After the Champions League draw, Arsenal fans are saying that they're opimistic that their club can emulate what Man Utd and Chelsea did in recent years. Play in the Europa League.

Of course, I am more nervous of the game on Sunday than I am of our poor prospects in the European Cup.  Players apparently want to join the club, but they just seem not to be doing so and the Scum keep on buying.  Unless you count our two free transfers!  Anyway, it is the last day of our holiday, time to pack...

The beach at Alvor (Portimão)

Today we went somewhere different.  To Alvor where there was a different beach to try.  While it was a great place to go, I have to say that I prefer Praia dos Caneiros as the sun loungers that you can hire are closer to the sea and the sand is finer as well as the view in my opinion being more spectaculor.  The beach at Alvor is much larger, and when I say that one beach is better than this, that is not to say that this is not a great place.  There are more places to eat at Alvor, there is more parking, the beach being larger means that there are more places to be when you are there.  And we had a great time here, the kids loved swimming in the sea and making loads of things on the beach with the buckets and spades that we brought from the UK.  Afterwards a quick trip to Carvoeiro for lunch and to pay our toll charge for using the motorway.

While I type this, the kids are sleeping, having had a busy few days.  One thing that we felt we had to do to make the most of the day was to arrive at the beaches early to to get parking, more of an issue yesterday compared to today though and this has had to mean that while the kids have had late nights, they have continued to rise early in the morning.  So, while typing, I am also reading about the Arsenal draw for the European Cup as it looks that Arsenal are in the group of doom.  Saying that, when our backs have been up against the wall, we have managed to get some great results, but time will tell if our squad will be enough for this season or not.

Praia dos Caneiros

Today was a trip to the beach finally, and to a beach that we have been to before.  When we were there before, we had explored the rock pools.  My son got cold feet, not literally, which was a shame as he did not get to see as many of the creatures that are there which my daughter did instead.  So far he has told my mother that I told him to leave, but my daughter remembers that he got scared.  It was great looking at the different animals that we found and later we are going to look up more of them on-line.  They are knackered at present and I have got them watching a DVD, Wreck-It Ralph which my son has said is more scary than Star Wars!  A great film that I think shows that team work is important and that while some people may do jobs that no one likes, those jobs are important anyway.

Restaurante Rei das Praias

Evening all, and for the kids, another day at the pool. But, we did sort of visit the beach, having a trip to a restaurant that we went to before back in early May on more than one occasion.  The view from the restaurant is amazing as it overlooks the beach and the food is terrific as well.  Like most good food, it takes some time to arrive, which is an issue if you have children, but ours are quite good when they have been kept occupied.  My daughter is a fan of sea food and loved sharing a large dish with my wife, my son like me is not a fan of that and while I had steak (and loved it) they altered one of the dishes that they made to suit him.

Anyway, they are in bed now and we might go to the beach properly tomorrow.  Did not get to watch the Arsenal game, we won, but have had a few injuries and no players coming which means that I am dreading the weekend as we play the scum then.  I have already warned work that I might be ill afterwards...

If you've ever lost your iPhone, take solace in the thought that maybe - just maybe - some mouse family now has a flat-screen TV.

Today resulted on no trip to the beach, but it was one of the best days yet.  My daughter had bought herself a snorkel and some flippers after making a friend on holiday who had the same and loved them, so when at the local supermarket my son spent some of his holiday money to get a set.  The kids love them, that and some toys to play in the pool resulted in a very enjoyable day for them, and therefore all of us!

Steve McManaman: "Gareth Bale needs to embrace the Spanish way". With his record for diving, it appears he's already done that.

Evening all, again a day at the pool.  I am not going to get to watch the football tonight.  We heard an interesting discussion where one husband was trying to convince his wife to eat somewhere that he could watch the match.  Words relating to poo and hole were used to describe one of the places that he wanted his wife and baby daughter to visit for this!  The wife is getting better, but my daughter has now hurt her ankle!

The facts about the need for the Affordable Healthcare Act

As some of you are aware, I make a few posts on Yahoo Answers! of which some are based on dispelling the myths, lies and half truths spread by the far right.  In addition to this, I also like to make balanced posts about the US healthcare system.

The only reason I got into this was due to the lies that those on the right in the US have spread about the NHS, and then I guess, I got a bit carried away.

But back to the point, here are some points on the need for health care reform in the USA and some facts about the nature of the reforms.

FACT - Insurance companies in the USA before the reforms pushed up prices, did not pay out claims when they should and bought or blackmailed politicians
FACT - PER PERSON the USA spends more on healthcare than any other nation onthe planet
FACT - Obama debated his healthcare plans before he was elected in 2008
FACT - the chance of a child under five of dying in the USA is greater than industrialised nations with universal health coverage
FACT - Obama was elected to bring in change
FACT - Obama wants to stop insurance companies from screwing America and Americans
FACT - The reforms Obama wants work in the Netherlands and Switzerland

Let me know if my facts are wrong, but please provide proof.

In a strongly worded statement the UN warns Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, if you use Chemical weapons again, we will be forced to hold another meeting.

The kids have had a great time today. They have again used the pool, and used the pool and also made use of the kids club that is here. My wife unfortunately is still ill but appears to be getting better. So I took the kids to the local supermarket for supplies for dinner tonight.  Not that it was anything special, but trying to get the kids to eat can be fun.  Still, it was a relaxing day.  I did not get to watch the Arsenal game which was a pity and I do not think that I will get to watch it tonight either.  It was good to hear that we won again and I hope that this is the begining of something good.

What is surprising on the world stage is the way that the world stands by while murder continues in Syria.  There is no doubt that both sides are bad and the choice is between what is felt to be the least worst side.  Not that it helps that the rebels are not just one group but loads.  I guess while Russia and China side with Assad, all we can do at present is to pray for a quick and just end to the violence there.  It is interesting that no one is taking action against Syria for having chemical weapons, something that Syria never agreed to not developing, but still something that in my view makes that nation one which should be shunned by all.

José Mourinho - "I'll walk if Chelsea don't win trophies." Stephen Hawking- "I'll walk if Arsenal win trophies."

The kids have had a great day in the pool today.  It has been hot enough for us to be in the pool and enjoy it, though as my wife was not that well, we were not able to stay there as long as the kids would have liked.  There are two pools here, a smaller paddling pool and a larger one.  The last time were were out here, it was warm, but not hot enough for the pools to be warm.  That is not the case now.  While the pools are still cool, with the heat they quickly dry off.  The trick is also to make sure that they are not too tired.  So far, I have managed to pace them by taking one into the pool at a time.  There is a bit of complaining at the end of the turn each has, but I think that is the only complaint that they each have.

Thanks to the joy of WiFi, they have not been able to stop me keeping up with Arsenal, and it was good to hear that they won on Tuesday.  You never know, the season may not be over already and who knows, we may even be able to land a player or two!

GCSEs: Who needs them? I've been lying on my CV for years and no one has checked them. B in maths? I can't even count to B.

Well, it is the end of a long day.  We woke at two in the morning for our journey from home to Luton Airport for our early morning flight to Portugal.  The kids were excited as they had never been woken up at two in the morning to travel and they stayed awake for ages!  Luton as an airport was surprisingly easy to get to.  Meet and Greet was in the short term car park, and on arrival, there was no one there to greet us. It could have been worse as at least it was not raining when we arrived.  Things in the airport were simple and it was my wife and I who fell asleep on the plane, the kids both were awake and would wake us up at times.  In fact, it was only once in Portugal that my daughter fell asleep, that being in the car which is normal for her.  Back at the hotel, the kids have loved it so far,  We got here too late to nab a place at the poolside and that is something we are looking forwards to for tomorrow.  So far, rest, food and the kids have been in the playground and have been making friends.  And of course, sleep again...

2 women athletes kissed on the podium to protest Russia's anti gay laws You should have seen the baton change.

The video is about the kiss between two members of the winning Russian relay team. There was a thought that this was in protest at the way that Russia is discriminating against those in same sex relationships, but the two athletes concerned have stated that this was not the intent. But with the way that Putin deals with people who work against him, such a statement would be a good one if you want to live a healthy life outside prison! The kids are still excited.  My wife and I however have to pack.  Oh the joy.  But it should be worth it.  My daughter does not know what she is looking forwards to the most, my wife states that it is torturing her father.  My son remembers the playground at the hotel.  I suspect both will enjoy swimming most though.  That and the beach.  I guess the only downside of going will be that I will miss the football.  me included, last year said the same thing.  And despite those doubts, we still finished in the top four come the end of the season.  We might win tonight in the European cup and despite not buying anyone so far, we might be able to add to our squad.  Watching the highlights of the Chelski game, I was interested to see how they did not press Hull in the second half as much as they did in the first.  This might have been as the game was already over, but, it could have been a sign that the way that Chelski play is not sustainable throughout 90 minutes.  If that is the case, we might have more of a chance than the doubters say we have.  But the kids will keep me busy and I doubt I will have much time to mope!

What do you call a bunch of over ripe bananas hanging from a ceiling? The bat exhibit at a Chinese zoo.

Just in case you are wondering, the post title is a reference to the barking lion at a Chinese Zoo. 

Well, it has been great for the kids since the last post.  They are enjoying the holiday, though I have to say it is a bit stressful for the two of us, more so with my wife as of course, I get to rest at work!  Not so as much now as we are now getting ready for our holiday away back to Portugal.  I have cleared up what work can not wait till I get back and have enjoyed a day with the kids.  It has been a good three years at work, and no, I do not miss my old place.  The only down side is that the manager supports the Scum, which has meant that he did get to gloat on Monday considering that Arsenal lost and his team have bought loads of players and of course won on the weekend, while Arsenal keep missing out on players and we have had more injuries as well.  Anyway, the kids are excited about going away and I am as well.

Papiss Cissé fined for refusing to wear shirt showing Newcastle club sponsor Wonga. Initial fine of £5,000, rising to £47,987,654,334 if he hasn't paid by Friday.

Mind you, Arsenal have not been up to much in the transfer window so far.
Anyway, interesting day today.  As usual, paperwork in the morning and then home with the family.  We all did some DIY putting together a garden swing and then off to watch Monsters University.  The kids loved it, and while comedywise, Despicable Me 2 was better, I did like that the plot was not as predictable as I thought it would be, and I loved the messages that it gave, one being that you should make use of your differences.  And the other is that no matter how much you may want something, sometimes it is not just for you.  Which is not something you hear that often!

And later, on the way home we found a little boy.  He was walking towards a busy road when my wife noticed him.  We stopped him, phoned the police and waited for them to pick him up.  He did not speak much English and appeared about three.  A shaky event when you have two kids of your own, but things worked out okay as the PCSO's who collected him phoned us to let us know that he had been picked up by his parents.  Each had thought the other had him!