Steve from England

Yes, good question, why didn’t I think of that? Oh, I did, silly me. The trouble with this blog is that I tend to only write stuff that is bothering me or that had some sort of emotional impact on me so what ends up here can make it seem like I am a miserable old git hopelessly seeking thing I can’t get and chronically depressed. As it happens, that isn’t the case and partly because of this blog. As I wrote yesterday, if I write something down it does something to my thought processes and either I stop worrying about it or I just somehow feel better able to deal with it, it wouldn’t work if I didn’t know someone was reading though, that would be pointless and I just as well write notepad files! On the whole I am quite happy with my life. I have a lot of good memories and a lot to look forward to. I am quite sensible, I know shit happens so there is no point dwelling on that too much, deal with it and get on with the good stuff. Compared to some I am very lucky. I have loads of friends,

Yes, good question, why didn’t I think of that? Oh, I did, silly me. The trouble with this blog is that I tend to only write stuff that is bothering me or that had some sort of emotional impact on me so what ends up here can make it seem like I am a miserable old git hopelessly seeking thing I can’t get and chronically depressed. As it happens, that isn’t the case and partly because of this blog. As I wrote yesterday, if I write something down it does something to my thought processes and either I stop worrying about it or I just somehow feel better able to deal with it, it wouldn’t work if I didn’t know someone was reading though, that would be pointless and I just as well write notepad files! On the whole I am quite happy with my life. I have a lot of good memories and a lot to look forward to. I am quite sensible, I know shit happens so there is no point dwelling on that too much, deal with it and get on with the good stuff. Compared to some I am very lucky. I have loads of friends,

It's been troubling me for some time ... why it is that it is always assumed that being gay is just about sex? I love being with men but sex isn't what does it for me. I just feel more comfortable around men. I like hugs and kisses and being tender with a man. I mean, sex can be great but why do guys automatically assume that it has to end in sex? This pain thing I currently have has got me thinking about it more because I am also thinking what maybe I can't do as easily as I would like, more accurately, what I may like to do to someone else. It bothers me that I could be less of a person because I can't perform as well as I would be happy performing. What upsets me more though is that I may not be able to give pleasure to someone I really care about, yes, you know and the rest can guess. So, if that doesn't happen, well, it's OK by me it doesn't have to. If it does and it somehow turns out to be wonderful, then, well, enough said. Why write it here? Becaus

It's been troubling me for some time ... why it is that it is always assumed that being gay is just about sex? I love being with men but sex isn't what does it for me. I just feel more comfortable around men. I like hugs and kisses and being tender with a man. I mean, sex can be great but why do guys automatically assume that it has to end in sex? This pain thing I currently have has got me thinking about it more because I am also thinking what maybe I can't do as easily as I would like, more accurately, what I may like to do to someone else. It bothers me that I could be less of a person because I can't perform as well as I would be happy performing. What upsets me more though is that I may not be able to give pleasure to someone I really care about, yes, you know and the rest can guess. So, if that doesn't happen, well, it's OK by me it doesn't have to. If it does and it somehow turns out to be wonderful, then, well, enough said. Why write it here? Becaus

I travelled up to Sheffield with Robin today to see Mary and Sue and they are lovely, exactly my sort of nutters. I found it a little awkward having to tell them that I could not promise to go to Florida with them next October; they seemed to be certain I was going along with them. The fact it, there are too many things I just don’t know the answers to. I don’t know when Jermaine will go full time residential, I don’t know if I will be in college, work or at home. I don’t know how this arthritis (if that’s what it is) is going to affect me because it seems to get a little worse daily. I also have no idea how much money I will have to spend on anything as bold as a Florida holiday. I mean, if anyone can find the money it’s me but it’s by no means certain. I don’t know how well my friendship with Martyn will hold up either. He knows how I feel which may have been a mistake on my part so I half expect at any moment he will go into severe freaked out mode and that’ll be that. For my part,

I travelled up to Sheffield with Robin today to see Mary and Sue and they are lovely, exactly my sort of nutters. I found it a little awkward having to tell them that I could not promise to go to Florida with them next October; they seemed to be certain I was going along with them. The fact it, there are too many things I just don’t know the answers to. I don’t know when Jermaine will go full time residential, I don’t know if I will be in college, work or at home. I don’t know how this arthritis (if that’s what it is) is going to affect me because it seems to get a little worse daily. I also have no idea how much money I will have to spend on anything as bold as a Florida holiday. I mean, if anyone can find the money it’s me but it’s by no means certain. I don’t know how well my friendship with Martyn will hold up either. He knows how I feel which may have been a mistake on my part so I half expect at any moment he will go into severe freaked out mode and that’ll be that. For my part,

We have some heavy snow here and ... some sunshine. Do we get some sort of weird rainbow? The temperature is currently just above freezing so it is settling but I suspect it will be all but gone by tomorrow if it lasts that long. My only real concern is that the roads are clear enough later to get Jermaine back into respite as I don't have time tomorrow to do it really. I hope too that the roads are clear tomorrow as Robin and I are meant to be headed off north to be socialable. I am still not really sleeping. I suspect it is the joints causing me grief but when I am aware I am awake at night I also get the feeling that I have been laying there like that for some time, more resting than sleeping and it is not doing me any good. I am having trouble concentrating, simple things like adding up I am having trouble with and it's a little scary. After the holidays I shall go see the doctor again and see if I can't get something to make sure I sleep and see if that makes a differe

We have some heavy snow here and ... some sunshine. Do we get some sort of weird rainbow? The temperature is currently just above freezing so it is settling but I suspect it will be all but gone by tomorrow if it lasts that long. My only real concern is that the roads are clear enough later to get Jermaine back into respite as I don't have time tomorrow to do it really. I hope too that the roads are clear tomorrow as Robin and I are meant to be headed off north to be socialable. I am still not really sleeping. I suspect it is the joints causing me grief but when I am aware I am awake at night I also get the feeling that I have been laying there like that for some time, more resting than sleeping and it is not doing me any good. I am having trouble concentrating, simple things like adding up I am having trouble with and it's a little scary. After the holidays I shall go see the doctor again and see if I can't get something to make sure I sleep and see if that makes a differe

Yep, Christmas 2005 is over, that'll be 42 Christmas's I have had so far. Next week we have a week of nothingness, that period when nothing really happens because most of the country is either off work or doing sod all because their manager is off in the Bahamas. All I really have to do this week coming is to get Jermaine back into respite. I may also decide to remember which day my car is due for it's MOT which is 'Thursday' and not 'Tuesday' as I keep thinking it is. We didn't do Christmas presents because Jermaine really cannot handle Christmas and he proved as much over dinner when he came down with Temi and Johnson to join us. He did eventually calm down and fortunately, he was not aiming at us lot so it was more observational than intrusive. I rose the Johnson's challenge of providing enough food, he was quite stuffed by the end of the meal and Temi was not shy in coming forward with the food portions. I am quite glad that Jermaine proved my po

Yep, Christmas 2005 is over, that'll be 42 Christmas's I have had so far. Next week we have a week of nothingness, that period when nothing really happens because most of the country is either off work or doing sod all because their manager is off in the Bahamas. All I really have to do this week coming is to get Jermaine back into respite. I may also decide to remember which day my car is due for it's MOT which is 'Thursday' and not 'Tuesday' as I keep thinking it is. We didn't do Christmas presents because Jermaine really cannot handle Christmas and he proved as much over dinner when he came down with Temi and Johnson to join us. He did eventually calm down and fortunately, he was not aiming at us lot so it was more observational than intrusive. I rose the Johnson's challenge of providing enough food, he was quite stuffed by the end of the meal and Temi was not shy in coming forward with the food portions. I am quite glad that Jermaine proved my po

.. and what a bunch of readers you are too. I hardly ate anything Christmas Eve, just not very hungry and now I am having trouble sleeping. It would be really good to say that this is because I can't wait to see what Santa has brought me but, well, he's giving me a miss this year. No, my inability to sleep is two fold. A tummy that is not feeling very clever, loads of smelly farts (strange how we have to do a little smile even just reading the word 'fart') The other reason is sudden depression brought upon by the issue with Matt and the word 'gay' earlier. It may have been brought on by that but that was the last straw I think. So much uncertainty in my life right now is screwing me up. I am also very aware that this is the first Christmas when I am alone, not part of a pair and that is difficult. I am used to having someone, a crutch, someone that is there for me 24/7 if need be and is trying as hard as I am to achieve a happy relationship. Oh well, like I said

.. and what a bunch of readers you are too. I hardly ate anything Christmas Eve, just not very hungry and now I am having trouble sleeping. It would be really good to say that this is because I can't wait to see what Santa has brought me but, well, he's giving me a miss this year. No, my inability to sleep is two fold. A tummy that is not feeling very clever, loads of smelly farts (strange how we have to do a little smile even just reading the word 'fart') The other reason is sudden depression brought upon by the issue with Matt and the word 'gay' earlier. It may have been brought on by that but that was the last straw I think. So much uncertainty in my life right now is screwing me up. I am also very aware that this is the first Christmas when I am alone, not part of a pair and that is difficult. I am used to having someone, a crutch, someone that is there for me 24/7 if need be and is trying as hard as I am to achieve a happy relationship. Oh well, like I said

I picked Matt up from town earlier on my way back from Pete’s. He was telling me how he had a nice time and everything was fine. Then he mentioned that his friend Becky’s mum had invited this guy over to their place tomorrow because he was alone and her mum is that sort of person. That sounded quite sweet but then, as a passing thing he mentioned that Becky’s dad is homophobic and Becky said that she will have to stop saying ‘That is just gay’ because Simon was there and then Matt went on about other things but my mind was dwelling. So I asked Matt, how comes he didn’t challenged Becky about saying how gay something was. (Gay is said now in the context of something being weird or otherwise not right). He said that what she does in her own home is up to her and, besides, she doesn’t mean it offensively. Well, I took it offensively. It’s not like if she had said ‘That is so nigger’ it would have been OK, he admitted that, but saying ‘gay’ is OK. Well, to me it isn’t so now I am angry as

I picked Matt up from town earlier on my way back from Pete’s. He was telling me how he had a nice time and everything was fine. Then he mentioned that his friend Becky’s mum had invited this guy over to their place tomorrow because he was alone and her mum is that sort of person. That sounded quite sweet but then, as a passing thing he mentioned that Becky’s dad is homophobic and Becky said that she will have to stop saying ‘That is just gay’ because Simon was there and then Matt went on about other things but my mind was dwelling. So I asked Matt, how comes he didn’t challenged Becky about saying how gay something was. (Gay is said now in the context of something being weird or otherwise not right). He said that what she does in her own home is up to her and, besides, she doesn’t mean it offensively. Well, I took it offensively. It’s not like if she had said ‘That is so nigger’ it would have been OK, he admitted that, but saying ‘gay’ is OK. Well, to me it isn’t so now I am angry as

Yes, apparently it is only a few days away from Christmas, fancy that. Talk about dumb, I thought it may be interesting not to take any medication for 24 hours seeing as I was barely hurting at all. OK, stupid thing to do. Hmmm … what did I say I was doing today? Ah yes, the car. Well, they called mid morning to day it would be ready at lunchtime and ‘by the way’ did I remember the £100 excess! It took a couple of phone calls to get that one sorted with the insurance company that I didn’t owe anyone an excess as I had not actually made a claim and it is fairly traditional for someone to make a claim before they can start talking about excesses. Well, car back, no problem. I asked Matt last night to get up by 08:15 to make sure that the carers were let in for Jermaine so he got up at 08:00. I got up just after 10:00 and no carers. Turns out that they had it in their tiny minds that as they had been here yesterday at 1pm that they should turn up every day at 1pm like I am going to be pic

Yes, apparently it is only a few days away from Christmas, fancy that. Talk about dumb, I thought it may be interesting not to take any medication for 24 hours seeing as I was barely hurting at all. OK, stupid thing to do. Hmmm … what did I say I was doing today? Ah yes, the car. Well, they called mid morning to day it would be ready at lunchtime and ‘by the way’ did I remember the £100 excess! It took a couple of phone calls to get that one sorted with the insurance company that I didn’t owe anyone an excess as I had not actually made a claim and it is fairly traditional for someone to make a claim before they can start talking about excesses. Well, car back, no problem. I asked Matt last night to get up by 08:15 to make sure that the carers were let in for Jermaine so he got up at 08:00. I got up just after 10:00 and no carers. Turns out that they had it in their tiny minds that as they had been here yesterday at 1pm that they should turn up every day at 1pm like I am going to be pic

OK, first gripe, I still don’t have my car back and am having to drive around a total pile of Ford Produced Pants. They call it a ‘Ka’, I suspect they spent months and a few million getting someone’s toddler to think that up. So impressed were they by the young mite that they asked him to design it to and then sent it off to Little Tikes to put into production .. grrr I had a meeting with health this morning … patronising self opinionated bitches the pair of them. They were both so far up their own arses they could see daylight through their teeth. After doing a load of investigation this afternoon and this evening I discover that they were let off way too light. It would appear that they not only got it wrong with regard to this PoVA issue but they got it ‘very’ wrong and positively abused their positions. I’m not going to bore you with the gory details but suffice to say, they were total bitches (did I mention that) and the best I may possibly get is some sanctimonious apology from t

OK, first gripe, I still don’t have my car back and am having to drive around a total pile of Ford Produced Pants. They call it a ‘Ka’, I suspect they spent months and a few million getting someone’s toddler to think that up. So impressed were they by the young mite that they asked him to design it to and then sent it off to Little Tikes to put into production .. grrr I had a meeting with health this morning … patronising self opinionated bitches the pair of them. They were both so far up their own arses they could see daylight through their teeth. After doing a load of investigation this afternoon and this evening I discover that they were let off way too light. It would appear that they not only got it wrong with regard to this PoVA issue but they got it ‘very’ wrong and positively abused their positions. I’m not going to bore you with the gory details but suffice to say, they were total bitches (did I mention that) and the best I may possibly get is some sanctimonious apology from t

Jermaine has been in respite now since December 5th and he comes home tomorrow. The thing is, he can go in again December 27th – January 28th and that may well take us up until not long before he goes full time residential. I have to admit, we have got used to not having him around, it sort of happened without us noticing. It also shows that when he goes full time, we won’t be visiting very often and that makes me a little sad. It’s probably also a reflection of the dwindling emotional attachment we have toward him. Sure, to the boy he used to be we are very close but who we have now we hardly know and never will do, it is just weird to think of Jermaine as ever having been here. I guess I am allowed to say that. Still, enough about that … I got the draft complaint back from the guy that will be dealing with it for us against social services and it doesn’t even start to address the issues. I am going to have to go over it and the original complaint letter we sent him to make sure he i

Jermaine has been in respite now since December 5th and he comes home tomorrow. The thing is, he can go in again December 27th – January 28th and that may well take us up until not long before he goes full time residential. I have to admit, we have got used to not having him around, it sort of happened without us noticing. It also shows that when he goes full time, we won’t be visiting very often and that makes me a little sad. It’s probably also a reflection of the dwindling emotional attachment we have toward him. Sure, to the boy he used to be we are very close but who we have now we hardly know and never will do, it is just weird to think of Jermaine as ever having been here. I guess I am allowed to say that. Still, enough about that … I got the draft complaint back from the guy that will be dealing with it for us against social services and it doesn’t even start to address the issues. I am going to have to go over it and the original complaint letter we sent him to make sure he i

I want to start by saying I had a great weekend, I really did for all sorts of reasons. It was not just the company I was in, and John is lovely, it was also the company I spoke to and met that made it special. But, back a little … I found out on Friday what I suspected for a while, it seems I do have arthritis and it is more a case of finding out what type than ‘if’. What I know for a fact it is that my joints have been really quite painful even with the pain killers. On Saturday I got to ride a horse thanks to John. It was one of the scariest things I have ever done. It may actually be ranking way up there with the scariest thing I have ever done and I can’t even remember what that was! Why was it scary? Hmm, difficult to answer really. True, Benji was big, s shire cross (picture included) but I had kind of made my mind up that the worst that could happen was me falling off and the worst that could do was kill me so not so terrible (just kidding). No, what was really scaring me was n

I want to start by saying I had a great weekend, I really did for all sorts of reasons. It was not just the company I was in, and John is lovely, it was also the company I spoke to and met that made it special. But, back a little … I found out on Friday what I suspected for a while, it seems I do have arthritis and it is more a case of finding out what type than ‘if’. What I know for a fact it is that my joints have been really quite painful even with the pain killers. On Saturday I got to ride a horse thanks to John. It was one of the scariest things I have ever done. It may actually be ranking way up there with the scariest thing I have ever done and I can’t even remember what that was! Why was it scary? Hmm, difficult to answer really. True, Benji was big, s shire cross (picture included) but I had kind of made my mind up that the worst that could happen was me falling off and the worst that could do was kill me so not so terrible (just kidding). No, what was really scaring me was n

Finally managed to get my car booked into be repaired for the damage that Autoglass caused, the insurers are paying for that. Autoglass told the insurers they were going to offer me £25 for it but retracted their offer so I need to speak to them again next week. Did manage to get the refuse department to do a review of our waste needs and we may get a larger wheelie bin. I have also got them to deal seperately with Jermaine's medical waste so that doesn't get added to the normal rubbish. I tried to get myself booked into the GUM clinic but they don’t have any appointments this year so I have to call them again early next year. I don’t think I have anything wrong with me at all but I just want to get checked out to be sure on the off chance that I either meet Mr Right or that he decides he is and I am, (whatever). Well, I want to be certain I am clear. My joints are still causing me problems, nothing I can’t cope with and work through but clearly not right but I am seeing the do

Finally managed to get my car booked into be repaired for the damage that Autoglass caused, the insurers are paying for that. Autoglass told the insurers they were going to offer me £25 for it but retracted their offer so I need to speak to them again next week. Did manage to get the refuse department to do a review of our waste needs and we may get a larger wheelie bin. I have also got them to deal seperately with Jermaine's medical waste so that doesn't get added to the normal rubbish. I tried to get myself booked into the GUM clinic but they don’t have any appointments this year so I have to call them again early next year. I don’t think I have anything wrong with me at all but I just want to get checked out to be sure on the off chance that I either meet Mr Right or that he decides he is and I am, (whatever). Well, I want to be certain I am clear. My joints are still causing me problems, nothing I can’t cope with and work through but clearly not right but I am seeing the do

Got up and had breakfast then called my dad. It turned out they had cocked their dates up and were not expecting us so instead of a lovely Sunday Roast we got sandwiches. We didn’t stay long, my dad was in full moan mode about how I had really, despite all the work I put in with Jermaine, had been scrounging off the state for years and setting a poor example to the kids. He dug into Matt too, some of which I agreed with, that he, and the girls for that matter, should make more effort around the house. I have to be honest, I was glad to be leaving. Because of the accident in Hemel I had to make a detour home up the M40 instead of the M1 which added quite a bit to the journey and a horrible journey it was too, lots of fog and stupid drivers. I am really knackered and really in need of some adult company. Don't get me wrong, I love the kids but they just frustrate me so much, I don't have anyone on the same level as me to talk to over such prolonged periods with the kids.

Got up and had breakfast then called my dad. It turned out they had cocked their dates up and were not expecting us so instead of a lovely Sunday Roast we got sandwiches. We didn’t stay long, my dad was in full moan mode about how I had really, despite all the work I put in with Jermaine, had been scrounging off the state for years and setting a poor example to the kids. He dug into Matt too, some of which I agreed with, that he, and the girls for that matter, should make more effort around the house. I have to be honest, I was glad to be leaving. Because of the accident in Hemel I had to make a detour home up the M40 instead of the M1 which added quite a bit to the journey and a horrible journey it was too, lots of fog and stupid drivers. I am really knackered and really in need of some adult company. Don't get me wrong, I love the kids but they just frustrate me so much, I don't have anyone on the same level as me to talk to over such prolonged periods with the kids.

Decided to skip breakfast working on the theory that the earlier we left, the earlier we arrived in Calais and the more time we had to do what we wanted to do. I nipped downstairs into the cold to collect a luggage rack and tried to get it in the lift. Each time a lift arrived a new batch of people barged past me and filled the lift up knowing full well I was waiting and had been there before they arrived. Three times this happened. Another mob took so long to get out of the lift the doors closed before I could get in. On my fifth lift I just headed full speed for it, hit a few people along the way, made my apologies in several languages and headed upstairs! Eventually got the car loaded up and headed back north at a nominal speed of about 95mph so it didn’t take that long to get there, arrived something close to midday. Did oodles of shopping and had lunch at the normal eatery in the food court. Felt a little sad as I could picture Tony sitting there too and I still miss him terribly.

Decided to skip breakfast working on the theory that the earlier we left, the earlier we arrived in Calais and the more time we had to do what we wanted to do. I nipped downstairs into the cold to collect a luggage rack and tried to get it in the lift. Each time a lift arrived a new batch of people barged past me and filled the lift up knowing full well I was waiting and had been there before they arrived. Three times this happened. Another mob took so long to get out of the lift the doors closed before I could get in. On my fifth lift I just headed full speed for it, hit a few people along the way, made my apologies in several languages and headed upstairs! Eventually got the car loaded up and headed back north at a nominal speed of about 95mph so it didn’t take that long to get there, arrived something close to midday. Did oodles of shopping and had lunch at the normal eatery in the food court. Felt a little sad as I could picture Tony sitting there too and I still miss him terribly.

This is our last full day and we have opted for the room service breakfast. Though we have paid for inclusive breakfast and one of the advantages of staying on the Admiral’s floor and paying extra for it is room service, we still have to pay an additional €10 for the food which is the same as we would get in the main ‘canteen’. I have also opted for the English breakfast which is supposed to be an extra €6.40. Now, the menu mentions this is (room service breakfast) a price per room up to 5 people yet, I suspect, this €6.40 is actually per person. Hell, it would not surprise me if they didn’t charge the whole thing per person! One thing I have become more and more aware of is just how much of a rip off Disney in Paris is especially compared to Florida. Clearly they are cutting costs wherever they can. There are no lit arches as part of the Christmas decorations over Main Street USA. The lights have gone from the Village. The hotel does not provide chocolates on the pillows anymore. The

This is our last full day and we have opted for the room service breakfast. Though we have paid for inclusive breakfast and one of the advantages of staying on the Admiral’s floor and paying extra for it is room service, we still have to pay an additional €10 for the food which is the same as we would get in the main ‘canteen’. I have also opted for the English breakfast which is supposed to be an extra €6.40. Now, the menu mentions this is (room service breakfast) a price per room up to 5 people yet, I suspect, this €6.40 is actually per person. Hell, it would not surprise me if they didn’t charge the whole thing per person! One thing I have become more and more aware of is just how much of a rip off Disney in Paris is especially compared to Florida. Clearly they are cutting costs wherever they can. There are no lit arches as part of the Christmas decorations over Main Street USA. The lights have gone from the Village. The hotel does not provide chocolates on the pillows anymore. The

On Thursday we got up late … I would have tried to sleep all day I think as I got hardly any during the night. The kids reckon I have sleep apnoea from the sound of my snoring so perhaps I’d best sort that out but worse than that was the agony I was getting from my right knee, any pressure at all and it was like having it twisted off my leg, no way could I sleep through it. This sharing a bed with Daisy thing is not so clever either, never have I known someone move about so much in bed! At one point, no word of a lie, she was on top of me then kicked me in the privates! Breakfast was a fiasco; they didn’t quite sort out what they were doing in the hotel so when we got down there around 10:30 we had to go to the conference room which felt as though it had been converted to breakfast on the quick. There was no refrigeration for the fresh meats, they could not supply bowls quick enough, all in all, a mess. To make matters worse, they were clearing up before guests had finished eating. I a

On Thursday we got up late … I would have tried to sleep all day I think as I got hardly any during the night. The kids reckon I have sleep apnoea from the sound of my snoring so perhaps I’d best sort that out but worse than that was the agony I was getting from my right knee, any pressure at all and it was like having it twisted off my leg, no way could I sleep through it. This sharing a bed with Daisy thing is not so clever either, never have I known someone move about so much in bed! At one point, no word of a lie, she was on top of me then kicked me in the privates! Breakfast was a fiasco; they didn’t quite sort out what they were doing in the hotel so when we got down there around 10:30 we had to go to the conference room which felt as though it had been converted to breakfast on the quick. There was no refrigeration for the fresh meats, they could not supply bowls quick enough, all in all, a mess. To make matters worse, they were clearing up before guests had finished eating. I a

Breakfast next day and there was a shock when we discovered that Admiral’s floor guests only get to use a separate breakfast room at the discretion of the management and they were not so generous on this occasion so we had to queue along with many others to have what I can but describe as a very basic meal served by indifferent staff. Today was our day to be doing photographs and movies which we did quite well albeit we did cancel a planned trip back into the Disneyland Park for some night time movie making. Matt spent some time winding Daisy up and she, in turn, wound him up. None of the kids were wearing warm enough clothing but it’s not like they have to listen to me. Didn’t really do that many rides today, was not really in the mood. We made a point of watching the Lion King at Videopolis which was totally excellent. The highlight of the day was the ride we had in the balloon high above the lake which afforded us an amazing view of the entire area, I mean, truly amazing, breath tak

Breakfast next day and there was a shock when we discovered that Admiral’s floor guests only get to use a separate breakfast room at the discretion of the management and they were not so generous on this occasion so we had to queue along with many others to have what I can but describe as a very basic meal served by indifferent staff. Today was our day to be doing photographs and movies which we did quite well albeit we did cancel a planned trip back into the Disneyland Park for some night time movie making. Matt spent some time winding Daisy up and she, in turn, wound him up. None of the kids were wearing warm enough clothing but it’s not like they have to listen to me. Didn’t really do that many rides today, was not really in the mood. We made a point of watching the Lion King at Videopolis which was totally excellent. The highlight of the day was the ride we had in the balloon high above the lake which afforded us an amazing view of the entire area, I mean, truly amazing, breath tak

We got up early on the Tuesday and headed for The Channel Tunnel but arrived really early which, on the plus side, meant that we left an hour earlier than we were booked giving us more time for the rest of the day. It was around 10:00 when we arrived in France. It was clear roads all the way and we made extremely good time, we were at the hotel not much off midday. The first room I was not at all happy with. Whilst it matched what we had booked it was not what I was expected. It was the 6th floor, the 6th floor is a smoking OK floor so first downer. The second problem was that it had an adjoining door to the next room, a historical not going to go there! Add to that the view was terrible. Sure it was a lake view but that was about all we could see. As I do I went to the reception and asked for a replacement, then switched my request to an upgrade explaining how special the holiday was to us. They didn’t have anything at that time but told us to come back later. This gave us time to dum

We got up early on the Tuesday and headed for The Channel Tunnel but arrived really early which, on the plus side, meant that we left an hour earlier than we were booked giving us more time for the rest of the day. It was around 10:00 when we arrived in France. It was clear roads all the way and we made extremely good time, we were at the hotel not much off midday. The first room I was not at all happy with. Whilst it matched what we had booked it was not what I was expected. It was the 6th floor, the 6th floor is a smoking OK floor so first downer. The second problem was that it had an adjoining door to the next room, a historical not going to go there! Add to that the view was terrible. Sure it was a lake view but that was about all we could see. As I do I went to the reception and asked for a replacement, then switched my request to an upgrade explaining how special the holiday was to us. They didn’t have anything at that time but told us to come back later. This gave us time to dum

Thanks to the loyalty points from Tesco, my store of choice, I managed to book a 5 day break in Disney Resort Paris for just £2.00, the actual cost was nearly £1400 so quite a considerable saving. Being shrewd (read tight), I also managed to get some cheap hotels either side of the holiday in the UK for just £26.00 for the 4 of us which spreads my driving out considerably. I visited my dad in Kent on the Monday, I do wish his humour didn’t include ridicule, it is so annoying. The level of pain I am getting in my shoulder and my legs is getting far worse, getting up and down and stairs are becoming really difficult.

Thanks to the loyalty points from Tesco, my store of choice, I managed to book a 5 day break in Disney Resort Paris for just £2.00, the actual cost was nearly £1400 so quite a considerable saving. Being shrewd (read tight), I also managed to get some cheap hotels either side of the holiday in the UK for just £26.00 for the 4 of us which spreads my driving out considerably. I visited my dad in Kent on the Monday, I do wish his humour didn’t include ridicule, it is so annoying. The level of pain I am getting in my shoulder and my legs is getting far worse, getting up and down and stairs are becoming really difficult.

I have decided that http://www.wotalife.co.uk/  needed a new look and some update content, particuarly with regard to my friends   Apart from doing that which took an age, I have not really done much else today which just has to be good ... well, good except that I need to get some packing done!

I have decided that http://www.wotalife.co.uk/  needed a new look and some update content, particuarly with regard to my friends   Apart from doing that which took an age, I have not really done much else today which just has to be good ... well, good except that I need to get some packing done!

Now, what did I do Friday? Let me see ...   The morning was quite relaxed (apart from the washing and having to get up to see to Jermaine's insulin, make sure Zoey went off to school etc) Matt and Daisy slept in for quite a while which was OK, enabled me to get things sorted that needed doing.   In the afternoon we went up to Kettering as Jermaine had to go for his pre op assessment. As I predicted, Jermaine actually didn't need to be there at all, rather pointless collecting him. It was just a question an answer session with the surgical team. He should get his teeth sorted next month but they are already saying that may be cancelled and put to another day, let's just hope they don't do it on the day else that would make it very difficult.   Evening time and we went to 'Puss in Boots' in Eydon, directed by Robin (wonderfully of course). I really got it into it, first time I have ever really enjoyed a panto to be honest. I think knowing the c

Now, what did I do Friday? Let me see ...   The morning was quite relaxed (apart from the washing and having to get up to see to Jermaine's insulin, make sure Zoey went off to school etc) Matt and Daisy slept in for quite a while which was OK, enabled me to get things sorted that needed doing.   In the afternoon we went up to Kettering as Jermaine had to go for his pre op assessment. As I predicted, Jermaine actually didn't need to be there at all, rather pointless collecting him. It was just a question an answer session with the surgical team. He should get his teeth sorted next month but they are already saying that may be cancelled and put to another day, let's just hope they don't do it on the day else that would make it very difficult.   Evening time and we went to 'Puss in Boots' in Eydon, directed by Robin (wonderfully of course). I really got it into it, first time I have ever really enjoyed a panto to be honest. I think knowing the c

Went to an update meeting at social services earlier. Most sent their apologies, they had better things to do.   As usual it lasted way too long but there was a lot to cover and mind sets to change.   I am still not happy that this POVA thing still seems to have me down as the criminal whereas the ones that really failed on Black Friday were social services and it should be them that have to justify themselves and not me. I did manage to get that in the minutes which will be submitted as part of the POVA.   Succeeded in getting J Heep to pass most of the work onto Steve Mills seeing as he actually works for social services full time so may get things sorted. Several things had not been actioned since the last meeting, this is not a great shock. J Adams wanted to say that the problems which caused the POVA in the first place were now resolved but I had to point out that they are only partially resolved and even though carers come in, I cannot automatically call upon

Went to an update meeting at social services earlier. Most sent their apologies, they had better things to do.   As usual it lasted way too long but there was a lot to cover and mind sets to change.   I am still not happy that this POVA thing still seems to have me down as the criminal whereas the ones that really failed on Black Friday were social services and it should be them that have to justify themselves and not me. I did manage to get that in the minutes which will be submitted as part of the POVA.   Succeeded in getting J Heep to pass most of the work onto Steve Mills seeing as he actually works for social services full time so may get things sorted. Several things had not been actioned since the last meeting, this is not a great shock. J Adams wanted to say that the problems which caused the POVA in the first place were now resolved but I had to point out that they are only partially resolved and even though carers come in, I cannot automatically call upon

Tuesday I went to see a care home for Jermaine in Kettering chosen by social services. The owner didn’t turn up so had to be called and the social worker was late which left me wondering whether I was in the right place or not! I didn’t like the place, considered it totally unsuitable for Jermaine and told them so. Even if it had been any good there was the issue of insulin to deal with. From there I went to Wren Spinney school to meet Vanessa from the Bedford home so she could meet Jermaine. We discussed several things and I said my main concern was, even if they could get a doctor to sign competency to a member of staff, how long would that last? Would that doctor readily sign off a new staff member, how robust was that system, she didn’t know. I got a call from her today to say that she had not been able to make it work which left us with the Chalfont Centre as our only option. Last night I visited Robin and had a lovely chicken casserole. Not long after arriving I got a call that S

Tuesday I went to see a care home for Jermaine in Kettering chosen by social services. The owner didn’t turn up so had to be called and the social worker was late which left me wondering whether I was in the right place or not! I didn’t like the place, considered it totally unsuitable for Jermaine and told them so. Even if it had been any good there was the issue of insulin to deal with. From there I went to Wren Spinney school to meet Vanessa from the Bedford home so she could meet Jermaine. We discussed several things and I said my main concern was, even if they could get a doctor to sign competency to a member of staff, how long would that last? Would that doctor readily sign off a new staff member, how robust was that system, she didn’t know. I got a call from her today to say that she had not been able to make it work which left us with the Chalfont Centre as our only option. Last night I visited Robin and had a lovely chicken casserole. Not long after arriving I got a call that S

Great weekend of doing virtually nothing at Gary & Toms. Could have done without the Sinead hassle but that’s my job so I am not complaining. On Sunday I left around 10:00 and headed over to see Steve (squirrel from Kagoul) near Felixstowe and had a lovely gossip. Poor guy, he’s stuck between his new found feelings for his fella and the loss he feels for his uncle who died recently. Following on from that I went to see John in Woodbridge, or, just outside. SatNav seems to think the road doesn’t exist which was rather annoying! I am looking forward to going to stay with John in a few weeks, should be fun. Soon after I got back to Northampton I visited a guy called Jason I had been chatting to for a while on MSN. He’s really nice and, again, I shall look forward to going back. On Monday morning Johnson, one of the carers, left Jermaine’s insulin out of his school bag which meant a call from Wren Spinney school insisting I got it to them else they’d send him home. Somewhat pissed off

Great weekend of doing virtually nothing at Gary & Toms. Could have done without the Sinead hassle but that’s my job so I am not complaining. On Sunday I left around 10:00 and headed over to see Steve (squirrel from Kagoul) near Felixstowe and had a lovely gossip. Poor guy, he’s stuck between his new found feelings for his fella and the loss he feels for his uncle who died recently. Following on from that I went to see John in Woodbridge, or, just outside. SatNav seems to think the road doesn’t exist which was rather annoying! I am looking forward to going to stay with John in a few weeks, should be fun. Soon after I got back to Northampton I visited a guy called Jason I had been chatting to for a while on MSN. He’s really nice and, again, I shall look forward to going back. On Monday morning Johnson, one of the carers, left Jermaine’s insulin out of his school bag which meant a call from Wren Spinney school insisting I got it to them else they’d send him home. Somewhat pissed off

Got to Gary & Toms around 3:40 to a short snow flurry, really cold! Spoke to Daisy on MSN and she seemed stressed out, going on about Matt getting at her, making her do things that she shouldn’t have to do and he wasn’t even home yet. I find out this morning that this girl Sinead has been causing DJ all sorts of problems. Apparently she was phoning our number at home a lot last night being threatening to Daisy, she had openly threatened Daisy at school a few times. Now Daisy wants to swap schools, clearly the anti-bullying policy at Duston is not working. Not sure what to do now to be honest, all a bit of a mess as these things tend to be. I guess it should really start with a chat to her (Sinead’s) parents but I am not overly optimistic about that. What is my greatest fear is that we end up back in the same situation as we were in the Eastern District, our only salvation may be that Sinead’s parents are supposed to be lesbians so maybe the homophobia won’t be an issue now. The ver