doing the manta ray

Yes very nice thanks.

The bloke in the villa next door had just rowed right across the Atlantic to get there. Took him 117 days. How cheesed off was he when I told him that British Midland now fly direct from Manchester. Still he gave us his unused Pampers wipes and half a bottle of rum on his way home. He'd lost five stone on his Atlantic crossing. I'd gained about 4 pounds and lost all my hair with the stress of juggling Snicket, Alley and Boo, to say nothing of Mrs B.

Anyway, more later.

push it

You catch me stuffing the scraggy ends of a bright pink thong in between bulging flaps. It's hard. Yes it's really hard fitting it all in.

Packing suitcases to go on holiday is a nightmare isn't it? I said to Mrs Backroads, it wasn't as difficult as this last year. Then she reminds me that whilst we had Alley and Snicket, we didn't have Boo to cart with us last year and all the gubbins that has to go with her.

Still, according to our biometric, ultra-dynamic, 'I speak your health' weighing scales we've got one case which is clinically obese, another which is grossly overwight and another with diabetes.... unfortunately that's the one with our fortnight's supply of Jelly Belly's in. I hope that one doesn't get nicked... those things cost a fortune! Not so bothered about the other cases as they've only got camcorders, DVD players and crap like that in them.

Anyway, so fed up have we got with the whole process that me and Mrs B have packed the kids off to the in-laws and decided to have a pre-holiday shag. Now back to that thong.

demob happy

Ah.. only another week to go and the Family Backroads will be off to sunnier climes... for today though Manchester beckons as we scour the High Street for travel plugs, bug spray and luggage tags.

the wagon

Hmm...so... an update. The observant amongst you will have noticed time slipping away from me as I pick up more 'other stuff' to do. Sorry about that.... I miss you guys. So what can I tell you.... Boo's on solids... Bob Mould has a new record out in July and a tour later in the year... I have one of those little portable DVD players... The Family Backroads has a new bus... we'll be going on holiday soon... I was meant to be running 10k, but won't be... The Whitey album is great... Alias is good too... as is Boston Legal... I love James Spader.

Look Ma, I'm dancin'.