Inpromptu humanities lesson

Mr. Double-Barralled one of my favourite recruitment consultants very kindly offered to take me to dinner last night. We had a fabulous Italian meal at a place right next door to Chelsea Barracks. Our waitor Tito (identifiable by his name badge) was questioned about his heritage by Mr. D-B and from there flowed a whole discussion on the Bosnian conflict, the history of Yugoslavia, the division of land, politics, and various different cultural aspects. Absolutely fascinating stuff. We were there until they shut the lights off just discussing the impact of the war. Yet again I realised how much life in the military teaches the recruits and consequently their perspectives are often far wider than Joe Public.

City Break

to Bella Roma... one of the most magical cities on earth.

Had a superb time and walked my legs off: Trevi fountain, Spanish Steps, Forum & Palatino as well as the Colosseum.

One obviously needs a calorie intake to compensate for all that had been burnt off via the exercise so Pasta, Pizza, Gelato, Peroni & Campari were consumed in quantities... When in Rome & all that...

Traipsed further afield and into Vatican City to see the Pope's address but was stunned to find they wouldn't let me in St.Peter's Basilica... too much leg on show apparently...Methinks it was more a case of recognising a lapsed Catholic when they see one ;o)

Apologies for the break in communications

I've been up to my neck with a variety of stuff and rather than whinge on-line I've just kept quiet. I must admit I didn't think anyone would notice as I haven't had any comments on the blog for ages...but apparently they do, and what's more seem to care what was happening (thank you Gillian!)

So herewith a brief synopsis of life in the last month or so...

Dad's condition took a turn for the worse. After having tumour removed from his lung last year (this is on top of previously having prostrate cancer and a heart attack), he was then diagnosed a degenerative form of bronchitis, only for him to develop pneumonia...hence I've spent time with them when I've had chance.

Work's been pretty pants too. I absolutely love the job but there's a stack of change at the moment which in an Alpha Male environment is a potent mix of testosterone and politics which frequently surprisingly results in 'handbags at dawn'...not what I expected from roughie toughie types but...

On top of that all three children have exams at the moment: Strident Student's finals...she's majorly stressed and in that vicious circle where she knows it's having an adverse effect on her concentration so is consequently worrying she won't get a 2:1...meanwhile Miss Sensible's quietly beavering away at her GCSEs, and Minor Mayhem is coasting through his year 8 exams.

So a few distractions from life as a Blogger...

This blog is starting to look like 'Hotels I have visited"...

The Grand Millenium, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai...

again...

Didn't particularly like it the first time either...