That's nothing. I went a whole year once (354 days to be honest) and did a nine month stint too previous to that. Put on two stone by the way on the nine month stint.
Fabulous gallery. Haven't been for about three years though. Last time being for the Henry Moore exhibition which was very interesting. There are plenty of Dutch masters in there if you like that sort of thing.
There's no doubt he's a top quality player but as you say his attitude in the past and his constant chopping and changing of clubs leaves a very big question mark about him.