Good morning to one and all, how are we this fine warm sunny day? or if your in the UK how are the storms and flooding coming along? After all it is British summertime.
Well May has been and gone and my outdoor heater didn't get put away until 5th June. Seriously it was that cold at night up until then. Even riding home at 3.30am from the bar i was still wearing a jacket and gloves, unbelievable.
Season 2019 is crazy, manic and stupidly busy. One minute I'm thinking a nice calm night the next thing "BANG" everyone piles in at once and turning custom away as no room at the inn.
Now then, lets talk about me finishing and selling up in 2020, so you all know the facts not the fiction.
I'm quite humbled by how many people don't want me to leave, they say i will be missed and where will they drink? Also i get questioned "But why?"
Lets be realistic, I'm 52 next year, the bar is getting busier every season as I'm getting older, Physically I'm as fit as ever and can still beat Hussain Bolt to the supermarket but my joints through years of playing many sports are now starting to take its toll. At one point i was playing a sport or training every day of the week and sometimes 2 games a day on weekends and all those jars and knocks catch up with you at some point. Also a specialist looked at the x-ray i had up in the bar one season and said i have a S curve on my neck from a sports injury that meant by the time i hit 60 i may have a problem walking.......what a happy customer he was, made me feel great lol.
People have said to me "your only open 7 hours a night, surely you got a few more years in you yet?"
I do have a few more years in me yes and don't call me Shirley (Police Squad reference).
The thing is its 7 hours a night when open but also 4 hours a day when closed and 170 days straight through plus i do the job of 4 people.I'm the host, waiter, bar person and glass collector. Other businesses have a person for each of those jobs and me as just one doing all for 40 customers almost every night it is very demanding but i love it.
So this is why i want to leave after 2020, I'm going to leave on my terms, I'm going to leave knowing i still enjoy doing what i do. I don't want to be that ex-pat who has become bored and miserable and fed up with my business and just doing it cause i got nothing else going. At 52 i can put my other plans in motion and still with years ahead of me.
But this isn't the only reason. I feel my life is now in the UK with Sian. I have a very happy, fun home life and don't want to be apart for weeks on end even though Sian does get out 4 maybe 5 times a season and loves it out here. We've known each other 23 years and this is our time now.
My life has always been dictated by my personal well being and being happy, if I'm not happy with something, it goes, simple as and I'm at my happiest with Sian.
I also have to take in to consideration my mum who is now 81 and think will need me in the UK after next season so I'm there within miles if needed for anything not a flight and train journey away that could take hours to travel or days to sort out.
So there you have it folks, hope that's cleared up the details.
Now then, animals.
In my back garden i have a huge bunny but he hides allot and very rarely see him apart from early hours in morning around 6.30am, he is called Mr. Hoppington the third, i will try to get you a pic but i can't be arsed to get up that early just to take a pic after only getting in to bed at 4am.
I also have a hedgehog in my front garden, that was by accident. I got home 4 days ago around 3am and at my electric drive through security gates was a hedgehog. I opened the gates and it shot through the gates in to the courtyard and around in to the garden. It was so quick, i mean speedy quick.
If all hedgehogs are that quick how come so many get squisshed?
I have named him Mr. Shuffle Bottom
Most people know of Bobby the dog. He stayed with me at the end of last season until i packed away the very last bit of the bar for winter, WELL..........Bobby has almost become a resident in the bar. he's in there more than ever and follows me in to my kitchen.
Bobby eyeing up a Mythos
Bobby after a Mythos.
Don't worry, the sofa covers and cushions have been washed, he was a little sneak and got up, little bugger.
I have been to the pool, Yaaaaaaaaaay! Sian was over last weekend and we had a morning around the pool, hopefully I'll get another pool day in before Sian comes back in 20 days, i would like a tan this year if possible lol.
So that's about it folks, its been so busy in bar it's been just work, work, work and no adventures yet but i promise on the next update Kevin the Minion will be here.
Until the next time...........
Serve All, Love All, Peace All, Kevlar Out!
