Day Seventy-three

Rocking out to Bon Jovi .....for I think the sixth time... but the first time in the brand new New York Football Stadium, Meadowlands.

Day Seventy-two

Today we're in New York. This city has everything, including too many beers to choose from, kept me and my friend Dean busy for hours!

Day Seventy-one

This is the Mall in Washington DC. The Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial, which is famous for, err, where Forest Gump made his "and that's all I've got to say about that" speech, along with other notable figures of history.

Day Seventy

And I'm off, caught a flight out of London today. America here I come...

Day Sixty-nine

Final full day in Blighty today and have spent a lot of time saying goodbye to good friends...

Day Sixty-eight

Posing in the sun, here's a suitably embarrassing picture of my friend Nicci enjoying the warm evening. Sorry Nicci!

Day Sixty-seven

On a scorching hot Sunday there's only one suitable way to enjoy the sunshine in Wooburn. We headed down the village green to throw the (american) football around for a bit, followed by some refreshingly cold lagers...

Day Sixty-six

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear BIG SIS, Happy Birthday to you!

In celebration of my sister's upcoming 30th birthday a garden party was inorder. A lovely day in the summer sunshine, complete with BBQ, fireworks and marshmellows on the fire! Hmm, I could get used to this....

Day Sixty-five

The day finally came, today is my last day at LeasePlan. I've worked there since 2006 and leaving for the last time means there really is no turning back now.

Whilst I'm sad to be leaving behind friends and colleagues, I'm so pumped to look forward to the future....and never having to see another VRB agreement again!

Day Sixty-four

Evening out with some work colleagues into Staines to take up the challenge of Jimmy Spices. Its an all-you-can buffet which ultimately was always bound to end up in defeat. Yes, my eyes were bigger than my appetite, particularly when it came round to the desserts!

Day Sixty-three

A crossword challenge by chance today. Feeling rather chuffed that I'd 'almost' completed the crossword in today's paper, only three words short, I was outdone by my Dad who came up just one word away from completion!

Day Sixty-two

Working as the elected councillor for Totteridge in east Wycombe has been a great privilege. I am a firm believer that the fabric of a strong society is good community. In Totteridge I was able to work with many people in the community who dedicate a lot of time to various organisations. Although I resigned from my position as councillor a few months ago its taken a little while to close everything off and this evening I had my final responsibility as chairman of East Side Youth Centre.

It's very easy to miss all the good work that people do for the good of their communities, either as their careers or as volunteers. It's very easy to take for granted the facilities that are around us too. Though none are there by chance. Working with these people over the past three years has been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.

Day Sixty-one

There appears to be an abundance of flower pots in the garden. Mum's loves them! So much that she's even been known to 'plant' flowers in deep in the soil without even removing the pot!

If I wasn't disappearing off to America for the summer I'd be a bit worried there wont be space left for the BBQ!

Day Sixty

During a massive rain storm....there's only one place to keep warm... down at The Steps in the comfort of Wooburn's cosiest pub.

Day Fifty-nine

Of late our garden seems to have been overtake by some avian friends. You would not believe the noise this little fella could make on his own. Gotta love life in the country!

Day Fifty-eight

In the palm of Jon's hand, he could see the future...

Day Fifty-seven

The first sight of home following the long drive back from Hambury. The famous White Cliffs of Dover...

Day Fifty-six

It's the day of the Europa Cup Final and we arrived in Hamburg shortly before lunchtime. Fulham fans congregate in Hans-Albers Platz in the build up to the game.

Inside the Nordbank Stadium, Hamburg, the two teams are all set for the kick-off.

Day Fifty-five

Today we begin our marathon trip to Hamburg for the Europa Cup Final. Outside Craven Cottage, this is my Dad heading off to our coach which will take us down to Dover, a short ferry trip to Calais before a drive through the French countryside, Belgium, Holland and into Germany.

Day Fifty-four

Here is my biggest addiction....I can't begin a day without a good session at the gym. You won't find me anyway else at 6:30am on a weekday morning.

My trainer, Marie Warwick, took these for me (and she cunningly slipped in her advert on the wall behind me). Despite her inability to count and shoot together, and the apparent possession of a lying watch, she's done well to turn me from a fat blob to the Gun Show...

Day Fifty-three

A sign of Britain's failed economy? The value of the Pound has plunged so badly against the US Dollar that the cost of petrol has increased by 50% in one year.

Day Fifty-two

A couple of pictures here from a party I organised at my local community centre to see my friends and family together before I head off to America.

Day Fifty-one

Not my house unfortunately, but saw these as I was out walking today. This is one of the oldest cottages in my village, gorgeous.

Day Fifty

Its election day, all down the church hall to cast your votes please!

Day Forty-nine

Everyday on the way home from I pass this first world war memorial (you'll notice it was simply called the great war back when this was biult) and usually, because I'm stuck in traffic, its pretty clear to read. The words at its base seem quite symbolic to me. "Death is swallowed up in victory". We still benefit from the victory today, but for my generation its very difficult to understand enormous loss of life that happened to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. I was once told to "take a look around your circle of half dozen friends....and the take two away" and that's probably the closest one can come to understanding.

Day Forty-eight

A brewery tour this evening and the opportunity to sample a couple more beers than is probably necessary!

Day Forty-seven

Not much beats a sunny bank holiday Monday down at Bourne End's hidden gem. The Bounty is a short walk (or boat trip) across the river from the marina and I suppose it technically in Cookham. When the sun comes out so do the punters, the ramblers and the boatsman.

Day Forty-six

Are some relatively warm and sunny weeks in early springtime came a week of rain. Its amazing how quickly this can change the landscape. A week ago few trees had any leaves on them, but its a very different scene now. This is Wooburn Manor Park which also shows off meadows of rapeseed flower behind it.

Day Forty-five

Terrific support for Wycombe Wanderers away at Leyton Orient today, only a win would do to avoid relegation to the bottom level of professional football once again.

In this end it wasn't to be and its a sad day for Wycombe Wanderers Football Club. But that's the thing about football, you have to take the highs with the lows. Only those fans that stick around for the lows can truly understand the highs.