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Showing posts from July, 2007

July 31 lunchbox

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Breakfast: Impressive bowl of Weetabix with semi-skimmed organic milk The Walk to Work: It was down the Taff Trail this morning, where a dog and a woman on a bike, the latter who was having a business like dicussion via some bluetooth technology, came bounding towards me. Turned out to be the head of Grant Thornton in Wales, Louise Evans, but she was being far too corporate to notice me. The River Taff below was very charming and calm, but at one point was being slightly disturbed by a wonderfully healthy looking Sheep Dog who was having great fun with his young owner and his mum throwing "a go and fetch"stick. Lunchbox: 2 digestive biscuits 4 beef and tomato sandwiches 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt 1 banana 1 peach. Random Thought: Radiators are everywhere, but nobody really talks about them, except perhaps when they are still on and you get the first hot day of the year, or when you get the first cold one. What the hell do they make of us? They've been about since th

July 30 lunchbox

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WITH Isabella at Porthcawl yesterday We then decided to take a little train ride Breakfast: Bible revival like bowl of Weetabix with semi-skimmed organic milk. Walk to Work: No rain as I left my humble abode. I ventured down Cowbridge Road East which takes you straight into the centre of Cardiff. Only a few yards in and I came across work colleague Paul Rowlands. Lunchbox 2 digestive biscuits. 1 banana 4 beef and tomato sandwiches 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt Random Thought: Rabbit tell me something? Sure Sion fire away. Do you ever wish you were human? Only once When was that? About six years ago. Why? Just fancied a change. What about you Sion? Not a rabbit, but perhaps someone else. Oh come on Sion you cannot beat being "Me" Listen to this song

July 27 lunchbox

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BREAKFAST: Up and at them bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed organic milk. Walk to Work : Not happening as I have a day away from income generation... can the world rotate in a less stressful manner? Went for a walk around Cardiff Bay with Isabella after dropping Mrs B a work. We had fun trying to work the self- service check-out at a Tesco Extra. Then went to see my parents., who tomorrow celebrate 45 years of marriage. Took a card and some celebratory refreshment. We all then went for a walk around our local park Llandaff Fields, where many years ago a relative of mine was murdered... all very sad. Lunch: It was a prawn sandwiches, followed by a yoghurt Random Thought The chords I seek are hard to play As the world keeps turning out of tune. A simple melody to lift the gloom Yes it's time to play. Have a very musical and in tune weekend

July 26 lunchbox

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BREAKFAST: Bowl of Weetabix with semi-skimmed organic milk and a banana Walk to Work: Not required today as I wasn't working. Dropped Mrs B off to work, after first taking Isabella to nursery. Went for swim and then to the centre of Cardiff for a poor reception conference call with two guys who owe the odd coal mine across South Wales. Torrential rain was still the order of things. On arriving back home I made a pretty good blackcurrant crumble, before setting off to pick up Mrs B and Isabella. We then went for an early dinner at a restaurant close to home, where I came across the wonderful Will Williams a merchant banker turned academic and perhaps back again, I never really know, but it doesn't matter. Thankfully Will wasn't in a wheelchair. Random Thought Professor Williams in action

July 25 lunchbox

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ONLY A RANDOM THOUGHT TODAY This field doesn't belong to me, but it was once owned by my grandfather. But he kinda left in a hurry back in 1925... big scandal in the village involving him and the mayor's wife. He settled in Canada were he made a shed load of money, but he never came back home. I only met him once. I was only 2 years of age at the time and it was in a budget hotel in New York. I cannot really remember the encounter, apart from the fact that he had hands like shovels. He died in 1969, minutes after watching Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. He was married five times and drunk a bottle of whisky each day.... and that's about it. It's time to go home, it's getting pretty dark.

July 24 lunchbox

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BREAKFAST: Not amazing, but still above average bowl of Weetabix with semi-skimmed organic mik. Walk to Work: Down the street I went with a sense of optimism. That feeling continues to take centre stage... positive energy! Lunchbox 4 ham and tomato sandwiches 1 banana 1 nectarine 2 chocolate digestive biscuits. Random Thought Next Friday: Sir Terry Matthews unveils the name for the Ryder Cup course at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport. Terry: "It's a honking great mulch the compeititon name... It's going to be known as the RHODRI!"

July 23 lunchbox

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My mother-in-law Jayne, aka Plugs, fully embraces the concept of there is "no such thing as a free lunch." She spent four hours yesterday doing a splendid job sorting out our garden... I would have helped but was generating income! Breakfast: Pretty impressive bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed cold organic milk. A glass of water and a cup of tea. Walk to Work: What a surprise it was raining again today here in South Wales. Had to first drop Isabella off at nursery as Mrs B is still poorly... oh boy what a cough! It was down Cowbridge Road East with my trusty umbrella and I have to admit, slightly dodgy looking rain mac. Lunchbox 4 chicken and stuffing brown bread sandwiches 1 banana 1 apple 1 nectarine 1 M&S raspberry yoghurt Random Thought 1973: And Wales' not yet greatest ever living civil servant, aged I guess about 15, Gareth Hall sits down at his home _ somewhere in Brecon _ to watch highlights from the Chelsea Flower Show. It's the last time he watches

July 20 lunchbox

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For readers of yesterday's blog... all 40 of of you with the majority only being brought here via image searches and clicking out straight away, apologies for not posting yesterday. I was all day interviewing for a new head chef at my soon to open restaurant in the Antarctican capital of AmundScott. No! That's rubbish. The truth is I was under the weather and was off work for the day. The first time in years, simply years. Walk to Work: It was down Cowbridge Road East, with drizzle in the air. What a wonderful stretch of highway it is. The infamous Tuck-In eatery has been given an external face lift. Crosssing over Canton Bridge, my umbrella locked horns with one coming the other way. Lunchbox 4 beef and tomato sandwiches 1 banana 1 apple 1 nectarine 2 digestive biscuits 1 M&S raspberry yoghurt Random Thought Year 2090 UK rainfall levels reduce us to this sad state of affairs. "What a lovely house honey can we afford it?" HAVE a dry and dreamy weekend

July 18 lunchbox

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BREAKFAST: Fashionable bowl of Shreddies with semi-skimmed organic cold milk. Walk to Work: A day away from income generation on account of working last Sunday. However, cannot say I felt a million euros all day... Mrs B is also poorly _ oh dear. But never mind.... managed to stay busy on pram exercises in around the Canton/ Pontcanna area of Cardiff. Random Thought Camp walking Sir? I don't usually walk like that... I'm a man's man I was only doing it for a laugh. Are you homophobic? Only on international weekends. You fool! Yeah I know, but shut UP now Harry they're about to start the bingo.

July 17 lunchbox

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BREAKFAST: Much needed bowl of Weetabix with for a change hot organic semi-skimmed milk. Walk to Work: Torrential rain this morning in South Wales, so Mrs B dropped me at my venue of income generation, before dropping off Isabella at nursery. Not feeling the best today... everything seems slightly out of sync, with is an interesting feeling. Lunchbox 4 ham and salad sandwiches 1 banana 1 nectarine 1 apple 1 M&S yoghurt 2 digestive biscuits Random Thought That's right, walk away as you always do... don't face up to your responsibilities! Life is not a theme park and it's about time you realised it!

July 16 lunchbox

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Breakfast: Very decent bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed organic milk. Walk to Work: It was down the Taff Trail this morning. Such is the rate of construction on the new test ground at the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club, that you can no longer see across the stadium from the trail. Quite a few obedient dogs were out with their jogging owners this morning... of note was a little white terrier with a tennis ball in his month. Lunchbox: 4 ham and salad sandwiches 1 apple 1 nectarine 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt 1 banana 1 digestive biscuits Nose running like tap in my venue of income generation. Went across the road for a chemcial cure, but it only seemed to make things worse. Random Thought: 2019: Wales' greatest ever retired civil servant, the affable Sir Gareth Hall, becomes the first Welshman to walk on the moon... but Derek Jones is en route to the surface of Mars and is scheduled to touch down on January 3, 2020.

June 13 lunchbox

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BREAKFAST: Rejuvenating bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed milk. Walk to Work: It was down Cowbridge Road East this morning with drizzle in the air. Walked at quite a speed as I wanted to get my income generation show on the ground. At 11am I had a meeting with Alun Davies at Cardiff and County Club. Nice building and I believe women can now lunch there... but only if invited. Lunchbox 2 ham and tomato rolls 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt... I think it was blackcurrant, but don't build a legal defence strategy around it. 1 banana 1 apple 1 nectarine 2 chocolate digestive biscuits. Random Thought The Welsh Assembly Government's Bouncy Technium is opened in Llandeilo. It is officially unveiled by Ian Williams and two old friends from Manchester. Seats in the front row are being sold for £10,000... what a show!

July 12 lunchbox

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Breakfast: Very loyal bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed organic cold milk. Walk to Work: It was down Cowbridge Road East this morning as my route into the centre of Cardiff. Cannot remember anything of particular note, but yes there were cars, buses, cyclists and people of all different ages and sizes. Lunchbox: not required today: out for lunch at Laguna in the centre of Cardiff with Rhian Kooy of PwC . Business/pleasure/ philosophy all intermingled. Random Thought The alarm has been ringing for an hour I do not stir, but the world still turns. In seconds flat I leave the house and start to run as best I can. I'm going to be late for a crucial make or break deal... I'm not going to make it. I'm slowing down and fall to the ground. I find a park and a wooden bench... it has just gone 9am and the sun is coming out. I've passed this park many times, but I've never seen it looking so peaceful and beautiful. Tell the wife my children young? Yes I will... it'

July 11 lunchbox

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BREAKFAST: Weetabix with semi-skimmed organic cold milk. Walk to Work: Having dropped Isabella at my parents in Llandaff it was down Cathedral Road and then into Pontcanna Fields and along the River Taff Trail. Pedestrian activity was pretty low key this morning. At the traffic lights on Canton Bridge I moved aside for a cyclist to pass from the other direction. He acknowledged me by saying: "Cheers Fella." Lunchbox 2 salmon [tinned variety] rolls with a hint of lemon juice 1 banana 1 apple 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt 1 nectarine Random Thought Hello vicar, would you like a nice cuppa? Oh good morning my dear. Tea? Oh yes my dear what a simply marvellous suggestion. Voice of God: For heaven's sake that's the 5th cup of tea he's had already this morning... sometimes I don't know why I bother!

July 10 lunchbox

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Breakfast: It was a bowl of Weetabix officer, yes it was with organic cold semi-skimmed organic milk. Walk to Work: Didn't happen today, as I dropped Isabella off at nursery with a not too well Mrs B. I was then dropped right outside my location of income generation. Lunchbox: 2 brown rolls with mountains of salad, tomato and ham 1 banana 1 nectarine 1 apple 2 chocolate digestive biscuits. Random Thought I thought I told you to wack these guys Honest Marty I did, I promise, but the kids just keep bringing 'em back to life.

July 9 lunchbox

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Breakfast: Sing songy bowl of Cornflakes with semi-skimmed organic milk Walk to Work: It was down Cowbridge East Road in my new slip-on black shoes purchased yesterday from M&S. They were pretty comfortable, but with any new pair of shoes there is usually a bit of pain, before the gain kicks in. Just before 10 am I caught a bendy bus down to Cardiff Bay and the Welsh Assembly for a chat with Minister for Economic Development _ and not racecourses!_ Dr Brian Gibbons. Okay so Brian might be out of a job this week, but he was in fine form. Quite a number of civil servants and a special adviser _ and I mean really top draw calibre people here _ were also in Brian's office with me: They were James Price, the affable Gareth Hall and Jeff Andrews.... and oh yes Andy "So be it" Phillips. Half an hour in and Ian Courtney and Simon Gibson entered the room.... oh dear oh dear! Lunchbox 4 ham and tomato sandwiches 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt 1 banana 1 apple 1 nectarine 2 ch

July 6 lunchbox

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Mrs B and Isabella BREAKFAST: Steadfast bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed organic cold milk. Walk to Work: No chance! A day off from income generation on account of working last Sunday. So it was just me and my 14 month old daughter Isabella this morning. We were out at 9am for a trip to our local park and swing time! Then visited by parents for refreshments, before heading home for Isabella's lunch. Only thing of note was at a set of traffic lights,where on the other side were two guys with their prams. It made be recall a 1970s kids drama and a planet where men were ruled by women. Lunch: Made two ham and tomato rolls, followed by a banana and a cup of tea. RANDOM THOUGHT Depression? I have a confession. I was only depressed once in my teens. From the age of 13 to 19! YEAR 2180: World's population of people in their second teens - aged 113 to 119 - exceeds for the first time the first time around brigade. Plenty of bridge, gin and hysterical laughter.... not sure the

July 5 lunchbox

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BREAKFAST: A very special bowl of Weetabix with semi-skimmed organic milk. Walk to Work: It was quickly down Cowbridge Road East, which takes one into the centre of Cardiff which some people [mostly marketeers from Cardiff] said was Europe's fasting growing capital... which was complete twaddle. Lunchbox 2 ham and tomato rolls 1 banana 1 peach 1 apple. RANDOM THOUGHT One thing to do before the kids ask for equity release to get them on the property ladder

July 4 lunchbox

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A recent image of myself at my sister's wedding in Italia . I had just given a pretty ropey speech translated by Alessio , who is now mu brother-in-law. Alessio is an Italian-born actor based in LA... more in the random thought Breakfast: Back on the right track bowl of Branflakes with semi-skimmed organic milk. The Walk to Work: It was down Cowbridge Road today... where, where.... let's just say where. Lunchbox: Not on active duty today as I was in the corporate trough with KPMG's senior partner for Wales Simon Jones and Rachael Halliday . RANDOM THOUGHT Year 2009: Major international success for Alessio with his starring role in the film, SERGIO! He plays the role of Milanese postman Sergio, who is also head of the Italian Michael Caine Appreciation Society. Anyway Sergio and his friends execute an Italian Job in reverse caper by stealing the gold reserves of the Bank of England. The only territory where it doesn't make big bucks is Italy

July 3 lunchbox

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BREAKFAST: Not at my humble abode, but at St David's Hotel and Spa, where chief executive of Principality Building Society, Peter Griffiths, gave an overview of the mutual. Last night I was at the home of Glamorgan County Cricket club for a 20/20 rain interupted match. So hello to Andrew Walker of Uwic. So there was no walk to work today, as I drove down to Cardiff Bay for the early morning business breakfast. Lunch: Stumbled over to Boots across the road from my venue of income generation, where I purchased a litre of water and two ham and cheese sandwiches Random Thought Year 2010: The long march of the Welsh civil service begins from St Asaph in North Wales. They hope to find the golden fleece and the secret of everlasting 150% of UK average GVA.

July 2 lunchbox

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Breakfast: Another bowl of Weetabix with semi-skimmed organic milk. Perhaps I should have something different. Walk to work: I was in the dentist chair at 9.30am located on my favourite stretch of highway in Cardiff, Cathedral Road. It was just a scale and polish and a chance to listen to Radio 2. When I left it the heavens opened, but fortunately I was equipped with an umbrella. Over Canton Bridge, which takes you into the centre of Cardiff, a car sprayed a whole "bunch" of water over me. The main brunt of the soaking was taken by a lady who had just passed me. I was pretty wet, but it made me laugh. Lunchbox 4 beef and tomato brown bread sandwiches 1 Rachel's organic yoghurt 1 peach 1 banana 2 chocolate digestive biscuits Random Thought Don't you think you should pull over darling? We have been driving for hours and are obviously lost. Never, never, never: Bread of heaven, bread of heaven! Oh stop singing you fool, this would only work as a podcast. Of course,