Golf and Kids..Sunshine and Rain..

View from hotel room
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The hand baggage restrictions are beginning to be being lifted for short haul out of Heathrow which will make a big difference. The biggest bummer in business travel is waiting for bags on arrival/departure. It eats away at your soul.

Headed off for a golf weekend to Marbella at the end of which Claire and the kids are coming down here for a weeks holiday. Wahey! We all need it and I’m looking forward to hanging out with the kids and being just ‘dad’. And it’ll give Claire a rest.

Beach at Marbella resort
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Stayed at the Westin La Quinta in Benahavis just set back from Puerto Banus.

Basic rooms but with two rounds of golf thrown in. Golf is a game I am rubbish at but I like because its social and relaxing. I started too late and don’t have the time or patience to learn properly now so I’ll never break 90 but so what. The courses here are not in top shape that’s for sure and I’d expected much better. Nonetheless Ian and myself played fourballs with an elderly Finnish couple and a couple from Zurich and both games were good fun in their own forced-politeness way. The weather here at this time of year is fantastic. Its when having a place here would be best. Just as it’s starting to get cold and grotty in the UK its still 28 degrees on the Costa. Having said that some of the architectural ‘warcrimes’ around the golfcourse warrant special investigation in the Hague.

Charlie and Claire in transit..
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We went out in Puerto Banus last night and it was what is has ever been. A holiday spot for chavs and aspirant white trash and home to crooks and those with something (personal or sinister) to run away from. Its trying hard to be a modern St Tropez but it gets nowhere near. PB is to St T as Harvey Nicks is to Harrods. Vaguely similar but just a bit naff.

Claire and the kids arrived a bit late on Sunday evening and it was fantastic to see them. Got back to the hotel and got sorted and looked forward to nice week of sun and farting about...however...pretty much for the whole week it rained....and in the British style..ie light drizzle...light enough to annoy and paralize your day..but not heavy enough to mean you resign yourself to it..its the Chinese water torture of rains.

Holidays can be knackring..
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We did though make an effort to just have a laugh with the kids and try and make sure they had as much fun as possible. Which in Charlies case involves either spending money or getting wet.And if both can be done concurrently so much the  better.

I really value my holidays with Claire and the family because they grow up so quickly and its palpable week by week both with Charlie and Isabella. And important for them to see their mum and dad together. Work is just a tool to make sure your family have the best life you can give them. And your  time is the thing your kids want more than anything. End of sociology lesson...

P*ssing Rain
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We had a great time but were ready to head home. Not least because Charlie and Iz had their cousins waiting to see them.