MrGrumpyLobster and the Internet

After almost no sleep MrGrumpyLobster was feeling less than enthusiastic at returning to the SunBedFarm today. He sat on the terrace and tried to check his email and update his blog, nothing... he could connect to the WiFi but there was no internet connection behind it.
He tried various geeky things, pinging, changing DNS servers etc, but there was nothing accessible other than the WiFi access point.
"Great" he thought, not only was he unable to use the internet anywhere off the terrace but even the rubbish connection he had yesterday was now gone.

He decided to head for reception,  that used to be the only place he could get access anyway and if nothing else he could complain about the lack of WiFi from their room.
They first tried GanAnfi reception, this has a really nice view, but he could not seem to find an available WiFi with internet access, so the went on to the main MonteAnfi reception.

This was more convenient as LittleMissNaughty could go up the stairs and sit by the pool while MrGrumpyLobster hid from the sun in the reception using the internet (which this time worked fine).  He was now able to check his emails and update the blog, he starts to get the shakes if he is off the grid for more than 12 hours.

Tangoed

Pre Sneezing drink

In the evening they went to visit LittleMissNaughty's favorite MrBellaPasta. Just as they were finishing off the nice meal there was a MrWakoJacko tribute act playing on the stage area, he was obviously miming but a good look-alike and dancer.
Back at the apartment, the 1 ltr of Canarian wine was taking its toll on LittleMissNaughty, she got the sneezes followed by the giggles, then out for the count.

MrGrumpy says Relax

MrGrumpy is still not quite on the right timezone, he is currently somewhere mid atlantic, but closing in on the Canaries quickly, especially with the assistance on Beer, Sunshine and LittleMissNaughty.

Even though MrGrumpy has woken to sunshine for the last 6+ weeks, he finds it even better when he has replaced the CubeFarm with the SunBedFarm.

They spent the morning relaxing and slowly baking by the pool and when it got too hot, dipping into the pool to cool down.

After a little lunch back at the room, they went for a walk around, on the island there was a new bar/restaurant, where LittleMissNaughty decided it was a good place to get a cocktail, MrGrumpy stuck with a beer.

They decided to go out for some food, after some negotiation they decided to go to the MemSaab and have a curry, the food was good (but MrGrumpy thinks it is a tad pricy, which is not helped by the Euro/GBP rate). MrGrumpy had to help out LittleMissNaughty to finish off hers, so he was feeling pretty stuffed when they left.

By the end of the evening MrGrumpy had worked out the recipe for marking the perfect MrGrumpyLobster.

1. Take a part baked MrGrumpy
2. Place on pre-heated sunbed (35+ Degrees C)
3. turn over regularly to ensure cooking
4. dunk in pool every 2 - 3 turns
5. repeat steps 3 and 4 until fully cooked
6. leave to hurt for 12-24 hours 

MrGrumpy goes on Holiday

This morning MrGrumpy and LittleMissNaughty were getting ready to go on holiday.
Firstly MrBarneyDog went to his 5* destination with Mr and MrsDangerous, then MrGrumpy loaded up the car and they headed to the airport.
Parking went smoothly, they found the long stay parking and went to get the shuttle bus to the terminal This time they remembered to write down the car park and row, which makes it much easier to find the car on return.
It was easy for them to find the MrRyanAir queues, they were the ones with lots of grumpy looking people waiting.
The queues moved at a glacial pace, how can it take so long just to check peoples bags in,  it was a good job they had left plenty of time. Once the bag was checked in, the next challenge was ensuring that they got through security without a problem, they were well prepared, belts off, all pockets empty, no liquids, laptop out... no problems.

The flight was due out at 2:15pm, they had time for some lunch, off to MrFrankyAndBennys. After lunch LittleMissNaughty required some retail therapy and MrGrumpy found some iPad cases at a good price.
MrGrumpy had put his watch (which was still on PST) into his rucksack and was not aware that is was now 1:50pm, the gate for MrRyanAir opened at 1:30pm and was now on Final Call as they strolled towards the gate. Lucky they were not quite the last to get on the plane, but late enough to give them little choices on seating. They found two asile seats, but a row apart, not bad given how late they had boarded.
The flight on MrRyanAir was better than they expected, yes very basic and a bit chaotic but not that bad really. The approach and landing was quite bumpy, this made Little MissNaughty look a little green, but it was better then the last time when they landed with thunderstorms all around.
The transfer and check-in was quick and efficient, it was not long before they were in their apartment, LittleMissNaughty unpacked and MrGrumpy attempted to get all the technology online. This proved a little more of a challenge, the visible network from inside was not the correct one, the correct one was only visible from the terrace and even then a little hit a miss, there would be no streaming video on this WIFI.

They then realised that it was almost 9pm, they needed to rush or they would not make it to the Spar in time to get some supplies, without Wine, Beer and crisps how would they survive... They were just in time, the doors were being closed only moments after they arrived.
Now it was time for them to relax and start enjoying their time together. (Even if LittleMissNaughty wanted to watch the UK soap).

MrGrumpy goes to town

The nap in the afternoon was not a great idea, it ment MrGrumpy woke just after midnight and did not get back to sleep.
By 8:00am he was cleaning all the bird messages and what appeared to be half a bag of sand from the Porsche, before MrGrumpy and Little MissNaughty went (roof down) to Cambridge in the hot sunshine.

Blue Skies over Cambridge

MrGrumpy managed to remember which side of the road he should be on switched back to the UK driving mode easily.

When they got back home, MrGrumpy started to watch the F1, this was not a great idea, he soon nodded off and felt much the worse when he awoke an hour or two later.


Little MissNaughty spent the time while he was asleep cramming more and more into the suitcase they were taking on holiday tomorrow.

When MrGrumpy weighed the case, it was 15+KG and felt like it was lead filled, they are only going for a week, but there was no point in asking her to remove stuff, it was all "essential"

After he work and they were going out for the first BBQ of the year, good food, friends and beer MrGrumpy really felt at home now.

MrGrumpy's Back...

MrGrumpy did not manage to sleep on the flight home, he flew back on MustangSally, quite appropriate really given his vehicle in the US.
He watched a couple of movies, and listened to his iPod, no sleep really, he did close his eyes but did not manage to sleep.
After quite a short flight (9:15) flight and best part of an hour stacking over heathrow, MrGrumpy arrived to sunshine back in the UK, at least there was no luggage to wait for, but the plane did seem to be as far as possible from passport control.

He was back home by lunch time, the sun seems to have come back with him, he was very happy to be home for a little while.

After a quick nap while watching the golf (after watching the F1 qualifying), MrGrumpy and Little MissNaughty went out to see friends and have a takeaway.

MrGrumpy has left the building...

MrGrumpy arrived at the CubeFarm bright and early. This morning was a little cooler and quite a breeze outside, but the sun was still shining.

He parked the Mustang oposite the CubeFarm main entrance, that way it will be visible to the CCTV and MrSecurity while he is gone.

Hopefully MrGrumpy has everything he needs to exit and return to the country, he is only taking hand luggage so it should be quick and easy at the airport (if such a thing is possible).

It is almost time for MrGrumpy to leave for the AirPort, he is getting a lift off LittleMissLightRay (formally known as LittleMissUSFAE) this makes getting there much easier. On the way back he will try using the BART and CalTrain (and getting off at the right station).

At the airport the queue for security was quite light, still took a little while for MrGrumpy to get through (the metal detector was not working, so everybody had to go through the full body scanner).

MrGrumpy had plenty of time for a pint and pizza (he decided on pizza after the disappointment of last nights poor excuse for food), then only a two hour wait before getting on the plane for another ten and a half. MrGrumpy really enjoys international travel... Not...

Little MissNaughty told MrGrumpy that he was flying home on MustangSally, quite appropriate given his   US vehicle choice.

MrGrumpy's sends home the Sunshine

Another early start, MrGrumpy was in the office by 6:45 this morning and he had to fill up with gas on the way.

MrGrumpy has noticed that the weather in Sunnyvale is cooling down a little (about 21-22 deg C) as the UK is hotting up 28 deg C max today (ready for his return), looking at the forecast it will have evened out by the weekend 21-22 at both.

It was another Donut Thursday, he was so busy with his work that he forgot, it was only when somebody walked past his cube and reminded him, that he remembered. He knew there was a reason why he did not have breakfast this morning.

MrGrumpy has had a run in with his technology today, his laptop got very confused with it's mouse and wireless connections, requiring several reboots, fiddling with various settings, turning it off and on again... Finally it seems to be working again. One of the side effects of mixing multiple operating systems on a single device, MrGrumpy thinks. Maybe he was just having a bad technology day!

As the afternoon draws on, MrGrumpy is getting quite hungry, does he wait for the very last free meal in the canteen at 7:00pm or does he head home and treat himself to a pizza at the local near home. Maybe it is time for a snack and see how he feels later. He checked what tonights option of free food is, it is Korean BBQ, that is OK but he is still tempted by a pizza and to quote MrHomer, "Hot Pizza, the food of Kings!".

Today is the end of The Prisoner (staring MrGrumpy) - Season 1 - his last full day in the CubeFarm, tomorrow he will be heading for the airport at lunchtime (so only a 5 hour working day), the morning will just be like the end credits, time to tidy up some loose ends and ensure MrZee is busy for the next couple of weeks.

MrGrumpy intends on maintaining some updates during his vacation, they may not be uploaded daily - depending on wifi availability. Most entries could be "sitting by pool in the sun, drinking beer or eating out" so don't expect too much classic MrGrumpy. But then he will be in a foreign country and there is a general tendency for things to annoy him.

On his way home, MrGrumpy's scrooge gene kicked in,  having spent quite a lot of money last weekend, he decided to use the emergency frozen microwave food instead of going out. The Pizza slice was more like a pizza coaster, so he also nuked up the pasta stuff as well. Between the two there was just enough for a snack. What did he expect given they were only $0.99 each. Washed down with a couple of beers and some chips (crisps) while watching mythbusters, that will have to do him for tonight.

MrGrumpy is not sure why this post did not publish last night, it was still showing as draft this morning, even though he had told it to publish.