Day three in Madeira

My foot has been improving in some ways, but is annoying my wife. Mind you my walks in the morning are annoying her as well.  The picture is from my morning walk where I came across two cats looking at some pigeons. By the time I took the picture, one had moved away from them, but it still amused me.  Today though was spent mostly at the pool.  We rested while the kids enjoyed playing in the pool with some friends that they have made.

The only downside is that my ankle hurts more when it is not supported, that and my restless legs have annoyed my wife as I had to rest rather than take part in karaoke and the three glasses of wine has set my legs off!

Day two in Madeira

Our second day started with me waking my wife and daughter up with the alarm I set for work, and forgot to switch off.  While they were able to get back to sleep I didn't so I went for an early morning walk.  My ankle is improving but is still swollen and it managed to hold out for the walk.  I had intended to walk yesterday, but it was not good enough.

After getting back we tried out breakfast and then set out to explore Funchal.  The bus dropped us of near the Marina.  Our plan was not to travel a lot, but mostly to get a few things from any supermarket that we could find.  And it was there that we had lunch and I had my blue drink.  After returning with water for the next few days along with other supplies my daughter spent some time with her Mum while I took my son to the swimming pool.  Anyway, we are now relaxing, and while we tried to watch Vacation, I think we realised that none of us really like the film.  As a film, it is watchable at times, often very predictable and I have to say, that despite there being a few enjoyable parts, if I had to pay to watch it, I would be very angry. Watching it for free on an evening where we are to relax, watching a family film, then it is okay.  If you have not watched it, I would spend the time watching something you would actually enjoy properly.

Day one in Madeira

We are in sunny Madeira!

We woke up early in the morning to get to Gatwick, and all fell asleep in the taxi. Which meant that the others missed the middle lane driving that occurred for some of the trip.  But the taxi driver was nice and polite, so as much as middle lane driving annoys me, I did not say anything.  Booking in to the flight was a different experience as we had checked in online and only had to use the automated bad drop.  The kids seemed to enjoy the flight and we all belived my wife when she said that the seat window had been allocated to my son (I assume she told the truth), and the landing was quite smooth.  In fact, some of the passengers applauded once we had landed.  I will be showing the children videos of planes landing here sometime during the holiday. 

Anyway, arriving on a Sunday, there was a wait to check in to the hotel but it was worth it.  The view is amazing and after my wife fell asleep on the bungalow we went down to swim in the pool.  That was after lunch though where the kids has asked to move tables, and regretted it as we ended eating with some Geckos which freaked them out.  I think they laughed when one jumped onto me.  But back to the pool, kids made some friends there and got me to blow up Gary, an inflatable dolphin that belongs to friends who had been in Madeira last week.  Anyway, we are fed and was relaxing while watching a film.

And so to bed

Officially this is the first day of our holiday.  Sadly I sprained my ankle on Thursday at work which has hindered our ability to get ready.  In addition to that, my amazing wife, has been preparing for an examination that was on Thursday.  This meant that yesterday was the day to get things ready, that and today.  

I was not much help as I needed to get some things sorted out at work, so she was in effect a single mother, ensuring that the children did not squabble too much while she fed them and got everything ready.  Ever since an incident with my passport, pre 911, she has not trusted me to do things.  Which is understandable.

So today we went to see my mother, who has not seen her grandchildren in ages, and now are at her parents while we prepare for our holiday abroad.  The kids are in bed, trying to sleep through the heatwave that we have been subject to.

A week at school

In the last week, my son has had some fun at summer school which was around the corner from where we live, and he appeared to enjoy it.  This has allowed my daughter to enjoy social media and at times the hot weather as well.  Last night, after a blazing hot day it rained for the first time in ages and while this meant that we missed the lunar eclipse, it meant that my daughter spent time dancing in the rain.  Anyway, back to my son, over the last week he has been learning about crime and there was a court case yesterday. Today we got to spend some time together which we both liked, and neither of us were fed to crocodiles,

Chess update, July 2018

I have realised that I have forgotten to post an update on how I have been doing at chess.  Which is not that good.  I have to get the kids to play it with me over the summer holidays.  But here are the online competitions that I have played in.
336 hours to make up your mind - finished 3rd, but there were only six players
33rd Chess.com tournament 1201-1400
A07 Kings Indian Attack - finished top, out of three players
39th Chess.com quick knockouts 1201-1400
36th Chess.com tournament 1303-1403
Chess.com University's 2015 World Cup - I used to be a member of this group but dropped out
Kings Indian Attack (I finished last)
Kings Indian Attack A07 - a tough tournament and finishing 8th out of 12, I felt was very good
30th Chess.com Thematic Tournament - Catalan (1401-1600)
32nd Chess.com Thematic Tournament - Sicilian (1201-1400) - finishing 12th considering the number of players was a big thing for me. I have never gone so far in one of the Chess.Com tournaments before.

Only a fool fights in a burning house

Labour is facing an interesting time.  There are calls from those considered far left to purge the party of Brownites and Blairites. In addition to this, there are calls by some who feel as if they are to be purged to leave the party and set up a new socialist party, but one that is more centrist.  I guess that this party would be the new SDP. 

What those who are calling for defections, or a purge, forget is that the party needs to work together to bring about a United Kingdom that is FOR THE MANY. A party that cannot accept differences within itself in a civil manner is one that will not be able to convince those that have not voted for it in the last election, to vote Labour.  In the UK, we already have a centrist party, they are called the Liberal Democrats.  We do not need another.  Any spilt, or purge will result in another Conservative government, and we know what that will mean for the armed forces, the NHS, the police, those on benefits, the disabled...