Image: Unsourced

I’m HOME!!!!

The last few days were some of the best I’ve ever had while on a Lads Tour. From start to finish the craic was sublime, and the bonding, hair downing, and relaxation that took place has made all the boys much stronger and sane for it. Despite being let down 100% by the man who was supposed to have been putting us up for the weekend, what could have been a disaster will go down in history as the best ever lads trip we have ever had.

In keeping with tradition, and of course, standard Tour Rules, nothing will be getting revealed on this forum. What I can tell you is that we ended up in Fuengirola on the south coast of Spain, where it poured and blew hard gales the entire time and we had to wear jackets with our kilts most days.

Not put off by this – to be honest, nothing could dampen our spirits – we found the greatest bar ever in The London Pub, right in the heart of the town. We spent each night there enjoying their superb hospitality, and a few sore heads were felt each morning because of it.

I did take a camera with me but because the flash is knackered on it I only got (and remembered) to take a few photos. You’ll find them below along with November’s GDR plan.

Before I sign off for today, NaNoWriMo has begun and I’m already three days behind. I’m not in the least bit worried – I have total faith.

Pics from Fuengirola this weekend

The lads In the London Pub – where we spent every night

In an Irish Bar – somewhere – I think

Getting a tad carried away

The Group Captain shows off his rose and flashy thing

The lads in the hotel dressed to kill on a night out (seriously)

The Group Captain gets them in

Waiting for a taxi in the (very heavy) rain

The cleanest toilet in the world – you could have eaten your dinner off the loo seat (until I went in – obviously)

Monthly GDR Plan

Fiction
* NANOWRIMO – Blood Ties – 50,000 words required by end of month (G1,G2,G3,D1,D2)
* Decide on short story possibilities from Muse output; edit and write (G1,G2,D1,D2)
* Submit Stella to selected markets (G1,G2,D1,D2)
* Re-submit rejected/recalled short stories (G1,G2,D1,D2)

Freelance/Non-Fiction
Writing:
* Query freelance gigs 25/mth (0/25 pitched – Total=86) (G7,G9)
* Complete Scotland’s Treasure column for SDR Winter edition (Jan) (G5,G7,G9)
* Remain flexible for any TLB assignments that come through

Web:
* Updates to photography site pending
* Updates to B&B site pending

Business:
* Keep company accounts up to date
* Amalgamate web design and freelance writing sites to compassfreelance.co.uk

Poetry
* Nothing planned

Editing
* Stay on top of RR submissions (G6)
* Write up interview/feature for Issue 5 (Dec) (G6)
* Complete layout of RR issue 5 (Dec) (G6)
* Complete website for launch of issue 5 (Dec) (G6)
* Start laying out RR issue 6 (Dec) (G6)

Marketing and Promotion
* Publish November newsletter (G5)
* Prepare December newsletter (G5)
* Publish November GDR Plan
* Publish November GDR Review
* Prepare December GDR Plan
* Launch revamped main site (G5,G8,G9)
* Keep website(s) up to date (G5,G8,G9)
* Offer special ‘Credit Crunch’ promotions (G5,G8,G9)

Reading & Learning
* On-the-job research and reading for writing of Blood Ties
* Black & Blue by Ian Rankin
* Closed Doors by Ian Rankin

Non-Writing
* Continue diet (15/28lbs lost as at 15/9/08) (R1)