Morning!

I'm writing this in a so far quiet house this morning. Craig is having a lie in today. I mention this because this is not normal for a Saturday morning. He's usually up with the larks checking the surf report and texting various surfing buddies to co-ordinate which beach they will meet up at. But last night before he went to bed, he said there was a good surfable swell, but that.... HE WAS GOING TO GIVE IT A MISS....!!!!

What has made him change....?

I think it's this manual work he has been doing with Lorien's dad. In case anyone missed this, Craig got made redundant from one job at Christmas (the place closed) and then the other job (at the school) reduced his hours. A casualty of the credit crunch. Which, I think is definitely more apparent in Cornwall, than it is in Scotland (I assume from reading Gary's blog and listening to friends), where house prices have not dipped as far and Aberdeen continues to have comparably low unemployment.

So anyway he had to find other work. The dad of the little boy he has been working with, saved the day by offering him work on his estate. So Craig has been doing a variety of tasks as required including for example, demolishing sheds and grappling with overgrown gardens amongst other tasks. So far, I think he has really enjoyed the chance to do something really physical.

I am quite jealous of getting the opportunity to work out and work at the same time. The only muscles I use during the day are facial ones! Craig has been pointing out how much of a workout he is getting my flexing his biceps and pulling the 'beach is thatta way' pose... (does anyone know what I'm talking about..?!!!) at every opportunity.

But the work is definitely having it's toll on him. He's been going to bed earlier and earlier each night. And of course, today he is not surfing.

So with Craig crashing out as soon as he hits the sofa and me doing an essay, we've had a really quiet week. We've watched Celebrity Big Brother... (I realise that I may just be speaking to Gary here... but Ulrika Johnsson...!!??! How did she win it??!) And not much else.

I have of course been like everyone else, thinking about our holiday... (Why is it harder to go to work when you have a holiday coming up..?). I had been thinking that I would like to hire a bicycle when we get to Tenerife. So I'd been scoping out prices on the net this week.

I was just looking for a little run around thing. But was quite surprised to find that Tenerife is a bit of a cycling mecca. Apparently because the island is a volcano, it is one of the few places where you can go from sea level to very high up (thousand of feet..!!) on one piece of land. So big name cyclists often go to Tenerife to train before their competitive season starts. Folk like Lance Armstrong (Ok, so he is the only big name cyclist I know... but see how many you can get without googling it first..... !!!).

Anyway, the point is, that you are spoilt for choice if wanting to hire a bike in Tenerife. And Tenerife has some of the steepest roads in the world apparently. So some bright spark has come up with an idea that I thought sounded fun.... They will transport you and your bikes to the top of the volcano and then you can cycle (or really just sit in the saddle!) all the way to the bottom! Magic! All the fun of the downhill and no upill struggle! Hurrah!

I think I would like to try that. Does anyone else fancy it??? I don't unfortunately think it is a child friendly venture. Apparently brake overheating is a major problem. And the top of the volcano is snow topped, so it is no small down hill.

But if you are up for it, let me know. If not, we'll probably try and do it before you arrive.

Ps Gary.. I didn't mention anything about the football offer, due to my own lack of interest. But Craig said he'd happily go along if you all were.

PS Lucy.. is it Scott's birthday when we are there too..?

Have a nice weekend, y'all.