Life Changing suprises -and Not So Good Ones

How can a matter of hours change your life so dramatically that everything we were planning has disappeared into the distance.

So when I wrote last weekend it was in the morning and we were so looking forward to finalising the cost and installation of a nice new kitchen and decided to rip out some of the old kitchen units so that we would be ahead of the game and could get completely ready for whatever we decided to do.

So we cleaned out some wall units and I dismantled those and got them stacked outside ready to take to the waste transfer station. Then I started on the first base unit and as I pulled it out and started dismantling it , I noticed that the floor and wall at the back of the base unit was wet.

I touched the floor and the floor boards disintegrated -- I ran round to the bathroom, unscrewed the bath panel and found the cold water feed pipe spraying water over the party wall between the bathroom and kitchen---it kind of looked like this-------

 

Ok , so I exaggerate a touch but you get the idea--- I mean to say---the bath could have been through the boards and joists and into the void underneath---and the same with the gas cooker--so I guess that there is always an even more dark side to things when you think things are really bad.

 

However I would love to meet the numpty who would install a pressurized pipe when only using PTFE tape to connect the feeder pipe---

 I would love to ask him what about the fricking WASHER, stupid.

 

So now we have had to have an emergency plumber to isolate the problem and then have a building  company surveyor around from the recommended insurance company list and he has put spec of all of what needs fixing and gone back to put a price together for the work.

 

So tomorrow I am meeting the Insurance companies Claims manager and have a debate as to whether the small print excludes us from them paying for everything---well they will wont they , they all do, it's what they are trained to do--don't give into the claimers--squeeze everything you can out of the final bill--your bonus will be effected if you don't manage to stop paying people with claims all that they expect-- you know the sort of thing---and by the way, just so he knows --like everyone else unless your a flipping lawyer or a liar, or both, I havnt a clue what the small print says ok so iv'e said it , so I guess we deserve what he offers.

 

So the next question is , can we get done by Xmas--bluddy well better or i'll be in trouble with the ladies in my life.

 

So that's how I left for the long drive up to Manchester last Monday at 4am --yeah I know who the hell wants to got to Manchester-- but I had to catch up with the guys on the MCRC project before the CEO came up on Tuesday. This is the building that is being constructed----

 

State of the art Cancer Research Centre with top scientists taking up residence and I pray that one or all of them can be successful in finding a cure for this evil disease.

 

So the boss and me met with the Client and his directors to have a chat about life and the next big thing that we can get a shot at for them so a good meeting and overall a great visit at the project.

 

So that late afternoon I drove back from Manchester to Chippenham where I got in to my hotel room at about 19.55 -- just in time to see this guy being really happy---sorry but I could not show Stevie G ---

 

I actually think that this was the moment that he came out for the second half of the match realising that he may have just made the worst half time speech ever and that the " feed the Monkey" bit was gonna come and bite his bum. Come on Roy, these are professional footballers, they have no idea about astronaut jokes --just tell them to pass the fecking ball to Townsend--that would do--they would understand that, not all that crap from NASA.

 

But you did a great job to get the team there Roy and I very much admire your management skills--at least there wont be a chance that you will be getting caught out with a Nancy or a Ulreka--well not much I think.

 

So the dashing back to Chippenham was to be there for the company receiving this----

 

Yep , didn't we all do well--I know my CEO is as pleased as punch.

 

So I ended up having to do a presentation on Microprocessors and manufacturing plants we have designed and constructed to this bloke---

Hi Royal Highness the Duke of Kent--and shook his hand and all that--do I wash it or not--?

 

 

and then to the Lord High Sherriff of Wiltshire, this guys was a real funny bloke--when he suggested that he had heard that I had been with the company a long time I put him straight and stated that I was the token old fella that was there to prove to anyone who made an issue that M+W were definitely not an ageist Company-------

 

 

to this Lady The Mayoress of Chippenham

 

She wasn't quite so funny

 

And to the MP for North Wiltshire

A Tory of course. We couldn't get rid of him, think he enjoyed being with the lads talking about how M+W are helping the local businesses---but he was ok and might be able to help us in the future.

So we received a piece of crystal , a certificate and lots of congratulations, a bit of champers and back to work---it doesn't last long does it.

So the week for me finished with a workshop review of a tender we are putting in this coming week and please God that we have done a good enough job to have a bit of success with it.

So another couple of cabinets out today and we have a couple of Charlottes favourites joining the realms of the displaced persons--well ok they weren't people they were slugs--I think the fact that we had seen one or two --and stepped on one or two of the slimey little so and so's---and Charlotte has just about freaked out just now.

So here I am with my darling wife, my darling wife and the  very darling Clare soon to have sunday dinner and because I am totally outnumbered about to watch "Made in Chelsea" -- how sad am I--Laters Chaps---" I say Spencer , how about helping get back into Chelsea old chap, they wouldn't let me in last time I got to Fulham "------- And she managed just managed to cook the most amazing roast dinner in a kitchen with no work tops, no cupboards and so much stuff everywhere --well there wasn't anything left on any plate out of the four of ours---you are amazing my darling------------

Driving Ms Lynda

I thought it worth doing a post on the drive that we did during the trip to USA, as 10907 miles is a fair drive in 12 weeks in any bodies terms.

Lynda and I went to 14 states in the above map.

If you break it down that we had three days in Portland, 3 days in Cody, 5 days in Colorado ranch, 3 days in dallas, 5 days in Tucson ranch, 3 days in Sedona, 3 days in Temecula , 12 days in Palm Springs and 4 days in Oxnard it kind of puts the driving in the other days into some kind of perspective.

For sure I know we did at least 2 days of driving 500+ miles, and that is a lot of driving in anyone's language.

One trip from Phoenix in Arizona, via flagstaff ( 2 hours for Chelsea match), page, and north rim of grand canyon to end up in Hurricane , South west Utah took from 08.30 until 22.00 that evening is a very long day. We stopped at a gas station in a town called Colorado City in north Arizona where the 89A curves down and back up and we were so hungry that Lynda bought something that I am unsure what it consisted of --- it was warm, had the shape of a burger but the consistency of rubber but thankfully the lady made some fresh coffee and that was really good.

When you are as hungry as we were that night this was wonderful but I am real glad that we didn't know what was in it.

The scary bit I guess is that we had no hotel booked and there were all kinds of flash flooding going on including one road washed away. But that is all part of what we do on these trips--there has to be some kind of uncertainty, to make it more interesting.

Never was a room more welcoming than the very cheep Roadway Inn that we stayed in , we were that knackered. No breakfast so a visit to Dennys was in order for two very hungry souls.

When I look back on the driving -- Lynda did actually only drive once for about 2 to 3 hours but I felt so relaxed with the driving and in particular with the comfort of the Ford Edge it was a great SUV for us, baring in mind that it had the 4 of us for the first 3 weeks, with 4 suitcases and a bunch of hand luggage and then , when Rod and Ann had left us at Denver airport we managed to find replacements for the two cases that the others had taken with them as well as some extra hand luggage.

 

The one above is what colour we started with  and the one below what we finished with

 

At around 400+ miles per tank of fuel--around 15 American gallons per tank full-- and about $70 per full tank, we spent around $1350 dollars of a grand in pounds for fuel for the trip---but by golly it was worth every red cent.

Golden rules on this kind of trip planning would consist of the following ---

• Pre-planning is everything
• Understand the basics of the trip that you want to do and ensure that you put the info into print.
• Make sure that you have the first night hotel booked in advance to ensure that you have a place to put on the immigration form that you will have to fill in prior to going through customs.
• Book key places in advance so that you limit the uncertainty---for instance if you are going to be there over say Labour day weekend, definitely book a hotel in advance as if you leave till you are there you will have limited chance of being able to walk in off the street into one they get that busy.
• Keep cash handy for fuel as there are always issues with petrol or gas stations and credit cards recognitions.
• If you are going to drive in the hundreds of miles per day, stock up with appropriate sweets.
• Sort out the appropriate up to date maps in the right size and scale--always good to have a magnifying glass to be able to decipher very small print and road numbers.
• When you fill up with fuel or eat in a diner, keep an eye out for free token books for hotel discounts--they include every town in the state that has hotels who take part in this type of opportunity---we have stayed half price in some over the years so worth having.
• Ensure that you have taken out full insurance, get a second driver named and included on the paperwork, and ensure that you don't have to fill up with fuel before you drop off the car at the airport.

These are where you get the free coupon / map brochures to be found in the Gas stations and Diners.

 

The scariest drive was driving up to Montrose through a mountain region that had single file roads winding around the mountains with torrential rain hammering down making it scary when you were driving by 1000 foot drops.

 

 

Trust me --with rock slides and other vehicles, especially the pantechnicans  this was the scariest.

 

Lastly , you need to understand what areas will be passable and when as there are many places in Colorado and surrounding states that you cannot drive through after September---there is plenty of snow right now in Colorado.

 

I hope this might help folk but it has been good to be to get this all down in print, especially as it is a miserable day here in London so back to stripping out the kitchen ready for replacement in a couple of weeks.

 

Roll on Work tomorrow and drive to Manchester----not!

 

Travel Planning 2014---Started

So here I am sitting in the front room on a Saturday morning wondering why I am not somewhere warm and away from here--that has to be the price for such a long time travelling and relaxing, it gets to feel that we should be doing something else rather than worrying about charging up and down motorways with work and running around picking up grand children.

On top of all that within days of returning here , Lynda goes down with what appears to be bronchitis, and has been hacking and burning up all week and still trying to charge around the place. So we have her dosing up on my old favourite---

I had a relaxing evening last night watching this lot make hard work of winning a match---which they had to win ---

and this guy did a great job to help secure that with a good debut and a stunning goal--so only Poland match to win and we qualify - but who remembers 40 years ago in the same situation against the same opponent --

 

It was in the main all down to this chap - Jan Tomazsewski, who defied England for almost the whole 90 minutes--the game ended 1 - 1, England failed to qualify for the world cup and Poland went instead. The difference is this time Poland cant qualify but I am not sure whether that is a good or bad thing. So roll on Tuesday night where we will learn our fate.

 

Ok so I know that the women will be saying that it is only a game of football, but in the words of the great Bill Shankly , "Football isn't Life or Death, it's much more important than that"

 

So this week we have managed to choose our new kitchen that we want for our apartment and it will look really good when done. I managed to track down our friend Graham who has agreed to price and if ok to fit the kitchen including laying the floor tiles as well. The down side in this small apartment is where to put everything while we do the work as the whole kitchen needs ripping out and as we have work to do in the large cupboard where the fridge freezer is we probably need to get that machine and the cooker into the lounge so that we can do any plastering and floor tiling.

 

The next 2 weeks are crucial in that we need to get everything out and take the old kitchen apart and get taken to the council tip---lots to do and so little time.

 

Other things on going are the issue with the annexe at the house that we rent as the guy before us didn't get planning approval for changing a small building into a habitable property so I am having to do that now and had to get a surveyor round to draw up plans to do some retrospective planning application -- so measuring done--drawings in a week--and re-submit the application with everything crossed until we hear the result---this is our great house and annexe where we had so much fun---

Above is the Annexe in question----

:Like the house in Greece, this place is a bit of a tardis and has space for at least 3 car parking spaces which in London is not readily available---

Shame about the weeds there , no-one we let the places to appears to want the outside looking good--

Some brilliant concoctions produced by Lynda in this kitchen--some great parties and a really different 16th birthday party for Charlotte in the car parking area ---

Entrance to Annexe but found out that the door is all rotten and needs replacing---the joys of owning property--

Typical London garden, but some brilliant barbies had here------

 

Having got that bit done yesterday we spent the evening sorting out flights for Pasca or Easter to you brits,,---we have the Xmas flights booked to Greece and to have a relaxed new year there and not rushing back---and we now have the easter flights done and which we were able to use some flights points for 3 ways---well when it comes to flights and the Avios points you have to use them on the dates that BA say are available ,  only had to buy myself a ticket one way for 100 pounds to gout there so that's ok.

 

last major booking yet to do for next year is sorting out the dates for the summer and I have to decide if I am going for 10 or 12 weeks--ah decisions decisions-----

 

So for this weekend I think we will hibernate and have a bit of this---- For Lynda

A bit of this right now--we both like James

A bit of this for me---not sure what is on as there is no footy this weekend --maybe a good NFL match---

We will have a bit of this tonight--

 

And maybe some of this ---

 

We have some fresh bread and will do a hot Camembert pot this afternoon with maybe finding a movie.

 

So that's it for now except that it turns out that I have been nominated to do a bit of presenting to a VIP who is coming to our office to present the Queens Award to Industry and Innovation, but I wont start worrying about that till Wednesday.

 

Oh  BTW---By The Way dear, its an Acronym dear--Acronym, no not a tropical disease, its an abbreviation of a word---someone please take her to one side  and explain please-------what it was was the first time of seeing the video on Jonathan and Lynsey's Greek wedding, and it was amazing, heart warming, with as Lynda says so many people just walking around smiling all the time---well almost everyone--- and it will just be a total feel good factor movie for us in the future.

 

I will try to see how I can save it and share it on this blog in the future.

 

Enjoy your weekend.

   

 

 

 

Dont be Fooled-Blue Sky Doesnt Mean Hot

Firstly , HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY , to all grannies and granddads out there this morning, especially to those who don't necessarily have close contact with your grandchildren.

Well here I am on Sunday morning at just after 9am and as I write this, with "a place in the sun" on in the background--we like a bit of Johnny and Jasmine---the sky is clear and bright blue. However , where-as a week and a bit ago I would have had the patio doors open enjoying the warmth of being in California early in the morning, it is bluddy freezing outside here.

This is what I mean----
Not this----

 

London Hyde Park this morning--this is not what I signed up for when I came back---ah well.

 

So yesterday we booked up for Lynda to go here----

 

 

So thats her sorted for a break to the wonderful Aegina, where she can catch up with all the ladies there and ensures that we have the house there ready for us at xmas---I am so looking forward to catching up with everyone over there--seams such a long time ago we were there.

 

Yesterday was a nice day---ok so "nice" is a poor phrase but it was just that--leisurely waking up ---in a blind panic cause Charlotte had overslept so at 0815 I am in the car taking her to work and getting back at 9am. Put up a shelf if Charlottes room --somewhere else for dust to settle---and had the pleasure of trying to find things in a shed--well 2 sheds actually--that are so rammed full with "stuff", that I really had problems with finding the tools---jobs need doing but people wonder why there is a delay--frustrating or what.

 

So when the shelf was fitted and breakfast eaten Lynda and I went out to look at the kitchen that the ladies had found in Howdens---

 

Ok, so we don't have this area available but the guy is booked to be round on Tuesday to design / order what we want. There will be a team to fit it as well so I can let someone else worry about that--however now need to think about the flooring---so anyway went to Howdens in tooting only to get there at 1230 when it closed at 1200 noon---ah well, I am happy that all 3 of my girls agreed on the final choice.

 

Got a bit of wine in Macro who always have some pretty good deals on cases of wine---bought 6 reds and 6 whites --

Always a good choice for a little shiraz with dinner---

 

One of my favourite white wines is the Marlborough vineyard and the Nobilo in particular---really great sauvignon blanc.

 

So didn't do too much more--a bit of shopping and then back to the flat. Gotta get rid of this today---

 

Alright so this is not our place and it might not be as developed as this but still gotta be tidied up, getting up near the windows of the bloke upstairs. Had a completely blocked drain to clear Friday night as well, so welcome home or the joys of owning property.

 

Quiet evening with a bit of Strictly Come Dancing --glad that Lynda agreed not to watch the Xfactor.

 

So today it is clear the Ivy and then get ready to go for lunch at our great friends Ann & Rod with of course Rod and me watching the mighty Chelsea fc playing at Norwich City--need three points today lads and would be a great time for Eto to score his first Chelsea goals---

 

Here are those affluent folk travelling to the states with Lynda--

 

So for today--here is to the right image for your head----

 

This guy - Eto -- was a bit of a scurge for us in the past -- a bit like Henry for the Gooners--always that player that scored against us or caused a bit of mayhem for the defence---need him to cause a bit of mayhem for the canaries defence today.

 

Hopefully, we can get a result and a decent set of comments from the media but I wont hold my breath on that one. You might think that this is typical Chelsea paranoia, and you would be right --but it is true--the rest of the country and the media love to heap crap onto Chelsea fc----

 

We notice again the this week the press praise the team who have won nothing in the last 7/8 years and yet CFC win away in Rumania 4-0 was something like "oh , and Chelsea won 4-0 despite all the controversy around Fernando Torres problems".

 

We dont get the praise when we beat the likes of these--

 

We have media people creaming themselves over Bayan Munich win over Manc City in the week--and I heard media drooling over their play and how far ahead of the Prem they are and not one had the guts to say that about 5 weeks ago Chelsea more than matched them and should have won the supercup. So I shouldn't be surprised should.

 

Paranoia yes---conspiracy theories - absolutely--------justified always

 

Anyway---Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarn you Chelsea.

 

 

Busy week coming up between here , chippenham and Manchester so better be ready for that.

 

Later with the start of the holiday summaries--there will be a number of them.

 

So long from this happy granddad and a big hugs and kisses to all our grandchildren.xxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trying to Keep Momentum

Ok, so here i am back on the Blog but to be really honest, more than a little shell shocked to be back here in Chippenham at the company office and staying 3 nights in the Purple Palace-----

 

Yeah ok so it sounds liked a knocking shop but they are about standard for people away from home in business--- of any kind--so its not unusual to be rubbing shoulders with salesmen and women I guess, builders of every king--some who smell and look like thev'e been down a sewer-- painters, tarmacers, solicitors , students , holiday makers--they must be travelling through cause no one would holiday in chippenham by choice--and I am sure many other people with a myriad of professions or reasons for being there.

 

There have been a host of folk who have asked me if I could pick out one thing from the trip to the states , what would my highlight be and I have thought long and hard about that but to be honest , out of everything we did and saw it has to be the fact that Lyndas and I were together for all that time 24/7 and knowing that the end that it had been so good--not perfect--but damn close to it.

 

 

For those of you that remember, for Lynda and I the most significant time for us has to be when our boy--Chelsea-- above, passed away and I think that the most amazing thing is that knowing he was going to have to be put to sleep by the vet the next day , that were able to talk to him via SKYPE with Charlotte and Claire on the sunday, and how proud we were of Jonathon and Charlotte for the way they dealt with the whole thing to make it so easy for him to go---so whoever invented Skype --thanks a lot.

 

Mind you , the pair of us blubbing at the computer , talking to a cat  who is meowing back at us would have been good material for a comedy if it wasn't so personally sad for us.

 

So since Monday , I have been resident here till tonight, and it is back in to the thick of things straight away-----

 

_ finally got that skip removed today--well it wasn't really the same skip but we have had a renovation going while I have been gone as we have taken over the offices next door, and having offered to assist with getting things pushed on to finish what is already late yesterday, I got asked by ops director if I would see if I could give it a gee up , so I did that today and it was interesting to watch the body language of those involved, but there are lists , weekend working, managers having to work weekends, people being asked to work late and for further DAILY meetings to monitor throughout next week so that we can get this stuff finished in the next 10 days, so hey I'm back---where-as Lynda has been doing lots of this----

 

 
and definitely lots of this-----

 

So we are back into it with a vengeance--- and along with that come a whole bunch of things we have to get done--we had a list on sunday night to rival Schindlers it was that long---Oh , BTW---That's "By The Way " dear, yes , it's an abbreviation love, its what texters do --you know texts, -- they do it on mobile phones dear--Mobile phones--yes , phones that people can carry around with then dear---no, they don't unplug the home phone and carry that around---Can someone please take her and show her what I am saying----blimey I thought everyone who didn't know about mobiles was long gone.

 

So tomorrow Lynda and the daughters start to go looking for a new kitchen----

 

Well ok, so we don't have that much room as nice as it would be, but the apartment is only going to be able to take one like this---

 

 

and within the next week we with have a kitchen that looks like this---

 

 

 

 

 Tomorrow I go to our offices in Weybridge--and then next week I have to go to chippenham and Manchester so here we go again.

 

I can see some floor tiling coming on in the next two weeks so I better get myself ready for this--

 

 

So to get all these things done I think I will have to arrange for Lynda to have a holiday--maybe not the USA sweety , maybe Greece will be ok--well its tough--we will have been back a week this Saturday so a break must be in order. Ok so i'm  joking and Lynda HAS to go to the house in Greece to get it ready for Xmas--well , someone has to do it don't they .

 

So look as I havnt been able to do the blog from the company laptop this week I am going to take this one that I bought in the states with me in the near future so that I can continue to write this blog.

 

I am intending to go through everything we did and try to put a whole bunch of stuff into perspective and download onto the blog so please keep looking on here.

 

So that's it , back in the land of the living and bless her so much -- my darling Lynda is already starting to get everyone in the family revved up thinking about 2 years time with a trip back to the states---you've just gotta love her-------