Clear Blue Skies but Thinking of Gray

It always gets to this point--you've still got 2 weeks to go on the trip but already we are starting to think of things we might face when we get back. This would be that same for the last week of a 3 week break, getting edgy , looking at emails , reading more work related stuff, or the last few days if you were on a 2 week break and if it was only one week break and you were a sad bar-steward like me you would be thing of going back to work before you started the break.

So emails are starting to go out today regarding the job and the head is starting to get used to the idea that this trip is gonna come to an end and that we leave the USA in 2 weeks time and not only will there be work related issues to deal with---like getting out of bed at 5am on a Monday morning for a start--and also that there are home issues that need fixing and dealing with which will have to be addressed---but just had a chat with the garage that is checking out the excessive oil I am burning and pleased that there is no obvious major issues--just gonna have to put up with topping up every 500 miles or so.

 

This is kind of it but mine's a low profile sportier one than this but you get the drift. Nice car to drive but don't have the roads like over here to be able to drive it in the same way---and changing back from an automatic to a manual will be a little strange too. However it is a great car to drive.

 

So yesterday was a funny old day---after breakfast we got rid---had to wave a fond farewell to Lisa and Hugh and after that and doing the blog it was a long day by the pool--in about 110 degrees-- before going to a restaurant for an early meal and back to watch the Batman  movie The Dark Knight--

 

Waiting for the next one but Heath Ledger below was the most awesome Joker--real dark and moody compared to the Jack Nicholson version--- I think it was a real special bit of acting, as did the Oscar folk.

 

 

 

Had a great chat to a couple from Holland in the afternoon who are on a tour round from NYC to LA to Palm Springs and on to Vegas, about all manner of things but for me mostly about music with a guy who plays drums for a hobby but owns a steel fabricators that has got involved with some of the stability works where the Amsterdam Metro construction is causing serious subsidence to many buildings in the city----

Listen---this is educational and it is live and relevant from this European city and you get this for free so stop complaining.

It never ceases to amaze though in every government supported project in all the world we end up with the same issues----

• The approval was in 2002.
• The end date for it to operate is 2017/8.
• The budget was set at 1.4 Billion euro.
• The current predicted budget is 3 Billion euro---(expect this to go higher when all the subsidence issues are dealt with).

You can compare this to most infrastructure projects around the world---they are the same --over run in time and budget -- and all with your tax dollars.

The only reason the London Olympics supposedly came in on budget was with the injection of private companies investment and stipulations.

Ok so that's the lesson for today.

Another lazy day in paradise today although we will go for a drive later to visit something local of interest so watch this space.

We also chatted to them about things on our bucket list so the following were things we have done over recent years----

From Hawaii---just seen this exact program on TV

Soaring Colorado

And white water rafting from Taos , NM.

Things yet to do are---

A bit extreme maybe but at least when you go to do them and in the moment , you know you are alive------- you may not be at the end of it of course, but hey they are only on the list----

That's it for todays roundup--excuse the pun--from yesterday so have a great day and speak again soon ---yeah ha !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!