I am currently "enduring" my enforced annual monthly sabbatical in San Pedro de Alcantara my second home, a part of the world I have been visiting for (I hate to say), over 30 years!!
An awful lot are said about the Spanish but I tell you what there is nobody I have met in the UK in the hospitality industry that could do what the chicos and chicas do on Guayaba beach. They do a 12-5 shift then shower and change then do an 8-2. Yes that is in the same day. And yes it is 7 days a week!! Oh I forgot they work 12-8 on Sunday with no night shift. So that's only a 74 hour week. Well that's do-able I hear you say but these guys do it on sand and in 85degrees at the least! Good news I know them well so I get a sneaky cepito every now and again.
The food is great it is cooked in full view and a friend I know who is a chef says it is the best Chiringuito food on the Costa!
So it's not all bad! However I have looked forward to Friday 12.30. Why? Cos that's when the factories shut! I have had at least 6 calls a day so its been a bit of a busmans holiday, however I have a better view and a cerveza in my hand compared to when I am in Tipton.
Anyway the reason for the post.
This year in Spain I have decided that I will not be such a lazy bloater as in previous years. So I purchased at large cost, 2 tennis racquets and Matt (13 year old son and I ) endeavoured to play tennis. Jeez at 7 pm it was murder, at 10 am it was murder, we haven't played as much as planned! So let's purchase mountain bikes I say so we can cycle every day! Good plan Batman ( I use the dark knight analogy as the new JB motor purchased just before hols has Been knicknamed the bat mobile by my employees.)
We purchased one second hand one and waited for El Corte Ingles to get a bike with a deal. Anyway last night we go on a speed boat with friends who have a doughnut that you pull behind the boat. Matt had a good ride so my turn. Looking very suave in my life jacket I enter the doughnut, the line goes tight, I hold on we pull away, next thing I know I do a reverse 360 that Tom Daley would be proud of as the cover rips and I end up in a jellyfish ridden Mediterranean!! Sore back but ok. So today weather not good and son persuades me to buy second bike - for me! Get it back ok, then Mrs B suggests we ride she drives to a bar for lunch. No problem lungs a bit bursting but just thought of Overgraduate training and felt next step Triathlon! coming back handlebars come loose so brakes upside down! I get to within 20 yards of the flat and brake, holding front brake too hard front wheel does emergency stop, JB does a forward 360 over the handlebars onto the Tarmac . Still hurting tonight, bruises just coming out. So. Just a side 360 to complete the triple. Thoughts of Olympics, triatholon and stunt rider have been mentioned. Let's see!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Bet you have wondered where I have been?
Well perhaps not!
It's been a crazy 6 months and I now find myself at my retreat in Espagna trying to become normal again.
It has been really crazy and stressful since my last post all those months ago. So what has bee going on. As last posted business was really busy it then went crazy! Don't get me wrong I am not complaining but to put it into perspective we have gone from last years lowest month to this years biggest month so far by a factor of 4!! Yes a factor of 4! That is some mean feat in manufacturing I can tell you. Everything is straining the pips are past squeaking, everyone's nerves are fraying but we are not complaining that's for sure. The art is trying to keep everyone happy and to choose when to supply what to whom. A new customer bringing loads of business to place with no money is a real challenge!
Factor in the people problems and it's been a real test.
No wonder my head has been about to explode. Big thanks and credit to all those around me they have been great.
Apart from that we have seen a very sad dissolving of the football team we have run for 7 years for the little chap, thanks to all those parents who said they were loyal and turned out not to be, the last lad standing who may not get football next season is my son and he has done nothing wrong, neither have we apart from give your child consistent enjoyable football. Good luck.
The annual pilgrimage to Dunmore came and went and was as always a tremendously enjoyable time despite the weathers best efforts to spoil it all. Met some lovely people played some average golf had some great food and wine.
So now I find myself in Spain can't believe it's 12 months since I was last here, much quieter this year and not as much fun, personally things not great but the house is being given a makeover by Mrs b for some reason, must be a mid life crisis!
The Olympics are here and I wish everyone would stop downing on the athletes who haven't perhaps achieved to where the press thought they should. I am sure they have spent the last 4 and more years preparing to the best of their ability and gave it their all on their day so lay off and respect the fact they had the ability to get in the frame!
Well after such a long lay off I may be back soon.
Cheers all!
It's been a crazy 6 months and I now find myself at my retreat in Espagna trying to become normal again.
It has been really crazy and stressful since my last post all those months ago. So what has bee going on. As last posted business was really busy it then went crazy! Don't get me wrong I am not complaining but to put it into perspective we have gone from last years lowest month to this years biggest month so far by a factor of 4!! Yes a factor of 4! That is some mean feat in manufacturing I can tell you. Everything is straining the pips are past squeaking, everyone's nerves are fraying but we are not complaining that's for sure. The art is trying to keep everyone happy and to choose when to supply what to whom. A new customer bringing loads of business to place with no money is a real challenge!
Factor in the people problems and it's been a real test.
No wonder my head has been about to explode. Big thanks and credit to all those around me they have been great.
Apart from that we have seen a very sad dissolving of the football team we have run for 7 years for the little chap, thanks to all those parents who said they were loyal and turned out not to be, the last lad standing who may not get football next season is my son and he has done nothing wrong, neither have we apart from give your child consistent enjoyable football. Good luck.
The annual pilgrimage to Dunmore came and went and was as always a tremendously enjoyable time despite the weathers best efforts to spoil it all. Met some lovely people played some average golf had some great food and wine.
So now I find myself in Spain can't believe it's 12 months since I was last here, much quieter this year and not as much fun, personally things not great but the house is being given a makeover by Mrs b for some reason, must be a mid life crisis!
The Olympics are here and I wish everyone would stop downing on the athletes who haven't perhaps achieved to where the press thought they should. I am sure they have spent the last 4 and more years preparing to the best of their ability and gave it their all on their day so lay off and respect the fact they had the ability to get in the frame!
Well after such a long lay off I may be back soon.
Cheers all!
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