The sun is shining:

[TopTen]

Ive just read all this diary from the 1st page and what can I say apart from, what a magnifcent story this is. If ever anybody is feeling sorry for themselves then point them in the direction of this undoubtedly moving and inspirational post.

Ive never been a lover of reading anything (mag, book, newspaper) but I was hooked to this and nothing was going to get in the way until I finished it.

Graham & Roxanne. . . . . I wish you every success in whatever the future holds for you and if that is returning back "home" for good, then I hope it is sooner rather than later.

All the very best,

TopTen.

[Geo the Sarge]

Continues to be an awesome thread, by an awesome individual

Geo

[Laxie]

The sun always shines when I see there's a new post here.  No matter what's going on around the rest of the world, ya just know things here will be ok.  x

[Delboy]

The sun always shines when I see there's a new post here.  No matter what's going on around the rest of the world, ya just know things here will be ok.  x

This

Taxi, you continue to be an example to all.

Its an honour to have met you.

[taximan007]

Our last day

Tuesday 21st February 2012

Today is the last day of our holiday 6pm we will leave for the 6 hour bus ride to Manila, overnight in a hotel and depart tomorrow at 15:40 arriving back in Guernsy all being well 18:00 THURSDAY.

This morning I went to the Gym for an hour, Roxanne went to town for some last minute bits, Mummy and the 'girls' of the compound spent the morning preparing the farewell lunch (banquet) on returning from the gym I played tongits losing as usual until it was time to eat.

Lunch was shared by family, friends and a few strays wandering past the house, IF Roxanne ever leanrs to cook half as good as her mum she will be a 'perfect wife' 

This afternoon we will play some more cards then shower and ready to leave, the last thing I will do (and I actually dislike this bit but Roxanne insists) is distribute money to the family and the children, I love them to have the money I just feel uncomfortable giving it (just me).

So there we are 1 month has flown by, another fantastic time at home with the family and friends, it will be at least 1 year before we return again as Roxanne has no holiday time left from work........................

[taximan007]

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[taximan007]

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[taximan007]

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[Redsgirl]

I have just read this thread from start to finish and it is a a stunning story.
You are a wonderful person Taximan, and proof positive of what can be achieved with love, determination, patience and a positive attitude.
I am sure that you will continue improving life for yourself, your beautiful wife and everyone else who has the good fortune of crossing your path. I look forward to hearing all about it!

Best wishes for the future, Redsgirl.

[taximan007]

I have just read this thread from start to finish and it is a a stunning story.
You are a wonderful person Taximan, and proof positive of what can be achieved with love, determination, patience and a positive attitude.
I am sure that you will continue improving life for yourself, your beautiful wife and everyone else who has the good fortune of crossing your path. I look forward to hearing all about it!

Best wishes for the future, Redsgirl.

Thank you

[taximan007]

Just OCCASSIONALLY!!!!!

Tuesday 28th February 2012

Just occasionally it does get FOGGY in taxis world.

We left home on TUESDAY and took the 6 hour bus ride to Manila, short taxi ride to a hotel near the airport for an overnight stay.

Wednesday: Car transfer to the airport and duly took off at 15:40 arriving in Riyadh at 21:00 local time to find our 02:00 flight had been changed to 03:30, pain in the arse but no real problem.

Departed Riyadh 03:45 and landed at Heathrow 07:15 UK time, all good at immigration and customs then took the 09:45 coach to Gatwick arriving at 10:55 giving us plenty of time for our 16:00 flight to Guernsey (THURSDAY)……

[taximan007]

Prior to leaving home I had looked at the weather forecast for Guernsey on Thursday and it was showing FOG so I explained to Roxanne not to be surprised if we didn’t get home!!!!

Checked in for our flight and around 15:00 the screen was showing delayed, at 16:30 this then changed to cancelled, we now had to report to the information desk where we were all escorted back through security and baggage reclaim and to the Skybreak ticket desk to rebook our tickets, we were then booked on the first flight 07:00 Friday, at the same time we were given a hotel for the night and vouchers for the bus transfer.

We were staying at the Premier Inn North and on arrival there were around 70 of us with luggage all in reception trying to check in at this point I must say the reception staff were fantastic in their handling of a situation which had been put upon them with little notice, so we checked in and to my surprise we were also given a voucher each for dinner. As you can imagine the restaurant was also manic later on so we were happy to eat in the lounge, the voucher entitled us to a 3 course dinner and breakfast and the food was of a good standard, we didn’t take breakfast as we were leaving early the next morning.

After a good nights sleep (we were both knackered) we caught the bus back to Gatwick and checked in again for the 07:00 flight (It’s FRIDAY now please keep up  ),
By the time we got through security the flight was showing delayed, at 09:00 we were called to the info desk and issued with £5 vouchers each for food/drink this happened again at 11:30.

Whilst sitting in the departure lounge we could see that all the later flights were being cancelled so things didn’t bode well and at 16:00 our flight was also cancelled, so it was a rerun of the previous day and back to the ticket desk, we were rebooked on the first flight for Saturday 08:30 and this time we were to stay in Premier Inn South with a voucher for £25 dinner and breakfast.

Arrived at the hotel, not quite as chaotic as the previous night checked in and dinner this evening was in a pub/restaurant adjoining the hotel, again the standard of food was very good, another good nights sleep.

Left the hotel SATURDAY morning and arrived to check in only to be told our flight was ALREADY cancelled, this was actually better as it meant we didn’t have to hang around the airport all day, we rebooked for the 08:30 on SUNDAY and were given £5 voucher each for food/drink as we needed to stay until 09:00 in case of any development, as there wasn’t we were again booked into Premier Inn North and were back at the hotel by 10am so a nice relaxing day.

SUNDAY: Checked in took off on time and arrived in Guernsey to Brilliant SUNSHINE back in our OWN ROOM by 10:00……………….

Aurigny Airlines were FANTASTIC and did us proud in the way they looked after us.

My apologies for the long post but TUESDAY to SUNDAY is a long time…………

[Laxie]

   Welcome back.  Glad you made it safe...and mostly sound.   

[34sooted5betshove]

I have just read this thread from start to finish and it is a a stunning story.
You are a wonderful person Taximan, and proof positive of what can be achieved with love, determination, patience and a positive attitude.
I am sure that you will continue improving life for yourself, your beautiful wife and everyone else who has the good fortune of crossing your path. I look forward to hearing all about it!

Best wishes for the future, Redsgirl.

Echo! Just read the whole thread also, amazing read. Will subscribe and look forward to more updates.

[taximan007]

Staff Appreciation Party

Tuesday 21st March 2012

Once a year the company I work for hold a staff appreciation party at The Hilton on Park Lane, London.

This is something they don’t have to do, but they DO.

This is a party for staff from ALL the hotels, 6 in London, 1 Dorset, 2 Guernsey, 1 Switzerland, 3 South Africa, 1 USA, with ALL expenses paid, flights, train travel and accommodation for those requiring it.

So on Sunday morning around 50 of us from the 2 hotels in Guernsey flew to Gatwick and then train to London to check into our Hotel in London (one of the hotels in the group) we then were provided with a buffet lunch.

At 17:40 we were picked up by coach and taken to the Hilton where on arrival we were greeted with a champagne reception, the event was for 700 staff and was being held in the Grand Ballroom at the hotel.

Roxanne has NEVER had reason to attend a function let alone one this size, and as we ascended the stairs of the hotel I could feel her trembling as she took my arm, her words to me were “ I can’t believe this is happening to me, I feel so special, like a princess” and coming from her I know it’s genuine.

This is also an awards night for employees/managers of the year and they were given out in 2 sessions, some before the dinner, and some after the main course so it broke up the evening nicely. The wine/water (unlimited) was included in the meal and the meal itself was a 3 course dinner which I have to say was first class.

After dinner any drinks from the bar were priced at £3.00 and the entertainment was provided by a 22 piece band plus dancers.

I have been to a few functions in my time but I can honestly say this has to be the No1 event.

We returned to our hotel around 00:30 where we had a nightcap and retired to bed at 01:30.

On the Monday morning I had to attend the Managers meeting which meant I was up at 06:00 (I felt like shit) breakfast at 07:00 then taxis to the Hotel for the meeting at 08:15.

Roxanne and the staff not attending the meeting were free to do as they pleased until 13:40 when we all met at Victoria for our return to Gatwick/Guernsey. Arriving back at 17:30, and then of course some of us (well just me) had to work Monday night.

This was an event that will live in our memories forever it REALLY was that fantastic.