Thur, Apr 30th

Another day trip for the White threesome. Today we headed north of Hayle, this time along the cliffs and coves that surfers love. We headed along the B3301 towards Gwithian and stopped several times within the first couple of miles to get some photos of the Godrevy Lighthouse and then the beaches at Gwithian. Next stop was Hell's Mouth where Dawn decided she wanted to take the photos. When she returned to the car, after her knees had stopped shaking and she had edged herself back slowly from the 200 feet sheer drop, she asked me nicely if I would give this landmark a miss and drive on. I agreed and half a mile up the road I pulled into a parking area and made my way towards a barrier and took some photos looking back towards the cliffs that made my good wife nervous. However, even these cliffs made Dawn nervous too as the cliff edge was only 10 feet from the barrier and probably the drop just as sheer.

From here the road meandered in a little. The next stop was Portreath were there was a nice cover for surfers and the smell of bacon so great that we just had to have a bacon butty for lunch. Even Tiny got into the act by licking Dawn's hand. Here there was an incredible harbour which was designed almost like a lock with three chambers. Then it was onto Porthtowan where there was nothing other than two headlands either side of a cove, a bar which was overcrowded with midday revellers, and a couple of people our age walking a couple of dogs. Even so, it was tranquil and we loved it all the same.

Next port of call was a car park at St Agnes Head. We drove round and round a single lane road with no idea where we were going except the directions Dawn was following on the map. Like she said, "There's a car park. So there is bound to be something of interest there." Mistake. There was a nice view admittedly. But not the best and it was in the middle of nowhere. We had a laugh and then headed to the cove that was St Agnes. However, not before I had to reverse up a 20% gradient hill because a couple of riders on horses were coming up the single lane damn road. We decided to take another route and got to it a lot easier.

Again, the small cove seemed a haven for surfers and pet lovers. Again, there was just one bar and a couple of small shops. There was a Royal National Lifeboat Institute hut with a boat ready to launch and save some poor soul lost on the waves. But like all the other coves, that was it. Tranquil, peaceful and away from everything.

By now we were ready to head back to the chalet and were thinking about dinner. Tiny was good as gold again and we didn't want her cooped up much longer. So we headed back to Hayle. Again, I walked along the beach and again we enjoyed another fish dinner. I have to admit the calories have been passing our lips this week. However, we have been good by eating fish instead of red meat so much. Don't mention the wine, fish and chips, and of course the Cornish Pasty which was probably 1100 calories on its own.

One special note of interest. We stopped in Hayle on the way back and picked up some fresh Cornish ice cream at Mr B's. We had it after dinner as we watched television tonight and it was the best I had ever tasted. Thankfully we only found the place today. Had we found it on Sunday we would have gained 10 pounds just from the ice cream.

Wed, Apr 29th

It had to happen. Today the skies opened and it effectively rained all day. So today is going to seem boring to some of you. But to us it was heaven. We didn't have to go anywhere or do anything. We had a bath, had breakfast, I walked to the local convenience store to get Dawn some newspapers, we had lunch, I edited photos, Dawn wrote in her journal, we watched television, we had dinner, and we loved on Tiny.

The background to all this was Smooth Radio blaring from the digital television. It plays music that we like and in fact is the same station we usually listen to when we drive to the station in the mornings. In between I would check out the news on the BBC News channel to find out there have been more reported Swine Flu cases. The WHO is getting a little anxious about where this is leading. Although thankfully it seems that outside Mexico the cases don't seem too serious. Oh yea, I also ran into town and picked up some fish and chips for dinner at Hubbard's. Sadly, it was not as good at Charley's in Sele Farm, Hertford. Oh well.

We watched The Apprentice on television this evening and best of all Tiny got comfortable laying on my chest and settled there for what must have been over an hour. Most of it just sleeping with her head on my shoulder. And I am pleased to say that she also slept with me when we went to bed, too.

Tues, Apr 28th

Today we decided to head out a little further than St Ives. Although we again had to go to St Ives as we were going to head along the coastline southwest of us. The scenery along the way is always breathtaking to me. Whether it's the rugged cliffs, sand beaches and coves, hills and crags with cows, horses and sheep, or just the isolated farms and small villages all with buildings made from local slate and granite surrounded by gorse and heather, the place is so mesmerizing to me.

We stopped along the way for several photo opportunities. Once was at an old disused tin mine, another to get some photos of cows just chilling out. All the time we drove at about 30-40mph as the two lane roads with slate/granite hedges either side of us had only passing places just in case a car (or usually a tractor or plant vehicle) was coming the other way.

We arrived at out destination, Lands End, just as the heavens opened. Not at all what we had planned. Before we left Hertford Dawn saw that it was to rain a lot this week. We were just hoping the forecasters had it wrong. Thankfully the rain ceased as quick as it had began and in no time there was glorious sun. We grabbed a bite to eat as we took it in turns to head out towards the cliff end and stand at England's Lands End and look out to Longship's Lighthouse and the Atlantic. It was hard to believe that it had been 11 years since we came here to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary. Less hard to believe is that we had to pay £3 to park the car otherwise we wouldn't have been able to see the incredible clifftop views.

From Lands End we headed east along the southern end of the peninsula to Penzance. This was a flying visit. Last time we walked to St Michael's Mount. This time we wanted to find a fresh fish stall so we could get some fish for dinner. We were in luck. I founds Stevenson's and picked up some plaice. Then it was back to Hayle and the chalet.

All the time Tiny was as good as gold. She got in and out of her carrier and wandered around the car when we parked. But usually she just rested in her carrier.

Dinner as you can imagine was plaice, which was excellent. I did it pan fried with some veggies. Again I went for a walk on the beach and took more photos. Dawn relaxed by reading a newspaper and the Cornish factoid book she picked up at Lands End. However, I wasn't finished with the camera when I got back to the chalet. Tonight we finally had a sunset to boast about. So I was outside taking dozens of photos just so I could get the right one for our photo album.

Mon, Apr 27th

Today was our first real travel day. After the usual morning rituals, we put Tiny in her carrier and laid it on the backseat of the car and headed towards Hayle and then on to St Ives. The drive was only about 5 or 6 miles from where we were. It wasn't really a long drive. However, when we arrived there we immediately knew that we didn't need to be in a car. The narrow streets were crowded with people and we had to head a snail's pace to the harbour. I of course took several photos before we headed back out via the hills and got some more shots of the town looking towards Gwithian and Hayle. St Ives is definitely a town best covered on foot.

On the way back to Hayle we stopped at Warrens, the bakery, to pick up some pasties for lunch. Warrens have been making them since the 1800s, so we know they are good. And they were. A little too big for Dawn, but excellent all the same.

As we were back at the chalet, I jumped at the chance to head back out to the beach again. I couldn't get enough of the golden sand and jagged cliffs. I felt like I had never been away. This was the 13th time I had been down to Hayle for a vacation and Dawn was beginning to see why I wanted to retire here.

Dawn stayed with Tiny at the chalet and caught up with the diary notes. This time she is doing the diary while I take the photos. This meant that when I was at the chalet I spent lots of time editing all the photos that I took.

Tonight we had a wonderful steak and bake for dinner and then watched the finale of Hell's Kitchen. Normally we would be in bed by 9pm when we're in Hertford. However, here we couldn't record anything. So either it was stay up late or miss - which basically meant 10pm bedtime for the week.

Oh yea, Tiny is having a ball. She is completely puzzled by the white waves as they crash against the beach. She is also enjoying having one of us with her at all times. And she is as cosy as can be at night sleeping between my feet at the bottom of the bed.

Sun, Apr 26th

Our first full day in Hayle and we started it with a nice lie in. Then we had a nice fry up for breakfast and planned the rest of the day. As it turned out that meant just chilling out without a thought of work, household chores, and best of all the Internet. Having no Internet, we had to rely on the Freeview television set to find out what was happening in the world. This was obviously the Swine Flu and more locally the tragic story of three people who went missing when a car got carried away in a local stream that turned into a torrent the early hours of Saturday morning between Zennor and St Ives. These two pieces of news were headlines all week.

A little after we had our second cup of tea there was a knock at the door. A German guest from one of the other chalets had no electricity. He hadn't realised that he needed to put £1 coins in a meter. I showed him how, then gave a message to self to pick up plenty of coins so that we didn't run out either.

I won't go into all the ins and outs. However, between getting up and lunch we both had a walk along the beach. In my case, the memories came flooding back from my childhood as I walked along the sand and along the cliff tops. Dawn went out for a walk when I got back and went a different way. Mainly because she missed the path up to the cliffs. However, it did give her a chance to see some more of the beach.

We headed out towards St Ives after lunch, but when we reached downtown Hayle the traffic was gridlocked. So it was back to the Co-0p for some groceries and then to the chalet. We weren't too disappointed, as it gave us a chance to rest a little more and unwind. Dinner was Shrimp Creole which went down really good before we chilled out watching the BAFTA awards. However, not before I had been out again to get some photos of the beach and cliffs with the tide in.

Sat, Apr 25th

This morning we woke before 4am (without an alarm) in eagerness to head off on holiday. We left the house around 6.20am and headed west via the A414 to Hatfield, where we got on the A1(M) that took the M25. We headed anti-clockwise until we reached the M4 and then headed west again. We of course stopped several times along the way for the usual pee break and to fill up with coffee and Coca-Cola. But I was good. I kept the speed down to around 60 mph, even on the motorway. Just before Bristol we took the M5 exit and headed southwest towards Devon. Still everything was fine. That was until I noticed the exhaust warning sign on the dashboard and started worrying about the temperature gauge. Thankfully the temperature anxiety was just me worrying for nothing. Sadly the exhaust light did not go off, so now we have a car repair to fork out for. We stopped at a Little Chef and picked up what was supposed to be a southern fried chicken bap. Sadly the only thing that was authentic was the bap. For the rest of the journey Dawn's stomach felt queasy. Thankfully again she was okay despite the tummy grumbling.

We finally arrived in Hayle (I forgot to mention it rained off an and on for the whole trip) around 3pm. Not bad for 330 miles at the speed I was going. We stopped off at the Co-op for some groceries before heading to the chalet on the Riviera Towans. The drive through Phillack was just as I remembered it. It hadn't changed one bit since I first went to Hayle over 40 years ago.

The rest of the day was spent at The Old Haven chalet unpacking, looking out the patio windows to St Ives, eating, watching television, reading and drinking tea. Dawn of course had a celebratory glass of wine.

Fri, Apr 24th

The last day of the week, and the last day of work for 10 whole days. Both Dawn and I spent the best part of our days tying up loose ends and making sure that we didn't leave any problems behind for others to deal with or to explode on us when we returned to work on May 5th.

Tonight, after dinner, Dawn spent most of the time finishing (or I should say doing) the packing for our vacation. We then settled down and watched Apprentice, You're Fired and the American Idol results show before calling it a night. We have an early start in the morning.

Wed, Apr 22nd

Back to work and today attended the Management Quality Meeting. There wasn't as many people there was usual because several directors were out of the office. But I was still able to present the stats on our environmental progress. The bad news is that although fossil fuel consumption in the office has gone down, any improvement has been outweighed by the increase in petrol (vehicle gas) use. It looks like our carbon footprint target for the end of the year is going to take some doing.

Tues, Apr 21st

Had a meeting with my boss and the chairman of the company to discuss the work I had done on getting ISO 14001 accreditation. The outcome was that from the beginning of this month my job title has been changed to Environmental Manager. That's one of my goals for the year accomplished.

Mon, Apr 20th

Today was health and safety day at work. Which for me meant a couple hours doing the fire warden training. It was scary, to say the least. In one video it showed how a smouldering fire in a couch set the WHOLE room ablaze with billowing smoke in less than 5 minutes. I also got to put out a controlled fire with a CO2 extinguisher, and better still another fire with a fire blanket. Everyone watching saw how the flames flew over my head as I placed the blanket on the burning pan. Thankfully I didn't see or feel a thing.

Sun, Apr 19th

Woke up this morning and sent a text message to Hayley to wish her a happy birthday. It's hard to believe that she is getting up there in age, now. Doesn't say much for me.

I then spent the rest of the day chilling out. Watched Vettel win the Chinese Formula 1 motor race and Spurs beat Newcastle United 1-0 on Sky Sports. Dawn and I also watched the film "Bucket List", too. Now that was a thought provoking film to say the least. Perhaps I should make a list of things that I need to do before I kick the bucket. I already know of several things that I need to put down.

The rest of the time was on the computer either updating the blog or downloading photos from the Flickr site so I can post them on Facebook. I was also backing up the original files digital photos, too. I am now onto my 20th DVD of files.

Sat, Apr 18th

The weekend again, and once again we popped down to Tesco to do our weekly grocery shopping. However, this time we ended up spending almost twice as much as we normally do. No we're not having a party or anything. We were picking up a load of stuff to take on holiday with us. We're collecting bits and pieces to save buying them while we're away. Not perishables, obviously.

We then popped back into town for a haircut and stopped off at Starbucks for some coffee.

Back at the house we both spent many hours on the computers. Dawn on Facebook again, while I was backing up photos. With all the pictures I have taken over the last few years, it took forever.

Again, we relaxed watching another film. This time The Russell Girl with Amber Tamlyn.

Fri, Apr 17th

The end of a long week. I know we only worked 4 days this week. But, it felt like six after having the four day weekend. I even heard through the grapevine that someone at work complained about me. I'm not surprised. I'm not really a team player and do have a tendency to take the piss out of some of my colleagues.

Tonight when we got home we had a package in the mail that I had been waiting for. I ordered Photoshop Elements 7 on Ebay because version 4 that I've been using since we were in America stopped working a couple of weeks ago. This is why I haven't been able to post any photos. I haven't been able to edit them to make Dawn and me look younger than we really are.

Wed, Apr 15th

Day two of this short week. Yesterday was much of a non-event, which is why I never posted anything. Today, however, I had to leave early and make my way to Winchmore Hill for my six month visit to the dentist.

The good news is that I was able to get in early and out again so I could meet Dawn on the regular train we normally catch back to Hertford North. The bad news is that the dentist wants me to have one of my deep clean sessions. That means I'll be back in July for two consecutive days where I'll also need some local anesthetic to dampen down the pain - Not good....

Mon, Apr 13th

Day Four of our long weekend. Yes, in England Easter Monday is a public holiday. I won't repeat myself. But, it's nice to know that at least in this country we acknowledge that Jesus Christ died on the cross for us. I sometimes wonder whether Christmas would have been so big in America if it weren't for Hallmark - Just Kidding!!!!!!!!!!!

We took it easy once more and this time we popped into town to wander around the shops that were open and had a skinny cappuccino in Serendipity. Back at the house we did do some IEMA studying again. We also had an excellent meal, too. Today it was my special chicken casserole where the chicken has been marinated in white wine, honey, brown sugar, peri-peri sauce and chili powder, and then baked in a dish with some carrots, swede and parsnips.

Sun, Apr 12th

Day three of the long weekend and we did Jack. I popped out to get the newspaper in the morning, but that was about it. Dawn spent a few hours on Facebook, and I chilled out with Tiny resting on my chest watching a couple episodes of Stargate SG-1 that I had recorded. We then had intervals where we moved around the house, put food in our mouth and spent time on the computer and watched television. I know it was a complete waste of time. But, it felt so good knowing that we didn't have to go to work tomorrow.

Again we relaxed watching a film at the end of the day with a nice hot cup of Earl Grey tea with a biscuit and some squares of Cadbury fruit and nut chocolate.

Sat, Apr 11th

Day two of our long weekend. We ran into Tesco for a few bits before heading into London to visit Dad. As usual when we pop up to Holloway, we stopped at Nandos in Stroud Green Road and had lunch. We decided to do what we did the last time we were there, when we took George. That was share half a chicken, a pepper dip with pita, and some olives.

Dad looked pretty well all things considering. He hasn't been out, but he had more colour than the last time we saw him. He had even added a few pounds of weight on. Perhaps that's because he preferred his own cooking to the stuff he got at the hospital.

Back home we relaxed in front of the television after I had made an excellent dinner of pan fried salmon with wild rice and cheese sauce on steamed broccoli. We saw the night out watching No Country For Old Men.

Fri, Apr 10th

Hey, it's time to celebrate. Here in England it's Good Friday and we don't have to go to work. I know it's Good Friday in America, too. But, here we get the day off work. How is that for a Christian country?

Needless to say, with work being the last thing on our minds, we chilled out and took things easy. I ran into town shortly after 8am and picked up some hot cross buns for breakfast. I also popped into Tesco and picked up some carnations for my good wife.

Like I said, we chilled out. That meant we spent most of the day on the computer, either Twittering, Blogging or on Facebook. The latter can be addictive if you're not careful. We then watched the film The Shell Seekers. I have to admit that I got pretty excited when I saw Hayle in the background when they did a scene from St Ives in Cornwall. In a couple of weeks we'll be back there to celebrate our anniversary.

Thur, Apr 9th

Dawn is really getting into Facebook now. She has been searching out old friends and seeing who is out there in Internet World. I even invited Dave Eggers, our friend (and recently elected mayor of Dunedin) from Florida to be friends and he accepted. However, I have to confess that the majority of my so called friends are from work. Sometimes I feel that it should be called an acquaintance book. Especially when you see how many so called friends others have accumulated. I know that I am anti-social. But some of these people have more friends on their Facebook than numbers of people I have even met.

Tues, Apr 7th

Dawn and I also did some more IEMA studying. However, it is pretty difficult to stay focused at the moment with what's happening at work.

Mon, Apr 6th

Back to work. Thankfully it's just a four day week here in the UK. Over here Friday is a public holiday for everyone to take time out to acknowledge that Jesus Christ died on the cross. It makes it easy for people like me to have hot crossed buns, too. If you're lucky, Dawn will write about them on Friday. It's also a holiday next Monday, too. He (JC) rose from the dead on the Sunday, but with all the partying to celebrate, we couldn't be expected to go to work the next day.

For Christians offended by this, I apologise. Especially Americans who have started calling the Christmas period the festive holidays. However, I believe that humour is a great asset in this day and age. So JC will be looking down and saying, "At least he remembered!!!!"

As for work, it was crap. Enough said.

Sun, Apr 5th

A nice day at home taking it easy. Popped out to the newsagent to get Dawn a copy of the Sunday Times and Observer while I filled the car up with petrol. Then the rest of the day was spent in the kitchen, at the dining table, or watching television.

Dawn and I spent a good couple of hours working on our IEMA course work. This is the third time I have picked it up. For Dawn this was the first time she had tackled it. We hope to complete all the modules and assignments by the end of July. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED.

Tiny was in heaven having us both home. Especially with Dawn being absent for a couple of evenings last week. I think it was the first time in several weekends that she didn't try and chew any paperwork first thing in the morning.

Sat, Apr 4th

It's the weekend and we're so glad this week is over. Obviously it was good to get ISO accreditation for our EMS, but it's even better to have Dawn home.

This morning I ran over to Tesco to do our weekly grocery shopping while Dawn did some chores. We then received a visit from my daughter Hayley. Again it was good to see her and we enjoyed a good few hours catching up on what she had been up to. We all enjoyed a home made chicken wrap before I dropped Hayley off at Hertford East so she could catch a train back to Hackney.

I then watched a recording of the Blackburn-Spurs game. Sadly we lost, but I wasn't too disappointed with everything else I had going well.

Thur, Apr 2nd

Normal service resumed. Tonight I caught the 15:41 train at Enfield Chase and am glad to report Dawn and I travelled back to Hertford North together. It just did not feel right the two of us being apart. However, we can both confirm that absence DOES make the heart fonder. Even Tiny was over the moon to see Dawn, too.

Dawn was also pleased to have a home made meal after snacking and downing all the calories she had the last few days while she was at the University of Warwick. Tonight she tucked into an nice homely vegetable stew I had made yesterday full of swede, celeriac, carrots, tomatoes, kidney beans, haricot beans and green lentils mopped up with some freshly baked store bread.

Tonight Dawn plans to chill out in front of the television with some Apprentice and American Idol. Roll on the weekend...........

Wed, Apr 1st

Following all the work I have been doing recently towards ISO 14001 accreditation, and with Dawn being away from us, I decided to take the day off work. I can tell you, it was needed. I felt mentally exhausted.

With Dawn away in Coventry, and being restricted to just talking on the phone, I spent the day taking it easy and cooking. I made one large pot of chili, and a second of something that will be a surprise for Dawn. In fact, I'd never made it before so it will be a first for me, too.

Tiny is again coping well. It has helped having me home with her all day. No doubt she will be over the moon (as will I) to see Dawn home tomorrow.