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!

Silence is golden, unless you have kids. Then it's just suspicious.

This picture was published in 1992 in the Dilbert comic strip. 

I have knackered the kids out I think.  Today is my paperwork day and so I went into work early to do my paperwork and got home to take them out.  The original plan was to take them to Walton-on-the-Naze where the kids wanted to spend time on the pier, but it rained, loads in the morning.  The forecast was one were more rain was a possiblity.  I wanted the kids to go to London to see the Tower, but they were not interested in that.  It was hard for them to make a choice, as I game them the choice to go to various places, but in the end they decided to go to Castle Park.  So we walked into town, they played there for about two and a bit hours, they bumped into friends there, had ice lollies and of course, had a few playground inflicted injuries (one caused by me)!  Anyway, after some lunch and some down time for me, we went back out, this time in their bikes.  A few screams as they thought that it was a race, but a trip to the local shops and back, the kids are tired and are now relaxing watching Scooby Doo.

Fortunately this gives me the time to do this while I ache from running to keep up with them, but I am very overdue exercise.  In fact, my wife and I were invited to the 3 PARA ball on the weekend.  It was a TOWIE theme and my wife had to get some clothes for me, and that meant that I had to buy my first ever 36 waist trousers!  So, the exercise I got today was great, but I really need to do more.  Spending time with my wife is always great, more so when she is on the other side of the country which is where she has been during the week for the past month or two.  The kids miss her, as do I, but we get to see her every day thanks to the wonders of the internet!  Her mother has been up looking after the kids, and has just come down after having a nap (the kids do take a lot out of us).

The media is full of shock over Britain's recent heatwave. Or as we used to call it, 'Summer'

Today I have come to the realisation that my children seem not to be good at the same time.  One will be good, and in general, the other will play up.  This has only happened since my wife has started working, on the other side of the country.  There are times that I envy her, but when they are asleep, and therefore quiet, I remember how much I love them.  They are coping well, thanks to the input of my mother and my mother-in-law.  My Mum was up for the first week of my wife working, and then since then my mother-in-law has been up during the week to look after the kids.  The kids have adapted to this quite well really, they miss their mother loads, but it should not be for much longer.  They great weather helps as they love being in the garden.  My wife on the weekend was getting concerned about the climing frame that I put up a few years ago and is tempted to get someone in to repair it!

Jim Apple finds introducing himself very problematic when holidaying in France

Knackered, in a good way though. Have been out today with the kids. A trip to my mothers where the kids got to spend time with my Mum who does not get to see them as much as she would like. We went shopping in the meantime and then later off to Lakeside so that we could get some clothes for next weekend. While my wife and I were doing this, the kids, who were being kindly looked after by my Mother-in-law were watching a magic show. A quick trip back home and some friends came roudn from their trip to London for some drinks and general relaxation. It is only a shame that I will miss my wonderful wife again who is to travel away to work, almost to Wales. But, thanks to the wonders of the internet, I will get to speak and see her every day.   Anyway, I hope that you like the videos above, one being a true news broadcast about the air accident in the US recently.

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