And . . . relax

Another week passes by, in something of a blur if I am honest, which is something to do with the fact that it has been a long time since I have had a break, and just like a holiday seems to go faster the further through you go, so it is the same with periods of solid working.

Of course, that is a complete lie, because I spent a lovely 5 days in the Isle of Wight in half term, but for some reason that feels like a long time ago, just a distant memory. 



I actually think the reason I feel like it has been a long time is that I am actually very much looking forward to our big trip in the Summer.  It is quite an undertaking, but one that I am very much looking forward to.

For those who are interested, the above map shows our planned trip. 

This weekend we have the usual morning sporting activities for the Maggots, and in the afternoon we are going over to David and Samantha's for an afternoon and evening of fun - the girls will watch Les Mis while the rest of us will go down the beach, before we come together for a fish supper.

Have a great weekend, and speak next week.

mid week

I went fishing on Tuesday evening.  I know, a weekday, and fishing.  This became the only way that Brad and I were able to get some fishing in without taking holiday or impacting our family arrangements.

It was a very successful evening.  I lost a big one to a broken hook length (note to self: need stronger hook lengths), I then landed a beauty at nine and a quarter pounds, mirror carp, that made me very happy.  At the end of the evening, I hooked a beauty, judging by the bend in the rod and what we could see as it came to the surface.  We nearly had it in the net, but it managed to drive back away from the bank, and at that critical moment, my rod snapped.  I know, what kind of cheap cr@p was I using?  I think we can conclude that it was too cheap for the situation.  So, now I need to consider either borrowing from Brad, or buying new, and we are meant to be running a very tight spending ship leading up to our holiday, so not sure I will get clearance from finance for any such purchase.  Having said that, I have found that the chinese water drop treatment can be quite effective, resulting in a "for #### sake, just go and buy the bloody thing!" type response.

We trialed hemp (with chilli additive) on this trip, and while it is hard to prove a negative, we both caught, so damn if it must have worked.  I shall be getting some more ready for our Riversidelakes trip, and can barely wait.  Brad is considering running a trial, him without hemp, to see whether it works or not, but I know the lure of black magic will eventually be too strong for him, and he will come over the hemp side in due course.

And . . . relax

The weekend is nearly over, and I for one am glad.

It has not been a bad week, but it has been busy, at times rather stressful due to the number of important people shouting a lot.  This seems to be a week for a lot of unhappiness in my otherwise perfect world, and I can confirm that the unhappiness is all external, or at least it starts external, but such things do have a habit of insidiously and imperceptibly sneaking up on you and becoming internal.  So this is my week.

We have a quiet weekend planned, which will probably involve a bit of maggot activity Saturday morning, and some Scobi gardening Saturday afternoon. 

We also hope to do a bike ride (cue groans from Maggots, but they love it when we are out) maybe even incorporating a picnic, depending on the weather.

Next week I have an evening of fishing planned with Brad.  We have discussed baits (apparently dog biscuits - I know, whatever next - are good at the moment) and tactics (bloody catch something this time) and timings.  I plan to work from a Starfleet office half way to the fishing, and if I can plan it, do my day starting and ending early so we can get on the water as early as is possible and still maintain a full time job.

That is pretty much how the next days will go.  And I am very much looking forward to them.  It will certainly be nice to have no shouting, or at least shouting from someone who I can tickle if I want.  I pondered for a moment some comment about seeing them naked, but however I formed the words, it just sounded wrong wrong wrong*.

Have a great weekend, and speak next week.

===================================

* I think you got away with that one. Ed.

Monday

I am about to start one of those 5-day week thingys, and it all feels very strange.

Weekend was good.  Treated the shed and back fence and ran out of fluid.  Went for clear, and wondering whether a colour would have given the visual impression I had done anything.  One to ponder.

Otherwise, enjoyed the weather all weekend.  David and Samantha came over Saturday night for an early (4-10pm) meal, and we had a lovely hour in the garden drinking poo (the girls) and beer (me and David).  It could not have been more lovely, and the meal was not to shabby either.

This week I will be mostly getting back on top after a bit of time off.  I plan to re-energise some of the improvement projects that have stalled of late, and generally spring-clean my to-do list and by so doing, get myself in to the mood for some job hunting.

I hope your week is equally as productive.