1208.03 MY HELL (part 4)

Tomorrow it will have been a week since my eldest daughter stormed out of the house following an argument regarding the company she has been keeping and her attitude / lies. I am hiding from the world, not taking phonecalls or responding to texts unless they are from my parents (who have unwittingly become dragged into this by my daughter turning up on their doorstep). The only thing that is getting me through is the Olympic cycling, it's providing me with a diversion and somewhere to bury my head.

1208.02 MY HELL (part 3)

Not sure what is happening. My parents are taking it really slow which in turn makes the whole situation more difficult for us. I don't know what will happen in the next few days but I do know that it is those days which will determine the long term picture. My parents are jeopardising the good work in rebuilding our relationship following years of estrangement by potentially going against our rules and giving our daughter 'asylum'.

I am still too worked up to return to work but I must soon face up to going back. My mind has difficulty concentrating at the moment, it always dwells on the current situation.

I watched the Olympic cycling again (track action this time in the velodrome) by means of a diversion. I enjoyed watching our successes with Chris Hoy, Phillip Hindes and Jason Kenny in the men's team sprint. Disappointed for Victoria Pendleton when she and her team mate were relegated following an illegal overtake.

1208.01 MY HELL (continued)

We are still not a family. My heart lays heavy with the pain of our separation. I had a long conversation with my dad last night on the phone. I laid it all on the line telling him everything about the last 3 years and in particular the last 12 months. The hell that I put forward I think shocked him, having said that I haven't heard anything since.

There has been some light in my darkness. I allowed myself a couple of hours to immerse myself in the Olympic cycling, in particular the men's road time trial. What a result, I am so proud to be a British Cyclist - Well done to Bradley Wiggins (gold) and Chris Froome (bronze).

1207.31 MY HELL

I thought things were too good to be true. On Saturday the walls of my life started to crumble. My eldest daughter walked out of our house following an argument, she ended up at my parents where she remains. Despite my explaining the history and situation to them I don't believe that they appreciate the gravity of the situation.

I haven't heard anything for 2 days. Does she still live here?

1207.22 LE TOUR HISTORIQUE

As I sit here in my mother in law's house I am still in awe in what I just witnessed. History has been made today by a cyclist over 100 miles away from where I sit. I just watched the final stage of the 99th Tour de France where British rider Bradley Wiggins has just become the first Briton to win the Yellow Jersey. It was also an awesome sight to see one of my favourite cyclists, Mark Cavendish take the stage on the Champs Élysées for a fourth consecutive year. It's something I will always remember, history was written today and a chap with a down to earth charm and distinctive sideburns became a legend.

1206.13 RED TAILS

ACTION PACKED AIRBORNE ADVENTURE WITH HISTORICAL OVERTONES.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0485985/

1206.05 JUBILEE

I wasn't too bothered about the up and coming Diamond Jubilee celebrations at least until the event came along. We didn't attend any events (mainly because there was very little locally). I did find myself being carried forward with the wave of patriotism and national pride, hey they even gave me a medal.

1206.02 THE DICTATOR

FUNNY, AS EXPECTED. NOT HIS FINEST THOUGH.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1645170/

1205.30 THE BETRAYAL - A TOUCH OF CULTURE

I don't get out much so when Morticia mentioned a trip to the theatre to see John Simm last year I of course agreed. The time came around for the play and we duly went along to the Crucible Theatre (most will know of course as being the venue for World Snooker). Whilst in a nearby pub before the show I was tweeting a friend about my night mentioning that I was about to see a play with John Simm in but couldn't remember the title. Mr Simm actually tweeted me to tell me what show I was about to see...

I'm not about to turn theatre critic and review the show, I've not been to the theatre much in my life which is a shame because when I do I really enjoy it. After the show we saw the cast (there were only 4) in the bar across the square, Mr Simm and one of the other cast even signed Morticia's programme.

1205.07 THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER

Last year I turned 40 and failed to complete my 40 B4 40 challenge. I also did very little in the way of celebrating, I didn't fancy a party and although I did go into town for a drink and go for a meal, very little of note happened.

This year I wanted to make amends for me being a misery-guts. I'm not a party person, I've no interest in big social gatherings - What I really wanted was to have special time with my family, my Morticia and my girls. Where better than to spend my birthday in my favourite place in the whole world...

Cei Newydd (New Quay)

The added bonus was that whilst it was my birthday on the Saturday, it was Morticia's birthday on the Sunday. What is normally our destination for our summer holiday was this time a long weekend. We set off early Friday morning and after the usual magical drive through the heart of Wales we arrived at the Hotel Penwig around lunchtime. New Quay is like a dream, when I'm not there it's as if it's not a real place but when I'm there the world outside doesn't exist. It's such a perfect place.

The Penwig is under new management and whilst it still a perfect place to base ourselves it's not the same anymore. We were pleased that the previous manager who met us out on Saturday night.

The departure was a little easier this time around (usually it's like being ripped out of paradise) since we will be hopefully returning again for our full holiday in August.

To spend my birthday here was bliss, it just could never get any better.