Uploaded some photos from the weekend so added a few to my blog entry from the other day.

Have managed to work out my route across to Waterloo ready for tomorrow.

So not looking forward to such an early start. Hoping to get a good night's sleep but I doubt it will happen cos I know I have to get up early.

Had a mixed day yesterday.

Got up at 5:30 as planned and headed off to the station. Train was sitting there ready to depart. Got to Seven Sisters easily, changed there and got the tube to Oxford Circus. Changed on to the Bakerloo line and got down to Waterloo with about 25 minutes to spare before my train left.

Then a pigeon decided to do a massive shit on my shirtsleeve. What made it was is that I was carrying my suit jacket in the same hand. So it splattered down that as well.

I was absolutely livid. Dashed to the toilets to start cleaning it off. Must have looked like Rab C Nesbitt, stood there wearing my jacket while I washed my shirt like the tramps down there. Managed to get it off with a barely visible stain. The jacket proved a bit harder, but I don't think anyone noticed the marks.

Got on the train, not having had any time to grab breakfast like I had planned to. Noticed there were some specks on my trousers as well so had to go and wash them off.

Got to Farnborough on time and managed to find the minibus that was laid on to take us to the offices. Was the second person there so had to wait around a while. The complex is amazing. Proper swanky offices!!

Eventually there were 6 of us. During the initial presentation the recruitment bloke was giving us a brief outline of the selection process and said the next stage would be on the 24th of July. My face dropped as I realised that is the day I am due to fly back from Sweden. Major problem.

Anyway, after that we had to prepare a presentation in groups and then do some aptitude tests. The tests were kind of freaky. Really had to think about the answers logically instead of just finding them in the information.

Felt everything went pretty well, but there was still this problem about the dates if I made it to the next stage. Had a chat with the bloke about it and he asked if my travel plans were flexible as he thought I did well in the discussion and presentation. Said I'd have to look at it.

Got the train back a bit later than planned. Had to go straight to Specsavers for my check-up. Optician said there were no problems with my new lenses but I have to have a final check-up in a fortnight.

Just as I got to work my mobile rang and it was the recruitment bloke saying I'd scored really highly on the tests and if I can make the 24th they want me to go back for the next stage. Major dilemma. He sounded really keen to bring me back so I've had a look at the options and decided to cut short my holiday. Hope they appreciate this dedication!!

Luckily I should be able to sort a flight back a day earlier without too much cost but it'll cost me about £35 to get back from Stansted as the last train will have gone by then. Got to ring Ryanair in a bit to sort out my flights.

Also realised I booked my next check-up for a time that I can't make so need to swap that as well.

Work today, then the girlfriend's coming down for the weekend.

Finally the chance of progress in my escape from my beloved job!!

Managed to change my flight for just £15.67. Not bad considering they charge at least £15 to change all bookings. Don't know what the extra 67p is for but not complaining as it saved me at least a tenner on booking an extra single flight.

Managed to move my check-up a day later as well.

This morning has been productive so far!!

Have had a fairly enjoyable weekend despite my brother's best attempts to cause me grief.

A couple of weeks back he invited me and my girlfriend, Jenny, to go bowling on Saturday. Told her about this so she could bring something comfy to bowl in. When she arrived on Friday and I got home from work, he then springs it on us that we're supposed to be going to TGI Friday's after the bowling for food and drink so he wants us to dress smart i.e. trousers not jeans.

Get a load of grief from the other half for not having warned her about this, despite the fact it's the first I've heard about it. So on Saturday I wanted to do a bit of shopping. Jenny comes with me and gets in a right strop because she needs to buy some new trousers when she could have brought some down with her if she'd been told. Again I get blamed for not telling her to do this. Ring my brother who says she can wear jeans. She doesn't want to look scruffy compared to the others so buys the trousers anyway.

Managed to get a pair of sunglasses ready for my holiday this week so not all bad.

Get to the bowling alley and all his mates turn up, wearing jeans, so Jenny has a go cos she's spent 30 quid for no reason, even though I told her not to buy them. Came second on my lane by 1 point in both games. Got the best aggregate score though.

Had a nice meal at TGIs. Friday's mushrooms to start then a Jack Daniel's American Grill with extra shrimp. Washed that down with a June Bug, Planter's punch and a Grasshopper.

Decided to break up the mission of a blog that was forming before my eyes so today gets it's own slot!!

Had planned a trip to the London Eye today as a surprise for Jenny. Had kep it secret from her until we were just heading out the door when my mum asks where we're going. I said, "Into London." My brother said, "Oh yeah, the London Eye," with Jenny standing there next to him. Was absolutely furious the whole way to the station.

Got to Waterloo and decide to get hot dogs for lunch. My 'dog' deicdes to leap out the bun and leave a massive ketchup stain down the side of my T-shirt. So my mood gets worse.

Get on the Eye after waiting for 30 minutes which is what they warn you to expect. Turn on my digital camera, and it turns itself off and refuses to come back on. No low battery indicator had been showing so I hadn't got any spare batteries with me so couldn't take any photos at all. The view is damn impressive and well worth the £11 for a ticket.

Afterwards we walked up to Trafalgar Square. Popped in to the National Gallery to get out of the heat and it was free. Saw the Hay Wain by Constable and Van Gogh's Sunflowers.

Strolled up to Piccadilly Circus. Had a Strawberries and Cream Frapuccino from Starbucks. Nice but seemd to be an extremely expensive, overly-syrupy strawberry milkshake. Will stick to MacD's in the future. Sat and drank them by Eros then strolled up Shaftesbury Avenue. Had a good chat before Jenny got on her train. Managed to part on good terms for a change. Seeing her again in 2 weeks.

Last day at work today before my holiday!!

Read in the paper yesterday that Justin Timberlake is going to perform at the Royal Variety Performance this year. Don't like his music or him but looking forward to seeing Prince Phillip have a chat with him with his usual tact and diplomacy:

PP: "So Timberlake, you're the chap who gave that Spears girl a good seeing to? Bet she was a right little minx."

JT: "Er, yeah."

PP: "Bloody good show, old boy!!"

JT: "Gee, thanks."

Added a Web Fire Escape to my blog, courtesy of Gary Turner's Weblog.

Supposed to be packing ready to fly to Sweden tomorrow.

So far I've packed 4 AA batteries and an extra memory card for my camera.

Still it's a start.

Just been out and bought some short-sleeve shirts. Managed to spend less than my budget of £100 which was quite an achievement. Had to walk to the shops and back which is a good 20 minutes each way. Went to the gym as well this morning so had more than enough exercise for the day.

Now got less than 2 hours to pack all my stuff before I head off to watch Spurs play Stevenage in their first pre-season friendly.

Probably my last blog entry before I jet off for a week so I bid you all a temporary farewell. I'll try and send a postcard!!