kestrel

again, from today’s Observer:

This week Pamela Mackie of Swindon was frightened late at night by crashing sounds and broken glass upstairs; her neighbour reported a “masked face” at the bedroom window, 999 was dialled … and it was a lost badger who’d come through the cat flap. He had a go at the linen cupboard, banged his head, and knocked over some furniture. Mrs Mackie is quoted as saying: “I’ve never had anything so big in the house before.”

actually, the rest of the article is charming too – read it here.

I’m just over half way through, so I’m not reading any spoilers. But this review in today’s Observer sums up my thoughts about the book so far.

this is lovely – a duet between man and JCB.

thanks to misia for the link.

Tuesday – up at 4.15 a.m., airport at 5.15 a.m., queue at check in for 25 minutes, panic that we won’t get on the flight. Called to front of queue, checked in, up to departure, on plane. No time for breakfast, checking e-mail, quick cigarette. Not good. “It won’t be busy” I said – ha bloody ha.

land at Malaga, get taxi to Marbella at extortionate expense, arrive at prospective clients and work from 11 a.m. to 8.15 p.m. with lunch break. Wilt in 35 degree heat. Get lift to hotel, quaff a couple of swift glasses of wine, collapse. Too hot and tired to eat.

Wednesday – up at 8, breakfast, then taxi back to client. Work till 6.15, with break for tapas lunch. As we have some time to kill before flight, take bus to Fuengirola, and then train to Malaga airport – nice to see /some/ countryside, although it takes over two hours and is Very Hot. But cheap (€8 for the two of us to do both trips totalling about 55km).

airport hot and crowded, and appalling for food. So no food. Very cheap ciggies, though :) Flight lands 00:20 (so 01:20 Jordan time). Had to wait what seemed like ages for the bus to take us from plane to terminal. 20 quid for two days’ parking (outrageous). Get home at 01:15, house is 27 degrees, cats are cross. Finally get to bed about 2 a.m.

such a refreshing break :)

update on our foray to Marbella coming later.

spotted on the District Drivers Logbook blog: