Mon 27th - Wed 29th April

27/04/09
Ugh, after a very restless night’s sleep, I manage to get myself to the shower and try and wake myself up. We’re all watching Sky News over breakfast, finding out what’s going on in the world. Apparently, some deadly flu is sweeping the world – Swine Flu – which has killed people in Mexico…….errrr……right, we’re soooo not going there now! I don’t care if Dave wants another stamp in his passport and Aaron wants to ‘try’ some Mexican delights (tequila obviously), we aint going! Something else for the parentals to worry about. Great….
Anyhoo, we trundle outside and get on the bus. We’ve got a new driver from now on - Linden – the new, quiet Ginger bloke from work, that does the trays. Apparently, Marion – old lady Grader – doesn’t work Saturdays so needed a driver to do 1 day a week. However, this new dude didn’t want to just do 1 day a week so he’s taking over. As usual, the morning drive in is non-eventful as we’re all sleepy and listening to our MP3’s.
Work was busy but no craziness. After watching some British cop programme – just to remind us of home – we head to bed and I do the rounds, ringing the family. They all rub it in saying the weather at home has been lovely – its blimming freezing here and getting colder everyday. We get a surprise call from the Vanstone, who cracks me up! Poor girl is walking to work in the rain and some nasty white van man soaks her, driving through a puddle!! She is all excited about meeting us in LA and can’t wait to get away and join us in the sun.

28/04/09:
After yet another restless and rubbish night’s sleep, I am exhausted and can’t get out of bed. Sounds pathetic, I know, but having no sleep for 2 nights in a row has knocked me for six so I decide to take the day off. I would be useless at work and plus, Dave has given me his sore throat – it’s best for all to just stay and rest for the day. I’m not too lazy actually and get up at 9am. I phone Tammy for some hilarious banter and then hit the supermarket to do some baking. Ginger cake today!
I get a stressed txt from Hayley saying she’s lost her passport. Argh!! I try and make her chill out by giving some advice – deep breaths, tidy up and it should just turn up (that does work sometimes!) She sounds pretty upset but is getting her mum to have a look when she’s at work. Bless her! I get cracking with the baking as the TV is on the blimp – typical when I’m off! John is doing his best to sort it out, but it isn’t looking good. The TV is stuck on Sky News so I’m bombarded with all this pesky Swine Flu chat – it’s getting worse by the sound of things and even had 2 cases in Scotland!! It’s all these people coming back from holidays in Mexico and then it spreads from human to human. It’s all a bit too similar to an episode of Spooks for my liking!
I can’t believe the silence of this place when there is no one around. It’s soooooooo good!!! No one in the kitchen making a racket, no loud TV blaring and no high pitched voices. Nice and chilled!
The workers return home just after 5pm and I present Dave with a mean ass chilli. I feed the troops some ginger cake and hear about their busy day – they rib me for staying off but tough! I needed it!

29/04/09:
Today I manage to get out of bed, after a decent night’s sleep! There’s some ribbing banter over breakfast but I choose to ignore it! Sky News is on and still there are growing numbers of Swine flu. The whole world is panicking and there are cases in California – yikes – will they let us in?! grrrrrr! We watch the start of Chelsea v Barcelona and head to get the bus at 7am.
Work is busy all day but we hear from Secret Sue – quality control lady, who knows everything about apples – that we’re going to be packing GRANNY SMITHS tomorrow – Oh my days!! How excited am I?! That’s only my most favourite apple….ever!!! haha! I text the Vanstone at break and luckily, she’s found her passport – yay! Thank god for that!

Hayley