So I don't have time for an essay right now (much as I would love to write one) as I have to pack and be on a train at Redruth at 1620. That train takes me, via a stop at Taunton, to BHX tonight for around 2200. I then have to sit there and probably not sleep until I can check the 40kgs that I've not yet packed at around 0500 tomorrow. Happiness. Then I will board for an 0715 wheels up and arrive in Turin 3hrs later (inc CET +1). With any luck, by around lunchtime, I'll be in Sestriere in the Via Lattea skying area, which played host to the 2006 winter olympics.

I can't FREAKING WAIT!

For those who didn't realize (coz I didn't mention it - doh!) I arrived back in the UK two weeks ago from Lanzarote having lived there for 10 months. I had the most amazing time and learned a ton of things about myself, and plenty more besides. I now have conversational Spanish. Met an awesome number of people from all over the world and generally caught the bug to see more of it. I wish I could condense 10 months of journalling for you to explain just what made it some fantastic (and crappy at times). Basically, virtually everyday sunshine, with friendly people, good food, breathtaking landscapes and views and a relaxed pace of life where all in evidence. I had a free apartment, car and phone, with unlimited fuel and credit. I was free to plan my day how I wanted and my manager left me in peace to do so. Although I was on call 24hrs a day (which can be very demanding and makes things like surfing lessons, or long walks/bbqs in caves beside volcanoes difficult) I worked when I wanted to. All of the managers like me and therefore, if worst comes to worst, I have an open invitation to return there this summer. Not a bad option to be fair.

Oh yeah, for those of you who are wondering about the finances. I haven't paid a penny in tax or NI during the 11/12 tax year, had zero money worries as I had no bills to pay. I saved around £1800, didn't cook for 10 months straight and ate pretty well, as well as drinking and generally enjoying myself with cinema, boat trips, sightseeing, beach etc. a fair amount. You could adjust it either way to suit your prefences.

This next job is not a concierge, but a more traditional "rep" role. But I think ski is a different flavour from what I've heard. And after all, people are there to actually do stuff (even if it's just ski) so I imagine any selling I'll need to do will be to people who want to buy (I wasn't targetted for sales in Lanzarote at all and generally didn't bother). I have to work a long day on transfer day (Sunday) and then generally work first thing in the morning and early evening (sometimes later as well), but the middle of the day should be mine to explore the mountain at least two or three days a week! I've never even been to a ski resort before, so I'm booked into school on Monday. But I kinda wanna try boarding. I'm going to see if it's possible to do both. Also, having picked up Espanol reasonable well, I'm challenging myself to be able to transact basic things in Italiano by the time I leave. The posting is for a minimum 2 months, but could go longer depending on the snow.

So that's about it. I knew I couldn't sit here and spend a fortune on £3.50 bottles of Corona that aren't Coronitas con lima. I certainly don't care who resigns from government, what nonsense they want to tell me about the economy or unemployment and I massively don't care for the lack of sunshine in this country in the winter.

Entonces, me voy!

Ciao

Have fun!

You'll have a blast mate, keep us posted!

hijo de pollo

Tally ho old boy

As we say in Wales, ta-ra son!

Go to South America.

Damn I just missed you ,I am back in UK and after 14 years in Spain it is COLD

have fun see you on the flip side .....

Nice one - have fun.

Completely jealous but hope you have an awesome time!

It's the jet-set lifestyle.

I will. Dunno when though.

Currently sat in BHX hoping that they clear the runway of all the snow and I get to depart tomorrow. It would also be nice to get some sleep, but that blatantly isn't gonna happen. There's a big crowd of Muslims, who appear to be arguing in something other than English, police with rather large automatic weapons (like bigger than MP5 which I'm a little peturbed by), and I can't get comfortable on the floor anyway.

Thanks everybody

Gun's a G3 or something similar, maybe?

Actually yeah, that would make sense. Stupid plastic stock etc.

Still waiting for the fracking plane. 6hrs delayed and tomorrow 1st thing I'm supposed to be in ski school with the guests off of this very flight. Gonna be interesting. I've slept a total of about an hour and a half. Cranky as hell now

Invest in one of these!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7QFRXc0R8M