Mr and Mrs McMuffin

rome

Our trip to Rome got off to a bad start yesterday when our flight was cancelled as a result of the Italian air traffic conrollers going on strike for the day. We did not find out about it until we were just about to leave. We decided to go to the airport anyway, hoping that perhaps we could get on to another flight. Ended up having to turn back. As disappointing as it was not to be on our way to Rome, I must admit it was quite nice having what was in effect an extra day to do some of the things at home that we should have done before we set off. It felt like the day was extra long because we had got up so early. Did some shopping and had a lovely big cooked breakfast. Later on we managed to arrange for us to get on a 7.30am flight for the next day. And is how I come to be typing this post while sitting at a computer in Rome. I will write some more later.

in the white room...

It is all a bit scary. I am not sure I understand it, but all the whiteness in the room seems to have created a breach in the space/time continuum, and we have clear view of the Trevi Fountain from our window. I can't explain it, but it is rather nice.

traffic...

The traffic was terrible this morning. I spent 2 hours and 20 minutes travelling only 5 miles. In the end I gave up trying to get to work, and turned around, along with everyone else, of course. I left the house at 8.50am and only got back at 12.40pm. I stopped of at Homebase to buy myself a lovely looking 'Heavy Duty 3 Way Staple Gun' in an attempt to console myself. Not sure what I am going to do with it, but it looks lovely and I am enjoying walking about the house with it dangling from my handcrafted leather tool belt. It staples, of course, but it also uses U-shaped staples for wires, and, best of all, 10-14mm nails. I love it. My only regret is that it is not powered in some way. Well, I must be off. Got things to staple.

By the way, I am sitting here listening to the new Loretta Lynn album produced by Jack White from The White Stripes, and it is excellent. I guess there is a reason why these old ones became famous. I must say that I think Jack White's rockier take on country music suits her voice really well.

sitting here...again

Set the alarm for 5am this morning because I have to get some stuff down for work before I go to court. Woke up at 4.30am and thought I might as well get up. Been sitting here for an hour surfing and smoking and drinking coffee. Must do a bit of work now. By the way, this is Mr McMuffin suffering now.

Before I go, a word of advice, don't become a social worker, and don't let your children do it either. Oh sure, there is the money and the glamour, and you do get to drag screaming children from the arms of their loving parents. There is also the opportunity to appear in court so that lawyers can tear to shreds what little professional credibility you have, and I mustn't forget to mention how special the death threats make me feel. But, no, it's not all like that. Sometimes it is just plain drudgery.

We really need a holiday.

madeira...

I only have time for a quick post. I have been writing a huge report all day and I am determined to keep going until it is finished, no matter how long it takes. But, I just thought I would tell you how much I hate travel companies. I phoned a few of them yesterday trying to get a good deal for our trip to Madeira. Each and every one of them started off by asking me if I had been quoted any prices yet. After I had heard this about a dozen times, I said to the woman, "just tell me how much the holiday costs." She responded by immediately putting me on hold. I disconnected of course. Another offered a great deal. She asked if she could phone me back in a few minutes, so that she could have the time to put our details on the computer. When she phoned back, she told me that the price had risen by £50. Needless to say, I told her to get lost, even though it was still quite a good deal. I hate them all and their cowboy tactics. Could imagine buying a pair of trousers from M&S only to be told when you got to the checkout that the pockets cost an extra tenner. Why can't they just advertise the cost of the holiday?

Anyway, I am now toying with the idea of not booking anywhere until Sunday. I am sure we could get a great deal on a Monday flight. What do you think?

I am losing my sense of humour. I really need a holiday.

feed and weed

I am getting to the age where more than a couple of beers is not a good thing. I'm not much of a drinker by inclination, but when Gypsy Tart nipped round yesterday to say that she had bought me a bottle of Hoegaarden, it would have been churlish to refuse. We had a long night of eating, chatting and drinking but I managed to get up this morning with some energy to tackle the garden.

I can't believe how much it had deteriorated in the last couple of weeks. The 'grass' was more of a shrubbery and the plants needed a good watering. I'm getting sick of digging up the weeds, but don't want to 'weed and feed' it as I worry for our frogs. I know they show happy little frogs in the advert, but the product carries a warning about not using it near to ponds. I cut masses of the grapevine away so that the grapes will ripen properly, but still have loads to do, as we allowed ourselves to be distracted by Ms Ginger Cake and taken to IKEA and Costco. If the weather's good I'll be out there tomorrow, bugger the cleaning.

I am a little disappointed that Mr McMuffin hasn't been able to have the anniversary break he would have liked, but amazed at the sneakiness of Ms Ginger Cake and our boss, who arranged my leave for Monday and Tuesday without my knowledge. Bless them, they didn't even cringe when I was prattling on about some of the stuff I was going to follow up after the weekend. I now have a long weekend to enjoy and prepare me for the next few weeks, where I'm going to be covering a lot of leave and will probably up my swear rate to prosecutable levels.