and so, 2011...

Well, I'm back to work today.

I think most people tend to go back to work straight after the new year bank holiday (assuming they were off), but I always like to take a couple of extra days. I find it helps me ease back into the normal routines and gives me a chance to do last minute stuff before I'm back to work.

There was a distinct possibility that I would be returning to work at a different location this year. Basically, I've been put forward for a contract opportunity, that's based down in Portsmouth. I had assumed, since I hadn't heard anything, that I hadn't got it, but this morning I found out that the decision was delayed.

So there's still that possibility, but for now, it's back to regular work at the regular place.

So I guess I should give a brief round-up of the winter break.

Essentially, I didn't do very much at all.

I went down to visit my dad over the actual Chrimbo period, then the rest of the time was spent relaxing, basically. I did pop out to a few dos, but I have to say it wasn't with much enthusiasm. I dunno, it was quite quiet.

One thing I would say is that my diet went absolutely pear shaped. This was due to a number of factors.

First off, my dad sent me home with far more food than I was expecting. Every year he buys too much, but this year was just silly. He'd got a turkey crown, which is joint that just consists of the breast meat, basically, and it was enormous. This turkey must have been the size of a small child.

I personally took home enough meat that I ate turkey for 5 days, and I'd only taken away a third of what was left when I was home. But also, he sent me away with loads of veg and sweets and all sorts. I've actually still got half of it - the stuff that will keep for longer.

The big problem with this was that I'd stocked up myself anyway, and also it forced me eating specific meals, since lots of it was fresh and would go off quickly if not eaten. So, basically, I ate loads and still have loads left.

Another big problem was walking. Basically, before Chrimbo, we'd had a lot of snow and this meant my walking was drastically reduced. But crucially, they'd also had lots of snow in Devon, so when I was down there I couldn't go for any walks either. In fact, I virtually didn't leave the house.

When I got back, the snow rapidly disappointed, so I tried to suddenly launch into a load of walking, but that totally back-fired, because where I've generally reduced my walking because its winter and hadn't done any walking in several weeks, my feet seemed to have softened up and I got some really nasty blisters.

What I should have done was start with smaller walks and build up, but I didn't - first day I would walk I did two big walks totalling more than 14,000 steps for the day. So yeah, I managed to self-sabotage.

The upshot of all this is that I'd put on a massive 8 pounds over the two weeks between my weigh-ins before Christmas and then last weekend. And I'm expecting a further gain this weekend, too.

So yeah - guess I need to get back on that, to say the least!