Still jet lagged, bit odd for a wee spring break

Must have been the fact that we were away for two weeks that has made the difference this time.   Zonked out by 8.30 p.m. and listening to the birdies at 0500 -   Then for me who was always wanting a lie in, up and out the house by 0630, heading for the Grill and then having to wait for sytem to drop figures on my PC at 0800.

Anyway, despite the change in temperature from Egypt, we have had really nice days since returning and the old body has adjusted nicely,  but with a crooked back I am not getting out quite as much as I would like.

Was called a moaning minnie  the other day because I commented on the fact that trying to get into the Royal Infdirmary, Edinburgh, was like running the gauntlet.  Bloody terrible, signs up everywhere saying no smoking, adverts on the radio saying the same, and there they were,  in their droves, puffing twenty to the dozen , and directly under the signs.   And coincidently, last night on Eastenders there was a shot with one of the cast doing the same,  perhaps the writers were trying to make a point.

Edinburgh City Council have just announced that they are £1.5 Billion in debt !!!!!!!!!!!!   wonde how that is,  not that the £900 K for the tram works had anything to do with that.

BUT  if they are like many other Councils there is an iuncredible amount of  money wasted by ill thought out projects.   Several years ago Midlothian Council spent a fortune on traffic calming along the A701 into Penicuik, and they are now removing all the things they previously installed !!  Waste of money and a total inconvenience to motorists on this busy commuter route.    Midlothian have also had teams out working on reinstaing pavements out in the wilds - not happy with wasting money there,  they are hell bent on slowing everyone up by setting up temporary traffic lights -  just a bit infuriating to sit in a queue and see the workies relaxing in their vans, or standing texting on their mobiles.

Steed of Steel still remains in the garage awaiting repair - not a happy time.

Bit of a shock to the system yesterday.

left Sharm el Sheik  at a comfortable 28 C and arrived in Glasgow at 2 C -  bit of a difference.  Slowish trip along the M8 due to the big diversion off the M8 by Whitburn and Bathgate and then the diversion signs disappeared so it was follow that star  !!

Home at 12 mn,   no central heating on and house was like a morgue -  even worse getting between the cold sheets and trying to get warm -  I think we should just head back to the sun again - chance would be a good thing.

Leaving Sharm took an eternity to get through the various security checks, just meant we had very little time to wait before boarding.   Flight with Thompson Airlines was pretty good, especially with the extra leg room.   Arrived early at Glasgow but had the longest wait ever to get through the passport / immigration controls,   only four staff on the desks, and a lot of foreign visitors coming through off a European flight, and the new electronic passport readers not yet up and running.

Breezy again this morning, but despite this, back to 31 C

No complaints whatsoever,  out on the beach with books at 0700, watching sun up till 0800 then quiet breakfast.  Sounds bad but you then need a nap after breakfast !!   me , I am on the final book of the trilogy,  Girl who kicked the Hornets Nest,  superb story -  just great to be able to chill out and read.

Felt a bit off pm so had to give my daily swim a miss,  just one of the things I need to cope with - and certainly not as a result of overindulgence.

Kind of lost the plot a bit after a session of people watching the dining room,  how some of the clients can be so rude and ignorant to the staff is beyond me -  as commented,  the Cardinal sins of Gluttony and Pride spring to mind.  We have staff here who work from 0630 to 12mn or 10 am till 2 am. for about £140 (A MONTH) with ten days off after every thirty days  straight through.    No point in me going on about it, but lacking in basic manners, hygiene, etc.,  fortunately for the Brits here, the Russians are even worse.

Tonight I had a super dinner, Chefs even made me a lovely dish of fried calamari - brilliant. no complaints at all about the choices on offer.

Only downside of the day was Scotland losing out in the Calcutta match against England, once again we are brilliant at coming in second.

But, I always have tomorrow's sunrise to look forward to.

Sun up, slightly less of a breeze this morning.

Just a bit of an understatement following yesterday's somewhat "stiff" breeze by the sea,  trees at forty five degrees, bunkered down behind the windbreaks,  but despite that the sun shone and the hardy had a quiet day on a nearly deserted beach.

Took ourselves out to the Chinese themed restaurant last night, and had the most wonderful crispy duck - fantastic - well worth the £9 supplement.

Bit of a struggle,  but must head back to beach.

0715 and on the beach, very pleasant, nice time to sit and relax before breakfast.

Now 0845 and temperature creeping up towards the expected 32c today.

Lots going on last night,  our friendly military helicopter was patrolling the bay late on and for quite a while,  unless they were listening to the music coming from the party night next door, or perhaps some of the delegates for the conference were at the party.

Thought you might like to see some of the staff who keep us going with beautiful cakes and pastries.

 In true Blue Peter style,  look what I made earlier.

These are the brains behind the kitchen where there are about sixty chefs working.

  Real artists, just a shame folks do not appreciate the skills and effort that goes into these delightful works of art.

Oops , my mistake with the duplicate photo.     This Windows 8.1 is still driving me daft.  

 

Anyway, away back out to the sun and my book,   just finished one by Nelson Demille, written in 2000, called The Lions Game, I really enjoyed his style of writing.      Still have to download my three books by Peter Richie, once I fathom out how to do it.

Kind of contrasting incidents yesterday by the beach.

Once again, a lovely day and out early.  Took myself out for a paddle in the bay, along with camera, (as one does), hat and sunglasses,  when skimming along the bay came one mean looking helicopter which is obviously part of the enhanced security for the conference which starts later in the week.

 It was up and down the Gulf a couple of times during the day and also again in the evening .

Heading back to the shore I spied a trio of Nordic walkers on the beach,  definitely easier than going up and down hills methinks,    my kind of hillwalking !!

Never mind,  God loves a trier, and it could be me today.

Been a roasting day today, wind dropped and the restbis history - 35 C

Up with the birds this morning, including a local kestrel  who is hunting around the spa area.

Seas were smooth first thing,

hot all day,  had a nice wander around part of the resort,  but with security being a primary objective, there are increased guards and police in the area - we just have to cooperate and accept delays.

Our catering staff are first class, always doing their best to be helpful, and so far we have had no complaints about the quality of the food.

This group are from the restaurant where we have breakfast and lunch - and occasionally an evening meal.