As I write this on plane to Ibiza, should have been in the air an hour ago but passenger taken ill just before takeoff so back to stand! However been informed we are ready for takeoff 😀….took off

This was a surprise for Mabel. Alice and Lola knew I was coming but we didn’t tell Mabel. Arranged to meet at our favourite restaurant Can Xarc.

I could see them sitting at a table and Mabel on the beach, hid behind a tree until Mabel walked up from the beach and jumped out! Never seen such of look of disbelief then big bear hugs. Wonderful.

Drove back from festival. Rather weary. Totally forgot it was my birthday until I got a message. Oh well, had loads of birthdays!

Didn’t do much as the celebrations happened over the weekend. Prepped for flight to Ibiza tomorrow morning.

Festival with Tom and brother Joe

Today was my last day at Logicalis after almost 22 years. Was a very nice send off with a final Teams call with a bunch of colleagues.

So another one! Proud father of four wonderful children. Thanks Kids 😀

Late breakfast no. 2 at South Street Pantry with Tilly and Mabel on Saturday. Brill and thanks for that Tilly.

Sunday morning Spoons breakfast no. 1

Cards

Great Sunday, went to Hyde Hall gardens

Then a couple of beers at Three Willows, then a lovely dinner at Alice’s (thank you)

Conor, Caitlin and Tilly thank you for calling. Love you all ❤️

Booked Osees pre covid, then Mark took tickets when rescheduled, then didn’t make it. Two years or so on, up popped Osees at J1 Cambridge. Grabbed a ticket, asked Mark if he was interested, but he is in Majorca.

Come tonight on my own. No problem with that, however a 10 minute walk from Cambridge station turned into 45 as I missed a turn. Actually enjoyed the walk and saw some areas of Cambridge not seen before. Arrived just as they kicked off.

Observed over the years the demographic of bands that you may think are for just a younger generation. Of course not, that exciting loud fast sweaty sound feels the same at 60 as it did at 15. The difference is all the old buggers stand at the back jigging around leaving the  youth to the nutty stuff up front.

Busy weekend, weather getting warm.

Swimming Saturday. Sunday, picnic in the park followed by funfair.

Mabel’s first ride in bumper car, and loved the trampolines.

After doubts that Mabel would be coming with me, last minute change of mind by Alice (and I think from conversations with her mum), we are off to Wales.

Early start, easy journey, we are there by 10.30. Oscar and Ava are at school so take Caitlin to lunch at Corn Mill. Very quiet and relaxing, real treat for Caitlin, doesn’t happen too often.

Pick up Ava and Oscar from school, all pleased to see each other. Back home for tea and eventually bed.

Intention on Friday morning to take children school, but find car has puncture. So rush for Caitlin to take them.

Fortunately garage 2 minutes away can fix. Caitlin takes Mabel shopping while I do another section of the Llangollen Round. Beautiful day, 10 miles. Now done around half in two walks so at least have a feel for directions. Great views.

Friday evening we drove over Horseshoe Pass to Mold. Dinner in Spoons. Good to see Conor of course. He is off to Liverpool tomorrow with his team, 9.00 start, good luck there 😀, it is Grand National day.

Saturday we all headed to Bala lake. On way someone drove in to the back of us. Ava was very upset, as was Mabel, Oscar fine. The car was not hugely damaged but his car I suspect is a write off. When we pulled off the road he asked for a bit of time to compose himself as his girlfriend had died in a car crash a couple of months previously, he was with his son around 15 who was really upset. Felt for them and turned out to be an ok guy, from Colchester. Insurance all sorted.

Had great fun walking round the lake.

Sunday Caitlin worked Sunday. So all down to me. Not too creative I’m afraid, 3 hours plus at the play area. Then time at he park, Mabel very close to riding a bike.

Back Sunday evening. TBH, knackered. Slept like a log. Big bed. Mabel and I squeeze on the futon when we travel, fine for short period, but takes its toll.

Was a lovely weekend, do like it there.

So the day continues. Despite redundancy, I have come to the Annual Kick Off meeting. First thoughts were no way, but then… hotel for the night in London plus free booze for the evening at Company expense, can take that. Plus it will be good to say farewell face to face to long standing colleagues.

Skipped the initial three hour sales/promotion death by PowerPoint section. Came here instead

Bike Shed, quiet but ever cool. Waiting for the meeting to end and then meeting up with Dave.

This morning I passed Microsoft Architect exam AZ-303. Now this significant for me. One, good high level qualification which will help hugely job wise. Two, it has raised confidence in my capabilities. This is a difficult exam. Three, this is the start of my new career adventure, failing it would have knocked me back psychologically.

Knowing that I have put in many hours over the last four days, and not sleeping well on it, I would have a found it really tough to pick myself up. This is a massive tonic.

The last few weeks have been incredibly stressful, redundancy and Alice putting restrictions on how and when I see Mabel. To have that in the background and have to focus on studying hard has been challenging. As is said “That which does not kill you makes you stronger”.