Preparing for our London trip

We are off to London this evening (British Airways permitting) for a week of sightseeing. I've taken a few pictures which sum up our preparations for the trip.

First my packing list with an emphasis on camera related stuff:

Then Diane's packing list which has everything else for the entire family:

And then our Sky+ planner:

I have also set up remote recording so I can record Doctor Who which starts next Saturday but isn't visible on our Sky EPG yet.

Then there are 2 things which have happened just before we leave which are frustrating.

(1) Diane and I watched the penultimate episode of Ashes to Ashes last night but didn't have time to watch the last one so we have to wait a week.

(2) I ordered Project Gotham Racing 4 for my Xbox and it arrived this morning, typical. Just when you want something to arrive whilst you are away it comes by super fast delivery. Lewis is playing it just now but we only have a few hours before we really have to leave for the flight.

Watch this space for daily updates of our London trip or as is more likely a load of pictures days after we get back.

John

Harbour Pictures

After dropping Mum at the station on Sunday I went to the other side of Aberdeen harbour and managed to get some real close up shots of some ships. I have included my favourites here.

Wednesday's weigh in was 0.5 kg down on the previous week. On friday I ran for 10 minutes at 6.5mph and 10 minutes at 7mph which is a step up in speed for me and I really felt it. One day soon I'll have to try 20 minutes at 7mph to see if I can manage it.

Halfway, only 7 weeks to go

I have reached 97.5 kg which is exactly halfway between 105 kg and my target of 90 kg. Based on my average progress I have about 7 more weeks to go although I will be on holiday for 2 weeks during that period and won't have access to the gym.

I tried to take some photos on Tuesday but the powers that be here in Aberdeen make it really difficult to take photos of the harbour without a telephoto lens so I didn't take a single shot.

It was Lewis' 9th birthday today so I have some shots from his laser tag party to upload, if anything interesting comes up I'll upload it.

The Joy of Fatherhood

Having got out of bed at 7:30am last Saturday morning and dragged Lewis to his P4 football match the best thing happened.

I really enjoy watching Lewis play for his team (once we have got there!) - the effort he puts, the crunching tackles and blocking crosses with his body. Lewis plays left back which is a unglamourous position made harder by the fact that Lewis is right footed. Lewis' positive spin on the situation is he wants to improve his left foot skills which is a great way of approaching the situation.

Anyway last weekend we managed to get to Aberdeen in time for the match and Lewis' team came from 1-0 down at half time to win 2-1 with a really determined display during the second half. That wasn't the good bit.

In their second match his team was losing 2-0 at half time and Lewis' coach put him up front. Lewis plays almost all his football at left back which is a very different position from up front. Normally his job is to stay with people and stop them getting the ball - in attack you have to look for the spaces and shout for the ball.

Anyway to cut a long rambling post short - Lewis scored to get the score back to 2-1 and although his eventually team lost 3-1 I put it down as one of my favourite matches ever. Seeing him running back to the halfway line so happy with himself was just brilliant.

I love this job :-)