Well, it's 8:00 on a Sunday morning, and I find myself wide-awake - there's something not quite right about that, but I guess it'll take a couple of days to adjust to the different time-zone. Large cup of coffee and a roll-up required - hmm, no smoking room - guess I'll have to drag my sorry arse downstairs.

There's not a cloud in the sky, as I sit here outside the hotel, basking in the sunlight, making a mental list of the things I've forgotten to bring with me:

1) Sun cream - guess I'm just used to the English weather

2) Shampoo - how can someone so follically-endowed forget shampoo - d'oh!

3) Sunglasses - see point 1!

4) Money - hmmm, company credit card me thinks!! (Note to bosses - that was a joke!)

5) Can of lager - wont go into too much detail, as my family will be reading this (hello mum!) but those of you who need an explanation, just think of me, 2 women, 1 jacuzzi, large sprig of grapes, and the rest is left to your imagination!! (Note to Jemma - that too, was a joke - can't wait to see you next week baby)

Have managed to get online in the hotel - well, this is a working trip, not a holiday - and to my dismay, Gills-World have not updated their site to include yesterday's goals - my long-night spent dreaming of Paul Shaw smashing one into the Watford net was well and truly wasted. I will be sending Mr Scally a rather stern email on the subject - and a link to my newly-established website, where you can all keep an eye on my travelling adventure. [Update - not more than an hour since I uploaded this, I can happily say that Gills-World has been updated - no email required - I guess I'll have to be more patient next week!]

A big thanks to all those who gave me a proper send-off on Friday night - not that I remember much past about midnight - and those who couldn't make it, we'll do beer when I get back. Special thanks to Steve for coming all the way from Medway - hope you have a wicked time in Spain, and I'll see you when you get back.

I'm off to a BBQ later today, where I get to meet some of my new colleagues for the next 3 months - man, I don't think they know what they've let themselves in for. By the end of the day, I will have them all singing The Last Waltz into their potato-mashers, with customary bare-chests - a la Tuesday night's at Craig and Phil's (I'm gonna miss them Tuesday nights!!!).

Can anyone explain to me why the toilets over here have the water level about an inch shy of the rim?? It's rather disconcerting that I've managed 3 touchdowns in the same session - still, the Football season has just started here, so I feel like I'm getting into the swing of things!!

Get to pick up my wheels as well - if I manage to get back here safely, I'll finish today's entry...

...What a way to spend a Sunday - sipping a cool beer at the poolside in the sunshine. The BBQ changed into a bit of a splash with the in-laws (my bosses!), then onto a steakhouse for some top tucker - just the type of relaxing day I needed after yesterday's travelling - and the company was great!

I've been given a Toyota 4x4 off-roader to use while I'm here - doesn't have too much poke, but not many cars will want to argue with me on (or off!) the road. Not too sure how the driving's going to go, but I've got a GPS on loan, so I don't anticipate too many problems with getting from place to place - well, I managed to get back here in one piece, so things can't be that bad!

My body-clock must still be out of sync - it's only 21.30 here, and I'm really flagging - but tomorrow is Labour Day, so I get my first day at work off - result! Gives me a day to see what's out and about, as well as checking out the beach - enjoy your day at work everyone!

END OF DAY 2