Speechless...

I'm running out of adjectives for Lewis Hamilton. I've also run out of breath. Yep. You guessed it. He's done it again. After getting himself on Pole Position, he has won the USA Grand Prix, at Indianapolis. Now with 58 World Championship points in the bag, notwithstanding this is only his seventh Grand Prix, what else can be said.

He is a genius behind the wheel of a Formula 1 racing car. The way in which he held off a challenge from his team-mate, Fernando Alonso, was pure brilliance. Not flinching. Not waivering. He just did what he had to do.

I am so looking forward to the British Grand Prix - it's going to be packed (and we'll need to make an early start if we're to get a good vantage point.)

I've bought the Drivers Cap, to go with the official team shirt. I've also invested in a couple of Walkman radios, so that we can hear what's happening around the track.
The Wife thinks I'm crazy. She can't understand why we're going all that way, to listen to it.

I've also bought a pair of sunglasses. Normal ones. Not sighted. This is the week. Laser surgery here I come. I can't say that nerves are not beginning to creep in. But I am very excited about it, and having done the research, spoken to people that have had it done, and to opticians (with favourable and unfavourable comments), then all I can say is "bring it on".

We're baaaacckk...

Hi, miss me?
The car was loaded (roof box and three bikes on the back), the journey was non-eventful and the first Tuna Melt Pancake was delicious.
The weather wasn't wonderful, but otherwise we had a great time in Center Parcs. The kids had a ball, the activities were great (even though I never got to go scuba diving) and all-in-all we had fun.

• Day one - swimming and barbeque
• Day two - archery, zip wire (what a blast) and swimming
• Day three - Club and swimming
• Day four - Club and swimming
• Day five - Pack the car and swimming

OK - so that isn't the extent of it, but it gives you a flavour of what we got up to.

Obituary
I was going to post a couple of photos to show you what we did... but I lost my camera.
My lovely Canon Ixus i5 decided to jump out of my pocket. I didn't notice and that was that. It was a great camera, that was easy to use, allowed a little creativity and the quality of the images was superb. Now, either someone else is using it, or it succumbed to the rain and damp and is no more.
Gone to that Megapixel in the Sky.
No Flowers.

However, don't be too upset. I've ordered a replacement, and this time have taken the opportunity to upgrade to 7,000,000 pixels (or 7 megapixels). The Canon Ixus 850IS - looks like a lovely little camera, and hopefully it will arrive soon.

So, now back at work, but there's plenty to look forward to. We've already booked Center Parcs for next year. This might be the last time here, and we might be looking to go further afield in 2009 (but let's not get too ahead of ourselves just yet).
Next week it's London for me and The Wife. Two nights aways, seeing a couple of shows and generally mooching about. (Better load the credit card...)

The week after I am due to have my laser-eye surgery.

So don't stray too far, I'll keep on posting, if you keep on visiting.

Not Long Now...

Only a few days until we go to Center Parcs. Quite frankly, and I'm sure I've mentioned this a few times, but I can't wait.
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There isn't much to report at the moment. Had a couple of late nights at work, with a heavy schedule to get completed. Personally, I'd like to get it done before I finish on Friday, and the way things are going, this is a possibility.
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My brother-in-law has come up with a business idea, and he has asked me to print out some images, for the patent office. There are 37 pages, and I'm not yet halfway through - but they're good quality, and hopefully he'll be pleased with the results. I should get them to him by Friday.
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It's our 10th wedding anniversary on Friday - I know, I can't believe it either. Where have they gone. Anyway, apparently, 10 is Tin, so I thought about buying a roll of aluminium tin foil, and a baking tray! No!

I've already said there won't be any flowers - especially as we won't be here to enjoy them. And as we're also going to see a couple of shows in London, then I think that's enough.
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The Wife has gone off the idea of laser eye surgery. A number of people she has spoken to have put her off. Me, on the other hand, have spoken to people who are quite happy, and even my parents aren't against the idea. In fact, they've offered to come up and chauffeur me to and from the appointment. How surprised was I!
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Well, that's all for now. I'm looking forward to the practice and Monaco Grand Prix this weekend - Go Lewis...

Go Lewis... Go Lewis

Wow - what a race. Lewis Hamilton. What an amazing young man. Now, that wasn't meant to sound condescending, but c'mon. At 22 years, he is leading the Formula 1 world championship, in his debut year, and the next race is Monace. He hasn't lost in Monaco.
I have never known a Grand Prix season like it.

So what else can I tell you. I wasn't well over the weekend, but feel a whole lot better now.

The bathroom is nearly finished. Just the basin to be plumbed in and that's it.

Oh yeah - and I've re-arranged my eye appointment. The name of the company is Optimax. They have places all over the country, and this is in the centre of Manchester. It costs £600 less than the quoted price, and someone I know had their eyes done last week at the same place.
Bought the surgery on eBay! Actually, I just called them and asked for the eBay price and jobs done.

Only 2 weeks to Center Parcs. I've completed the online pre-registration, which will speed things up when we arrive. I can't wait for the scuba diving. But then there's also the zip wire, swimming, archery and laser fight. (What is it with me and lasers!) Hopefully, we'll all have a great time.

Right, time to do a little more studying, then it's to bed for a good nights sleep.

Polling Day

It's voting day, for the local elections. I feel it's important to have a say. We have a democratic right to vote, and even though the choice isn't strong, if we don't vote we can't complain about the state of the political scene. Since I've never voted Labour, I have to choose between Tory or Lib Dems...
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You may have noticed the image on the right, of Alan Johnston, the BBC reporter kidnapped in Gaza. You can click on the image to get more information, and add your name to the petition to get him released.
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I also wanted to report on an amazing day yesterday, for my shares.
BSkyB announced their annual results, which were way above market expectations, pushing their share price up 7%. I sat and watched the value of my holding increase overall by £20 in one day.
OK - so it's not a vast amount, and The Wife brought me down to earth by saying that today they could lose £30! Spoil sport.
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I spent an hour in the gym last night. Had a really good workout - concentrating on cardio exercise, as well as some weights.
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Tiling has begun in the bathroom. Good progress being made there.
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Finally - I've decided to look into laser eye surgery. It would be wonderful not having to wear glasses. And, The Wife is all for the idea. I've requested an information pack and will keep you informed.
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Right then - it's off to work.
Have a good day.