Sion Barry's World

BREAKFAST: Appreciative bowl of Cornflakes with semi-skimmed organic milk. Walk to Work: Not happening today as I had a day of income generation last Sunday. So it's a day with Isabella, our nearly 11 month old baby... tempus fugit! Mercifully it didn't rain, despite ominous dark clouds, so it was out at 10am for a walk with the pram. Hooked up with mum as we commenced our second lap of our local park Llandaff Fields. We then went for coffee at the Cameo Club. Lunch: Made a not too bad omelette on a bed of brown toast, followed by a wonderful banana. RANDOM THOUGHT Turn me off... I've had enough!

Here is my sister Sarah and Alex, who got married last week in Los Angeles... congratulations you guys! Breakfast: Pretty impressive, but not sensational bowl of Cornflakes with semi-skimmed organic cold milk. Walk to Work: It was down Cardiff's grandest stretch of highway Cathedral Road, before entering Pontcanna Fields. It was then to the offices of Glamorgan County Cricket Club to meet a trio of club executives. Lunchbox: Not required today as I was lunching with careers coach Tony Charles , who was remarkably calm with his daughter in labour with his first grandchild. We both had fillet steak and chips. Very enjoyable too. Random Thought Ernie says, "I have family in Wales. I'm related on my dad's side to Wales' greatest living civil servant Gareth Hall

BREAKFAST : Perfunctionary bowl of Cornflakes with semi-skimmed cold milk. Walk to Work: It was the down Cowbridge Road East this fine morning, which leads into the centre of Cardiff. Was walking at quite a speed I have to say. Lunchbox 4 ham and tomato sandwiches on brown bread Rachel's organic yoghurt apple banana 2 digestive biscuits 4 chocolate eclair sweets Random Thought 2040: The Red Telephone Box Preservation Army pictured trying to save the UK's last operational box in the Shetlands.

BREAKFAST: Jolly nice bowl of Cornflakes with semi-skimmed milk. The Walk to Work. This didn't happen this morning, as I had to drive an automobile from my employers back to work. Last night I was at the St David's Hotel and Spa listening to the financial adviser to the Pope, Peter Sutherland , expressing "offensive" at the London media's negative attitude towards the European Union. Lunchbox 2 beef and tomato rolls 1 apple 1 satsuma. Random Thought 2011: The Republic of Ireland quits the European Union after refusing to harmonise its wonderfully low coporate tax with a new EU-wide and higher rate of 20%.

BREAKFAST: Combination of Cornflakes and Weetabix [just one] with semi-skimmed organic cold milk. Mrs B wasn't too well this morning, so at 7.45am I had to take Isabella across town to nursery. Walk to Work: Had a meeting at Peter Alan estate agents at 9am in the heart of Canton... an eclectic district of Cardiff. That lasted about an hour... with a certain Chris McVeigh. I then walked into work. Lunchbox 2 ham and tomato brown rolls 1 apple 1 satsuma 1 banana 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt Quote of the week: Ian Williams [pictured right above] of International Business Wales, whose response to the challenges of globalisation was: "Bring it on!"

BREAKFAST: It was down to the just sold St David's Hotel and Spa in Cardiff Bay this morning, where former Welsh rugby coach Mike Ruddock , was in fine comedic form. Lunchbox: Left at home today. But the good news is that my left foot is pretty much fully recovered... marvellous, simply marvellous! Random Thought 2060: The world's population of sit down comedians, eclipses those of stand up persuasion for the first time. Have a sensational weekend!

BREAKFAST: Weetabix with semi-skimmed organic semi-skimmed milk Walk to Work: Not happening today as I have taken a day's holiday to look after our nearly 11 month old daugther Isabella who is not too well. We spend about an hour out walking around our local park Llandaff Fields.. some 1.5 miles from the centre of Cardiff. Well half way around a chat approached with two kids sporting Welsh rugby scarves and hats and asked me if I knew the best way to get to Millennium Stadium. Of course I did and told him so. But some people enjoy deliberately giving wrong directions to people, particuarly tourists. Lunch: Not had much to time to think about this, but I might have a baguette with salmon and rocket. Random Thought August 1975: My brother Mark and I have a 4 hour long game of monopoly. So what? Okay we also had a cricket world cup in our small garden in Grangetown, Cardiff, with all the teams who were competiting in the inaugural one day tournament of that summer. If the ball hit...

BREAKFAST: None, as I was having a blood test at 9.20am. Walk to Work: Relapse for my left foot... much pain! So Mrs B and Isabella dropped me into work for 8am. Lunchbox. 3 pieces of Irish soda bread with humous 1 banana 1 apple 1 satsuma. 1 Tesco's organic yoghurt 2 digestive biscuits Random Thought When I walk, I like to talk and listen to my transistor radio. But my left foot is playing me up so I might have to thumb a lift into the city tonight. When I get there I'm, gonna big it up for music and love!

BREAKFAST: Bowl of Cornflakes with semi-skimmed organic milk. Walk to Work: It was down the Taff Trail this morning, where I was glad to be wearing my overcoat as it was quite chilly... you old woman you! Sun was glistening off the River Taff below and diggers of all description were beavering away at the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club, Sophia Gardens, where a new 17,000 seater arena is being constructed. Wildlife: Pretty low key this morning, apart from the odd crow on the ground looking for food. Lunchbox 4 ham and tomato sandwiches 2 digestive biscuits 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt 1 banana 1 apple 1 satsuma Random Thought This picture was taken last year and I cannot find for love nor money one of the blue coolers. Not sure which is missing as they are identical and was not sad enough to mark them individually. 25 years later: I get a call from the Chinese embassy in London to say that the missing cooler has been found at the birth place of Ch...

Was up at 5.30am. Our daughter Isabella has not been well of late. On Friday night she was very sick indeed. Like a steam train it just keep on a rolling. Breakfast: A mixture of porridge oates and branflakes with semi-skimmed organic milk Walk to Work AFTER my foot problems of last week, I was able to walk to work this morning. It was down the Taff Trial, where a cyclist on passing me managed to clip a rather rotund gentlemen as he whistled past him, but fortunately he was protected by a huge ruck sack slung over his right shoulder. Lunchbox 4 beef and tomato sandwiches 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt 2 digstive biscuits 1 apple 1 banana 1 satsuma handful of red grapes Random Thought 7am May 3, 2080: Steve Richardson from Luton, England, has only two miles to go to complete the world's first tightrope walk across the Atlantic Ocean. The Irish coast is well in sight, where a huge crowd of one million is awaiting Steve on the shore line. He should make it in five hours.

BREAKFAST: Bowl of Weetabix with semi-skimmed organic milk. Walk to Work : Not happening today, had a income generation day last Sunday, so a day off for that. This is being spent with my 10 month old daughter Isabella, pictured above with her mum. My foot : Much better today. Can put weight on it. Very pleased at that, so will be able to take Isabella out for a walk in her pram later. Random Thought THE sooner Iran get a nuclear bomb the better. It could be good for Israel too by resolving the Palestinian issue 2010: Leap frogging is officially banned in North Korea... don't have any details beyond that yet.

My left foot [ankle area] is still causing much angst. Went to the doctors and was told it could be gout. Oh dear... and to think I never drink port. But the NHS was superb this morning. I am having an X-ray tomorrow and a blood test next week, to see what the problem is. Breakfast: Mrs B kindly prepared by Branflakes with semi-skimmed organic cold milk and two pieces of brown toast with Olivio spread and blackcurrant jam. Walk to Work: Still not happening with my crook foot. So Mrs B kindly dropped me to my place of income generation. Lunchbox. 4 ham and tomato sandwiches 1 apple 1 satsuma 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt 1 apple Random Thought Like volcancoes we all have a breaking point. Even Wales' greatest ever civil servant Gareth Hall must blow his top every so often. However, in the aftermath a greater sense of perspective often descends. But for some people it comes far too often and can have damaging consequences not just for themselves, but for people around them. You ...

BREAKFAST: Bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed cold organic milk The Walk to Work: My left foot is still swollen, so Mrs B kindly dropped me into work again this morning. Lunchbox: Not required today, as I am in the corporate trough with the communications team at Admiral. Random Thought This is Penarth Pier in South Wales. Circa 1975 I sprinted energetically to the end of the pier and back on a very pleasant summer's evening. It felt amazing, perhaps the fatest I had ever run. My father and his friend Brian Pimberley were timing it. When I passed the finishing line, they confirmed a time of around 40 seconds. I had it in my head that the distance to the end of pier and back was 400 metres. So you could imagine as a 10 year-old I was pretty excited at what seemed like a world record for the distance. I have been back to the pier many times since and it is probably no more than 100 metres long. What would my time be now? Well, I would need to get fit, but I would like to thin...

Not a great night's sleep. My left foot starting playing tricks and was causing much pain from 5am onwards... oh dear! Breakfast : My bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed cold organic milk could not mask the pain! Walk to Work: No chance! Mrs B drove me to work, where I took my slippers as an option. Lunchbox 4 ham and tomato sandwiches 2 digestive biscuits 1 banana 1 satsuma 1 apple 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt. Random Thought No chance today... could be a while. But it will happen again on a golden beach somewhere warm, before the morning's sun has taken centre stage.

BREAKFAST: Well above average bowl of Weetabix [3 in total] with semi-skimmed organic milk. Also had a glass of water and oh yes 2 pieces of toast with Olivio spread and blackcurrant jam. Walk to Work: Opted for Cowbridge Road East this morning, with very fine drizzle in the air. Two years ago today Petra and I got married in the little Italian village of Casperia. Lunchbox 2 salmon [tinned variety] brown rolls with a hint of lemon juice 1 apple 1 satsuma 1 banana 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt RANDOM THOUGHT Tough guy academics Professors Dylan Jones-Evans and David Brooksbank , are currently on location in Pwllheli filming Academic Vice. In the first episode the duo are call upon to investigate two Irish entrepreneurs who have somehow manage to secure £5m in European Union convergence funding to open the first lap dancing club in Bangor which doesn't have disabled access! Dylan is already a member of the club, so getting inside isn't a problem, until David decides to.......

BREAKFAST: Life saving bowl of Weetabix with semi-skimmed cold organic milk. Walk to Work: It was down Cowbridge Road East again today - what two days in a row? People will start talking! It was refreshingly mild this morning as I upped the pace to arrive in work a little earlier than first anticipated. Lunchbox: Left at home today... long story involving a South African merchant banker! Random Thought Year 2070: Wales makes it back into the top five of the world's biggest coal producing countries, as well as becoming the leader in exploitng methane gas for power generation.

BREAKFAST: Two pieces of brown toast with olivio spread. Plenty of water too. Walk to Work : Down Cowbridge Road East this morning, my quickest route into the centre of Cardiff. Was running late, as we didn't get too much sleep as Isabella our 10 month old daughter had a restless night Lunchbox 2 ham and tomato sandwiches 2 satsumas 1 apple 1 banana 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt RANDOM THOUGHT From Brecon you came thrusting and strong. The army's property in safe hands long since gone. Then a sheriff out west for the agency no less. But strategy was your new calling, before storm clouds gathered above Plas Glyndwr. The rats were fleeing the "sinking ship", but you stood firm and steadied the crew. Safely ashore "fit for purpose island" and the sun is shining.... life is good. But can you reach the top of the tree, where treasures amaze and knights hold court?

BREAKFAST: Seriously good bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed organic milk and a glass of water. Walk to Work: Not down the Taff Trial initially this morning, but the splendid Cathedral Road, which is my favourite stretch of highway in the whole of Cardiff. What about my second favourite? [Sion we are just not interested]. Well probably Paget Street in Grangetown, which I knew really well as a kid walking home from St Patrick's Primary School. After a scale and polish and check up at my dentist on Cathedral Road, I picked up the Taff Trail at the back of Sophia Gardens. Heard quite a bit of Russian as I passed the Moscow State Circus Lunchbox: Not required today as I am in the corporate trough, well more public sector to be precise, with a certain Nick Bennett. RANDOM THOUGHT Year 2020, May 1-2pm: Lunchbox Witnesses hold their annual conference in Cardiff. Pictured is their founder in younger days. Addis had agreed to sponsor the conference, with delegates and their lunchboxes...

BREAKFAST: Bowl of Weetabix with semi-skimmed organic milk. Walk to Work: It was down the humbling Taff Taff . Ducks I saw this morning, but only two. The Moscow State Circus is still just off the trail. Not many from the circus troupe could be seen this morning, with their juggernaut lorries forming a natural barrier around their big tent. Lunchbox 2 ham and tomato rolls 1 banana 1 satsuma 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt 1 apple 2 digestive biscuits RANDOM THOUGHT Year 2099: Admiral blast off into the space craft insurance market.

Mrs B and Isabella BREAKFAST : Above average bowl of Weetabix with semi-skimmed organic milk. Walk to Work: It was down the Taff Trail, where the River Taff below was gliding along very nicely. Quite a few ducks were to been, but no squirrels in my line of vision. Lunchbox 2 ham and brown rolls 1 satsuma 1 apple 1 banana 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt 1 miniature pack of Rollos, courtesy of Barry's craziest resident. Random Thought Speaking to parents individually can often provide more of an insight and greater clarity than together 2040: China China on the wall [not that one!] who is the biggest polluter of them all?

Today I am spending the day with my "crawltastic" daughter Isabella BREAKFAST : Much needed bowl of Weetabix. A bit foggy this morning on account of soldier/investment banker/academic/socialite - the irrepressible Will Williams. Lunchbox : Well earned day off. RANDOM THOUGHT Where you been Joe? I've been living in Greece for the last 30 years. I've got a nice little upmarket B&B business in Corfu. Come on Joe it's me you're talking to... I know you haven't left the UK for early 40 years. Okay, I'll tell you the truth, but not here. Why don't we meet at that little Chinese restaurant, just off the high street at around 7pm tonight Sounds good Joe. Thanks for being so honest. I have to say it's good to see you again Joe... really good.

BREAKFAST: Bowl of Weetabix with organic semi-skimmed milk and a sprinkling of organic strawberries, which was seriously good. Walk to Work: Back down the lengendary Taff Trial this morning which follows the River Taff into the centre of Cardiff and beyond to its meeting point with the Bristol Channel. Ducks were to be seen as well as the odd squirrel. The Famous Moscow State Circus have also erected their big tent! Lunchbox 2 ham and tomato rolls 1 satsuma 1 apple 1 banana 1 Rachel' s organic yoghurt. Random Thought Today's message from beyond the grave comes from Saint David [ Dewi Sant] " To everyone in Wales, remember that your greatest asset is being next to England. That might sound a little controversial and difficult to digest for some of you, but come on smelll the coffee/coffi. Cannot believe 20% of you are still conversing in Welsh. Had a wager with Saint Andrew 90 years old that it would have died out by 2010. Nice to think it is still going though. Have no...