work is starting to get on top of me a bit. the responsibility is a bit too much at times, and also the staying away from home is really getting on my nerves - there just doesn't seem to be any real let up. I know that relative to some people what I do is minor, and being away 2 nights a week isn't that much, but the problem is that my social life is such that i'm often away at weekends too, which means on average I'm often only in the house a couple of nights per week, and those evenings i am in I don't really clean and tidy, which means I live in a dump! I refuse to change my social life adn turn into a weekend hermit. I guess things will improve eventually, once the work stuff settles down, but in the meantime I will just have to contine to live out of a suitcase.

On the good side, I jogged all the way from my house to mum and dad's without having to stop once - and felt able to breathe fine at the end. I reckon that's about 1.5 miles so I'm making progress. Now I just have to make it back too....

chorley chorley chorley

here again. blimey my life is one whirlwind after another.

an A to Z of Spain

Accommodation - Rada’s flat in Chiclana, Andalucia is really lovely – photos of it are here and if you fancy staying there sometime then let me know as she rents it out….
Burning Feet – it hurts when you forget to put cream on those important bits…
Chemo Fog – the name they give when you’re being treated with chemo and start to forget things – Rada has this as an excuse for constantly misplacing keys and phones, and banging her head on various things by accident. My excuse was just being blonde.
Dreams – I had some really weird ones, must have been the cheese – one night I dreamt I would fail my degree unless I wrote an essay on the theological similarities between the Samaritans and the Tufty Club. Tough call.
Eggs – Easter ones, we bought Kinder eggs and I stuffed the chocolate down in one gulp then enjoyed making the little model. All 6 of them (nearly) - yum
Footloose – you can’t help but move your feet and wave your hands in the air and dance to the song, even if you’re sat on an aeroplace next to a Psychiatrist….
Getting on down in bars and nightclubs – that didn’t happen cos we couldn’t be bothered, must be getting old..!!!
Hats– we bought lots! I love them, and Rada needs ‘em to keep her head warm!
I love not being at work. Should do it more often…
Jess (and Mille… and Paul) – I did miss them x
Kitesurfing - Tarifa beach is full of rather sexy surfers throwing themselves about in the sea. Nice!
Licence – it helps to take your driving licence if you want to hire a car. Still at least it meant I got driven everywhere for a change!
Monkeys – on Gibralter Rock. Along with all other cultural and touristy attractions in Andalucia, I didn’t bother to see them, but spent my time shopping and reading instead!
Nearly missing our flight back – as we arrived at Gibralter airport they were announcing that the Gate (not just check-in) was closed! Luckily they let us on and we ran to get on the (already fully boarded plane)
Octopus – I ate some, can’t say I’ll be rushing to do so again, it’s a bit too squidgy and the suckers put me off…
Pain – I’ve been having real trouble with pain in my ankles from the jogging. Bought some gel insole things which will hopefully help but I think I run flat-flooted. Darn this exercise malarky
Quality control testing out sunbeds in the middle of Carrefour – it’s important to make the right choice even if you’re making an arse of yourself.
Red wine – I made up for the last month by drinking a fair amount!
Sunbathing with our fleeces on, on Tarifa beach which is a little windy!!
This Thing of Darkness – by Harry Thompson - what an absolutely amazing book – I spent a lot of the time reading this and when I finished it - it felt like I’d lost a friend. It’s a thick book, but don’t let that put you off, it’s a brilliant read which keeps you interested the entire through.
Um… running out of things to say now
Volleys – we had a (quick) game of tennis. I don’t think Serena Williams has anything to worry about but it was a good laugh – mainly for people nearby watching us!
Waterproof – bought a fab funky snot green one, along with a cool fleece. Ok so I know it’s supposed to be hot in Spain but they had a sale of the winter clothes and it was cheap!!
X-ray machine – Rada had a letter from the hospital in case she set the alarm off, explaining that her chemo may mean she had stuff in her system still… luckily it didn’t go off…
Yes definitely running out of things now…
Zzzzz – have to catch up on sleep now….

Another day another dollar. Went to a seminar on age discrimination which was really interesting although my brain isn’t particularly active before 10am and this thing started at 8am. Then had meetings in Halesowen before driving up to Glasgow. I went for a wander round the part of Glasgow where I used to live when I first moved here. It hasn’t changed that much and I was feeling quite nostalgic, although it was quite amusing to see people standing outside the theatre and the pubs having a cigarette – this smoking ban really does have an impact.

Last night Paul and I were seriously sad and spent a fun hour downloading ringtones from an 80’s cartoon website. They also had video clips and we were watching the intro to the “G-Force” cartoon (can’t remember the full title) - how cool was that. The only problem I now have is the decision on which ringtone to use – it’s a tough call between Pigeon street, Inspector gadget and Dogtanian sung in Hebrew.

It’s nice to know my mind is on the important things in life eh….

sundays

I think I prefer fridays

trainers, bunnies and contraceptives

So I went shopping for trainers. Woo hoo. Much prefer shopping for other things but I guess if I'm going to do this then i should at least have a vaguely decent pair. I went for the options of "slightly more expensive than the ones that reminded me of the old BHS one's mum used to buy me for school", but not as expensive as the "I'm paying for the name on the side" variety. I was so depressed about spending my money on such a dull purchase that I went and blew a lot more on slightly more interesting things.
But at least I came home and went out for a run - well again, I guess the terminology of "a run" would have me fined under the Trade Descriptions Act but you've got to start somewhere. the funniest thing I'm finding is that, despite the physical knackeredness I am actually getting stuff out of this - and not just the obvious health benefits (which I hope to dear god will come - all this pain can't be for nothing surely...) But in fact today I got to nose at some lovely houses and daydream that I lived there - the type who have long pebbled drives that crunch under the wheels of the Bentley when you drive down it. I also saw LOADS of really cute bunny rabbits in the field near my house - just like in Wallace and Gromit. All very worthy…
Finally I have discovered that running to music doesn't really work for me as I still concentrate on how knackered I am. but with the benefit of my trusty iPod I've opened up my world to podcasts and am now jogging/hyperventilating to the dulcet tones of Simon Mayo, Mark Kermode's film reviews and the Woman's Hour daily podcast highlight. So far I have learnt about Richard Eyre's adaptation of King Lear, Daniella Westbrooke’s battle with drugs, the story behind the LBD (Little Black Dress) and the benefits of the new contraceptive pill being trialed in Edinburgh Uni. Now that’s what I call life-enhancing!