Don't worry it's not going to be an in-depth look at my life or being philosophical at all - phew I bet you're saying!

Unfortunately I'm still unemployed and it's getting extremely painfull - the job market has never been so bad.  I remember when you went for maybe two interviews and at least one of them gave you the job but now it's like 10 interviews and you're still waiting.  The interviews that irritate me are the competency based ones - i swat up on the competencies they set out in the job description and then they ask you completely random questions!  Also, many moons ago it was about who you knew - networking etc but nowadays it just ain't so!   I've enjoyed unemployment - it's not the worst thing in life... but I'm ready now....

Ria started work last week at her new school - she's an unqualified teacher and has been stressing about her class prep - she's certainly taking it seriously as it's a great opportunity to see if this is really what she wants - so far, so good.  I admire her courage and determination

Also, in my 'spare' time I've been seeing my little niece grow up - it's hard to remember how she looked and acted at the start of the year.  She is a very intelligent little girl - her vocabulary is quite extensive, words such as 'people', 'sit here' and 'i love you' plus she can tell you where her eyes, ears, nose and hair are.  She is such a cutie 

As I said in my last update (err back in July) we planned on going to Minehead to see Ria's grandma, well we decided to go away for a few days and visit her.  There we drove around Exmoor National Park, visited Lynmouth in Devon and walked around Minehead itself...amongst other tourist things like seaside amusements!  It was a lovely break and from there we drove to Glastonbury which is one of my favourite places in England - it's unbelievably tranquil.  We walked up to the Tor and looked around and then went into the town and had cream teas - well, we were on holiday!  Unfortunately there were way too many visitors - plenty of Europeans.  After that (same day) we drove over to Stonehenge as Ria had never seen the place even though her family live about an hour away!  We parked up alongside it and walked around, outside of course and took a few photos - it's not worth paying to get in when you're just as close from the road, plus we could always go back at summer or winter solstice when it's free - just how it should be!  But anyway, we enjoyed it and finished the week off in Fareham staying with her family.

Then Bank Holiday weekend mum, dad, Ria and I went to Guildford to meet up with Ria's mum, dad and sister as it's halfway between us.  Had a nice pub meal, walked around the town centre along the cobbled streets and then drove just out of the city centre to a leisure facility where we played tenpin bowling.  It was a nice day out and has given Ria and me ideas about Guildford - a lovely place with a bit of character and a perfect position between here and Fareham!  Also, Guildford Cathedral was the church used in 'The Omen' film - the original movie.

It's mad to think that this time last year we were having the time of our lives in San Francisco - the start of our travels.  It's funny because we remember it all so vividly and still both have the travel bug - it's contagious - Ria caught it from me!  Time definitely heals old wounds because we were adamant that we'd never do backpacking again but if we had the opportunity we'd both be back out there having more adventures in the blink of an eye!

But finally, I'm pleased to report that my awful belly holes have now healed, unfortunately the scars left behind are almost as bad as before.  I think in hindsight I still would've gone through with it, however I would have gone against dissolving stitches as none of them actually dissolved - hence my scarring.  The hospital have said that I need to give it at least 12 months before they look at doing anything more.

Anyway, I'm off now as Ria will be home soon and I can play housewife - I used to joke about her going to work and me being the homemaker.  Ria would always reply "err, I don't think so - you can work like me" however she has enjoyed coming home over the past few days to a cup of tea when she walks in the door and a yummy meal to look forward to for dinner.... ironic don't you think?!