What a great weekend! The weather was fantastic so I had to make the most of it! An action packed weekend with so many highlights I am struggling on where to begin and where to begin from. As our Chinese meal had been replaced with a barbeque at Kev’s I had a bit of a dilemma. Turn up early or watch Doctor Who and get over to Reading for around 8pm. I was actually later than that but never mind. I swung by Emmer Green, picked up Pav and Em and then headed over to Kev’s. Andy, Helen, Andy, Nicola and Kev’s house mate José were already there out in the back garden with a stack of food. The barbeque had been on for a few minutes, Kev was just about to serve up! Perfect timing. After a few burgers and drinks, we just relaxed and talked as the sun set in the background. A quite pleasant civilized way to spend a Saturday evening. I must say Poole was bang on form. I had hoped to leave around 11pm, and remember checking my mobile and it was about quarter past eleven. Next time we checked, as we were about to leave it was nearly quarter to one. Where had the time gone? José and Kev demolished a packet of Jaffa Cakes which now come in orange packaging instead of transparent. It was then Poole came along with the teacher impression, her one reason for ever going into the profession (if she ever did, no chance now). “Full Moon… Half Moon… Total Eclipse!” UK readers will remember the advert but I have not been able to find the original on You Tube. Only really poor mobile phone quality imitations, not worthy to even be discussed. I was in stitches as I drove back home. It was long gone 2am before I got to sleep. I wondered if I would have the will power to get up at 7am to go to the gym. My alarm went off (my mobile phone) but I just switched it off again and put it back on the window sill. A little while later I eventually dragged myself out of bed. I had some breakfast and then got ready and was in my car just after 7.30am, I was proud of myself to be heading for an early morning work out. I checked in at exactly 8am and completed my program at 8.55am. One task off the list for Sunday, plenty more to go. I got home, got ready and was out the door at 10am on the dot. Piano lesson, I cannot remember which number it is but it has been a full month since my last one. At 12:10pm, I had to rush off from my lesson back onto the M40. TomTom device stated an ETA of 13:00 on the dot. Perfect. I hit the motorway in no time and wondered how bad the car looked, even though I had washed it yesterday. When I got to Hussein’s house, I parked up and thought he would be itching to get out of the door. When I knocked on the door it was not answered by Hussein but his sister. He was still getting ready so I waited a few minutes before we headed on our way. I hit the motorway and headed down the M40, then A404 before M4 then A429(M) and finally Reading. I parked up in the Oracle and we went to get some food. We decided upon Nando’s in the end, it was very busy but we opted for a table inside rather than out. I text Pav while Hussein ordered and he said the car would be ready in forty-five minutes. Great timing once again, we could head over once we had eaten. Hussein needed to go to the cash point so we headed across to the other side of the Riverside. While he fought with the Natwest ATM, I saw a golden opportunity. There were two Passport photo booths, but did I have enough time? After my friend had tried all four wholes in the wall, he decided to call his bank. I opted to get my passport photos done ready for the renewal. (It has been on my list of things to do for a while but I am glad I got it done). Next door was a memory vending machine. No, I have not been taking the happy pills, it truly was a memory vending machine. From Kingston, I can understand that it is a good idea, you always run out of digital media at the most inconvient time. However, even with the relatively competitive prices, I did not exactly see a queue and the items flying out of the machine. I got my photograph, Hussein finished speaking to the useless call centre staff and we headed back to Pav’s. As we arrived, Pav was finishing off the last few touch ups.

Pav took a few final pictures but we thought it best to find a venue for a photoshoot which made the most of the bright hot sunshine. Pav recommended going over towards Oxford. He knew an old pub in the woods. He wanted to give his M3 a run out so we drove in a convey of two. I was in the Mazda with Hussein. He had put on Number Ones on his Empeg. He had started by playing one of my favourites Human Nature. (I am listening to it now on WinAmp but it does not sounds the same as it did some six hours ago, in Emmer Green in the afternoon heat.) We drove off eventually (after Pav had changed) heading onto the A4070 but took a right down a country road. Then up into woodland area, we passed a single track road which was sign posted as a dead end but Pav continued up to the pub. However it was closed and boarded up. We turned around and headed back on ourselves and into the pub car park. Not idea location for photographs but I took a few. Hussein then took the lead and headed down the single track lane. I was a bit apprenhensive, particularly as the lane headed for a sharp dip and incline. As we got to the end of the road, we found some cottages and a further road which perhaps just took you to the farmer’s barn. We turned around and opted to stop and take some photos. We managed to take a few before having to stop, I have uploaded them over to FlickR. However a Jaguar XF appeared (from somewhere) and we had to move on before perhaps been escorted off the land by the authorities. It was a shame because the environment was perfect for some car shots. The sun light dripping through the breaks in the trees. Never mind, I suppose we just need to find a more convenient location that is not someone’s extended drive way. We then made a swift exit and although we did stop around the corner, Hussein decided to head back home, it was gone 16:30. I jumped in Pav’s M3 and he drove me back to his place. I promised him a big blog update, so here it is. I then got into the A3, put on my sunglasses, put the climate control up and switched over to 909 on the medium wave to find out who had been relegated and if Chelsea had defined all the odds and pipped Manchester United to the title. Sure, I know as a football fan I should have been listening since 3pm sharp but with Arsenal out of the running there was nothing to really listen out for. It was exciting to listen to the last few minutes, particularly when Reading scored their fifth goal against Derby but it was a done deal at the top, even before Bolton equalised at the Bridge. All I can say is roll on August. (It’s the 9th the journey starts again?) No, actually that is the date the Football League returns, we have to wait another seven days for the Big Boys! A really great weekend on two levels. Had a good time seeing my friends on both Saturday and Sunday but I also completed everything on my list. I got to the gym this morning, I got my photographs printed and I washed my car. Okay, so not many big tasks but as the Post Office says, it is the small things that make the big things happen! It was good to be able to pack so many events into the 3239 minutes (or rather 53 hours). Next weekend might be a little less busy but not any less exciting but for completely different reasons.