airport Parkway station, I instinctively got my bag down from the rack and put my coat on. It was only getting a text off Jackie at that moment that stopped me getting off at Southampton Central station like I had done a million times before.
Meeting Emily was wonderful, and seeing Jackie as a 'mum' was also a treat. We spent the evening in, watching a bit of telly and eating pizza with her partner Mark - and the next day, went into Bournemouth centre for a bit of Christmas shopping and a mulled wine in the German market. I haven't pushed a baby around the shops since I was with Sarah and Caoimhe (I think I need to learn to be more agressive with shoppers who get in my way really.) Wish I could have stayed longer, or at least spent more time with them both, but there will be other times. Worth noting at this point that Jackie has about as much willpower for keeping presents wrapped up until the 25th as I have of passing a pub that's open without going in!
Next stop on the roller-coaster ride was Ellesmere Port to see my sister, have a couple of games of ten-pin bowling with the family, and use the opportunity to get my hair cut. For the record Bob the Duck won both games (which I think put my Dad's nose out of joint hee hee).
Before it felt like the trip had even got going, it was all over and I found myself back in Malta. No rest for the wicked though, 3 more days off before work started again, but a friend was coming over to visit. Had to make sure the flat is tidy, and the fridge is stripped of anything I left behind that now has it's own eco-system growing in it... and now it's back into the work routine.
..as I lay in bed last night, unable to sleep (for the second night in a row) I realised that these last two nights have been the first in three weeks where I have been alone. Either home or away I've not been in an empty house for 20 days. Not having to listen to see if the bathroom is available, not having to worry if I'm running low on milk, not having to 'tread on eggshells' if I move in the night for fear of disturbing someone, not having to explain to someone else what I'm doing or where I'm going. I've no idea if this is why I'm not sleeping (it seems unlikely) but something is keeping me awake.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I want to have someone around on a permanent basis, nor am I saying I don't want to share my home, just trying to make the point that there is a world of difference between the two, and in the past few weeks I've experienced both.
Oh well, Christmas looms ahead of us. Thankfully I managed to bring back a few winter clothes with me (the temperature is definitely dropping now). Sadly, my suitcase decided to attack a bottle of shower gel on the trip home, so Christmas presents and clothing got drenched in Imperial Leather 'Just for Men', but it all seems to have come clean in the wash. I won't promise to be in touch again soon, look what happened last time I did that...
..but I will try.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
