Fri, Apr 30th

Today we used our Red Letter Gift that my chairman had paid for us. We caught a train into London and had a nice lunch on the Symphony restaurant boat as it sailed from the Embankment to Greenwich and back again. We both really enjoyed the views of London from the Thames as we relaxed with a nice meal. Shortly after the boat left the Embankment I got a phone call from my boss on my BlackBerry to give me an update on where things stood. One was that our salaries had just gone into our banks, two was to confirm that today was his last day as an employee as he was leaving, and third was about the financial state of the business and what was happening.

Shortly before 2:30pm the boat moored by the old GLC building and County Hall where we were able to go on the London Eye. The view from the small capsule looking over London was incredible and we would recommend it to anyone. Although I have to admit I did feel a little uncomfortable when it was near the top; I had to stand back from the window.

Thu, Apr 29th

Made our way into town and grabbed a latte at Starbucks before getting our hair cut by Louise. Then grabbed a light lunch at The White Hart before picking up Dawn's cleaning and heading home.

Back at the house Dawn was able to catch her sister Kelly on the phone and had a nice long chat catching up on Kelly's new job and what she had been up to since the last time they talked.

This afternoon Dawn re-potted all the fruit and vegetable seeds that we had picked up. Now we have several trays with cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, radishes and courgettes to name a few.

This afternoon everyone received an email from my boss telling us that we should get paid on Friday (2 days late).

Wed, Apr 28th

Today we spent the whole day at the house. After breakfast we went into the back yard and started re-organising it so we can start growing some fruit and vegetables.

In all, we spent about three hours out there. I removed the clothes line (a rotary line on a pole) from the middle of the yard to an area close to the back of the house and chopped down a tree that was in the way, too. Dawn, all the while,was pulling up weeds, replanting our jade plant in a larger pot and tidying up behind me. The above photo shows how the back yard looked before we started work. You will be able to see how it progresses over the coming weeks.

After lunch, feeling exhausted, we crashed in front of the television and just relaxed.

Oh yea, my salary (or anyone else's where I work) did NOT get paid into my bank today. I didn't think it would.

Tues, Apr 27th

We took the car to the BP station on the A10 and put it through the car wash before having a ride over to Hertford Heath and Balls Park. We've been in Hertford for over three and a half years and hadn't been to either before.

We then had a ride over toWelwyn Garden City where Dawn picked up a new handbag at John Lewis. We had a light lunch at Bebos and then headed home via Morrisons to pick up some groceries.

When we got home, I then popped over to Hertford County Hospital to see if a doctor could check out my left leg. I have been getting pains off and on through my knee and outside my shin for quite a while. While I was there they took a couple of x-rays but couldn't see or find a cause of the problem. The doctor suggested that I see my GP and possibly have some physiotherapy.

Mon, Apr 26th

It was so good not having to go to work this morning. We headed into Enfield by train and did some shopping. Dawn actually found herself two pair of shoes and I picked up an egg cup from the Spurs shop. After lunch at Nandos we jumped on the train again to Finsbury Park and paid Dad and George a visit.

Sent and received a few emails from my boss. Still no confirmation that the money will be in our banks on Wednesday for our salaries (mine, that is).

Sun, Apr 25th

Day two of our vacation and again we took things really easy. However, I needed to as I was awake at 2:30am with a stomach ache.

Sat, Apr 24th

Started our vacation time by taking things a little easier than usual on a Saturday. We popped into town and grabbed a latte at Starbucks, picked up Dawn's coats from the cleaners, and dropped into WH Smith and the Co-op. We also grabbed a bite to eat at Loch Fyne. I ordered whitebait as an appetiser and Dawn couldn't get over how the little fish (and there were a ton of them) still had their heads on. But they were great.

Back at the house I watched Spurs succumb to Manchester United 3-1 live on Sky Sports. We still have a chance to make 4th. But we really need to get a result at Manchester City for that to happen.

This evening we chilled out as usual watching Over the Rainbow again.

Fri, Apr 23rd

South Beach diet is going fine at present. I've lost eleven pounds in weight over the last two weeks. My work is still too stressful, Dawn's is too busy, and, to be honest, at the moment we couldn't wait for today to end so we can spend 10 whole days away from the office.

Thur, Apr 22nd

Cancelled my dentist appointment until the end of May. With all the hassle at work I was not in the mood for someone poking around inside my mouth. I am now counting the days down until tomorrow evening and having a break from the office. However, I will still be in touch with my boss in my absence. I'll be reconciling the bank accounts and trying to find out what's happening.

Wed, Apr 21st

As expected, my boss' flight was cancelled and so was his holiday. He will now see out the rest of the month. Thankfully meaning that at least one of us will be in the office next week. Our receptionist is due to fly out a week later than scheduled, too.

As for work, it is getting more and more difficult. We had a problem with our fuel card company and had to dish out cash to the van users to cover their fuel costs. Grounding our vehicles would not be good at this time.

Mon, Apr 19th

Today started strangely. My boss, who has been fed up with the situation at work for months, came in full of beans and optimism. However, as expected, by the end of the day events had unfolded to take the wind out of his sails. Needless to say, I am counting the days down until the weekend and 10 days away from the office.

We also saw how the volcanic ash that had grounded thousands of planes over Europe since last Thursday affected some of our employees. We have one girl in Australia who was due back today stranded on the other side of the world. Her first flight home is expected on May 2nd. My boss is due to fly to Spain on Wednesday for a week (now unlikely) and our receptionist is still stuck in Greece and unlikely to be in on Wednesday.

Sun, Apr 18th

We tried to relax a little today. Dawn still had to do the ironing, but most of the chores had been done. This meant that we watched some television, including a recording of the the first live televised debate between the leaders of the three main parties trying to get into Number 10 on May 7th.

I did spend some time in the kitchen. In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner (stir fried tofu and veggies), I also cooked some rhubarb. This is virtually the only fruit I can eat on phase one of my diet.

Sat, Apr 17th

Did the Tesco run on my own again today while Dawn cleaned the house. When I got back I prepared some soya bolognase and then watched some of the live football on Sky after lunch. Dawn and I then met my daughter Hayley at Hertford East and went into town for a bit. First we had a coffee (and tea) and Cafe Yum before buying a couple of odds and ends and heading back to the house.

There we gave Hayley her birthday gift (earrings) and a card for Monday before dishing up an early dinner. Dawn and Hayley had spaghetti while I had a plate of chicken and mushrooms. We then stuck five candles (one for every 5 years) into a carrot cake and sang Happy Birthday to her.

It was nice to be able to celebrate Hayley's birthday with her. And hard to believe that it had been seven years since we took her to see the musical Saturday Night Fever at Ruth Eckerd Hall for her 18th.

Fri, Apr 16th

More twists at work (sorry still can't say). But it has been an eventful week at work. Not in a nice way. But at least things are progressing with our current plight hopefully dealt with by the end of the month. Thank God I have the last week off and only have to be there next week. I need a break.

Wed, Apr 14th

Work is much the same now. I haven't been taking calls from creditors for a couple of weeks now. Thankfully I get in a couple of hours before they start and leave a couple of hours before they end. Doesn't make it easy for our receptionist though.

Tonight I watched in disbelief as Spurs' challenge for 4th spot in the Premier League got a great shot in the arm with a 2-1 win over our North London rivals, Arsenal. I do, however, feel that we still won't make it. Especially seeing as our next two games are against title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.

Mon, Apr 12th

Work has been interesting. Obviously I can't write in our personal blog about events that go on at my workplace. Which is a shame because things were changing daily today. This meant that not only were moods changing hourly, but also the predictions and comments about what was happening. That was for those in the know. The vast majority didn't have a clue.

Sun, Apr 11th

Not a good day. Didn't start too badly with me walking down to get Dawn's Sunday papers at the Post Office. But turned sour after lunch watching Spurs lose the second FA Cup semi-final of the weekend to Portsmouth 2-0 at Wembley (after extra time) live on TV. We were hot favourites, and with Portsmouth already relegated and in Administration, it did not bode well for our challenge for 4th spot in the Premier League. Oh well. It is just a game. Even if I have been supporting Spurs for over 40 years.

Dawn, on the other hand, spent most of her spare time on her laptop editing the contents of Brady's high school 50th reunion book.

Sat, Apr 10th

Thank God the weekend is here. Even a four day week is more than I can bear sometimes. And I don't think it will get any better any time soon either.

This morning I did the Tesco run on my own while Dawn started on the weekend chores at home. We then had lunch at the house before driving up to pay Dad and George a visit. Back at the house I watched the first FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea beating Aston Villa 3-0. Later we chilled out watching Over the Rainbow.

Fri, Apr 9th

Thanks for my love of bread, fish and chips, pies, etc., I have decided to go back on the South Beach Diet. For one, I have put on more weight over the last five months that I shouldn't have, and secondly, I have been having major problems with my left knee and leg. I am sure losing weight will help with both!!!

Wed, Apr 7th

Despite not being at work on Monday, thanks due to the long weekend, work is still getting stressful for the two of us. Dawn's pile of work is increasing by the day, while my workplace is getting more and more difficult to deal with. Thanks to the constant phone calls from creditors and our bank causing one or two headaches.

Sun, Apr 4th

Day 3 of our relaxing weekend. Dawn did some vacuuming and I made a large pot of chili and a large chicken vegetable casserole that will last a a few days. However, all in all, we did very little else. I did give Dad a ring. But we did virtually nothing else. Sadly, though, although we are giving our bodies a rest, we still aren't able relax our minds. Both of us feel like they are still running on fumes!!

Sat, Apr 3rd

More relaxation. This time we drove into town, had a cafe latte at Cafe Yum, did some shopping for odds and ends, and then grabbed a lunch at The Salisbury Arms. We had decided to give The White Hart a miss because of the lunch time football match between Manchester United and Chelsea. By the time we left, Dawn suggested that we should go there in future as the ambiance was a lot better than our old haunt.

Fri, Apr 2nd

Good Friday in England is a bank holiday and Dawn and I made the most of it by lying in for a change. We then headed over to Tesco to do our weekly grocery shopping. I then spent the rest of the day off and on in the kitchen. First I made some home made ginger biscuits, then I dished up mussels in a chipotle sauce, and to end the day made some home made hot cross buns to have with a nice hot cup of Earl Grey while we watched television.

Dawn, on the other hand, ran her eyes over a copy of a directory Brady had sent and was working on that will be used in a book being printed for Brady's 50th high school reunion in June.

Thu, Apr 1st

It may be the 1st of a new month, but nothing has changed. I spent a good part of the day helping my boss do a cash forecast for the bank. Isn't the relationship between bank and client strange? They ask you to predict how much you plan to receive and pay out over a given period and then make decisions based on your guesses. Are their actions based on their opinions of your judgement, or who you are?

Anyway, both Dawn and I were more than pleased to escape our work places for four days and today we left work turning our backs for four days to relax, relax and relax.