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At 0415HRS on April 9th I left LCA on MALEV flight via Budapest to LGW, arriving at 0830HRS. Good change in Budapest and on time. From LGW I took train to London Victoria and then National Express coach to Sheffield, on my way to visit friends Ken & Shirley Pickering. What great value you can get with advance planning, my return jorney from LGW to Sheffield cost just €17.10 - and could have been just €12.10 had I used Megabus instead of National Express, whose timetable suited me best. The flight was an incredible £120 return, which included £80 taxes.

Once I reached Barnsley, Ken & Shirley's next door neighbours invited us to a BBQ , and we enjoyed the sunshine whilst we could. Having given up alcohol for Lent, I was envious of them enjoying cool beer and wine, but did not waver. On Sunday I did some shopping (mainly for Jen) and then Ken & I walked on a reclaimed railway trail near his house, where both Coal Mine and Passenger trains once ran frequently. Ken's knowledge of local history is vast, and it was very enjoyable.

On Monday it was a visit to Doctor then off south again on National Express. Tuesday saw me in the City of London, where I had lunch in the Fleece pub, treated by Tony Craze, a Stockbroker who is often featured on radio. Tony visited Cyprus in September for a series of seminars, and his team at Vestra Wealth made me very welcome. It's likely I'll move my pension scheme to his management,  as growth over last four years has been minimal.

I was staying at Travelodge in Ilford, from where I could either walk or take a bus to Excel, where the London Marathon Exhibition was taking place Wednesday-Saturday. It's right next to a Chinese Buffet where dinner was just £9.50 for all you can eat, and a minute away from a great Tandoori. In spite of walking up to 2 hours a day, no weight was lost. At the exhibition I was promoting Limassol Marathon 2012, and met many friends and clients.

On Saturday my flight via Budapest left on time at 1920HRS, and I arrived in my house at 0450HRS on Sunday 17th, in plenty of time to welcome clients to our Open Day and Lunch at Atlantica Bay Hotel at 1130HRS. Lots of bookings for Xmas once clients had inspected newly refurbished rooms and Pool area.

On Thursday 21st I was at Sungarden in Agia Napa to welcome early Easter arrivals, and whilst weather was mixed, the group enjoyed great food, drinks and entertainment, including Jailhouse Blues Brothers, Tricky Trev and The Felgates.

On Easter Sunday we left group to come home, and prepare for our big holiday next weekend - a month in USA and Canada - read about it next month.