Whirlpool central.....

......or so it seemed over the last week.

Wednesday 20
Booze-up with our now ex-lodger Chris. Only intended to have a meal and a pint as I drove there taking Chris's bike in the back of the car. Had far too many and then had to walk back.

Thursday 21
Walk back to the pub to collect car feeling a bit hung over and then spent the rest of the day ferrying stuff to the local tip. Intended to go to bed early but made the most of British TV by staying up far too late.

Friday 22
Boxes collected by courier for transport to Doha. They gave the usual "Collection will be between 08:00 and 17:00" so I daren't go out for a nanosecond! The courier actually arrived at about 10:00 so that meant the rest of the day was free. At lunchtime I met up with an old colleague from my days at the University  for a coffee and a cake and spent the rest of the afternoon frustratedly trying to cancel Virgin Media stuff but gave up in the end as:

• No! I don't know the password
• No! I'm not the account holder but Yes! I do pay the bill
• Yes! The account holder has already left the country and she won't know the password either

And around, and around, and around. So sod them; I've just cancelled the bank payments and they can sort it out themselves.

Met up in the evening with Martyn and Dan Peters intending to visit the Derby Beer Festival, but as per last year the queue was far too long so we voted with our feet and went into Derby for a few beers instead. Much to my surprise Chris Shaw, a former colleague from the hospital, also joined us and a jolly boozy night was had by all.

Saturday 23
Let the Porkfest begin - Martyn, Dan and myself had bacon butties for breakfast. Afterwards they did me a favour by helping themselves to as much surplus garage/motorbike stuff as they could carry. Then, once they'd left, I loaded the car with more quality domestic surplus for a quick 150 miles down to South Wales to see my parents, and my sister and her family for the last time. After a quick "Hello!" and off loading the boxes, bags etc. it was off to Cardiff for a farewell and booze-up with, as it turned out quite a few, Thumper Club mates. Thanks to all those who attended, some from a good distance away, and Graham for sorting out the food (and bed for the night). I really enjoyed myself so "Thanks!" again.

Sunday 24
After a full-English breakfast I went shopping in Cardiff. Slightly depressed at what has become of the city centre as it held a lot of memories for me now been blurred by time and unimaginative redevelopment. Was supposed to meet up with my sister-in-law for a curry that evening but went instead to an 'open' music event that I'd seen advertised taking place in the same venue as the previous night. Much to my surprise the standard of musicianship was excellent and far better than I was expecting for a 'back of the pub jam session'. Eventually made it to my sister-in-laws but sadly too late for the curry (Sorry J&B).

Monday 25
Went back to my parents house in Blackwood to have a last meal with them before I left. My sister managed to get the afternoon off so we went to a local pub. My fathers dementia has worsened since I last saw him and I'm not entirely convinced that he knew what I was doing or where I was going. It really is a very sad situation but at eighty years old, and a hardcore smoker all of his life, its a wonder he's made it this far. Thankfully, with my brother-in-law back from work and the kids back from school, I was able to say goodbye to everyone that evening. Obviously I will miss them all very much but they understood why we were undertaking something so different and adventurous this late in our careers; if we don't do it now it will be too late. But with Skype making  communication so much easier these days no one seems so far away now, and truth be told I'll probably speak to them more often then when I was only a short distance away.

Tuesday 26
A quick return journey back up to Derby. Dump the remaining odds-and-ends at the local tip. Finally fill the car with the remaining salvageable items and drop them, and the car, off to an ex-work colleague who's bought the lot for her daughter. Then off for another very nice meal, Thai this time, with some old friends and finally back to my lilo mattress absolutely knackered at 23:30!

During most of the last week without the regulator of family and work I could barely remember what day it was, what time it was or where I'd been the day before. It really has been like swimming in a whirlpool and I just can't wait to get over there now!