Heatwave

I can only think that Michael Fish must have been predicting the weather for the forcast I read the day before leaving home. It forcast rain, clouds and very windy almost every day of the long term forcast. Instead it´s been over 30 degrees every day so far.

Last night having spent a couple of hours on the beach and nearly burned my feet on the sheer heat of the sand, despite footwear, I retreated to the balcony of my room. It faces the sun from mid afternoon and means I can get myself a cocktail, work on my tan and still have all the amenities on hand. Plus it over looks the pool so you can look at all the sexy boys!

Come 1800 I was done, so showered, moisturised and went down for dinner in the restaurant. I was done by 2000. Far too early to go out in Gran Canaria. The Yumbo centre doesn´t really get going until midnight. I decided a nap, or rather Siesta was called upon.

I dosed off quite quickly and must have been in a fairly deep sleep as missed both a phone call and a text message. Waking to find it gone midnight. Perfect timing for Yumbo.

I showered, dressed and made the short walk up the hill to the Yumbo Centre and first went into Construction Bar for a drink before it emptied out a bit so ended up in Cruise Bar for a second one. This bar has nothing to do with ships by the way. The only problem with the bars and clubs over here is the lack of air conditioning. It was a warm night and once you are in a bar the sweat is dripping off you.

Leaving at 3:00 AM I found myway to the taxi rank for a short ride home. Was pleasantly surprised that it was noon when I woke. Another pefect blue sky. Not a cloud in site and once more the mercury is pushing at 30. So hot that now just before 1400 I have come in for a break from the sun and some shade. A chance to rehydrate. (Is Vodka Hydrating?).

Will go grab a bite to eat and get back to a nice spot to finish my morning paper and carry on reading the book.

Considering my missions were relax and tan, I am achieving it nicely. Having fabulous break in the sunshine and will look glowing and tanned for James Christening!

Playa Del Ingles

Despite the stampede that is part of the Easyjet way of life it was a pleasant flight. I have never understood why they can´t simply issue seat numbers and board from the rear of the plane. At least they have tonned down the Orange.

I was in Row 3 sat next to a lovely lady called Bridgette. It must have been the company but before I knew it we were landing and its a 4 hour plus flight.

Arrived at hotel too late to really want to do anything but grab a drink and get an early night.

Woke this morning at 1000. Finished unpacking and then went for a walk to the shop and down to the beach. I hadn´t intended going to the beach, just to the edge of the dunes to see the water and come back to the hotel. Some 2.5 hours later having sunbathed the duration on the waters edge I was in dire need of more water and some shade. So much for the weather report. It hit 30 today. I now have a lovely base tan which considering I only have had one days sun is fabulous.

When my water was getting low I made the long walk back across the dunes. It was further than I had remembered. Passed some noisy obnoxious Mancunian gays on the way who had more camp than Christmas and G-A-Y combined. I grimaced at their mincing. Clearly I am a butch gay.

Spent an hour reading by the pool until my poor head was screaming at me for some shade. I made my way to the bedroom and discovered that I could sit on the balcony and sun while head could be out of the rays. Such a difference a pool facing balcony makes. In May we were road facing and had no sun.

Showered, changed and had dinner in the buffet. Half Board saves a fortune and I had a really nice meal washed down with some Sangria.

Tonight probably venture to the Yumbo centre. Does seem odd still being on my own. But my tan is great and I´ve made a good start on by book. Don´t forget your suncreen!

Gran Canaria here I come

I have to admit it was really weird saying goodbye and not having him come with me. I know he went away in July with his friends, but it doesn't make it feel any less odd. I just wish Mikey could have come too. He says he may be allowed next year if business picks up. Mikey, we miss you. Your a computer programmer, you can still do that and can afford holidays then!

Anyway, woke up this morning a little earlier than I had wished,(Must have been the excitement eh?) and having everything packed all I needed to do was wash, dress and decide if I had too much or too little luggage.

Dusan was working until 0100 bless him so was still fast asleep as I made my final preparations and got ready. I did of course wake him to say goodbye and as we hugged and kissed it reminded me of that feeling I had for so long in all those wonder years when he was stuck back in Croatia or on the ship. Still this trip is only for a week. It's funny isn't it how you quickly get into a routine. It wasn't that long ago I traveled the world alone, to the States and back for a four day mini break was all part and parcel. But this time I am going alone with 2 purposes. 1) have the most relaxing chilled time possible so that when I come back I am able to put my all into the project at work. 2) Have a good go at writing the next 10 chapters of the book I have started! I have the feeling the sunshine will give me inspiration, it usually does.

Doh, I should have had three points as the third would naturally be get a tan!

Having said goodbye to Dusan and took that long lonely walk up the garden path on a journey, alone for the first time in years. Was it nerves? Excitement? The buzz of travel? The fear of flying? The fact that we are apart is enough of an emotion. But as they say, absense makes the heart grow fonder. I walked to the bus stop and took the new East London overground to Norwood Junction, then a train to East Croydon and finally a train to Gatwick airport. Then the monorail to the terminal. One was impressed. They have upgraded it to a four car service and was really ultra modern. Not being a part of BAA is a fabulous thing and in the words of D-Ream, things can only get better.

Thankfully the checkin area was quiet and I was checked in and ready to go before you could say Jack Russell. Love the way that you can spot a gay couple a mile off. Not having eaten anything but a nectarine, I decided I would grab some food, but not impressed with the sandwich selection at M&S these days decided to wait till I was airside. (We call M&S Poo shop at work as it's sandwhich selection is just so far from appetising. While I am on the subject of M&S. How on earth did they win Sandwich Retailer of the year and Cheese Retailer of the year. How many M&S's have a cheese counter where you can buy your cheese by the weight? They are all pre wrapped. What were these awards? The M&S Awards? Oh and the award goes to us! Crazy.

Got in the queue for security and strangely it makes you nervous just standing in that line. They make you take off your belt, remove laptop from bag, take out any liquids. It's no wonder you are on a knifes edge by the time you get into the departure lounge.

I have to confess the North terminal is so much nicer than the South Terminal. Better quality dining and you don't feel like you are on stuck in a crowded space. I stopped briefly at the Channel counter to buy a nice bottle of their new fragrance Blue which is divine and then followed the signs for airport lounges. I checked in to the little Oasis of peace away from the hussle and bussle and chaos of the airport and into this private space. Quiet, free wifi, alcoholic drinks and snacks. Of course there are a couple of people you can tell are using the "Lounge Access" offer that even Easyjet sell these days. I would like to remind the lady in the electric pink shell suit that the dress code for the lounge is always smart casual.

I'm sat down now with a nice large merlot waiting for them to call my flight! Hoping for a timely flight, a smooth transfer and will hopefully be checked into my hotel alongside the beach by 2100. All I hope is that the sun shines. They forcast sun and unusually the weather channel displays the words "WINDY" where there is usually cloud, rain or sunshine icons. It says sunny and Windy. I'm guessing the beach will be like a sandstorm if it's that windy, so am grateful my hotel has sloping grounds which protects it mainly from the wind. Here's hoping it's a bon Voyage! Oh and Happy Birthday Richard!

Gills Birthday Bonanza

Wednesday was Gill Edward’s birthday (21 again) and in celebration Miss Mews & Mr Love were joining us for dinner and the first chance to meet Gill’s boyfriend that she had been dating many months now. It must have been quite nerve racking for him meeting so many of us at the same time.

David was delightful and you could literally see the joy he brings into Gill’s life and how happy she has been since she met him.

We met in Café Boheme in Old Compton Street and then headed over to Balan’s for dinner. We had a table reserved at the back in what always looks like the VIP area anyway. As David had never been before we told him it was strictly for VIPs. Our waitress, Elizabeth Camilla, looked after us Royally. But with two Royal names one would expect so. It makes a refreshing change to have someone so attentive and really cared about ensuring we all had a fabulous evening.

The only problem I have with Balan’s is ever having something other than the Thai Chicken Curry, which is so divine I order it virtually three quarters of my visits there. That said if it’s early, they do make a fabulous Egg’s Benedict.

Talking of eggs, my boss bought me in some of his home chicken’s eggs. I was told the shells and whites are particularly thick and that as such they would be perfect for poaching. He was right. They were delicious for breakfast yesterday. Thanks Ian.

Back in Balan’s, our server had picked up on the birthday and Gill’s dessert came out with a light candle and all of the VIP section joined in singing Happy Birthday.

David then was very naughty and paid for us all. It was very sweet of him and will find a suitable thank you to put in the post. Most of all, it was great to celebrate Gill’s birthday with close friends and so very nice to see the man that makes Gill so very happy. Happy Birthday Best Girl.

London Fashion Week

This week saw the return of London Fashion week when not a day passes without them talking about the fashion trends of the moment. Watching the catwalks on television was as close as I ever got. But for the past couple of years I have thankfully been invited by Neil & Jasper to view his latest fabulous collection.

You may recall Jasper Garvida who won Project Catwalk in the UK a couple of years ago. He is my good friend, Neil’s, partner, and as such I get an invite on occasion to go and view his latest collection as part of London Fashion Week.

The invites arrived in the week and I had invited Steph and her son Alex who is currently studying fashion. They arrived in a taxi about 10 minutes after I arrived at the venue. The Masonic Grand Lodge near Holborn. We stood outside for not more than a couple of minutes when one of the ushers asked if anyone had tickets. I was quite surprised that we were the only ones holding tickets and how few followed us through to the hall where we were asked to wait for a short while. It was an elegant ornate hall with intricate detail. Two televisions played London Fashion Week news and a glass cabinet held a dress on the far side.

Within five minutes we were ushered through to the catwalk. Our tickets being those with the green dot, meant we were ushered to some of the best seats, right in the middle of the catwalk. As the room filled I felt like I was Ugly Betty. No not unattractive but completely alien to these people whom to, fashion was everything.
Rarely do you see so many attractive people in the same room. Yet also so many fashion faux pars. But like I say, what would I know? It’s the gay gene I lack. The fashion & interior design one. No one has it all eh?

It was more than fifteen minutes after the scheduled start time that the show, sponsored by Miele , started. The lights dimmed, the sound of the music, provided by Alex Baker, boomed and the models made their way, dressed in Garvida , down the catwalk. His catwalk to me has Aztec tones and shades of Brown, Pink, Purple, Gold & Silver. All of the models wore bobs in white or pink, which to me, looked like a candy floss. I was tempted to buy one and stick it to my shaved head. Huh, howeasy is fashion to me .

Jaspers collection was amazing and the audience seemed to appreciate it. I really hope this is the one that kicks off the sales and he can really make it into his dream. In the mean time thanks to Neil & Jasper for the tickets and thanks to Steph & Alex for coming with me.

We ended up at Belgo’s for dinner and was home by 1030. Happy London Fashion Week!

Bletchley House

Once a year I go for a day trip somewhere different with my dear friend John Stratman. We have done a fabulous lunch at Harvey Nicholls Restaurant (not the Bistro), to a day at the Secret Nuclear Bunker, Kensington Palace and the Albert & Victoria Museum.

This year it was Bletchley House, the National Codes Centre. John having a keen interest in history took me around on a private tour, starting with the Enigma machine. A device that looked like a typewriter with ports plugged into it much like a server. These ports could be changed to change the code. Further more, across the top there were three dials which could be turned. There was a chart which indicated which setting each dial should be for each day of the year. And back during the war the Germans would send out their instructions on where their advances would be made via this machine.

It was on the site of Bletchley Park that during the war the code breakers finally broke the Germans code and thus were able to give us the upper hand. Of course, despite intercepting the messages and knowing what was going to come, they sent reconnaissance planes so that it looked like they found out that way.

Eventually they were able to use old GPO Parts as they were switching things from manual telephone exchanges to automatic so there were all these valves and switches that could be used to make a machine called Colossus which was able to read the messages intercepted from the Germans and eventually work them out. Colossus was effectively the world first computer. We also learned about Ian Flemming, who worked there and would eventually go on to write the books about a certain James Bond.

There was a huge hut that was filled to the rafters with Winston Churchill memorabilia that was all a Private Collectors exhibit. There was another collection of War Time radio’s and I got to try my hand at patching out a Morse Code Message on a Telegraphy machine.

It made me realise that these collectors, who were both present and happy to answer questions had spent their lives collecting these items. I can’t help but feel, that looking at the collections and seeing how passionate they were about them. The Winston Churchill collector said to us that it’s his personal collection, so feel free to ask any questions. Bless him.

From there we made our way to the History of Computers where I had reminisce looking at the Acorn Electron, Sinclaire Spectreme, Commodore etc. A room where they had servers as big as a washing machine that could hold 300MB. How times move on.

We had a lovely day discovering the code breaking secrets but most of all it was lovely to spend some time with John. I hope one day I can take him to a place where I know the story.

Tube Strike

Once aqain the Unions are determined to bring this country to its knees. Its almost crazy as you remember how delicate the economy has been and how we are now recouvering from the worst recession in a generation the unions are out for blood like it were 1970 all over.

Having virtually destroyed British Airways and with this morning even more strikes threatened by Unite for passengers flying over the Christmas period. Of course their timing is wise. December 12th - December 25th is one of only a few high season times where fares can be at their highest. By simply threatening a strike BA will loose Millions in potential revenue.

Meanwhile our magnificent Tube Service is up in arms over not actual but potential cuts in the future as Whitehall and the UK as a whole face cutbacks of 25-40% in every department to pay off the crazy excesses of New Labour - the party that bought equality at the price of bankruptcy.

At five PM the strikers started a series of what they call one day events only starting at 5 or 9PM mean that at least 36 hours of problems incure. All because TFL, (Tranport for London) and the tube manegement think it right to Axe 800 ticket counter staff who are 3 or 4 staff per office. Do I feel unsafe at Deptford station on my way home? No, not really. Is it staffed? No? Can we afford to go on paying over 30K for these people in such times of cut backs? No. Its not as if a single job cut is announced but the fact that the unions want to bring us all to our knees. So in the mean time I had to leave work early, will face lengthy delays in getting to work tomorrow and all because of Bob Crow and his union who seem to not so much represent the Union members but his own beliefs.

I have a dear friend, Mark, who works for the Underground. His been complaining his shattered as always has to work overtime. Infact the strike starts with an immediate overtime ban. What kind of operation has to rely on overtime to provide basic cover?

Like BA, its seems crazy. How can BA go on paying more than double other airlines pay? Will Unite send BA under? They cant sustain over £500 million losses every year.

Sometimes I think it would be best for BA to replace all their staff. Train new ones and get them ready then say "Goodbye" to the lot that are stiking.

In an era where just having a job is an effort alone with so many axed due to cut backs, why cant the unions be happy their people have a job? I know Londoners don't have sympathy for them. Maybe the tube upgrades will eventually get us driverless trains like on the DLR and we can save some money on the sevice. Maybe one day we can get rid of the little gate side Hitlers who are far from customer serviced. Another case of Only in England eh?