Ok before anyone points it out today is Thursday not Wednesday but I didn't get back from Spain until yesterday evening so thought it pointless weighing until this morning at my normal time of day.
I did expect a increase as that always happens on holiday but for the first time ever I didn't gain weight, didn't lose any either as I'm just the same as I was last week.
Considering we were out socialising every night reckon this is a victory and I'm still in front of my target.
Here are the facts :-
Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 233lb
Weight Today - 233lb
Gain/Loss this week - 0lb
Gain/Loss from start - -5lb
Todays Target - 236lb
+/- Target - -3lb
As for the holiday I really enjoyed it but it wasn't without incident thats for sure. It was to a real pretty area of Spain and was with a singles group. There was 45 of us although I think you could split them into two age ranges (young uns & old uns). Don't laugh I was with the young uns, yes my social range and about half the party I reckon was between mid forties and late fifties so it was good to sit in the middle of this group. Almost the rest of the group was retirement age and above (upto late 70's), apparently this is common at this time of year as its not too hot, just nice. Not that I'm ageist, quite the opposite I find it easy to communicate with people older and youger.
There was one poor girl in her late twenties on the trip who ended up one of the incidents, on one of our day trips to Nerja she slipped on some steps and broke her ankle. She spent the 2nd half of the holiday in hospital and needed a operation to pin her ankle.
Another incident we lost one of our party for 48 hours on another day trip, think he liked a bit of a drink and decided to go on a bender in Ronda and not come back for the coach. Spent his money on booze and couldn't afford the taxi ride back so ended up spending the night in a hostel rather than our 4 star hotel. Eventually our tour manager got him back involving the police and local bus services.
We also had a trip to the Alhambra Palace which was ok but not great in my opinion although others thought it was marvellous. The trip I enjoyed most was Gibralter, suppose because of its links to the UK and all our history, the barbary apes are really funny could hae watched them all day.
Ok with it been a singles holiday I'm sure you'll need to know if I met anyone nice of the opposite sex. Well I got on really well with one lady whom I found a bit special and we talked about meeting again but nothing cast in stone yet. We've texted a few times since we got back so who knows hat will happen, I'm confident in the least I've made a good friend for life.
To be honest there was a lot of nice people on the trip that I got on well with, swapped emails with a few, its nice to keep in touch.
Not had time to sort my photos out yet but will post when I do some beautiful places. Probably next week as I'm away again at the weekend playing TT for Yorkshire Veterans in the county championships.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Here we go again (week one)
Well here we go again my next weight loss campaign is underway, I've bought some scales and week one as been a resounding success.
Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight Today - 233lb
Gain/Loss this week - -5lb
Gain/Loss from start - -5lb
Todays Target - 237lb
+/- Target - -4lb
A big loss know but probably more due to been over heavy last week following my Blackpool weekend.
So its off to Spain for a week now so don't expect a loss to report next week although I'm hoping to exercise a bit so who knows. Next weigh in will be on my return (Wed 24th) then I'll keep it every Wednesday.
Eventually I'd like to get under 200lb and reckon I should aim at a pound per week average. If I can achieve my target at that rate it would be 3rd August when I get there.
Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight Today - 233lb
Gain/Loss this week - -5lb
Gain/Loss from start - -5lb
Todays Target - 237lb
+/- Target - -4lb
A big loss know but probably more due to been over heavy last week following my Blackpool weekend.
So its off to Spain for a week now so don't expect a loss to report next week although I'm hoping to exercise a bit so who knows. Next weigh in will be on my return (Wed 24th) then I'll keep it every Wednesday.
Eventually I'd like to get under 200lb and reckon I should aim at a pound per week average. If I can achieve my target at that rate it would be 3rd August when I get there.
Monday, 15 November 2010
Strange Song Choice
Have you ever been doing somethingon your own and started to hum, whistle or sing a song to yourself without any reason. Ok nothing unusual many of you will say and I'd agree its something I've done in the past as I'm sure many of you have.
However in my previous experience its normally something we've heard recently or a song from our all time favorite lists. This last week its different, I found myself on more than one occasion humming and singing two songs from "Simon and Garfunkel" Bridge over troubled Water album.
Ok I don't dislike S & G but I'm also not their biggest fan either, I do have the album bought it in the 70's on vinyl(if anyone can remenber vinyl records)and it is quite good. Strangely though I reckon I haven't played it or heard the songs concerned for 25 to 30 years yet I could recite all the words.
For the record the two songs concerned were :-
Baby Driver
Keep the Customer Satisfied
Now if somebody had asked me to sing a S & G song I would have gone for my favorite of theirs "The Boxer" which is on the same album.
However in my previous experience its normally something we've heard recently or a song from our all time favorite lists. This last week its different, I found myself on more than one occasion humming and singing two songs from "Simon and Garfunkel" Bridge over troubled Water album.
Ok I don't dislike S & G but I'm also not their biggest fan either, I do have the album bought it in the 70's on vinyl(if anyone can remenber vinyl records)and it is quite good. Strangely though I reckon I haven't played it or heard the songs concerned for 25 to 30 years yet I could recite all the words.
For the record the two songs concerned were :-
Baby Driver
Keep the Customer Satisfied
Now if somebody had asked me to sing a S & G song I would have gone for my favorite of theirs "The Boxer" which is on the same album.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
The truth is revealed (ouch)
Just been reading back on my blog posts and the last time I actually weighed myself (before my scales packed up) was over two and half years ago. I didn't realise it was that long but in my last weight in the scales said 208lb but I also estimated the scales were 10lb out so called it 218lb.
Anyway to get to the point I've now nowhere to hide I've bought some new scales and weighed in this morning at a horrible 238lb (20lb increase, ouch), was quite shocked as was estimating 14lb less than that judging by how my clothes feel. I could make the excuse that maybe the old scales were further out than I thought but in truth whatever I'm too heavy.
To be fair I've had a heavy food and drink weekend which wont have helped, been in Blackpool playing TT in the Veterans National league and although the exercise was good the weekend is also social gathering and involved a couple of late nights, drinking, 3 course meals, big breakfasts, etc.
For the record our team did well winning 4 matches and losin one, we are 2nd in our section which is great (only one point behind the leaders). Personaly I did good winning 9 out of my 10 matches to lead the averages and it included a couple of wins over players ranked higher which was pleasing.
http://www.etta.co.uk/BritishLeague/VNL/2010-11/VNL110dall.htm
Back to the weight loss plan and I intend to weigh once per week on wednesdays and post on here to keep a record, thinking about setting targets which I'll decide after my Spain trip. Only difference is it'll be Tuesday this and next week then to wednesday on my return (24th Nov).
So here goes (again)
Anyway to get to the point I've now nowhere to hide I've bought some new scales and weighed in this morning at a horrible 238lb (20lb increase, ouch), was quite shocked as was estimating 14lb less than that judging by how my clothes feel. I could make the excuse that maybe the old scales were further out than I thought but in truth whatever I'm too heavy.
To be fair I've had a heavy food and drink weekend which wont have helped, been in Blackpool playing TT in the Veterans National league and although the exercise was good the weekend is also social gathering and involved a couple of late nights, drinking, 3 course meals, big breakfasts, etc.
For the record our team did well winning 4 matches and losin one, we are 2nd in our section which is great (only one point behind the leaders). Personaly I did good winning 9 out of my 10 matches to lead the averages and it included a couple of wins over players ranked higher which was pleasing.
http://www.etta.co.uk/BritishLeague/VNL/2010-11/VNL110dall.htm
Back to the weight loss plan and I intend to weigh once per week on wednesdays and post on here to keep a record, thinking about setting targets which I'll decide after my Spain trip. Only difference is it'll be Tuesday this and next week then to wednesday on my return (24th Nov).
So here goes (again)
Monday, 1 November 2010
Does weight loss need to be painful ?
As all know I've been trying to shed a few pounds before my next vacation but it isn't happening without a few problems. First I'm quite pleased that I seem to be losing weight, certain items of clothing are starting to fit.
One health problem I'm prone to is gout, for those who get attacks they'll understand how painful it can be. Its problems with the blood having too much Uric acid whic causes a build up of crystals in your joints which then become inflamed. Since I started this weight loss attempt I've had attacks in one knee, both ankles and on wrist which in turn limits my physical exercise, plus I'm not keen on taking pills but am having to use a lot of anti-inflammetry pills and pain killers.
I'm thinking maybe I've cut back on the food intake too much and have lost weight too quickly. The things that cause gout attacks are :-
Eating certain foods (I have a list I avoid so this isn't the cause)
Eating too much (not in this case)
Dehyrdration (don't think this is the case)
Fasting, too low food intake or not eating regular (got to be the cause)
So how much should I eat ?
This is basically what I've been eating :-
Breakfast - (240cal total)
2*weetabix (130cal)
1/2 pint orange juice (90)
portion blueberries (20)
Lunch - (approx 300cal)
tin of Soup (140 to 220)
2*wholemeal bread (100)
or
Weight watchers meal (hotpots, spag bol, etc) (220 - 300)
Dinner (main meal) - (600 - 800)
Salad twice per week (approx 550 -600)
or
Meat, potatoes & 3 veg 3 times per week (approx 700)
or
Oven Fish & chips with baked beans & bread once per week (est 750)
or
Baccon, sausage, spagettii, tomato, jacket potato once per week (750-800)
I also have coffee without sugar in the afternoon and a sugar free dilute lemon drink in the evening so say another 50cal max, all other drinks are water.
So totaling that up my current normal day intake as been between 1200 and 1400 calories.
Now I'm not pretending to be some sort of angel, for a start Monday I play in the Pool league for the local pub so I have a few beers, I put that down as my treat night and occasionally I succumb at night and grap a little snack although in the main I've stuck to this eating regime for 3 weeks now.
With the gout problem I've made the decision I'm not eating enough so I'm adjusting slightly, for breakfast I'm going to have a extra weetabix (3 total) another 60cal and also gonna eat two pieces of fruit per day when feeling hungry (approx 100-150cal). That should add around 200 cal to my daily intake and eliminate long periods without food.
Hofully this will still result in losing weight (albeit at a slower rate) but without the pain rom gout attacks. The other positive will be the ability to exercise more so that should help aswell.
The bottom line is its a balance to me, I know that.
On another note reckon after my vacation I'll buy a new scale then I can monitor my weight properly and ot just rely on which clothes fit.
One health problem I'm prone to is gout, for those who get attacks they'll understand how painful it can be. Its problems with the blood having too much Uric acid whic causes a build up of crystals in your joints which then become inflamed. Since I started this weight loss attempt I've had attacks in one knee, both ankles and on wrist which in turn limits my physical exercise, plus I'm not keen on taking pills but am having to use a lot of anti-inflammetry pills and pain killers.
I'm thinking maybe I've cut back on the food intake too much and have lost weight too quickly. The things that cause gout attacks are :-
Eating certain foods (I have a list I avoid so this isn't the cause)
Eating too much (not in this case)
Dehyrdration (don't think this is the case)
Fasting, too low food intake or not eating regular (got to be the cause)
So how much should I eat ?
This is basically what I've been eating :-
Breakfast - (240cal total)
2*weetabix (130cal)
1/2 pint orange juice (90)
portion blueberries (20)
Lunch - (approx 300cal)
tin of Soup (140 to 220)
2*wholemeal bread (100)
or
Weight watchers meal (hotpots, spag bol, etc) (220 - 300)
Dinner (main meal) - (600 - 800)
Salad twice per week (approx 550 -600)
or
Meat, potatoes & 3 veg 3 times per week (approx 700)
or
Oven Fish & chips with baked beans & bread once per week (est 750)
or
Baccon, sausage, spagettii, tomato, jacket potato once per week (750-800)
I also have coffee without sugar in the afternoon and a sugar free dilute lemon drink in the evening so say another 50cal max, all other drinks are water.
So totaling that up my current normal day intake as been between 1200 and 1400 calories.
Now I'm not pretending to be some sort of angel, for a start Monday I play in the Pool league for the local pub so I have a few beers, I put that down as my treat night and occasionally I succumb at night and grap a little snack although in the main I've stuck to this eating regime for 3 weeks now.
With the gout problem I've made the decision I'm not eating enough so I'm adjusting slightly, for breakfast I'm going to have a extra weetabix (3 total) another 60cal and also gonna eat two pieces of fruit per day when feeling hungry (approx 100-150cal). That should add around 200 cal to my daily intake and eliminate long periods without food.
Hofully this will still result in losing weight (albeit at a slower rate) but without the pain rom gout attacks. The other positive will be the ability to exercise more so that should help aswell.
The bottom line is its a balance to me, I know that.
On another note reckon after my vacation I'll buy a new scale then I can monitor my weight properly and ot just rely on which clothes fit.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Mission Accomplished
I'm sat here quite happy with myself because I've just found that I've made one of my goals. A few few months ago those that read my blog will remember I said I was setting myself targets at TT at National level to get in the top 100 in the Veterans (over 40's) and the top 30 in the over 50's.
At the time I was ranked 149 at Veterans and didn't have a over 50 ranking. Still haven't got a over 50 ranking but hoping to be on the next list. However my joy is based on my Veterans position which now stands at No90, well inside my target.
I'm a realist and think it will be hard to stay this high at present because I'm more likely to lose to people below me than beat those above me so I'm opting out of the next couple of tournaments. I am actually playing in the veterans National League next week and may have some county matches oming up which are all ranking competitions so I'll see how they go.
I know to improve further I need to get my fitness level and get much faster around the court, reckon if I can push the weight loss it'll help significantly.
Talking of weight loss I mentioned in my last post I'm trying to lose a few pounds before my next holiday (3 weeks to go now). Well I think its going great I've stuck with my eating plan (ok had a small piece of chocolate sunday that I shouldn't) and I'm sure its working. I did go out to Pool last night and had a few beers but thats allowed as my reward night. Not sure how much I've lost as my scales are broken but tried my Black Jeans on last night and although tightish I could get away with wearing them. Last time I tried them they were far too tight to wear in fact quite painful, hoping they'll be comfort fit by my holiday, thats the aim anyway.
My normal jeans I'm wearing are sarting to feel slack which is another good indiation.
I know my holiday will possibly destroy all this hard work but I'll kick back into my plan on my return.
Did I mention I'm not ageing, lol.
Seriously I had to change my driving licence cos its 10 years old so had my photo taken. When I compared my old photo with the new one they were identical, I asked a few people to say which is the oldest and they couldn't tell.
Of course I'll tell you I'm staying young but I'm sure others will tell you I was a old git 10 years ago.
On a sad note I'm off to North Wales on Friday to a funeral, my cousins husband died of cancer he was just in his 60's, real nice bloke aswell.
At the time I was ranked 149 at Veterans and didn't have a over 50 ranking. Still haven't got a over 50 ranking but hoping to be on the next list. However my joy is based on my Veterans position which now stands at No90, well inside my target.
I'm a realist and think it will be hard to stay this high at present because I'm more likely to lose to people below me than beat those above me so I'm opting out of the next couple of tournaments. I am actually playing in the veterans National League next week and may have some county matches oming up which are all ranking competitions so I'll see how they go.
I know to improve further I need to get my fitness level and get much faster around the court, reckon if I can push the weight loss it'll help significantly.
Talking of weight loss I mentioned in my last post I'm trying to lose a few pounds before my next holiday (3 weeks to go now). Well I think its going great I've stuck with my eating plan (ok had a small piece of chocolate sunday that I shouldn't) and I'm sure its working. I did go out to Pool last night and had a few beers but thats allowed as my reward night. Not sure how much I've lost as my scales are broken but tried my Black Jeans on last night and although tightish I could get away with wearing them. Last time I tried them they were far too tight to wear in fact quite painful, hoping they'll be comfort fit by my holiday, thats the aim anyway.
My normal jeans I'm wearing are sarting to feel slack which is another good indiation.
I know my holiday will possibly destroy all this hard work but I'll kick back into my plan on my return.
Did I mention I'm not ageing, lol.
Seriously I had to change my driving licence cos its 10 years old so had my photo taken. When I compared my old photo with the new one they were identical, I asked a few people to say which is the oldest and they couldn't tell.
Of course I'll tell you I'm staying young but I'm sure others will tell you I was a old git 10 years ago.
On a sad note I'm off to North Wales on Friday to a funeral, my cousins husband died of cancer he was just in his 60's, real nice bloke aswell.
Monday, 25 October 2010
Budapest
Here are a selection of photos from my Budapest adventure :-
If interested you can see all the photos from my trip here :-
If interested you can see all the photos from my trip here :-
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
4 weeks and counting
Four weeks today and I'll be on my way to Andulucia in Spain for my next holiday. This time its a organised trip its actually a singles holiday and if its half as good as my summer trip to Americas Golden West with the same company it'll be great.
Maybe I'll meet a nice lady who knows, thought I had on the America trip but things didn't quite work out, right person wrong time but thats life I suppose. Apparently this trip is fully booked (45 of us I believe) and the ratio of ladies to men is 5 to 1 so could be interesting.
Whatever I hoping for some winter sun although I'm not one for sitting by a pool or on a beach reckon there will be some chill out time in that situation. Thats why I reckon I should make a 4 week effort to shed a few pounds beore I go, gotta look my best, lol.
Ok not gonna produce miracles but a little improvement wont go a miss, so from today its healthy eating and exercise for the next 4 weeks.
At the end of the day thats the real secret of weight loss and we are all responsible to ourselves.
The plan is to cut out any snacks, biscuits and sweets I occasionally indulge in and also spend more time active on my feet, I've drawn up a list of jobs need doing around the house and in the garden hich should cut back "sat on backside" time.
Two TV programmes this week highlighted the two areas concerned (diet and exercise), the first news item was about the overweight Orangutan that somebody had kept as a pet. Apparently they fed it on sweets and biscuits and its twice the weight it should be and suffering the related health issues. Its been brought to this country and put on a strict diet (mainly fruit) and is improving.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_9100000/newsid_9102500/9102553.stm
The 2nd a documentry was about the 45 stone virgin, apparently a 31 year old was weighing that much and a fitness coach read about his situation and decided to help. So with the help of a strict exercise regime he avoided surgery and silly diets to shed his weight.
http://tv.sky.com/45-stone-virgin-review
Makes you think what can be achieved.
So can't sit here on this computor, gotta get moving but I will update on what I'm doing.
Maybe I'll meet a nice lady who knows, thought I had on the America trip but things didn't quite work out, right person wrong time but thats life I suppose. Apparently this trip is fully booked (45 of us I believe) and the ratio of ladies to men is 5 to 1 so could be interesting.
Whatever I hoping for some winter sun although I'm not one for sitting by a pool or on a beach reckon there will be some chill out time in that situation. Thats why I reckon I should make a 4 week effort to shed a few pounds beore I go, gotta look my best, lol.
Ok not gonna produce miracles but a little improvement wont go a miss, so from today its healthy eating and exercise for the next 4 weeks.
At the end of the day thats the real secret of weight loss and we are all responsible to ourselves.
The plan is to cut out any snacks, biscuits and sweets I occasionally indulge in and also spend more time active on my feet, I've drawn up a list of jobs need doing around the house and in the garden hich should cut back "sat on backside" time.
Two TV programmes this week highlighted the two areas concerned (diet and exercise), the first news item was about the overweight Orangutan that somebody had kept as a pet. Apparently they fed it on sweets and biscuits and its twice the weight it should be and suffering the related health issues. Its been brought to this country and put on a strict diet (mainly fruit) and is improving.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_9100000/newsid_9102500/9102553.stm
The 2nd a documentry was about the 45 stone virgin, apparently a 31 year old was weighing that much and a fitness coach read about his situation and decided to help. So with the help of a strict exercise regime he avoided surgery and silly diets to shed his weight.
http://tv.sky.com/45-stone-virgin-review
Makes you think what can be achieved.
So can't sit here on this computor, gotta get moving but I will update on what I'm doing.
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
The Good and bad of Budapest.
Well I'm back from my trip to Budapest so I've a bit to write (well the bits I can remember anyway).
On the day of my flight I drove down to Luton Airport and was pleased I didn't encounter too many problems especially considering it was through the morning rush hour. Anyway I actually arrived before check in opened so got a breakfast.
Eventually its on to the flight, I was travelling with budget airline "Easy Jet" and its a bit of a cattle stampede to get the best seat, I ended up in the middle of 3 and trust me they don't do them in adult sizes.
On arrival I wasn't sure the best way to get to my hotel, sort of wanted to use local transport but in a strange country that speaks a different language I thought best to get a taxi. When I arrived at my hotel it was just a entrance with a canopy over the door in dark quiet street, I tried the door it was locked so I rang the bell and it was automatically unlocked from someone watching me on camera. I was actually shocked when I opened door to enter a passage, it was scruffy, dirty and gave me the impression of some homeless hostel.
The sign sent me to the left to a lift and staircase where the sign told me the reception was on the 1st floor so up I went. Was pleased on arrival to find the 1st floor just the opposite of the entrance, nice, clean, tidy, just what I expected from some reviews I'd read. In fact the hotel only operated from this level up, much to my relief and was a nice place. The staff I must say were very good made you feel welcome and all spoke perfect English.
The breakfast was also nice well presented and tasty.
My only real complaint about the hotel is that the so called double glazing didn't keep street noise out and it was difficult getting my beauty sleep, especially as road works were been done outside very close to the hotel.
So my opinion of Budapest, well it could be a beautiful city it as great architecture but is somewhat spoilt by the graffite everywhere giving it a rough/dirty feel. In fact my hotel experience was mirrored everywhere the outside of many buildings gave a totally different impression of what was inside, that included many bars, restaurants and cafes. Of course the real touristy spots where kept tidy outside but to find the better places you needed to explore some of the dark and dingy streets and alleys. Found some fantastic places with just a entrance or down in some cellar, real friendly people as well.
The streets I'm describing looked so rough if it had been in a English City I wouldn't have ventured down but Budapest is a very friendly place, it is safe in my opinion.
Ok as always I had one iffy incident, one night I'd been out for a meal and a few beers and decided to stop in a Pool room to see iff the locals wanted a few lessons (lol). I'd been there awhile when a couple befriended me, they were from Brazil and Sweden and we just got chatting.
Anyway I went to the toilet came back and finished my beer and said goodbye. Well luckily I left, my hotel was only a couple of minutes away and I must have feel asleep straight away, just flaked out. I awoke about 3 hours laters with a splitting headache and am convinced they had spiked my drink, ok maybe I'd just had one too many but I seriously don't think I had, it wasn't a normal feeling you get with too much booze. I flushed myself out with water and was ok by morning.
Don't know where to start on Hungarian Food, actually enjoyed it although most of the time I hadn't a clue what I was ordering, in fact on 3 occasions I'm sure I ended up with something different to my order reckon some of the chefs just wanted to give everyone their daily specials. Food and drink was cheap so I ended up with a load of forints left which I exchanged to Euros for my upcoming Spanish holiday next month.
I loved public transport, subway, trams, buses all interlinked and I got a 7 day pass for around £15 which was superb value. They were really regular never waited more than 5 minutes. Strangely you could get on and not get your tickets checking which initially made me wonder if many people didn't pay. However soon found the answer, every so often ticket checkers (I called them the Gestapo) invaded a tram, anyone without a ticket paid a on the spot fine and if they couldn't where marched off to nearest cash point. Think most people paid.
As I said earlier there are some fantastic buildings, the Parliment and the castle are as good as you see anywhere. Of course the City straddles one of the worlds great rivers "The Danube" with a number of bridge crossings.
On my first morning I climbed the Gellert Hill that gives the best views, its the highest point and believe me going up tests your lungs, as for coming down it sorted my knees out.
Other things I visited was Heroes Square, which is there equivellant of Trafalgar square, also Margarit Island which is a big park in the middle of the river.
Also went to the "House of Terror" which is in the building that both the Nazi and Communist secret police used while occupying the city, told the stories of the torture and murder that went on during those regimes.
Must also mention I took the pilgimage to the "Peoples Stadium" (Ferec Puskas Stadium as its now known), why you may ask. Well thats simple in 1968 Leeds United won their first European Trophy (Inter Cities Fairs Cup) on this ground against local side Ferenchvaros. Its not had much modernisation since and is a bit scruffy by todays standards but to a Leeds fan a place where history took place.
Ok I've gone and bought myself a Ferenchvaros footie shirt as a souvener, just had to do it, got bloody XL though and its still tight, obviously don't make Hungarians in the same sizes as us Brits. So reckon thats my new motivation to lose weight.
I'll post some photos soon.
On the day of my flight I drove down to Luton Airport and was pleased I didn't encounter too many problems especially considering it was through the morning rush hour. Anyway I actually arrived before check in opened so got a breakfast.
Eventually its on to the flight, I was travelling with budget airline "Easy Jet" and its a bit of a cattle stampede to get the best seat, I ended up in the middle of 3 and trust me they don't do them in adult sizes.
On arrival I wasn't sure the best way to get to my hotel, sort of wanted to use local transport but in a strange country that speaks a different language I thought best to get a taxi. When I arrived at my hotel it was just a entrance with a canopy over the door in dark quiet street, I tried the door it was locked so I rang the bell and it was automatically unlocked from someone watching me on camera. I was actually shocked when I opened door to enter a passage, it was scruffy, dirty and gave me the impression of some homeless hostel.
The sign sent me to the left to a lift and staircase where the sign told me the reception was on the 1st floor so up I went. Was pleased on arrival to find the 1st floor just the opposite of the entrance, nice, clean, tidy, just what I expected from some reviews I'd read. In fact the hotel only operated from this level up, much to my relief and was a nice place. The staff I must say were very good made you feel welcome and all spoke perfect English.
The breakfast was also nice well presented and tasty.
My only real complaint about the hotel is that the so called double glazing didn't keep street noise out and it was difficult getting my beauty sleep, especially as road works were been done outside very close to the hotel.
So my opinion of Budapest, well it could be a beautiful city it as great architecture but is somewhat spoilt by the graffite everywhere giving it a rough/dirty feel. In fact my hotel experience was mirrored everywhere the outside of many buildings gave a totally different impression of what was inside, that included many bars, restaurants and cafes. Of course the real touristy spots where kept tidy outside but to find the better places you needed to explore some of the dark and dingy streets and alleys. Found some fantastic places with just a entrance or down in some cellar, real friendly people as well.
The streets I'm describing looked so rough if it had been in a English City I wouldn't have ventured down but Budapest is a very friendly place, it is safe in my opinion.
Ok as always I had one iffy incident, one night I'd been out for a meal and a few beers and decided to stop in a Pool room to see iff the locals wanted a few lessons (lol). I'd been there awhile when a couple befriended me, they were from Brazil and Sweden and we just got chatting.
Anyway I went to the toilet came back and finished my beer and said goodbye. Well luckily I left, my hotel was only a couple of minutes away and I must have feel asleep straight away, just flaked out. I awoke about 3 hours laters with a splitting headache and am convinced they had spiked my drink, ok maybe I'd just had one too many but I seriously don't think I had, it wasn't a normal feeling you get with too much booze. I flushed myself out with water and was ok by morning.
Don't know where to start on Hungarian Food, actually enjoyed it although most of the time I hadn't a clue what I was ordering, in fact on 3 occasions I'm sure I ended up with something different to my order reckon some of the chefs just wanted to give everyone their daily specials. Food and drink was cheap so I ended up with a load of forints left which I exchanged to Euros for my upcoming Spanish holiday next month.
I loved public transport, subway, trams, buses all interlinked and I got a 7 day pass for around £15 which was superb value. They were really regular never waited more than 5 minutes. Strangely you could get on and not get your tickets checking which initially made me wonder if many people didn't pay. However soon found the answer, every so often ticket checkers (I called them the Gestapo) invaded a tram, anyone without a ticket paid a on the spot fine and if they couldn't where marched off to nearest cash point. Think most people paid.
As I said earlier there are some fantastic buildings, the Parliment and the castle are as good as you see anywhere. Of course the City straddles one of the worlds great rivers "The Danube" with a number of bridge crossings.
On my first morning I climbed the Gellert Hill that gives the best views, its the highest point and believe me going up tests your lungs, as for coming down it sorted my knees out.
Other things I visited was Heroes Square, which is there equivellant of Trafalgar square, also Margarit Island which is a big park in the middle of the river.
Also went to the "House of Terror" which is in the building that both the Nazi and Communist secret police used while occupying the city, told the stories of the torture and murder that went on during those regimes.
Must also mention I took the pilgimage to the "Peoples Stadium" (Ferec Puskas Stadium as its now known), why you may ask. Well thats simple in 1968 Leeds United won their first European Trophy (Inter Cities Fairs Cup) on this ground against local side Ferenchvaros. Its not had much modernisation since and is a bit scruffy by todays standards but to a Leeds fan a place where history took place.
Ok I've gone and bought myself a Ferenchvaros footie shirt as a souvener, just had to do it, got bloody XL though and its still tight, obviously don't make Hungarians in the same sizes as us Brits. So reckon thats my new motivation to lose weight.
I'll post some photos soon.
Monday, 4 October 2010
Sad Bastards
Just been reading about the imminent terrorist threat and the fact Al Queda are supposedly planning Mumbai style attacks to tourist sites around europe to try and kill as many civillians as possible.
Of course I'm concerned because I'm on my travels on Wednesday to Budapest and sure I'll be visiting touristy areas. I know the chances of getting caught up in something is slim but thats by the way these sad bastards are just sick and want exterminating when caught.
How on earth can anyone in the name of religion come up with these plans is unbelievable just makes you wonder what kind of world we live in.
Of course I like many people will not change my travel plans because we can't let the extremists win.
Of course I'm concerned because I'm on my travels on Wednesday to Budapest and sure I'll be visiting touristy areas. I know the chances of getting caught up in something is slim but thats by the way these sad bastards are just sick and want exterminating when caught.
How on earth can anyone in the name of religion come up with these plans is unbelievable just makes you wonder what kind of world we live in.
Of course I like many people will not change my travel plans because we can't let the extremists win.
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