Tuesday 6th December 2016

At some point in the night my allergy attack had ended, so I slept the rest of the night very well, and waking up was refreshed. Waking up at just gone six, which gave me an hour to get ready for work before the breakfast bar opened.

Not much had changed, except that the leak from my previous visit had been fixed, and I guess any damage to paintwork. I have the usual for to eat; fruit followed by a bread roll with Nutella.

Outside it is still dark, just, and traffic not yet jumping, so I can cruise to the office via the ring road using only about 20% of my brain. Just as well as the other 80% is still mostly asleep. I beat the minions into the office, and already sorting mails when they arrive. Tomorrow they will beat me as they are sailing at half six in the morning.

Work begins, with meetings. Followed by more meetings with added meetings into the afternoon. And there will be minutes of each to either write or review.

In a change, I am invited to join the workers for their lunch; each put in ten Euros a week and share bread and meat. It saves going out to eat for sure, or getting a roll for the nearby garage. And it also means stopping to eat and socialising when we eat, not doing the eating at the desk thing which means we never take our brains off the hook.

Anyway, the day passes in much the same way a working day does, two steps back and two steps back. And so we dance our way through the working week.

Come half five, it is dark, and with the last mail of the day written, time to go back to the hotel before meeting up with Manu later on the hunt for dinner.

The seaside town out of season, whether at home or in Europe is a strange thing; looks the same, but rows of shops and restuarant stand clocked and in darkness until the spring and customers come. A few are open, so we must find one that will be open.

We end up at a nice place and order baked cod with Belgian fries and mayo. And good beer. But then all Belgian beer seems to be good. And strong.

I followup the cod with Creme Brulee, and a coffee, first time I have had desert for months, and it is as great as it sounded. And all I could do to not pick up the dish and lick it clean so yummy was the vanilla filling.

Back in my room there is football to watch; last CL group games, but the only game on was Benfica v Napoli, and is a dull game, enlivened by two late goals to register a 2-1 away win. No idea what it meant for the group though.