Another lockdown… another commute

[Mendip]

^ Yeah, right!

^^ As this seems to be of interest, despite my efforts not to turn this into a dieting and fitness thread...

I haven't weighed meself as I'm saving that for a surprise on my last shift but I just look at myself side-on in the mirror and I reckon that I've lost a few kilos. I'm deliberately avoiding that 'buffed' look as it'll just cause too many questions when I get home.

I do an hour in the gym at 10pm most nights and reckon that I've managed 3 out of 4 nights on average throughout the trip so far. I haven't had a drink in nearly 10 weeks so there must be a lot fewer calories flowing through my body than usual. In fact, once I get off this damn boat in the middle of next month I'll have gone over 12 weeks without a drink... probably the longest I've gone for around 40 years since being a teenager.

Give us a shout Mendip if you're flying into Manchester!

Will do for sure Joe although I'm hoping to land in Bristol. If I make it, let's eat out... my treat!

@mendip - I see those pillows as 4 triangles. Maybe like those triangular Hershey Kisses? Maybe she's trying to send you a message?

Rabbits, my arse....Those pillows are positioned for hiding the wank stains that wouldn't come out in the laundry

I've now had it from the horses mouth that they were two rabbits. I've asked her to make a swan out of my towel next time so we'll see how good she really is. And her name's not Roger, by the way.

And I really can't believe I'm responding to this, but all laundry is done at 60 degrees and it would take some special kind of stain not to come out at that temperature.

Have you been paying NI? if so i think your best bet is to phone the GP practice where your mum lives ahead of landing in UK (if possible) and see what they say. Your NI number if you have it, full name and DOB may be enough. Time may be against you though but hope it works out.

Well Mike, I'm making some progress.

Bupa aren't interested in helping, but after some investigation I reckon I'll be able to just turn up at a 'drop in centre' and get my second Pfizer. For example, next week I could have gone to a pharmacy in Wedmore that is only a short drive away from my mum's place. The problem may be getting everything uploaded in one place, but I'm working on that and yesterday downloaded the NHS app to make a start. I may have to just resort to having two separate paper certificates which I think should be OK.

My next problem is finding out my NHS number. I thought I was getting somewhere yesterday but as part of the verification process they sent a text message to my phone... only we're slap bang in the middle of the Black Sea right now so I've got no signal. I also tried to make a bank transfer on Friday but had the same problem... NatWest have taken to randomly sending verification codes by text which is great if you have mobile phone coverage but no good when you're at sea... or in remote parts of Somerset for that matter. But I have two weeks to sort all this out and on Monday at 9am we have an appointment with the Russian customs at a small port called Anapa, close to Novorossiysk. Hopefully then I'll be able to receive a text message to discover my NHS number... and send the missus some money so she can replace four tyres on the Vigo which seems to have become an issue. I'll be happy, she'll be happy... what more can I ask!

I am so looking forward to the day when I can just get on a flight and go somewhere without having to do all this shit.