Steve's Adventures 

91.5 and back in Stockholm

Well its been a pretty busy 2 weeks since I left Dublin.

Got back to Hereford and spent a day with the family before heading up to London to see a couple of old Army buddies. It didn't quite work out as I had planned as one didnt show up but it was still great to catch up with Steve who I stayed with for the night. Next day popped over to Reading to see an Everquest friend before heading back to London via Taplow Court. A quick visit to do Sansho and who should I see in the car park but Orlando Bloom, never knew he was a Buddhist. Steve gave me a lift to Heathrow and I arrived safe and sound in Stockholm.

Since getting back its been wonderful to catch up with Susie and Fredrik. I did a 75 mile bike ride around the archipeligo that was just wonderful, it was great seeing the islands again in all their beauty. Had lunch in a little stuga at the waters edge before cycling back into Stockholm.

We also got a chance to spend a day in Uto which was just fantastic. Uto is a 4 hour boat trip at the Southern tip of the archipeligo. When we arrived we had a very nice lunch at the Vardhus before hiring a row boat which we took to a little beach. Dragged it ashore and then went for a swim, my first time in a long time in the Baltic. We then rowed back and caught the boat home to Stockholm. Glorious day.

Recently its been very busy looking for a new contract and despite a lot of interesting contracts we decided to go with a revised offer from my old partners here in Stockholm. So it looks like I will be working 2 days a week with Veridata and 3 days a week at Civil ID Systems for the next 3 months.

And next week we are going on holiday !! A week long luxury cruise from Copenhagen up the Norwegian Fjords. Going to be awesome.

Our Ship

Oh and my weight is down to 91.5 !!

Bye Bye Ireland

Packing all my wordly goods onto my bike I headed over to the ferry through the poring rain hoping to catch the 1110 ferry to Holyhead. I almost didn't make it on as I Hadn't booked a ticket (don't ask why because I had had plenty of time to arrange it). Anyway when I got there I took one of the last 3 places on what was a packed ferry.

The ferry arrived 40 minutes late due to high head winds so I ended up missing the 1335 train to Crewe. Was a bit annoyed that I would be late to see my friend in Ludlow but checking the timetables I saw that there was a train going at 1435 that went direct and thus I would only end up 20 minutes late. Feeling rather satisfied I decided to catch that train and let the 1414 to Crewe to go. Big mistake as the 1435 was cancelled and the next train wasn't due until 1539.

The 1539 was 20 minutes late and of course was packed by the time we were getting to Crewe. It was so late in fact that it was going to miss my connection so I decided to get off at Chester and catch the train that was behind us, the same train that left Holyead at 1625. Of course this train when it arrived was packed and I was subjected to a bit of abuse from a couple of passengers who resented me asking them not to dump their luggage in the cycle store. Also the train, because of engineering works, went via Crewe and not via Wrexham. Just not my day.

Arrived in Ludlow at 2000 and had a wonderful meal with Mark. Chatted about Everuest and various other things of interest until it was time to drop me at the station in time to catch the 2238 to Hereford. This was of course late and didn't turn up until 0015 getting me home for 0045. Nightmare!!

Wed 26th Jul

Breakfast
Musili with Soya, multivitamin, primrose, garlic, water

Lunch
Turkey sandwich on brown bread with lettuce, tomato and red onion

Dinner
Mushroom and Cheese Fondu, Bread, Brocolli, New Potato, Asparagus, Glass of Red Wine, Fruit Kebab

Snacks
1 x Tea, 4 Oatcake Biscuits, Instant Noodles

Tue 25th Jul

Breakfast
Musili with Soya, multivitamin, primrose, garlic, water

Lunch
Turkey sandwich on brown bread with lettuce, tomato and red onion

Dinner
Pasta with mushrooms, corgette, pepper, spicy tomato sauce, Soya Yoghurt

Snacks
1 x Tea, 2 x Nectarine, 4 Oakcake Biscuits, 8 x plums

Been awhile

Looking at my thoughts its been quite a while since I last had anything to say. So I thought I better do something about it.

Well the bike ride around Ireland is over, I have lost a good chunk of weight, my diet is (mostly) under control, I am due to change jobs and leave Ireland and I have finished one of my two Open University courses.

It's been a great 6 months since I set myself all these targets and I have not only kept to them I have indeed exceeded my own expectations. In the process I have learnt a lot about myself and look at life certainly very differently than I did at the beginning of the year.

Next week I am back to living with my wonderful wife who has had to put up with so much stuff from me. I think she dreads me coming home as I am a whirlwind of activity and live like at quite a pace. I just hope I don't burn her out too quickly :)

On the job front things are looking very interesting with Civil ID Systems so will have to see where that will take me in the not so distant future. I will see what is offered when I get back next week and see if there is a chance to get back to working with them again. I know they are interested, I think it will be a question of terms and conditions.

So it's all change with no idea of what is ahead for me.

Who Am I

My name is Steve Cocks and I work as an IT consultant.

I am also a part owner of Civil ID Systems

I can be contacted at steve@veridata.se

Mon 24th Jul

Breakfast
Musili with Soya, multivitamin, primrose, garlic, water

Lunch
Tuna Salad, Strawberry and Mango Smoothie

Dinner
Salmon, Mixed Leaf Salad, Coleslaw, Potato Salad, New Potato

Snacks
2 x Tea, 2 x Nectarine, 4 Oakcake Biscuits, 2 x Grapefruit

Sun 23rd Jul

Breakfast
Musili with Soya, multivitamin, primrose, garlic, water

Lunch
Salmon, New Potatoes, Green Beans, Carrots, Peas, Spinach

Dinner
Mixed Leaf Salad, Coleslaw, Potato Salad

Snacks
2 x Tea, 3 x 7up Free, 5 x Nectarine, 4 Oakcake Biscuits, Popcorn

Sat 22nd Jul

Breakfast
Musili with Soya, multivitamin, primrose, garlic, water

Lunch
Salmon, New Potatoes, Parsnip, Brocolli, Carrot, Peas, Gravy, Soya Yoghurt

Dinner
Veggie Burger

Snacks
3 x 7up Free, 2 x Decaf Coffee, 5 x Nectarine, 4 x plums, mixed fruit and nut

Fri 21st Jul

Breakfast
Musili with Soya, multivitamin, primrose, garlic, water

Lunch
Turkey on Granary, Lettuce, Red Onion, Tomato

Dinner
Tuna Salad, New Potatoes

Snacks
2 x Water, Tea, 2 x Nectarine, 3 Oatcake Biscuits