Nuneaton Sunrise 2

Nuneaton Sunrise 2,
originally uploaded by Phillip.

Today has seen some very changeable weather. We had blistering heat at lunch time (sitting out in the beer garden) and then thunder and lightening on the way home.

"Lumpy" our new car

"Lumpy" our new car,
originally uploaded by Phillip.

Picked up the new car today. After the salesman messed us around for a while it was good to get in it and drive it again!

Arranged to pick up the caravan too so we should have the whole outfit together by mid-Spetember. We've booked a week in October but will hopefully have at least one weekend away for a practice before then.

The end of the long weekend

DSCN3756,
originally uploaded by Phillip.

A tiring weekend.

Didn't get home until nearly 9pm on Firday after completing the training course and packing up in Winchester.

Spent all day Saturday stripping down the garage. Took 2 full car loads of stuff to the tip and Martin took an hour to table saw all our wood, which we've stacked up "swiss cottage" style ready for Winter.

Sunday was the mentallt taxing day. We bought our caravan!!!!

Seafood Blow out

Last night we blew out at the Loch Fyne fish restaurant in Winchester. We ate oysters, a very nice sushi grade slightly smoked slamon fillets with wasabi, cod cassolet and smoked salmon in whiskey and mushroom sauce - we also managed to cram in some great bread and butter pudding! The rest of the dishes are in my Flickr stream, unfortunately all cameraphone shots

However, rich food overdose this morning!

It was a good fairwell evening and we're both looking forward to returning to the office and catching up with everyone (especially MarkM) next week.

Southampton Night Out

Southampton Harbour Casino 2,
originally uploaded by Phillip.

Obviously being fans of food Geoff and I had planned our weeks dining on Monday and as its our last week we decided to visit all our favourite restaurants. Last night was the turn of La Regatta Tapas Bar in Southampton. The weather was great last night so they had all the shuttered windows wide open so it was almost like eating outside.

As usual we had some great food, although some of our favourites weren't on the menu. Took this shot (and the others in the Flickr stream) just after we'd finished.

Tonight we dine at the fish restuarant.

I have the power!

Yesterday was not a good day for clearing snags as we were doing customer training. Geoff had produce a test paper for competency though so we each took an operator round and got the to demostrate things and answer questions.

The operators were a different class to the ones from last week (who were really up for it). Several conversations started about how the change was too great etc - same old, same old.

Finance for the caravan has been approved so looks like we shall be picking up the car sometime next week, assuming no delays in actually paying the money! Have booked October half term off in preparation.

Sounds like my off-shore commissioning might be split into lots of short trips, from September onwards - bit of a bummer really as I wanted to try and get it all out of the way, but at least Geoff will be back so we can double man.

Night Scene

Night Scene 1,
originally uploaded by Phillip.

Managed to get out in the garden and take a few long exposure shots last night in between watching the rivetting new series of LOST. Great concept and very gripping.

Half way through the weekend

A really rubbish week on site, plenty of snags completed which was tough going - lots of changes that I'd already changed once - kinda frustrating. Felt very low when I got home on Friday evening, completed drained. This may weeks on site is not good for the soul, and to do a week straight afetr a fantastic holiday was too much!! At least this forthcoming week is my last one (for a while).

Phase one of project caravan went well this weekend when we purchased a new car. We thought hard about the style, and obviously the heavier the car the more options we have with the caravan. The 4x4 route seemed the most obvious and we managed to get a 2 year old with in budget (just)

The one we picked was a gold colour. Went for 3 test drives between the 2 of us, seemed a great car.

Phase 2 started today seriously looking at vans. Going over to a bigger place in Nottingham with GJ next weekend.

Continental living

The news is full of the comments of judges and police this morning - describing how in November when the UK licensing laws change there will be carnage!! 24 hour binge drinking - why can't it be like the continent, where people are far more civilised....

...well last night Geoff & I had a very Italian evening. The weather was sunny and mild until well after dark. We sat outside on the pavement and had a few italian beers and people watched for a while then ate some fantastic food. As we sat there a chellist set up and started playing some suttle music. I felt like a European.

Flickr

I've made the dcision not to post so many pictures in one go. The contacts that I enjoy looking at again and again only post one or two pictures a day, and for anyone looking more regularly it is a real job catching up. I'm also vetting the images a little more (now that I have some better quality results)

Whirlwind

Whirlwind,
originally uploaded by Phillip.

Back to work is horrible when you've been away. Especially this time. The holiday seemed even more relaxed now that Tasha is over "the dark times"! Plenty of planning for the next one, and spent the weekend looking at caravnas and suitable cars. Looking to buy the complete outfit so that we can go away at October half term.