Andrew and Elizabeth Caldwell's

Travel Page

Act III – Scene IX - Edinburgh - Holtye - Edinburgh

2003/04

Friday 5 September cloudy / showers later, 17°C

· Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 8:30

· Left @ 5:00, went to Prive Council for drinks, met Liz @ 5:30

· Left Prive @ 7:30, Pizza Hut for tea, home @ 9:00

Saturday 6 September fine / partly cloudy, 18°C

· Up @ 8:30, bus to Tynecastle Garage to pick up the van (gearbox work £125)

· Drove home

· Out on our bikes @ 10:00, rode down to Leith (detour to get AC’s puncture fixed)

· Rode to Stockbridge, had lunch @ Raeburn Hotel @ 1:00

· Got DVD (Chicago) then to Safeways and home @ 3:00

· Sat in the sun

· Ordered Chinese delivery for tea then watched DVD

Sunday 7 September cloudy, 17°C

· Up @ 10:00, pottered around flat, Liz started packing stuff

· Out @ 12:00, bus to Royal Mile and had lunch

· Walked down through the University to the Meadows then around Sciennes, down Lothian Road and back to Princes Street

· Bus home @ 3:00

Monday 8 September cloudy / fine, 17°C

· Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 5:15, bus home, arr 5:45

· Liz home @ 8:00

Tuesday 9 September cloudy, 17°C

· Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 8:00

· Went to meeting in Leith, ride home, arr 6:00

· Liz home @ 8:00

Wednesday 10 September fine, 18°C

· Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 5:15, bus home, arr 5:45

· Out for a bike ride @ 7:00, home @ 7:45

· Liz home @ 8:00

Thursday 11 September fine / cloudy / rain, 17°C

· Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 5:00, after going away presentation (got All Black shirt, £20 HMV voucher and £20 Waterstones voucher)

· Went to Grand Cru bar then to Walkabout Bar

· Taxi home @ 2:30

Friday 12 September fine / cloudy, 18°C

· Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 8:15

· Left @ 2:00 (last day @ work)

· Walked to JJB Sports and changed All Black shirt for Scottish Rugby shirt

· Picked up drycleaning

· Bus home, arr 3:00

· Liz home @ 4:00

· Out to town for tea @ 8:00 to “The Apartment” in Tollcross with ex Mivan people (James Carroll, Lesley-ann Kirkland, Sara, Gabrielle, Carl Davies etc) (£25 ea for dinner)

· Taxi home @ 11:30

Saturday 13 September cloudy / fine / breezy, 20°C

· Up @ 7:30, bus to town to catch train to Leuchars @ 9:00

· Train arrived @ Leuchars @ 10:00, walked to airbase for airshow (£20ea for train and entry)

· Good show

· Left @ 4:30, caught train back to Edinburgh, arr 6:00

· Bus home and relaxed

· Out to Safeways to do some shopping

Sunday 14 September partly cloudy, 18°C

· Up @ 9:00

· Packed up the flat

· Out for lunch to Craigleith Park

· Carried on packing the flat in the afternoon

· Out for tea to JD Weatherspoons in Leith

· Home @ 7:30

Monday 15 September cloudy, 18°C

· Up @ 8:00, had breakfast then loaded up the van

· Telewest man came @ 10:30 to disconnect services

· Drove to Spaces Storage and put stuff into locker (£24 per month)

· Drove to McDonalds for lunch @ 1:00

· Lost reverse gear in the van again, Liz walked home

· Called AA, got pulled out and drove home

· Landlord (Mrs Brunton) came around and checked us out of flat and gave us £900 cheque (£600 for bond and £300 for ½ months rent not used)

· Left @ 3:30, drove onto A1 then south to Wooler (near Alnwick) and found campsite

· Pulled into pitch and relaxed @ 6:30

Tuesday 16 September hazy / fine, 20°C

· Up @ 8:00, packed up and waited for office to open to pay for camping, supposed to open @ 9:00

· Left @ 9:10 without paying

· Drove south on A697 to Morpeth then on A1 past Newcastle

· Caught in a traffic jam near Darlington for ¾ hour

· Turned off onto A58 into Leeds

· Arrived @ Adrian Baileys workshop @ 1:00

· Left van to be worked on (new engine mounts) and walked into town @ 2:30

· Walked around Leeds then back to Adrian Baileys @ 4:30

· Waited for van. Problem not fixed so left and walked back to town and got a room @ Comfort Inn (£85)

· Out for tea @ 8:00 to JD Weatherspoons (£9) then back to hotel

· Walm evening, very pleasant

Leeds Town Hall

Wednesday 17 September fine / hot, 26°C

· Up @ 8:30, down for breakfast (£3.25 ea for continental) then packed bags etc and checked out @ 9:30

· Walked to Adrian Bailey’s and dropped off our bags then walked back to Railway Station

· Caught train to Manchester (£11 ea rtn) @ 10:30

· Pleasant trip through the Penines (Last of the Summer Wine country)

· Arrived @ Piccadilly station @ 11:40

· Walked into the town centre (very European, like Munich, with trams etc) and walked around shops

· Had lunch in Arndale Centre then walked down to the City Hall then through backstreets and pack to Piccadilly Park, had free ice-cream and sat in the sun

· Walked back to station and caught 2:30 train back to Leeds

· Adrian Bailey rang to say that van was fixed (some washers inside gearbox put in wrong)

· Arrived back in Leeds @ 3:40

· Picked up van (cost £28 for engine mounts, £40 for labour for mounts, £50 for labour for gearbox = £150)

· Drove south from Leeds on M1 @ 4:30, then turned off on A61 then to A57, A6013 and A625 to Hope, Derbyshire

· Found camp and checked in (£13) @ 6:00

· Setup and relaxed

Manchester town centre

Thursday 18 September fine / cloudy, 20°C

· Up @ 8:30, had breakfast and packed up the van

· Left camp @ 9:30, drove to Castleton then east on A625 to A6049 south, then east on A623 and A619

· Stopped in Chesterfield to do some shopping and get petrol

· Carried on east on A619 then A60 to Worksop then into Clumber Park @ 12:00

· Went for a bike ride around the park (5 miles) then had lunch @ the tea rooms

· Walked around grounds and old church then drove to camp (in Park itself)

· Checked in for 2 nights (£28) then set up

· Relaxed / slept

· Went for a walk @ 5:00 to Hardwick Village (1 mile each way), back @ 6:00

· Had tea, then walked around the camp

Clumber Park Chapell

Limetree Avenue, Clumber Park

Friday 19 September cloudy, 21°C

· Up @ 8:30, had breakfast then drove out @ 9:30

· Drove to Sherwood Forest visitors centre

· Walked through part of forest to Major Oak (old oak tree with more supports thatn branches) then through Robin Hood exhibition (not very exciting)

· Drove north to Worksop and went to Bassetlaw Hospital A&E to get lump on AC’s face looked at, arr 10:45

· Got seen @ 11:30, and got antibiotics @ 12:30 (all free)

· Drove east from Worksop on A1 then A57 to Lincoln

· Parked next to Castle @ 1:30

· Had lunch in café then walked to Cathedral (had a brief look inside) then around the streets

· Back to van then drove down to new part of town. Parked van again and walked around High Street shops

· Went to internet café to send emails etc (£1 for ½ hour)

· Back to van and drove north from Lincoln on A15 along old Roman Road, past RAF base where the Red Arrows are based then onto A631 through Gainsborough, and back to camp on A620

· Went for a walk around the camp then had tea

Old Lincoln Town and Lincoln Cathedral

Saturday 20 September fine, 24°C

· Up @ 8:30, had breakfast, packed van etc

· Checked out and left @ 9:15

· Drove south on A1 to A414 just north of London then on M10 and A414 to camp @ Hemel Hempstead

· Checked in (£18 for 2 nights) @ 11:45 and partly set up

· Drove out for lunch @ McDonalds and a look around Hemel Hemstead

· Back to camp @ 2:00

· Sat in the sun / shade and did nothing

· Out for a walk @ 5:00 around the streets behind the camp, back @ 6:00

· Had tea

Sunday 21 September fine, 25°C

· Up @ 8:30, had breakfast then caught taxi to Hemel Hempstead station to catch train

· Trains off due to engineering works so got bus to Euston, left 10:20 arr 11:00

· Walked to Covent Gardens and met Caroline (Liz’s friend from NZ) and Paul

· Had a drink then walked to Leicester Sq and had lunch @ Fiori

· Walked up Regent St, AC bought new sandels from Clarks (£40)

· Walked back to Piccadilly Circus and left Caroline and Paul

· Caught tube to London Bridge and walked along new area by Tower Bridge then back to London Bridge and tube to Euston

· Waited for train (just missed 4:09), sat on 4:39 train, left @ 5:10!

· Arr Hemel Hemstead @ 5:30, caught cab back to camp

· Had tea and relaxed

Monday 22 September cloudy / rain, 20°C

· Up @ 8:30, had breakfast etc.

· Booked ferry from Dover to Calais for Tues (£220 rtn)

· Left camp @ 10:30, drove to M1 then on M25 clockwise to Thurrock, went to Halfords

· Got back in van and had no reverse gear again

· Rang Adrian Bailey who said he would arrange for a replacement gearbox to be sent

· Drove to Lakeside shopping mall for lunch @ 1:00

· Drove to Abbeywood camp on south side of Thames and setup @ 2:00 (£14/night)

· Out for a walk to the shops then back to sit in the van watching the rain

· Out for tea to a local pub @ 6:30 (£13)

Tuesday 23 September fine, 15°C

· Up @ 8:30, had breakfast etc

· Drove out @ 10:15, drove through Woolwich to the Blackwall tunnel then north through Hackney

· Went to Summerhill Road to the man who we bought the van from

· Agreed to sell van as is (no reverse) for £900 (sad but true)

· Had lunch at café then drove back to camp

· Left Summerhill Road @ 1:30, arr Abbeywood @ 4:00 (14 miles) due to traffic jams

· Out for a walk to Abbeywood then to the Lesnes Abbey ruins

· Back to camp to relax and look @ potential holiday ideas on the internet

· Had tea and relaxed

Wednesday 24 September fine, 17°C

· Up @ 8:30, had breakfast etc

· Booked holiday through Lastminute.com (7 nights in Montanino in Tuscany, incl car and flights to/from Pisa, £199 ea)

· Caught bus to Woolwich, bought another travel bag (£14) then went on the internet to check bank balances etc

· Sat in the sun in the square at Woolwich then bus back to camp @ 1:30

· Sorted the van into 3 lots of stuff (staying with van for sale, going to Tuscany, storing @ Caroline and Pauls

· Sat in the sun for a while then drove out @ 6:00 and headed to A207 then on A2 and A202 to Caroline and Pauls (23 Fielding Road)

· Dropped off stuff for them to store then headed back to camp, arr 8:00

· Had tea

Thursday 25 September fine, 16°C

· Up @ 9:00, packed up the van, had breakfast

· Left camp / checked out @ 11:00

· Drove through Woolwich and Blackwall Tunnel, Hackney to Seven Sisters

· Went to van guy (Paul Key) in Summerhill Road, sold van, got money

· Got dropped @ tube station and caught tube to London Bridge

· Had lunch @ Upper Crust then caught 1:55 train to Gatwick

· Walked from North Terminal to Travel Inn (£49 per night) and checked in

· Walked back to North Terminal and had a look around, checked emails etc

· Back to hotel @ 5:00, watched TV

· Walked back to North Terminal and transferred to South Terminal and had tea @ Weatherspoons (£20)

· Back to hotel @ 8:00

Friday 26 September fine, 18°C

· Up @ 8:00, down for breakfast then back to hotel room

· Lazed around room, watched TV till 11:00

· Walked to North Terminal then to South Terminal and caught train @ 11:30 to London Bridge (£19 for both rtn)

· Walked to HSBC in Borough High St and banked money from van sale (£600) and changed remainder to Euros (£200 = €270)

· Walked back to London Bridge and caught train to Charing Cross

· Went to McDonalds for lunch then Easyeverything to check emails etc

· Caught tube to Tottenham Court Road and went to internet café to sent emails with attachments of a cd

· AC bought wireless network card (£30)

· Tube back to London Bridge and sat in the sun then met Kylie Redgrave for coffee @ 4:00

· Left @ 5:00 and back to London Bridge and caught train back to Gatwick

· Tea @ Garfunkels in South Terminal

· Walked back to hotel @ 7:00

· Watched TV

Saturday 27 September partly cloudy / fine, 23°C

· Up @ 5:00, packed bags etc and checked out of hotel

· Caught bus to South Terminal (£2.50 ea)

· Got tickets etc from Agency and checked in with Monarch (ticket pack from Magic Travel includes book on Tuscany and maps)

· Went through security (AC got Swisscard taken!)

· Had breakfast @ Estestest

· Waited in lounge, through to gate @ 7:30 then onto bus to plane

· Left on time @ 8:40, flew over the Alps and landed in Pisa @ 11:30 (eurotime)

· Through immigration (no customs) and picked up rental car (chaos)

· Drove on highway to Florence (Firenze) then on A1 (toll) towards Roma

· Turned off at Incisa in Val d’Arno, drove south a bit then east to village of Montanino (where our apartment is) then through to Regello

· Had lunch (Panini’s and Pizza) and walk around town @ 2:30

· Back in car and back Montanino @ 3:00, still too early so drove to Incisa in Val d’Arno and looked around

· Back to Villa il Cedro and checked in (€200 breakage deposit) and into 1 bed apartment with showerroom

· Out for a drive @ 5:00 to Coop supermarket in Figline Valdarno for shopping (€20) then back to apartment

· Went for a short walk around part of the property (scared all the Hares)

· Had tea (pasta and chicken) then relaxed and watched Italian TV

View of cliffs from apartment, Montenino

Montenino town from apartment

Front of apartment block

Inside our livingroom / kitchen

Sunday 28 September cloudy / rain / cloudy, 22°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast then left @10:30 (power blackout across Italy, power back to us @ 10:00)

· Drove to Regello to do some shopping but closed due to power blackout

· Drove on up the hills to Saltino, bought washingup liquid, and 2 pieces of pizza (€4)

· Drove on to Valombrosa and then down to Consuma, back to main road

· Drove south to Poppi, stopped in car park @ base of hill and at lunch then drove up to Poppi town along narrow winding streets

· Parked and went into Castello de Poppi for a look around (€4 ea)

· Left @ 2:00, drove south to Poppi Zoo park (€5ea), walked around looking at donkeys, foxes, buffalo etc

· Left @ 3:00, rain started

· Drove south to Arezzo then north on ss69 through San Giovanni, then back to apartment @ 5:30

· Relaxed and had tea

· Heavy rain overnight

Poppi Castle from bridge over River Arno

Atrium, Poppi Castle

Monday 29 September cloudy / fine, 25°C

· Up @ 10:00, had breakfast then out to Figline Valarno to Coop to do some shopping then wandered through centre of town (most shops shut)

· Home @ 1:30

· Had lunch then sat in the sun

· Went for a (cold) swim in the pool @ 3:30

· Sat in the sun till 5:00

· Out for tea to Cascia @ 7:00, to Pizzeria (€16)

· Back to apartment @ 8:30

Tuesday 30 September fine, 25°C

· Up @ 8:00, had breakfast etc and left @ 9:00

· Drove to A1 then north to Firenze Sud (€1:00 toll) then through Firenze (missed turn) to Piazzale Michelangelo, parked (free)

· Looked out over Firenze then walked down the hill @ 10:00 and across the River Arno into old part of town

· Walked around to find an internet place (€3 for 1 hour), checked emails etc

· Walked to Duomo and went inside (big) then AC climbed Campenile (bell tower), 414 steps for view over city @ 12:00

· Back down then walked to San Lorenzo to market area walked around then had lunch in café (€20)

· Walked around market stalls, AC bought leather rubbish bin for Peters birthday (€8)

· Walked through to railway station

· Liz rang agency in UK for pub work then rang Mark Hartnell @ White Horse Pub near East Grinstead, Kent and arranged to go there next Wednesday for interview / trial

· Caught sightseeing bus around town (€20 ea!) and sat up top for full tour, got off @ Ponte Vechio

· Walked across Ponte (looking only at jewellery) and shops on the south bank. Liz bought Firenze shirt (€9.30)

· Walked back to tour bus stop, just missed bus, next one didn’t wait for us to get on so got one @ 4:50

· Got off @ Piazzale Michelangelo and got back into car, drove out to A1 then back to apartment @ 6:00

· Sat in sun with wine / beer then had tea

View over Florence

View of Duomo, Florence

River Arno and Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Duomo (Cathedral) and Campenile (bell tower), Florence

View of Duomo from halfway Campenile, Florence

View from top of Campenile over Florence

Baptistry from Campenile, Florence

Ponte Vecchio and River Arno, Florence

Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Wednesday 1 October cloudy / few spots of rain, 21°C

· Up @ 8:00, had breakfast etc

· Left @ 9:15, drove south to Montevarchi then west on A540 to E78 then northwest to Sienna

· Parked on south side of town near University @ 10:45

· Walked to Piazza del Campo then towards Stadio, walked around market

· Walked to San Domenico church then back to Duomo, bought lunch on the way and at on the rear steps of the Duomo

· Walked into Duomo and looked around (€5.50 ea) then back to Piazza del Campo @ 2:00

· Liz bought t-shirt and AC bought t-shirt for his mum (€28 for both)

· Had a coffee in street nearby then back to Palazzo Publico and bought tickets for tower (€5.50 ea) then climbed 500 steps to top (AC stood under bell @ 3:00)

· Back to car @ 3:45 drove north on Superstrada, stopped for a look @ Monteriggioni

· North on Superstrada then off @ San Casciano then east through Chianti region, through Greve then over the hill and back to Figline Valdarno then back to apartment @ 5:45

· Sat in the sun then had tea

Piazza del Campo, Sienna

Sienna Duomo

View over Sienna from top of Campenile

View of Piazza del Campo from top of Campenile, Sienna

Thursday 2 October cloudy / fine, 24°C

· Up @ 8:00, had breakfast etc

· Left @ 9:00, drove onto A1 and headed north towards Firenze

· Got caught in traffic jam for 45 minutes

· Drove around Firenze on A1 then onto A11 and west, then south to Pisa

· Arr Pisa @ 11:30, parked (€1:00) and walked to “Field of Miracles” to see Leaning Tower

· Walked around, went into Duomo (€2 ea) but didn’t go up tower (€15 ea)

· Looked @ market stalls then back to car @ 12:30

· Drove north to Lucca, parked car just outside city walls

· Walked into old part of town

· Had lunch in Piazza San Michele

· Walked around pretty little narrow streets then to Torre dei Guinigi and up to the top under the oak trees

· Walked to Piazza del Mercato (old Roman Ampitheatre)

· Walked back through streets to San Martino (Duomo) then up onto city walls

· Walked back to car @ 3:15, back onto A11 Autostrade and back to A1 then back to apartment (arr 4:40)

· Relaxed and sat by the pool

· Out for tea @ 7:00 to Regello to Pizzeria (€17)

· Back to apartment @ 8:30

Field of Miracles, Pisa

Leaning Tower and Duomo, Pisa

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Duomo, Field of Miracles, Pisa

Duomo and Leaning Tower, Pisa

Narrow street and view of Torre dei Guinigi (tower) with trees on top, Lucca

View from top of Torre dei Guinigi over Lucca

Oak (?) trees on top of Torre dei Guinigi, Lucca

Piazza del Mercato (the oval square), Lucca

Friday 3 October fine, 25°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast etc

· Drove to Figline Valdarno looking for “internet point”, couldn’t find one

· Drove to Montevarchi and went to Coop and did some shopping

· Found internet point across the road and checked emails etc (€2.50 for ½ hour)

· Back to apartment and had lunch @ 1:00

· Relaxed for the afternoon, sat by the pool, slept etc

· Had tea @ 7:00

Saturday 4 October fine / cloudy, 20°C (Pisa) / 12°C (London)

· Up @ 8:00, had breakfast etc

· Checked out and left @ 9:00

· Drove on A1 then onto Firenze to Pisa / Livorno road (Fi - Pi - Li) to Pisa Airport, arr 10:00

· Couldn’t checkin straight away so had a coffee and sat outside

· Checked in @ 11:45 then through to departure

· Boarded plane and left @ 1:45

· Bumpy flight and landed at Gatwick @ 3:30 (UK time)

· Through from South to North Terminal then walked to Travel Inn and checked in, and booked in through to Wednesday when we go to White Horse Inn, Holtye

· Back to South Terminal to JD Weatherspoons for tea then back to hotel

Sunday 5 October fine, 12°C

· Up @ 9:00, down for breakfast @ 10:00

· Went to Gatwick station @ 11:30 and caught train(s) to Royal Tunbridge Wells (3 trains changed @ Redhill and Tonbridge) (£18 ea, rtn)

· Walked around town and Royal Victoria Mall, lunch in foodcourt

· Walked through The Common down to the Pentiles then back to train @ 3:30 (bought breakfast cereals for next few days)

· Caught train to Tonbridge then train to Gatwick, arr 5:30

· Had tea @ Frankie and Bennies (£20), back to hotel @ 7:30

The Pentiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells

Monday 6 October cloudy, 14°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast etc then watched TV

· Left @ 11:00, walked to North Terminal then to South Terminal

· Went to Hilton Hotel and linked into their wireless network, checked emails etc

· Back to hotel then back to Gatwick train station, bought ticket to London

· Train to London Bridge then tubes to Liverpool St

· Walked around streets, put 3 films in @ Snappy Snaps for processing

· Took photo of “Gherkin” building

· Coffee @ Starbucks and looked @ skiing holiday brochures

· Met Sam Reid @ Liverpool St Station @ 5:15 and went to bar for a drink

· Met with Andrew Reid and then Caroline and Paul

· AC went and got photos (£47!)

· Went for tea @ 8:30 to Brick Lane and had a curry

· Back to Gatwick on train @ 10:30, walked back to hotel

The Gherkin, London

Tuesday 7 October partly cloudy, 15°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast etc

· AC went to Hilton to surf net then met Liz @ North Terminal

· Caught bus to Horley (got lost, got off too early) and walked to Thrifty Rentals, arr 12:00

· Picked up rental van (Kangoo, £90 for 3 days) and drove to Horley for lunch @ café

· Drove out through East Grinstead to look @ White Horse Inn @ Holtye. Looks good

· Drove up through Edenbridge then Redhill and back to Gatwick

· Watched planes take off and then around airport

· Back to hotel @ 4:00

· Out again @ 5:30, drove into London (M23, A23 then A3) and to Caroline and Pauls house to pick up bikes and stuff, arr 7:00

· Left @ 7:30 and back south, stopped for tea @ TGI Fridays (£26) in Croydon

· Back to hotel @ 9:30

· Walked to North Terminal to check emails etc, back to hotel @ 11:00

Wednesday 8 October cloudy / fine breaks, 18°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast etc and checked out @ 11:00

· Drove through East Grinstead to Tunbridge Wells, went to Kent and Surrey Hospital to get AC’s cyst on his face looked at again, arr 11:30

· Got seen etc and left @ 1:40 (more antibiotics)

· Drove to Holtye and met Fraser etc @ the White Horse Inn

· Moved into our room

· Out for lunch to Edenbridge @ 3:00, did some shopping

· Back to White Horse @ 4:00, relaxed

· Went in for tea @ 6:30 (free), talked to Yolanda and Riann, paid for drinks

· Back to room @ 8:00, watched TV

Thursday 9 October fine, 18°C

· Up @ 8:00, watched TV etc

· Went into White Horse Inn for breakfast (toast / cereals etc) @ 10:00

· Back to room to brush teeth etc

· Started work @ 10:30, AC worked in the bar, Liz in the restaurant

· Not too busy but lots to learn

· Finished @ 2:30, grabbed a bit to eat then drove to East Grinstead

· Bought shirts for work (AC 2 for £16, Liz £14ea)

· Back to White Horse @ 4:30

· Relaxed then started work @ 5:30

· Finished @ 10:30

· Back to room and bed

White Horse Inn, Holtye, West Sussex

Our room, White Horse Inn

White Horse Inn

Bar, White Horse Inn

Reception looking through to restaurant, White Horse Inn

Fish tank in floor in the reception, White Horse Inn

Friday 10 October partly cloudy, 17°C

· Up @ 8:00, watched TV, had breakfast @ 10:00

· Started work @ 10:00, finished @ 2:30

· Walked around the area, went to look at old Roman Road then back to room

· Work again @ 5:30, finished @ 11:00

Saturday 11 October fine, 19°C

· Up @ 8:00, breakfast then work @ 10:30

· Finished @ 3:00, got a lift into East Grinstead with Yolanda and Riann and went onto Internet in Library

· Booked train to Edinburgh for Monday/Tuesday (£167 rtn)

· Walked around East Grinstead, cab back with Yo and Riann @ 5:00

· Work @ 5:30, finished @ 11:30, had supper and to bed

Sunday 12 October cloudy, 17°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30

· Finished @ 3:30, back to room, then back to work @ 6:30

· Finished @ 10:30, had tea, relaxed

Monday 13 October fine, 15°C - Holtye to Edinburgh

· Up @ 6:00, taxi arrived @ 6:30 to East Grinstead

· Caught train @ 7:00 to Victoria, arr 8:00

· Tube to Kings Cross, waited for train for Edinbugh, had breakfast

· Caught train @ 10:00, arrived in Edinburgh @ 2:30

· Taxi to Spaces storage units, swapped clothes etc, picked up video and DVD etc

· Walked to pub in Leith, had late lunch

· Caught taxi to James Carroll’s flat @ 5:00

· Had tea there and stayed the night

Tuesday 14 October partly cloudy, 14°C

· Up @ 8:00, had breakfast then caught taxi to Cooper Cromar @ 9:30

· Liz went to State Street to see ex-workmates, AC spent time @ CC

· AC got film processed, bought Travis CD

· Met Liz @ 11:30, walked to Waverly Station

· Waited for train @ 1:00, slightly late

· Arrived @ Kings Cross @ 6:00, tube to London Bridge, caught 6:53 train to East Grinstead

· Arr @ 8:00, got taxi back to White Horse Inn

· Had a coffee and relaxed

Wednesday 15 October fine, 16°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 2:30 ( tips for week £21 ea)

· Back to our room to unpack bags from Edinburgh

· Work @ 5:30, finished @ 11:00, tea then bed

Thursday 16 October fine, 16°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:30

· Caught taxi to East Grinstead @ 3:45 (£7)

· Went did some shopping then back to White Horse @ 5:00

· Work @ 5:30, finished @ 10:30

Friday 17 October cloudy, 14°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:30

· Back to our room, Liz slept (flu)

· Started again @ 5:30, finished @ 11:00

Saturday 18 October frosty / fine, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Back to room

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 10:30

Sunday 19 October fine / cloudy, 13°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:30

· Back to work @ 6:30, finished @ 10:00 (4 customers)

Monday 20 October cloudy / fine, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 10:30

Tuesday 21 October fine, 13°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30

· Finished @ 3:30, caught cab to East Grinstead

· Posted Peter’s present, did some shopping

· Had tea @ JD Weatherspoons, then cab home @ 7:00

· Relaxed, into pub for a coffee @ 9:00

Wednesday 22 October drizzle / cloudy, 11°C

· Up @ 9:00, caught cab to East Grinstead @ 10:30

· Caught bus to Crawley (£4 rtn ea), left @ 11:00, arr 11:50

· Went to County Mall, had some lunch then walked around shops

· AC bought Texas CD (£12) and Liz bought Matrix Reloaded DVD using gift vouchers

· Walked to main shopping area and looked around, Liz bought jeans (£18)

· Walked to cinema complex @ 2:00 and went to see “Kill Bill” (£4.50 ea), good movie

· Walked back to shopping area and caught bus back to East Grinstead @ 5:00, then cab home, arr 6:00

· Had tea in the pub then back to room

Thursday 23 October cloudy / fine, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:30

· Work again @ 5:30, finished @ 11:00

Friday 24 October fine / cloudy, 11°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 2:30

· Work again @ 5:30, finished @ 11:30

Saturday 25 October fine / cloudy / drizzle, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Back again @ 5:30, finished @ 11:15

· Daylight saving ended

Sunday 26 October fine / cloudy / showers, 11°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @10:30, finished @ 3:30

· Caught cab to East Grinstead, bought some groceries, walked around then JD Weatherspoons for tea @ 5:00, cab home @ 6:00

Monday 27 October frosty / fine, 11°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 2:30

· Work again @ 5:30, finished @ 11:30

Tuesday 28 October fine, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Relaxed, had tea @ 6:15 in pub

Wednesday 29 October cloudy / drizzle, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, caught cab to Edenbridge then train to Tonbridge then train to Maidstone (£14ea)

· Walked to PX Motors, looked at cars and bought car (1991 Ford Fiesta Bonus, 96,000 miles) for £495

· Drove to shopping mall, AC bought jeans (£25 ea) then walked to town centre

· Back to car @ 2:00, drove back to Holtye via Edenbridge, arr 3:30

· Had tea @ 6:15 in pub, watched “The Matrix: Reloaded” DVD

'91 Ford Fiesta, White Horse Inn

Thursday 30 October cloudy / rain, 13°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:30

· Work again @ 5:30, finished @ 10:00

Friday 31 October fine / cloudy / drizzle, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 9:00, AC cleaned out beer lines, started normal work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:30

· Drove to East Grinstead, did some shopping then back to pub @ 5:00

· Work @ 5:30, finished @ 11:00

Saturday 1 November fine / cloudy / rain later, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 11:00

Sunday 2 November showers / cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:15 (Got paid AC got £300 cause no P45 yet, Liz got £421 (part month))

· Drove to East Grinstead, Liz went swimming then walked around town

· Had a drink @ Weatherspoons then to Ghurka restaurant for curry buffet (£7.95 ea)

· Drove home @ 8:00

Monday 3 November cloudy / windy / fine, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Drove to Tunbridge Wells

· Got tax for car (£60 for 6 months), banked pay, drove to Ford dealer, got extra key for car (£10)

· Drove home @ 5:30

· Tea in pub

Tuesday 4 November partly cloudy, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 2:45

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished 11:00

Wednesday 5 November fine, 15°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00 (mark told us that the pub has been sold, change-over on 24 Nov)

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 10:00

Thursday 6 November fine, 15°C

· Up @ 10:00, left @ 10:00

· Drove through Cowden then to Hever, castle closed till 12:00, so drove to Chiddingstone

· Walked around village then to the Chiddingstone itself, had morning tea in Castle Inn pub

· Walked to look @ Chiddingstone Castle

· Drove back to Hever and went into Hever Castle (£8.40 ea)

· Walked through castle (once Anne Boleyn’s home, now owned by the Astor’s of Waldorf Astoria), very nice

· Walked around gardens, then back to the car and drove to Hartfield and went to Pooh Corner shop and bought some xmas presents

· Drove to Forest Row @ 3:00 and had a bite to eat @ café then back to pub @ 4:30

· Bought golf clubs (second hand £100) from Holtye Golf Club

· Had tea @ 6:15 then drove to Bidborough to look at pub run by White Horse’s new owner

· Back home @ 9:00

Chiddingstone, Kent

Hever Castle, Kent

Hever Castle

Interior courtyard, Hever Castle

Italianate Garden, Hever Castle

Autumn colours, Hever Castle

Friday 7 November cloudy, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 11:30

Saturday 8 November cloudy, 11°C

· Up @ 7:30, watched NZ v Sth Africa in Rugby World Cup, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 11:30

Sunday 9 November murky / drizzle, 10°C

· Up @ 7:30, watched rugby, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:45

· Liz went swimming in East Grinstead, AC cleaned beer lines

· Liz back @ 5:00, into town @ 6:30, had tea @ Wetherspoons

· Did some shopping then back to pub

Monday 10 November murky, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 2:45

· AC went to play golf across road (£5 for 9 holes), finished in the dark @ 5:00

· Into East Grinstead, went to Matrix Revolutions movie (£3.45 ea) @ 6:00

· Had tea @ Pizza Express (£16) then back home @ 9:30

Tuesday 11 November cloudy, 11°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· 9 holes of golf @ Holtye

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 10:30

Wednesday 12 November cloudy, 12°C

· Up @ 9:00, left @ 10:30, drove to Edenbridge, picked up forms from Doctors for registration

· Drove to M25 then to A2 then to Bluewater Shopping Centre, arr 11:30

· Did Christmas shopping, left @ 3:00, drove to Tunbridge Wells

· Went to Post Office and got photos developed

· Drove home, arr 5:30

· Had tea @ pub then back to room

Thursday 13 November fine / cloudy, 11°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 2:45

· Went for a walk down country lanes around pub

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 10:00

Friday 14 November cloudy, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 10:45

Saturday 15 November cloudy, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, watched NZ lose to Aus in world cup

· Work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:45

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished 11:45, very busy

Sunday 16 November fine, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 4:00

· Drove to East Grinstead for tea @ Wetherspoons @ 5:30, home @ 8:30

Monday 17 November cloudy / rain, 11°C

· Up @ 8:00, went to work @ 10:00 to find no-one there. Phone call from boss to say that we were not opening

· Drove to East Grinstead, had brunch, did some shopping then back home @ 1:00, relaxed

· Work @ 6:00, finished @ 10:30

Tuesday 18 November cloudy, 11°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Drove to Edenbridge then through to Lingfield

· Back to Edenbridge, went to doctor to register and have exam @ 4:45

· Drove to Hartfield for tea @ Anchor pub @ 6:00 (£15)

· Home @ 8:00

Wednesday 19 November cloudy, 11°C

· Up @ 8:00, picked up @ 10:30 by Gary Osbourne (local @ pub) and went to Villa Golf course for 18 holes (£15)

· Back to pub @ 2:15, had lunch

· Slept in afternoon then tea @ pub @ 6:30, then back to room

Thursday 20 November cloudy, 12°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 11:00

Friday 21 November rain, 11°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished 10:45

Saturday 22 November rain, 11 °C

· Up @ 8:00, watched World Cup final (England beat Australia 20-17)

· Work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 11:45

Sunday 23 November rain, 11°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 4:00

· Drove to East Grinstead, Liz went for swim @ 4:15, finished @ 4:45

· Walked to Unwins for groceries then to Wetherspoons for tea

· Home @ 7:30

Monday 24 November rain, 11°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:00

· Met new owners (Liz Currie and David Burton) and new managers (Joe and Laura)

· Finished @ 4:00, back to room @ 4:45

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 12:00 (people from Liz and David’s other pubs came over (Wheatsheef @ Bough Beech and Leicester Arms @ Penshurst)

Tuesday 25 November rain / windy, 10°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:45

· Back to work @ 5:30 (talked to David about terms of employment, same as before £550 pcm five days on etc)

· Finished @ 11:30

Wednesday 26 November rain / fine, 11°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast then drove to Edenbridge

· Posted parcels home (£65 for 2 parcels)

· Banked pay (£900) then drove to Redhill, went to shopping area

· Lunch @ McDonalds then to internet café

· Went to Belfry shopping centre

· Drove to SCS and dropped off laptop to be looked at (trouble booting up)

· Drove to Westerham then to Biggin Hill

· Drove to Bough Beech reservoir then to “The Wheatsheaf” (owned by Liz and David) and had a drink

· Drove to Penshurst then back to pub @ 4:30

· Had tea then relaxed

Oops, must have forgotten to type a diary for a couple of weeks!

Thursday 27 November °C

Friday 28 November , °C

Saturday 29 November , °C

Sunday 30 November , °C

Monday 1 December , °C

Tuesday 2 December , °C

· Went to Pooh-sticks bridge near Hartfield, West Sussex

Liz Caldwell on Pooh-sticks bridge

Wednesday 3 December , °C

Thursday 4 December , °C

Friday 5 December , °C

Saturday 6 December , °C

Sunday 7 December , °C

Monday 8 December , °C

Tuesday 9 December , °C

Wednesday 10 December , °C

Thursday 11 December , °C

Friday 12 December fine, 8°C

· up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:30

· AC went to doctor in Edenbridge re: cyst @ 4:10

· back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 12:00

Saturday 13 December rain, 10°C

· up @ 8:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:30

· back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 12:15

Sunday 14 December drizzle / cloudy, 12°C

· up @ 9:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 5:00

· back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Monday 15 December fine, 9°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 11:00

Tuesday 16 December frosty/fine, 7°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Drove to East Grinstead @ 5:00, tea @ Wetherspoons, bought tickets for LOTR: ROTK on Thursday

· Back to pub @ 7:30

Wednesday 17 December fine, 8°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 12:00, finished @ 4:30

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 11:30

Thursday 18 December fine, 9°C

· Up @ 11:30, in for lunch @ 12:00 then drove to East Grinstead

· Did last of xmas shopping (for each other) then went to LOTR: ROTK @ Picturehouse cinema @ 3:00. Out @ 6:45, very good

· Tea @ Wetherspoons (£9 for 2 curry’s and drinks)

· Back to the pub for a drink @ 8:00

Friday 19 December cloudy, 8°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:30

· Drove to East Grinstead, banked cheques

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 11:30

Saturday 20 December rain, 7°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:30

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 11:00

Sunday 21 December showers, 7°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 11:00, finished @ 3:30

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 10:30

Monday 22 December partly cloudy, 4°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Drove to East Grinstead did some shopping

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Tuesday 23 December cloudy / drizzle, 10°C

· Up @ 10:00, have breakfast then drove west through East Grinstead then to M23, south to A264 then east to A24, north to Dorking then west to Shere

· Parked then walked around church then around town (1800’s) then to White Horse Inn for lunch (£15)

· Back to car @ 2:00, drove south through Ewhurst to A281 then to A29

· South to Billinghurst then east on A272 through to Maresfield then north through Hartfield and back to pub

· Had tea @ pub then relaxed

Wednesday 24 December cloudy, 11°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 5:30, finished @ 11:30

Thursday 25 December cloudy, 11°C

· Up @ 8:00, work @ 10:00, finished @ 5:00

· Had staff xmas do incl dinner through to 12:00

Friday 26 December rain, 10°C

· Up @ 12:00, had lunch then drove to Tunbridge Wells, parked and walked around closed shops

· Drove to Bluewater, walked around shops (most open), Liz bought Friends DVD

· Drove back through Sevenoaks, to Penshurst, went to Leicester Arms @ 3:30

· Drove back to pub @ 4:30, had dinner

· Drove back to Leicester Arms to get AC’s jacket, then back top pub

Saturday 27 December fine / cloudy / rain, 10°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Drove to East Grinstead for shopping, back to pub @ 5:00

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished 11:00

Sunday 28 December cloudy / rain / fine, 8°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 11:00, finished @ 3:30

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 10:30

Monday 29 December cloudy, 9°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Tuesday 30 December cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Wednesday 31 December cloudy, 11°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

· Drank with Sam, Andrew, Carolyn and Paul in the bar till 1:30

Thursday 1 January 2004 cloudy / drizzle, 7°C

· Up @ 10:00, had cooked breakfast with Sam, Andrew, Carolyn and Paul

· Drove to Tunbridge Wells @ 12:00, wandered around the shops, AC bought ROTK poster, Ozzy Osbourne CD, Liz bought perfume.

· Walked to the Pantiles then back to the car

· Back to the pub @ 3:30

· relaxed

Friday 2 January cloudy / showers / clear / frosty, 7°C

· Up @ 11:00, had brunch @ pub then drove to Edenbridge, got petrol

· Drove to Marsh Green, parked car and walked through fields, past Starborough Castle and round to Marsh Green, had a drink at the Wheatsheaf pub

· Walked back to car then drove back to pub

· Had tea then started work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Saturday 3 January frost / fine / cloudy, 4°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:30, finished @ 3:00

· Drove to East Grinstead and did some shopping

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 9:30 (very quiet so finished early)

· Watched DVD

Frost on Holtye Golf Course, Holtye, West Sussex

Sunday 4 January cloudy / drizzle, °C

· Up @ 10:00, work @ 11:00, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Monday 5 January cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 12:00

Tuesday 6 January cloudy, 11°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast then drove to Edenbridge, AC went to Hospital for consultation with surgeon about cyst on face

· Left @ 11:00, drove to East Grinstead, did some shopping, Liz bought birthday present for her mum

· Back to pub @ 2:30

· Out for a walk around the golf course @ 3:00, then relaxed

· Out @ 6:30 to Wetherspoons in East Grinstead for tea with Kaitlin

· Home @ 8:30

Wednesday 7 Januray fine, 9°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, finished @ 3:00

· Relaxed in our room then Liz went to East Grinstead with Kaitlin, back @ 6:00

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Thursday 8 January cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, finished @ 3:00

· Relaxed for a while then into East Grinstead, went to Halfords and bought multimeter, then did some shopping and joined Library

· Went to Kings Centre, Liz went for a swim @ 6:00

· Back to pub @ 7:30, had tea etc

Friday 9 January fine / rain / fine, 10°C

· Up @ 10:00, had breakfast then walked southeast to Hartfield along walking tracks (1 ½ hours)

· Had lunch @ Haywagon (£17) then walked back past Bolebrook Castle to pub @ 3:00 (caught in rain just near pub)

· Relaxed then started work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Saturday 10 January cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Sunday 11 January windy, 8°C

· Up @ 11:00, work @ 12:00, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Monday 12 January rain, 9°C

· Up @ 11:00, had lunch then out to Edenbridge

· Banked cheques, posted Liz’s mum’s b’day present, did some shopping

· Back to pub @ 3:00

· Picked up Kaitlin and went to East Grinstead

· Did some shopping, got photo’s developed

· Back to pub @ 5:00

· Work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:30

Tuesday 13 January cloudy, 8°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, finished @ 3:30

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Wednesday 14 January , °C

Thursday 15 January , °C

Friday 16 January , °C

· Liz got call from old work in Edinburgh (State Street) offering her old job back for £24,000

Saturday 17 January fine / cloudy / rain, 11°C

· up @ 10:00, had breakfast then walked to Cowden and had a drink @ The Fountain pub

· walked back up to Holtye and had lunch @ 1:00

· drove to East Grinstead, did some shopping

· back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:30

Sunday 18 January fine / frosty, 10°C

· up @ 9:00, played golf @ Villa, near Blackham, Liz went swimming, then worked

· back to pub @ 1:00, had some lunch

· back to room to relax, Liz finished @ 2:30

· started work @ 6:00, finshed @ 11:00

Monday 19 January cloudy / rain, 9°C

· up @ 10:00, had breakfast then drove to East Grinstead

· Liz went for a swim, then drove to Sainsbury’s to do some shopping

· Drove back to pub @ 2:30, had lunch, then relaxed

· Started work @ 6:00, finished @ 12:00

Tuesday 20 January cloudy / rain, 9°C

· Up @ 9:00, drove to Edenbridge, went to hospital and AC had cyst cut from side of face

· Left @ 11:30 and back to pub

· Had lunch then relaxed

· Tea at the pub then bed

Wednesday 21 January cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 10:00, drove to East Grinstead, caught train to London Victoria @ 12:00, arr 1:00

· Walked past Horse Guards Parade to Piccadilly Circus for lunch @ Burger King

· Went to Air NZ in NZ House and checked out about using airpoints

· Went to Kiwifruits shop, Liz bought lollies etc

· Walked to The Strand then caught tube to Tottenham Court Road and walked along Oxford Street, AC bought Pet Shop Boys “Please” CD

· Liz went to Evans in Regent St

· Walked along Oxford St to Starbucks and had coffee @ 4:00

· Caught tube to Liverpool St and met Sam, Andrew, Carolyn and Paul

· Had drinks then walked to Tapas Bar and had tea (£110 for 6 people)

· Caught tube back to Victoria @ 9:00, caught 10:00 train back to East Grinstead, home @ 11:10

Thursday 22 January cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Friday 23 January cloudy, 9°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, finished @ 3:00

· Drove to East Grinstead for shopping

Saturday 24 January fine, 9°C

· Up @ 10:00, had breakfast then drove to Penshurst, took photos of Penshurst Place then drove through to Tunbridge Wells

· Went shopping, Liz bought new jeans from Evans (£18)

· Back to the pub for lunch @ 2:00 then out to East Grinstead @ 3:30

· Liz bought ear studs then back to pub

· Work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:30

Penshurst Place, Penshurst, Kent

Sunday 25 January fine / cloudy, 8°C

· Up @ 10:00, work @ 11:00, finished @ 6:00

Monday 26 January cloudy, 7°C

· Up @ 10:00, had breakfast, packed bags

· Drove to East Grinstead for shopping and went to Library

· Work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Tuesday 27 January cloudy / light snow shower, 5°C

· Up @ 7:00, taxi @ 7:30 to East Grinstead Station

· Caught 7:48 train to Victoria, then tube to Kings Cross, arr 9:30

· Caught 10:30 train to Edinburgh, arr 3:00

· Caught taxi to storage unit in Spaces (Leith), dropped off stuff and picked up skiing clothes etc

· Taxi to Travel Inn hotel (£49), arr 4:30, checked in etc

· Went to Brewsters next door for a snack then caught bus into town

· Met Gareth and James @ Milnes @ 5:45, had a few drinks then something to eat

· Left @ 8:30, taxi back to hotel and crashed

Wednesday 28 January fine / snow / fine, 2°C

· Up @ 8:00, had breakfast @ hotel then caught bus to town, then bus to Comely Bank

· Looked @ flat in Comely Bank Street then walked to café to have coffee and get out of the snow

· Walked to another flat in Hugh Millar Place then got a ride to another flat in Eyre Place

· Walked up Dundas Street to the Queens Arms pub for lunch then walked to town and checked emails @ EasyInternet @ 1:00

· Liz went shopping, AC went to Cooper Cromar to visit

· Walked around shops then caught taxi to hotel, picked up bag then to train station for 3:00 train

· Left late @ 3:15, arrived @ 8:30 (1 hour late)

Thursday 29 January fine, 4°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, finished @ 3:00

· Back to work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Snow, White Horse Holtye, West Sussex

Snow on Holtye Golf Course, Holtye

Friday 30 January cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, finshed @ 3:00

· Drove to Tunbridge Wells and bought AC’s dad’s birthday present from Blacks (£19)

· Work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Saturday 31 January cloudy / rain / windy, 11°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, finshed @ 3:00

· Drove to East Grinstead and posted AC’s dads parcel (£11)

· Work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Sunday 1 February cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 8:30, Liz work @ 9:00, AC started @ 11:00, finished @ 3:00

· Work @ 6:00, finished @ 10:30

Monday 2 February cloudy / drizzle, 11°C

· Up @ 10:00, drove to Tunbridge Wells, went to The Beacon for lunch (£33)

· Drove to shops in Tunbridge Wells, bought Whale Rider DVD and shopping

· Drove to Wheatsheaf in Bough Beech to see Kaitlin, not there

· Back to pub

· Work @ 6:00, finished @ 11:00

Tuesday 3 February cloudy, 9°C

· Up @ 9:00, AC work @ 10:00, Liz @ 12:00

· AC finished @ 3:00, back on @ 6:00

· Both finished @ 11:00

Wednesday 4 February cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 9:00, work @ 10:00, Liz finished @ 3:00, back on @ 6:00

· Both finished @ 11:30

Thursday 5 February partly cloudy, 9°C

· Up @ 10:00, had lunch then out, went to East Grinstead, did some banking

· Drove to Bough Beech to Wheatsheef, then to Edenbridge

· Back to pub for a rest then into East Grinstead for tea @ Wetherspoons

· Back home @ 8:00

Friday 6 February cloudy, 8°C

· Up @ 10:00

· Liz started work @ 3:00, AC started @ 6:00

· Finished @ 11:30

Saturday 7 February cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 9:00, Liz work @ 10:00, AC @ 12:00

· Liz finished @ 3:00, AC @ 6:00

· Had tea then drinks

Sunday 8 February fine (UK), 9°C / fine (Finland) -24°C

· Up @ 8:00, packed then left @ 8:30

· Drove to Gatwick, checked in to car parking (Summer Special), booked as package with Hilton Hotel (£112)

· Bus to South Terminal and checked in

· Had breakfast then through security etc

· Boarded flight @ 12:15, left @ 12:45

· Flew over Denmark and arr Kittila @ 6:00 (dark)

· Through customs etc and onto Inghams bus for 20 minute drive to hotel (Hotel Sirkantahti)

· Checked in and relaxed, had tea

· Out for a walk around the town @ 8:00, went to Hotel Levintunturi to pick up lift passes

· Back to hotel to relax

Click here for all photos from the Finland holiday

Monday 9 February cloudy, -18°C

· Up @ 8:00, had breakfast then went to Ski shop @ 9:00, picked up skis etc

· Hit the slopes, had lunch on mountain, back to Ski Shop to drop off ski’s in locker then walked to Hotel then to Areena nightclub for Inghams welcome meeting (booked Skidoo Safari and Ice Hotel excursion (€300 total, €140 for Icehotel, €160 for skidoos))

· Back to hotel for tea

Tuesday 10 Febraury fine, -20°C

· Up @ 8:00, had breakfast then walked down to Perhe Safarit for skidoo safari

· Got suited up and then setout @ 10:00, went across frozen lakes etc to reindeer place, had hot chocolates then back to start (30 kms, 2 hours)

· Back to hotel, got changed then to slopes, had lunch then up the mountain

· Caught bus back to storage @ 4:00 (sunset 3:30), Liz bought ski goggles (€30) then back to hotel

· Tea @ 6:30, then rested

Wednesday 11 February fine, -15°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast then walked around town of Sirkka, then down to Immeljarvi (lake) to take photos

· Walked back to hotel then changed and picked up ski’s

· Caught 1:00 free bus to skifield, had lunch then skied

· Liz caught 4:10 bus back to Sirkka, AC skied back, dropped off ski’s then back to hotel

· Had tea @ 6:00, watched northern lights, then back to room

Thursday 12 February snowing / clearing, -8°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast then caught bus to Gondola stop, looked at shops then had hot chocolate

· Caught bus back @ 12:20, went to Hotel Levintunturi for lunch

· Picked up ski’s @ 1:30 and caught bus to slopes

· Skied till 5:00 (last hour under lights) then bus back to Sirkka

· Dropped off ski’s and back to hotel

· Had tea then relaxed

Friday 13 February snowing, -9°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast then picked up ski’s, then caught 11:00 bus to slopes

· Had lunch at slopes

· Caught 4:00 bus back in heavy snow, dropped ski to storage then back to hotel

· Had tea @ 6:00, then back to room

Saturday 14 February cloudy, -1°C

· Up @ 7:00, quick breakfast @ 7:30, picked up @ 8:00 by Inghams bus

· Drove to Kittila then through to Sweden then to Karuna and to Jukkasjarvi to see the Icehotel (arr 12:00)

· Got tour of hotel then lunch @ 1:00

· Walked around hotel rooms after lunch then around hotel

· Back on the bus @ 4:00 and back to Sirkka, arr 8:00

· Had tea then back to room

Sunday 15 February cloudy, -2°C (Finland) / 4°C (UK)

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast, then picked up ski’s (AC swapped ski’s for “blades”)

· caught bus to slopes, arr 10:40

· skied for a while then caught 2:30 bus back to Sirkka

· returned ski’s then had lunch and played on slot machine

· back to hotel @ 4:00, got changed then repacked bags

· had a hot chocolate then waited for bus

· picked up @ 5:15 and then to airport

· checked in etc then through security

· boarded plane and took off @ 7:30, good flight, arrived @ 8:50 (UK time)

· through imigration then got bags then through to Hilton and checked in

· surfed net then back to room @ 11:00

· (money for trip(changed £60 to€88, drew €400, drew €60))

Monday 16 February cloudy, 8°C

· up @ 8:00, walked to Pizza Express in South Terminal for breakfast (£12) then back to hotel

· AC went to get car then back to pick up bags and Liz

· Drove to White Horse Inn to pick up rest of stuff, had lunch there

· Left @ 1:00, drove to M25 then round to M40 then north, stopped for coffee @ Oxford Services then on to Birmingham, arr 4:00

· Tried to get room @ Travel Inns but all full, drove round looking for hotels then started ringing city centre hotels

· Got room @ Novotel (£80 B&B) then dove into town, couldn’t find the hotel, then found it @ 7:00

· Checked in then parked car downstairs, up to room to unload bags then out for tea @ pub across road (Picassos) (£10)

· Wandered along Broad Steet then back to room to relax

Tuesday 17 February cloudy, 8°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast, then packed bags

· Drove out @ 9:30, drove to A41 then followed it through Wolverhampton then northwest

· Drove around Chester then to Travel Inn near M53, dropped off bags @ 12:30

· Drove back into Chester, parked car then walked aroun town centre

· Had lunch, walked down to the River Dee, walked around city walls

· Picked up developed photos then back to car @ 3:30, drove around town then back to hotel

· Checked in and relaxed, tea at adjoining Brewsters, then back to room

Chester, Cheshire, England

Wednesday 18 February fine, 9°C

· Up @ 8:00, had breakast then packed bags

· Left @ 8:45, drove north on A41, drove around Port Sunlight, then to Birkenhead and through tunnel to Liverpool

· Drove north on A59 to Travel Inn near Aintree (Liverpool North)

· Dropped off bags then walked to Old Roan Station and caught train to Liverpool Central @ 10:30, arr 11:00

· Walked around town, walked along London Road, then around shopping area

· Walked to Mathew Street (Cavern Club) then back to shopping area

· Had lunch @ McDonalds and surfed the net

· Walked to Liverpool Cathedral and looked around inside

· Walked down to Albert Docks, had coffee @ Tate Gallery then along riverfront (Mersey) to famous buildings (Mersey, Cunard & Liver buildings)

· Walked back up to Central Station and caught train @ 4:00 back to Old Roan, walked back to hotel

· Checked in then relaxed, tea @ adjoining Beefeaters (£26) back to hotel to relax

John Lennon statue, Mathew St, Liverpool

Liverpool Cathedral

(l to r) Liver Building, Cunard Building, Mersey Maritime Building, Merseyside, Liverpool

Liverbird statues on top of Liver Building, Liverpool

Thursday 19 February fine, 9°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast, left @ 9:30, drove through Liverpool looking for Anfield (Liverpool FC’s home ground) then north on A565 to Formby

· Parked car in National Trust carpark then walked through nature reserve and saw Red Squirrels

· Back to car then drove to pub in Formby for lunch @ 12:30

· Drove east on B5195, then north on A59 then onto A5209 to B5239 to A6 to A676 to A58 round Bolton

· Turned onto A675 over West Penine Moors then onto A574 to A677

· Drove through Preston on A59 to A583 to Travel Inn @ 4:30

· Checked in etc then relaxed

· Tea @ Welcome restaurant @ 6:30 (£17) then back to room

Friday 20 February fine, 8°C

· Up @ 8:00, had breakfast then left @ 9:00

· Drove west to A584 then through Lytham St Annes to Blackpool

· Drove along promenade then east on A586 to A6 then onto M6

· Got phone call from Caroline Darley @ Hays Montrose about job starting Monday @ 3D Architects

· Drove to A6 @ junction 42 then onto A6, to Travel Inn hotel, dropped off bags then went into Carlisle @ 12:30

· Parked car then walked around shopping area, drew money for rent for flat in Edinburgh then had lunch @ café

· Walked to Castle then back through streets to car @ 2:00

· Drove west to Bowness-on-Solway (start of Hadrians Wall) then back to hotel @ 3:30

· Checked in and relaxed

· Had tea @ adjoining Brewers Fayre (£15)

· Back to room to relax

Saturday 21 February fine, 9°C

· Up @ 7:30, had breakfast and left @ 8:00

· Drove to M6 then north to M74 then on A702 to Edinburgh then drove to flat in Fettes Village

· Met Vicky Brunton @ 11:00, and paid deposit and rent for flat (1/27 North Werber Park, EH4 1SY), £600 and £600

· Dropped off stuff from car then drove to Spaces storage in Leith and picked up car load of stuff then back to flat

· Had lunch @ McDonalds then back to storage for more things then back to flat @ 2:00

· Started unpacking

· Went to Safeways for shopping (starting again) £110

· Back to flat and had TV dinner tea, carried on unpacking

Sunday 22 February fine, 7°C

· Up @ 8:00, unpacked, McDonalds for brunch @ 9:30

· Went to Craigleith to get sheets, and cables for tv setup

· Back to flat

· Caught bus into town and had lunch, went to Easyinternet to check emails

· Bought clothes airer then back to flat @ 3:00

· Takeaway curry for tea and relaxed

Monday 23 February cloudy, 7°C

· Up @ 7:45, had breakfast then Liz to work (State Street) @ 9:00, AC to interview @ BAE Systems @ 9:00 with Alan Jamieson

· AC starting work Wednesday, £14.50ph

· AC to Spaces to empty locker, then back to flat to unpack last of stuff

· Liz home @ 5:00, had tea then relaxed

Tuesday 24 February cloudy, 5°C

· Up @ 9:00, Liz to work @ 11:30

· AC pottered around all day

· Liz home @ 8:00

Wednesday 25 February fine / partly cloudy, 4°C

· Up @ 9:00, Liz to work @ 11:30

· AC’s work delayed, no start date

· Liz home @ 8:00

Thursday 26 February cloudy, 4°C

· Up @ 9:00, Liz to work @ 11:30

· Liz home @ 8:00

Friday 27 February cloudy / snow / cloudy, 3°C

· Up @ 9:00, Liz to work @ 11:30

· Found out that BAE job not going ahead, so start looking again

· Went into town @ 5:00 for drinks with guys from Cooper Cromar

· Liz home @ 8:00, AC home @ 12:00

Saturday 28 February fine, 4°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast then into town, dropped of Liz’s phone @ Carphone Warehouse for repair

· Did some shopping, bought fan heater (£7)

· Home @ 3:00

· Liz out to town @ 7:00 drinking, home @ 1:00

Sunday 29 February fine, 6°C

· Up @ 9:00, went grocery shopping then back to flat

· Pizza Hut takeaway for tea

Monday 1 March cloudy, 7°C

· Up 7:00, Liz to work @ 8:00

· Liz home @ 4:00

Tuesday 2 March fine / partly cloudy, 8°C

· Up @ 7:00, Liz to work @ 8:00

· Liz home @ 4:00

Wednesday 3 March cloudy, 9°C

· Up @ 8:00, drove to Bonnyrigg for interview @ Midlothian Council for job

· Back home @ 11:30, Liz to work @ 12:00

· AC got job @ Midlothian DC, £15ph, starting Friday

· Liz home @ 8:00

Thursday 4 March rain, 10°C

· Up @ 7:00, Liz to work @ 8:00

· Liz home @ 4:00

· John and Cel’s baby born

Friday 5 March cloudy, 9°C

· Up @ 7:00, Liz to work @ 8:00

· AC drove to Bonnyrigg to new job (left @ 8:10, arr 8:55)

· Started work @ 9:00, finished @ 4:00

· Drove to Lauder Road and met with Robert Clarke (Clarke Associates) about setting up office in Edinburgh

· Home @ 6:00

Saturday 6 March fine, 10°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast then did housework and then went to Sainbury’s for shopping

· Back home then out to Ocean Terminal, Liz bought stuff for John & Cel’s baby, got photos developed

· Back home @ 2:30

· Had lunch

· Out to get Chinese for tea & Finding Nemo DVD

· Had tea and watched DVD

Sunday 7 March showers, 7°C

· Up @ 9:00, had brunch then out for a drive to Bonnyrigg

· Then back to Inverleith, had coffee and cake then walked through Botanical Gardens

· Home @ 3:00

Monday 8 March cloudy, 8°C

· Up @ 6:45, left @ 7:20, drove to work, arr 7:50

· Left @ 4:15, home @ 5:00

· Liz home @ 8:00

Tuesday 9 March cloudy, 7°C

· Up @ 6:45, left @ 7:20, drove to work, arr 7:50

· Left @ 4:15, drove to Gogarburn, had interview with Michael Laird Architects for job, not right for the position, home @ 6:00

· Liz home @ 8:00

Wednesday 10 March showers, 4°C

· Up @ 6:45, left @ 7:20, drove to work, arr 7:50

· Left @ 4:15, home @ 5:00

· Liz home @ 8:00

Thursday 11 March showers, 3°C

· Up @ 6:45, left @ 7:20, drove to work, arr 7:50

· Left @ 4:15, home @ 5:00

· Liz home @ 8:00

Friday 12 March cloudy, 5°C

· Up @ 6:45, left @ 7:20, drove to work, arr 7:50

· Put in timesheet for 38.5 hours

· Left @ 4:00, home @ 5:45

· Liz home @ 8:00

Saturday 13 March partly cloudy, 7°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast then drove to Peebles, walked around town then had lunch @ pub

· Drove through Lauder then to Carfraemills to The Lodge pub to see Yolanda and Riann (from the White Horse) but they weren’t there

· Drove back through Dalkeith then to Ikea @ 2:30

· Walked around, bought garlic press then had hot chocolates

· Home @ 5:30

· Ordered chinese delivery (£11)

· Out to town @ 8:30 to Fishtank for James Carroll’s birthday (28), left @ 11:30, bus home, arr 12:15

Sunday 14 March fine / cloudy / rain, 10°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast then did housework

· Went shopping to Sainsbury’s, then home

· Relaxed all afternoon

Monday 15 March cloudy, 8°C

· Up @ 6:45, left @ 7:20, drove to work, arr 7:50

· Left @ 4:15, home @ 5:00

Tuesday 16 March fine / cloudy, 9°C

· Up @ 6:45, flat battery in the car (left lights on), left @ 7:45, drove to work, arr 8:15

· Left @ 4:30, home @ 5:30

Wednesday 17 March showers / windy, 7°C

· Up @ 6:45, left @ 7:20, drove to work, arr 7:50

· Left @ 4:15, home @ 5:00

Thursday 18 March cloudy / windy, 5°C

· Up @ 6:45, left @ 7:20, drove to work, arr 7:50

· Left @ 4:15, home @ 5:00

· Out for a walk @ 7:00, home @ 7:30

Friday 19 March rain / snow / fine, 6°C

· Up @ 6:45, left @ 7:20, drove to work, arr 7:50

· Left @ 3:30, home @ 4:00

· Bus to town, had interview @ BDG McColl @ 5:00, home @ 6:00

· Got first pay today

Saturday 20 March fine / showers, 8°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast etc

· Drove to Fort Kinnaird, Liz bought shoes (£29) and AC bought new computer speakers (£40)

· Home @ 3:00, watched Eng vs Wales rugby

· Out @ 6:00, got takeaway chinese and “Man who sued God” DVD

· Back home and watched DVD

Sunday 21 March fine / showers, 10°C

· Up @ 9:00, had brunch @ 11:00

· Out @ 12:00, drove to Livingston, wandered around mall

· Went to Matalan, Liz bought black blouse (£12) then home @ 3:30

· Watched Scot vs France rugby

· Out for tea @ 6:30 to Pizza Express (£20)

· Home @ 8:30

Monday 22 March partly cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 6:30, drove to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 4:15, home @ 5:00

· Liz home @ 8:00

Tuesday 23 March partly cloudy / showers, 11°C

· Up @ 6:30, drove to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 4:15, home @ 5:00

· Liz home @ 8:00

Wednesday 24 March fine / cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 6:30, drove to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 4:15, home @ 4:45

· Liz home @ 8:00

Thursday 25 March cloudy / drizzle / fine, 9°C

· Up @ 6:30, drove to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 4:30, home @ 5:15

· Liz home @ 8:00, back to work @ 9:15, home @ 10:00

Friday 26 March cloudy / fine, 13°C

· Up @ 6:30, drove to work , arr 8:00

· Left @ 3:30, home @ 4:15

· Liz out to town @ 5:00

· AC had McDonalds for tea

· Liz home @ 11:00

Saturday 27 March cloudy, 12°C

· Up @ 7:30, left @ 8:00

· Had breakfast @ McDonalds then drove to M9 and past Stirling, turned off to Braco

· Picked up @ Braco Hotel and to Braco Castle Estate for falconry, arr 9:30

· Met and flew Harris Hawks, Eagle Owl, Perrigrin Falcons and Bald Eagle (gift from Liz for AC’s birthday last year)

· Left @ 1:00, back to Braco Hotel for lunch (£11) then drove to Crieff then through to Perth

· South on M90 back to Edinburgh, went to Homebase to buy some plants etc, home @ 4:30

· Watched Scotland / Ireland rugby

· Out for tea @ 7:30 to Pizza Hut in town (£20), home @ 9:30

· Watched England / France rugby

Sunday 28 March partly cloudy, 13°C

· Up @ 10:30 (switched to daylight saving), had breakfast then out @ 11:30

· Went to Ingliston Markets, watched planes at the airport then drove to Dobbies Garden Centre and bought indoor rose

· Drove through Bonnyrigg to Loanhead and had muffler ripped off the car by a rubber strip across the road

· Drove to Ikea, bought small table and had hot chocolate

· Left @ 4:00, drove back through Leith, home @ 5:00

· Out for tea @ 6:30 to Standing Order in town

· Home @ 8:30

Monday 29 March cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 6:30, drove to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 4:00, went to AA in Straiton and booked car in for repairs

· Home @ 5:00

· Out for a walk @ 7:15, home @ 8:00

Tuesday 30 March cloudy / fine, 13°C

· Up @ 6:30, drove to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 3:15, drove to AA in Straiton, had muffler repaired and tyres replaced (£130)

· Left @ 4:30, drove through town, picked up Liz from shopping, home @ 5:15

Wednesday 31 March foggy / hazy / fine, 9°C

· Up @ 6:30, drove to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 4:00, home @ 4:45

· Liz home @ 5:15 after swim

Thursday 1 April foggy / rain, 9°C

· Up @ 6:30, drove to work, arr 7:45

· Left @ 4:00, home @ 4:45

· Liz in town @ interview with Change Recruitment, home @ 6:00

Friday 2 April rain / hazy / fine / rain, 10°C

· Up @ 6:30, drove to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 3:30, home @ 4:15

· Met Liz @ bus stop @ 8:00, caught bus to town, tea @ Ryans bar (£22)

· Bus home (just before the rain started) @ 9:45

Saturday 3 April cloudy / showers, 9°C

· Up @ 9:30, left @ 11:00

· Walked to Comely Bank and looked in shops then walked through New Town to Ferry Road

· Walked along Princes St, AC bought Muse CD from Fopp

· Went to Princes St Mall for lunch

· Walked to Lothian Road then up to Tollcross, looking at bike shops

· Walked back to Princes St then to Frederick St, caught bus back to Comely Bank @ 3:00

· Liz bought trousers @ op shop (£5) then coffee @ Maxims

· Caught bus home @ 4:00

· Drove to Craigleith, looked @ bikes in JJB Sports

· Drove to Bruntsfield, went to couple of other bike shops

· Home @ 6:00

· Booked tickets to “Monster” movie then drove to Fountainbridge

· Had tea @ Dealto (£25) then to movie @ 8:45, OK

· Drove home @ 10:30

Sunday 4 April fine / cloudy / showers, 10°C

· Up @ 10:00, had breakfast then did housework

· Out @ 12:00, walked to Craigleith, did some shopping then had lunch @ Sainsbury’s

· Went to JJB Sports, bought 2 mountain bikes (Falcon Destroyers, £89 ea) then rode home

· Drove to Hermiston Gait and bought accessories for the bikes then drove to Gyle shopping centre

· Walked around and had coffee @ Marks and Spencer’s @ 5:00

· Drove home @ 6:00

Monday 5 April cloudy / rain / cloudy, 9°C

· Up @ 6:30, drove to work, arr 8:00

· Got rung about work @ Cooper Cromar, got job back @ £15.80ph

· Left @ 4:00, home @ 4:45

· Liz home @ 8:15, then back to work @ 9:15, home @ 10:00

Tuesday 6 April rain / cloudy / rain / hail, 8°C

· Up @ 7:15 (oops), drove to work, arr 8:15

· Handed in my notice

· Left @ 4:00, home @ 4:40, bus to town, worked @ Cooper Cromar from 5 to 7:30

· Home @ 8:00

· Liz home @ 8:15, then back to work @ 9:15, home again @ 10:00

Wednesday 7 April cloudy, 9°C

· Up @ 6:30, drove to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 4:00, home @ 4:40

· Liz home @ 8:15

· Out for a walk @ 9:00, home @ 9:30

Thursday 8 April cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 6:30, drove to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 4:00 (last day @ Council), home @ 4:40

· Caught bus to Cooper Cromar, arr 5:15, worked until 8:00, met Liz @ Yo Below and had tea

· Bus home, arr 10:30

Friday 9 April partly cloudy / drizzle, 9°C

· Liz up @ 7:30 and to work for 9:00

· AC drove to Gorgie and bought new memory chip for laptop

· Bus to Cooper Cromar @ 12:30, arr 1:00

· Worked until 5:00, met Liz and walked to Vue Cinema in Leith Walk

· Met Naty (girl from Liz’s work) and her boyfriend Ben, went to movie “Shaun of the Dead” @ 6:20, funny

· Finished @ 8:15, walked to Guilianos for tea (£25), walked home in the drizzle, home @ 10:30

Saturday 10 April cloudy, 9°C

· Up @ 10:30, drove to Hermiston Gait and returned pannier racks for bikes that didn’t fit

· Out for a ride @ 2:30, rode to Canonmills, bought Pannier rack for AC’s bike then to Stockbridge to get Pannier rack for Liz bike

· Rode home, arr 5:00

· Drove to Comely Bank, got “Love Actually” DVD and chinese takeaway

· Home, had tea then watched DVD (ok)

Sunday 11 April cloudy / showers, 10°C

· Up @ 11:00, had brunch then out @ 2:00, rode through Gorgie then through the Meadows and joined the “Innocent Railway” cyclepath, cycled to Portobello then along shore, through rain, through Leith and back home @ 5:00

· Bus to town to Standing Order for tea @ 7:00

· Home @ 9:30

Monday 12 April cloudy / showers, 10°C

· Up @ 10:00, had breakfast

· Out @ 11:15, rode to Haymarket Station and caught train to Falkirk High (£4 ea)

· Rode short distance to Falkirk Wheel, had lunch and had a look around

· Left @ 1:45, rode onto Union Canal and then rode along canal through Linlithgow etc back to Edinburgh (31 miles), arr 5:45

· Rode home and rested (37 miles total ride)

· Out to get takeaway McDonalds for tea @ 7:30

Tuesday 13 April cloudy, 10°C

· Up @ 7:30, bus to work, arr 8:45

· Left @ 5:30, home @ 5:50

· Liz home @ 6:15

Wednesday 14 April cloudy / windy, 10°C

· Up @ 7:30, bus to work, arr 8:45

· Left @ 5:30, home @ 5:45

· Liz home @ 6:15

Thursday 15 April cloudy / rain, 10°C

· Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 8:15

· Left @ 5:00, bought travel books on Russia and Scandanavia (£33) then bus home, arr 5:45

· Liz home @ 6:15

Friday 16 April cloudy, 11°C

· Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 5:30, walked home, met Liz after work @ 6:15

· Out @ 6:45, bus to town, tea @ Garfunkels (£25), walked home @ 8:30

Saturday 17 April rain / showers / rain, 9°C

· Up @ 9:00, had breakfast then bus to town, went to Sibbald Travel Agent to look @ St Petersburg options

· Walked along Princes St, AC bought CD (Speakerboxx / Love Below), Liz bought bra’s

· Walked to Comely Bank, had lunch @ Maxi’s @ 2:00

· Walked home

· Went to go out @ 3:30, found that our car had been broken into, someone had bent the top of the door frame out, nothing taken. Rang Police and insurance and arranged for repair (£100 excess)

· Walked to Safeways @ 5:30, bought takeaway dinner and some shopping, home @ 6:30

· Quiet night in

Sunday 18 April rain, 9°C

· Up @ 10:00, had late breakfast then out to town @ 12:00, walked down Royal Mile, had coffee and cake @ 1:00

· Walked down to Greyfriars Kirk then past old hospital, through backs streets and looked @ building wher Blackrock are (Liz might have interview Tues for job)

· Walked back to Princes St then bus home @ 3:30

· Bus to Leith @ 6:00, tea @ Wetherspoons, bus home @ 8:00

Monday 19 April rain / cloudy / fine, 10°C

· Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 8:15

· Left @ 5:15, home @ 5:45

· Liz home @ 8:00

Tuesday 20 April fine, 11°C

· Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 8:00

· Left @ 5:00, home @ 5:30

· Liz home @ 8:00, back to work @ 9:15, home @ 10:15

Wednesday 23 April cloudy / rain, 10°C

· Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 8:00

· Finished @ 5:00, bus home, arr 5:30

· Liz home @ 8:00

Thursday 22 April fine, 12°C

· Up @ 7:00, bus to work @ 10:00, arr 10:30

· Finished @ 6:30, bus home, arr 7:00

· Liz home @ 8:00

Friday 23 April cloudy, 11°C

· Up @ 7:00, bus to work, arr 10:00

· Left @ 5:30, bus home, arr 6:00

· Liz home @ 8:00, back to work @ 9:15, home @ 10:00

Saturday 24 April cloudy / fine, 14°C

· Up @ 9:00, bus to Fort Kinnaird to pick up new computer hard drive from couriers (40GB for $75)

· Bus back to town, walked around shops, Liz bought new pink top for work (£16), AC bought Bloc sunglasses (£30)

· Had lunch @ Burger King

· Caught train @ 1:45 for Burntisland, walked to Liz’s cousin Margaret and Edwards place

· Sat in the sun outside, left @ 4:45, walked back to train station and caught train back to town

· Caught bus to Comely Bank and picked up DVD (Kill Bill £15) and Indian dinner from Safeways, walked home, arr 7:30

· Had tea and watched DVD

Sunday 25 April fine, 18°C

· Up @ 10:00, had breakfast and then out @ 11:00 for a ride

· Rode to the Union Canal then up the Water of Leith up to Balerno, arr 12:15 (about 9 miles)

· Rode back down to Spylaw Park and had a picnic lunch in the sun then back home @ 2:00

· Sat in the sun on our balcony then walked to Sainsburys to do some shopping (£28) then walked back home, arr 6:00

· Bus to town for tea @ Pizza Express (£22) then bus home, arr 9:00