We like driving in the car

It has been a busy day.  We were to see my mother early in the morning but due to a few ‘issues’ this could not happen.  Instead, we travelled later on.  My Mum loved seeing the kids, especially as we missed her birthday and she did not get to see her over Christmas.

After that we drove for lunch and supplies and due to traffic we had to take a huge detour on the way home.

My daughter was shattered and quickly went to bed, but my son happily played Pokémon Sword and Shield, a game that he has got with the birthday money my Mum gave him for Christmas.

Instead, my wife and I binge watched Bancroft. The second series is on ITV but we had not watched the first one.  We were very impressed and we are looking forwards to this series. But we are undecided if we should watch it after all the episodes are available so that we can binge watch it again.

And when it comes to Arsenal, I have now watched the highlights of the game against ManUre.  And I was very impressed with how we played.  I have yet to watch the Chelski loss, but if all goes well the performance of the team against ManUre will be repeated for the rest of the season and we may get to play European next season as well!

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

The kids are in bed and are still knackered.  They woke up early and while I was also awake, I waited until both went downstairs before I did the same.  While my son watched cartoons I sat and made comments to my daughter who was watching Scorpion about how they got the science wrong.  I do like the characters in the series, but the extremely sloppy science annoys me and I like to share my annoyance if I see my wife or daughter watch it.

Later though, we went to watch Star Wars.  And I loved it.  To be fair, the last really good Star Wars film was Revenge Of The Sith.   It still came up short compared to the holy trilogy of Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.  But episodes seven and eight, while enjoyable, have had a few issues.  However this film was the best of the new trilogy.  Seeing references to the original films was great and all four of us liked the film.  I do not want to say too much as I do not want to spoil the film for others.

Later, Nick and Lyndsay came round bringing her son, Hamish in tow.  We owe them lots for keeping an eye on the house while we were gone.  It was great to see them again.

Anyway, time for bed!

Day sixteen in Sri Lanka. The journey home.

We are back! We spent the evening of New Years Eve in a Thai restaurant with the family of my wife’s cousin.  And after packing, it was off to the airport where we got to celebrate New Year’s Eve by being in a queue!  But once through the gates, my wife and I were able to have a glass of champagne.  Over this time my son fell asleep and when it came to the time to the time to get to the plane, moving him reminded me of moving a sleeping cat.  At least he did not scratch!

On the plane from Colombo to Dubai, I watched Thor as well as catching up on sleep.  I have wanted to watch it for a while but have missed out on chances in the past.  I was not impressed at first, but the film did improve and was very enjoyable over all and told the back story of Thor and Loki quite well.

Dubai was a lot more relaxed compared to before,  we rested, the kids ate and I drank (soft drinks).

On the way back to the UK, I watched two more films as well as sleeping at times.  We flew on the Airbus A380 which I have always wanted to fly on.  Auggie was a slow but great film.  Similar in some ways to The Circle it was a disturbingly good film.  The other film was The Dead Don’t Die.  And I actually liked it.  In the limited time available it allowed the viewer to click with characters, hoping some would die and some live.

Anyway, we are at home.  Everyone else is asleep and I am watching Dr Who.  I not going to be able to stay awake to listen to the Arsenal match.  But while it is unlikely, I do hope we win.  While we have not a proven defensive mastermind as a manager, I hope Arteta is going to be able to sort out our defence.  As great a manager that Wenger was, he had a habit of ruining defenders such as the then German international Mustafi.  Now we have sideshow Bob in defence.  I can only cross my fingers and hope...

Day fifteen in Sri Lanka. Shopping.

Today is our last full day in Sri Lanka.

So, it was time for some last minute shopping in Colombo and packing.  As usual I had let my family pack at home, which meant that I was able to maximise space today.

My son loved a Japanese shop that we visited and got a neck cushion for the trip home.  In addition to his we went out to a great ice cream place in Colombo.

Anyway, it is time to stop as I have to continue to pack, and we are to go out one last time to a restaurant.  We are to return, but I do not know when this will be.

Day fourteen in Sri Lanka. Another day in paradise.

We are back in Colombo.  I am making this post before the end of today as we are to attend an engagement party later tonight.

We left our hotel, but again some drama had to take place.  We were meant to get a large taxi to take us as we have a bit of luggage.  I can condense it so that it is not as bulky, but my wife told me this would not be needed.

But the receptionist who this has been discussed with yesterday did not tell the whole truth.  Yes large taxi’s are available but they either have to be booked, or taken up in the early morning as otherwise, they leave on excursions.  Which is what happened.  We were lucky enough to get a taxi that was able to fit in the cases, but we had to carry items on our laps and with three in the back, it was a tight fit.  And our taxi driver did not know where we were to go, so we had to direct him.

We got back in time for a trip to a temple.  Two years ago, we obtained blessings for my son for the eleven plus.  While he did not pass, I hope that the path he is to follow is a good one and that he can become the person he is meant to be.  And we returned there to give thanks.

But we are now back at Hotel Janaki.  My wife at this moment is getting her hair done and as my son who has no clean trousers, his grandmother has taken him out shopping for some.

Day thirteen in Sri Lanka. Lucky for some.

The good news is that my wife is feeling better with her back.  The bad news is that my son is unwell with what looks like a viral sore throat.

Her cousin has left and we have had to change rooms.  There was a slight issue in that we have two children and only bed space for one.  A ‘discussion’ ensued and we now have the right number of beds.

Tonight is our last night here and once we could, we spent the time in the pool, or in the case of my daughter and I, in the sea.

Day twelve in Sri Lanka. Back pain.

Today started off well.

Before breakfast, I had a quick swim in the pool outside our room and afterwards we all got together around the pool.  My wife enjoyed swimming in the pool and my two children enjoyed looking after their little cousins.

After lunch, we went to the local town to get a few things, and my son got a Vans backpack.  Afterwards we played pool (I won through luck) and my son appeared to enjoy it.  Later, my daughter and I went to the beach and had fun in the sea.

Sadly though, my wife has had an attack of back pain which we hope will improve tomorrow.