Around the world in 367 days

Well, we are here!! We were delayed by over an hour leaving due to a problem with the left falange but eventually got going and it was a pretty good flight. It was an overnighter but I never like to sleep on planes as a) I can't, and b) I want to watch all the movies! Qantas do a great thing now where movies are available on demand and with over 50 odd to choose from it was enough to keep me entertained. I wonder if the list of films says anything about me?: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Once, (something else I've forgotten so it must have been rubbish) and Surf's Up.

We've only had 24 hours so far in Bangkok but I really like the place. I don't think it's quite as mad as I'd led myself to believe. We're about 1km from Thanon Khao San which is a bit mad but even on a Friday night it didn't do my head in. There seems to be a Women's Ping Pong Tournament being held there at the moment so maybe that's keeping it a little more chilled. The hotel we are staying is lovely, which probably helps as we settle into life for a year as budget travellers!

There are a ton of temples and Buddha's in all manner of positions so it should keep us entertained for a few more days yet. We're thinking at the moment that we'll probably spend 3 or 4 more days here and then head up to Kanchanaburi to see the River Kwai running under a bridge and just chill there for a bit before we head up into the hills around Chang Mai!!

So far - all is going well!!

Labels: Round The World

Posted by Alexander at 14:40 | Permalink | Comments

Friday was my final day at work before we now go off on our world tour. I had planned on a nice relaxing day, putting my feet up, having a few drinks and saying my good-byes.

However, it ended up being a pretty hectic final day. The few drinks happened but had to wait until the afternoon as I spent the morning looking at some production issues. Then, I started the mountainous task of trying to sort the 9 years worth of crap that I had collected. Eventually, around 7pm, I did get away but the job is only half done so some poor chap will be left with the task of finishing that off, or just binning it all.

It actually was a little emotional when it came to leaving the office, it was only then sinking in that I was know no longer employed. Still, some drinks and dinner after work eased my worries - thanks to JPW, Timidori (with Parmesan) and Francolas!!

I did have 9 good years there and met and worked with some great people. There was a generous collection for which I'm very grateful and will be buying a ruck-sack and some other items for my travels with the vouchers. To the many friends I made there - all the best for the future!

Posted by Alexander at 08:00 | Permalink | Comments

I had spoken too soon when I suggested that my footballing career had come to a sudden and emotional end.

This week I rolled out the tired and weary bones for one last game and the fairytale was realised. A 'perfect hat-trick' (head, left foot and right foot) in a 3-1 win. We won't talk about the 3 other gilt edged chances that went begging but it was a great way to sign off.

Who knows, after some altitude training in South America and 5 months food poisoning in South East Asia I might return a leaner fitter player and pick up where I left off in a years time. Or, I might get a taste for cheap local beer and have to be lifted off the plane using a special crane. 50-50, it could go either way!!

Posted by Alexander at 23:23 | Permalink | Comments

Following on from previous posts:

1. 19:58 - 15 South African's sing their national anthem


2. 19:59 - 14 Englishmen sing their national anthem


3. 20:10 - a non singing Jonny Wilkinson misses the first of a number of kicks


4. 21:45 - South Africa win the world cup

But in all fairness, defending the cup right up to the final is an excellent result for Ashton's boys and provided some great entertainment over the last two months!

Posted by Alexander at 22:00 | Permalink | Comments

And the one thing you would have thought I would be so careful about would be not losing my wallet. Maybe you can see where this post is going but just in case you can't - I managed to lose my wallet.

After turning the house upside down this morning and spending A LOT of time swearing and despising myself I then spent the rest of the morning cancelling the 6 debit and credit cards I had in there. Worse still is the fact that my driving license is also in there and no doubt I'll need it at some point over the coming year. One could only hope that the cards turn up before we leave - but given the current disputes within Royal Mail that seems unlikely.

Then, this afternoon I get a call from the local curry house saying that they have found my wallet!! Hooray - shame the call didn't come before I cut myself off from the financial world!!! On a positive note the curry (from Pepper in North Street Clapham) was very good and it's nice of these guys to keep the wallet safe. They actually stayed open until midnight last night waiting to see if I came back for it. Now I'll have to go back and order some more curried delights with a generous tip to say thanks - shame!!!

But, really worst of all - Deborah has recently imposed a swear jar on me and I said a lot of one pound words this morning!!! However, as the great philosophers say, if Alex says a swear word in the woods and Deborah is out of ear shot does the tree really fall (or something like that!!)? If you don't tell her I won't though she might wonder who painted our walls blue!!

Posted by Alexander at 14:55 | Permalink | Comments

... In ger land!!

Anyone who took my advice would find they had comfortably doubled their money this weekend on the rugby. A mighty chorus from the England boys followed by three of the French players not stretching their vocal chords led to the indiscipline that ultimately led to their downfall.

Unfortunately, again Jonny wasn't giving his all, looking like he had been taking miming lessons from the once great Britney Spears. Although, he kicked the winning points, his general game was again off form. In the next week he needs to spend a bit less time worrying about his over inflated balls and more time working on hitting those high C's!

Didn't watch the football, but seriously doubt whether even half of them looked proud to wear the England shirt during those anthems...

Monty and Habana look a good bet for the final but I stick with my predictions - watch those anthems and if South Africa falter get your money on the England boys. As they say, it's not over till Phil Vickery sings!!!

Posted by Alexander at 09:23 | Permalink | Comments

Excellent performance by the England Rugby team on Saturday to beat the Aussies. And following on from my previous post, did you catch the national anthems? Out of the 30 players who started only one wasn't singing the national anthem - and guess what? - he was Australian. It was a close match and Australia might have clinched it but for this one guy!! Jonny didn't really look like he was putting his all into the anthem which might explain the number of missed kicks!

I wouldn't have fancied our chances much against the likes of Carter and McAllister next Saturday in the semi's but against the French? If our forwards can play as well as they did against Australia and Jonny can bring his shooting boots and singing voice along next weekend then I'd rate us favourites to make the final. Watch the anthems - if a couple of French guys fail to raise their voice then get your bookie on the phone right away.

Though some of their voices make my ears bleed, it's still great to see this before the game and I'm sure all 15 England players will be singing with pride against the French.

In contrast, the England football team are playing Estonia on Saturday afternoon. It's at Wembley, in front of 80,000 fans - it ought to be enough to gee them up. However, I'd put good money on less than half of them bothering to sing God save the Queen. In fairness, I guess most of these players have trouble tying their own laces, let alone attempting sentient thought so perhaps I should give them a break...

Posted by Alexander at 10:39 | Permalink | Comments

Discuss...

Posted by Alexander at 00:00 | Permalink | Comments

Ever since I was a wee bairn I have loved football. School days would usually consist of playing football before school, at lunch time, between breaks and usually discussing it during lessons.

After school, Asa and I would play football in the back garden using the shed as a goal. After a while my parents just stopped replacing the broken shed window! Then I'd go round to Asa's and we'd play 'The Manager' or 'Sensible Soccer' computer games. Home for some tea, check teletext for the scores and then go to bed dreaming of being the next, next Pele. I loved football.

Wasn't life much simpler back then!

Now I find myself increasingly unfulfilled by the sport. As a youngster I idolised the players. I don't think the youth of today have that many decent role models to look up to.

One of my biggest issues is the national team. Kids should be inspired by those representing their country. And not just by their performance on the pitch. It should start with the national anthems. These players should be so proud to play for their countries and should be singing their anthems. The last game I saw, 8 of the 11 were stood there in silence, chewing gum and no doubt thinking what to waste their latest £40k a week pay check on. A couple mouthed along and only John Terry really gave it a go but he still wouldn't get on Stars in their eyes! If they could inject some passion from this point of the game perhaps it could continue and help deliver a stirring performance and go some way to inspiring youngsters to follow in their footsteps.

As a contrast, take the England Rugby team. Tomorrow, of the 30 players representing England and Australia, I confidently predict that only a couple of players will not be singing and the majority will be displaying the pride they have at representing their countries. This pride and passion will undoubtedly continue into the game and though I fully expect the Aussies to win it will be an entertaining game. Rugby still has some problems, gouging and spike tackles just being two examples but generally the sport has more integrity than football. You would never get a Dida like incident on a rugby field!

Football was my first true love and will always hold a place in my heart but I increasingly find myself distracted by another and fear how long I can resist it's charms...

Posted by Alexander at 09:53 | Permalink | Comments

Following on from the retirement of my footballing career I have also decided to hang up the pool cue. It's been a long time since I last did it but on Tuesday I eight balled someone off the break. Not only this but I got a couple of his off the break so technically I ten balled him - it won't get much better than that so it's time to retire. I'll be running out of sports at this rate!!

Posted by Alexander at 12:31 | Permalink | Comments