Jo, the smell of my roast beef wafting through the house did the trick. We had 12 groups through, 40 people, and they were pushing through the door before we could leave the house! Several are seriously interested, but we will continue with the next two open homes (unless some one makes a ridiculously high offer 🙂 ).

Best of luck with the op, Wi. Son’s ex-FIL has – finally, we hope – got a diagnosis on his leg. It seems it relates to some tropical disease he picked up while with the army in Malaya back in the 60s, so maybe they can start treating him with the correct medication. He’s in such pain, and worst case would need the leg removed. I had him on the phone in tears this morning with pain and lack of sleep, but this afternoon after a drug-induced sleep he’s in better shape, no more suicidal talk!

OH is home after a minor accident with the car, so no more work for him until the panel-beating can be done 🙁

Happy hump day, all.

Thanks, Wi, but the car he’s driving is a Corporate Cab – needs a certain panache and youth! I struggle to see Matariki in the eastern sky when I go out for the newspaper in the dark am. Not sure if we will still be in Welly by the beginning of October, though. You may have to follow us north for our hugs 🙂 . And OCR down to 1%!

All the best at the Festival, Jo. It’s a wonderful time to visit Edinburgh. Choose low gi foods. 🤭😉😉 P

Hi Happy,
With Spring around the corner, and absolutely no excuse to carry extra, I’ve taken myself in hand with a new regimin…very strictly eating only twice a day, every day, roughly 18:6. No 24 hour fasts, but very low carb, high in low GI veg meals. Absolutely no with carbs or between meal eating. 1 glass of red wine every day. So far, the results are reaping benefits and my hunger levels have dropped right off again. I need to feel satiated, but not full, and to not feel deprived. I find I go to bed feeling hungry, but am learning, again, that it doesn’t build and I not only survive until morning, but until at least 12. I can even eat out by ordering, for example, a poached egg with spinach, tomato and avocado. Still enjoy the social occasion, but don’t add to my weight.
As all of us have found over the years, it is important to reassess, and alter, our eating habits regularly to keep on top of it. All the best with your reset. P 😊

I miss RT’s humour, and the weekly reminder that it is Friday morning again 😥
Come back RT. Life’s not the same without you. 🤭🤭
Have a happy, healthy, weekend folk. P

Hi Barata,

Sorry to hear about your ‘nearly’ purchasers. We haven’t yet reached the point of putting ours on the market, but I’m really not looking forward to it.

Meanwhile, life plods along!

Last weekend was a bank holiday, which is usually a cue for rain, but this time the sun shone and it was hot (by our standards 😁). Since then temperatures have dropped back and dull skies have taken over. Its breezy too, so feeling quite autumnal all of a sudden.

It’s been a terrible growing year in the veg patch and under cover. Big temperature variations, storms, and August was too humid. The chillies and cucumber have done well, but the tomato crop is poor. The peas have been blown down and whipped by the wind. The beetroot failed. A mole went through my onions on several occasions and they didn’t appreciate being chucked up above ground and replanted… Thank god for the supermarket!

Fasting has been going well and I’ve managed to be more disciplined on non-fast days too. As a result, I’ve made a bit of a dent in my extra weight. I had been complacent about it and not really putting in the effort, but hopefully am finally in the right place mentally to get a proper grip!

Anyway, it is the start of another work day here so I’d best get to it. At least having too much to do distracts me from eating…!

Morning/evening,

I’m still here but got tired of talking to myself so I’ve been quietly getting on with fasting. Almost 4 weeks in and although there were a few ups and downs in the first couple of weeks, I’m getting better at staying in control on non FDs. My weight is moving in the right direction but not as fast as I would like and I’m hoping that will happen as my self control continues to improve.
One of the things I’ve been doing is eating more fish and meat as I realised I wasn’t getting sufficient protein. I’ve also quit (for the time being) making or buying bread.
It is peak season for so many UK fruits and veggies there is a wealth of choice of fresh tasty and healthy foods on offer.

I’ve been busy socially over the past 2 weeks, out and about the various parks and gardens on my doorstop and slightly further afield.

I went to the ballet last Thursday and saw a modern Matthew Bourne production of Romeo and Juliet set to the original music. No big stars, all young dancers plus what the company call young associates both on and off stage working alongside the company members.
It was excellent and the dancing of a very high standard. They were awarded a much deserved standing ovation.

I met Wiwi and Mr W for lunch last weekend when they made a whirlwind visit to hot and sunny London, which was lovely 😊

This week I’ve been working on increasing the amount of exercise I’m doing and it is going well. The weather is good, it was very hot (for the UK) at the weekend with temperatures over 30C but it’s now back to a more seasonal low 20s which is much more condusive to walking.
I had an early stroll in Kew Gardens yesterday as I realised there’s only another 2 months before the early opening ends for the season. It is so different at 8:30am, everything is quiet, the water fowl are still half asleep, the other birds are all singing and there is the opportunity to see other wildlife such as field mice, which hide away during the day when there are many more people about.

It’s the last day of the school holidays here, so it’ll be a bit quieter everywhere during the day from next week but there are still plenty of tourists here from Europe enjoying what we have to offer while it’s still easy for them to visit, plus a good exchange rate courtey of the UK governement…..

Happy,

Sorry to hear the veg garden has been suffering. My garden was looking absolutely stunning in June but the crazy weather has had it’s effect.
Annuals that flower right through until October are struggling, if still alive and many plants are leggy and hanging listlessly down the sides of pots and containers rather than being upright and looking helathy, despite regular watering and the occasional feed.
Fortunately the majority of my perennials have survived and some are looking very good, so the garden still looks OK and cheers me up every morning when I look out of the kitchen door.

Another FD for me, a prawn and avocado salad is planned for today followed by excellent English plums. Perfect warm weather food.

Have a good weekend everyone 😜

Brief response, Sandman calls. My niece in the Hunter Valley is doing a happy dance, P, with the rain that is falling there. The potential purchaser was so keen on our house I cannot understand why he didn’t try to negotiate with us. Finance was mentioned as an issue, and the Chinese are different!

We are fortunate not to have mammals interfering with our gardening endeavours, Happy. Our only mammal is a bat – not a garden threat. But my winter lettuce have been decimated by the sparrows, not a leaf to be plucked!

No gains (losses) on the scales here, all I can do is plan on decisive action once life becomes normalised again.

Hello, all my fellow fasters. Another Friday rolls around, and winter has returned to Wellington – cold and wet and windy!

There’s been no progress on the house sale, and we re-start the open homes on Sunday.

Apart from that there is little to report. The scales continue on their upward climb. 🙁

Will you be posting a pic of your new swimsuit, Amazon? It might be inspirational for us to buckle down.

Stay safe, everyone. 🙂

Hmm P, you’ve stolen our summer! Its breezy, showery and cool at least here in Cumbria ☹ And mornings and evenings are getting noticeably darker…

Glad to hear you’re seeing some downward movement on the scales.

Barata, sorry to hear that you’re seeing movement upwards….

I’m fasting today, although Friday is not an ideal day as there is no way that I will not have a couple of G&Ts on a Friday night. I’ll just have to forego food 😁

My weight is on a slow creep down. It’s been a bad year for me emotionally though, so I’m not going to beat myself up about being a couple of kilos heavier than I want to be.

Anyway, to work! For me at least…!

I need your secret, P. Low carb, two meals a day are not cutting it at the moment.

Actually, Happy, you wouldn’t wish for what we are copping tonight. Terrifyingly strong winds …we are surrounded by very large trees! Who said we can expect extremes of weather behaviour? Certainly not our politicians. You wonder what we all did to deserve them!
If you can, join the world wide School Chilidrens’ Strike for Climate Action on Sept 20.
Glad to hear you can eschew food fir a Friday night G and T…that’s choosing wisely! Have a good weekend folk. P

So sorry to hear yoy’ve now also lost poor Charlie, Jo. (I missed your post 😕)
We have been without pets for a couple of years now. The first time in my life. I still often think I hear a little meow greeting when we arrive home. I cannot justify getting another with us both retired and often not home. It isn’t fair on an animal.
I hope you all regain your health and happiness soon. P

Morning/evening all,

Jo,

Sorry to hear about Charlie. I found it much harder when my second cat died.
I had to talk myself out of rushing into getting another and I’m glad I succeeded as despite occasionally missing the company, I don’t miss the responsibility and having to find someone I can trust to look after them.
One of my cat-sitters helped herself to and drank all my wine then told everyone that I provided wine for her……….🤬 She wasn’t even staying at my flat, just coming in to feed the cats!

I’ve managed to lose 7 of my regained pounds and I’m very pleased with myself. As I said the other day, I’m now keen to get the weight dropping at a faster rate and am busy planning tasty, satisfying low carb meals for the coming days and weeks.
This time of year offers up a bounty of fresh veggies so I shouldn’t suffer food boredom. If I can keep away from bread I’m onto a winner. The good news is I’ve run out of yeast so there’s no possibility of impromptu loaf baking.

Have a good one everybody 😜

Wow, Amazon, you were lucky the wine was all your cat sitter took! You could have gifted her some artwork or jewellery in gratitude!

Great to hear you’ve shifted half a stone. I need some of your discipline! Although I do think I’m moving towards a better frame of mind generally though, so hopefully I can get a grip on non-fast days. Bread isn’t a problem for me, but I’ve discovered that I like granola a bit too much! And while it is a reasonably healthy option (oats, spelt, nuts), there is honey and calories…

It’s a lovely autumnal morning here, bright and chilly. I’ve done the hens and now back under the duvet for half an hour with a cup of tea while the sun warms up a bit 😊

Congrats on the bowling triumphs Jo!

Well I had 2 slices from a white bloomer loaf yesterday and spent the day bloated and flabby. It was supposed to be a weekend treat… Won’t be eating that brand of bread again!

A had a boyfriend pre-university who drove a Triumph Spitfire. Played havoc with my (waist length) hair. I spent every journey hanging on tightly to a bun to try and protect it from the ravages of the wind. I never arrived anywhere looking like Audrey Hepburn 🤣

Happy,

Well done on getting the scales moving in the right direction and I’m glad to hear you’re feeling more positive 😊

Being single does have advantages and going out and drinking coffee for one is great although there are sadly still a few issues with lone eating due to Neanderthal waiters who want to seat lone women adjacent to the toilets and occasionally bar staff who serve every man at the bar whilst seemingly unable to see you.

Having said that, doing something about it always gets you noticed 😆

I am roasting some beetroot and the less than appetising smell could be offputting if I didn’t know how fab they’ll taste.

I’ve not been on the scales yet this week as I’ve just had 3 busy social days and this weekend is B2B fasts.

I’ve also been busy filling the store cupboard. I now have mincemeat, courgette chutney, beetroot and orange chutney, chilli jam and marrow and ginger jam which didn’t set as I misread the recipe and used 1kg of jam sugar when it should have been 1.8kg. I had to go to the supermarket and buy pectin and re-boil it, adding more lemon juice for good measure.
I am pleased to say it set perfectly and the resulting tang from omitting almost half the sugar is very pleasing.

I was out late last night, had too much wine which led to indiscriminate late night snacking when not the remotest bit hungry. I woke up very early with a headache and craving carbs.

One would think I’d know better at my age…….

We went to Kew to see the Dale Chihuly exhibits lit up. They looked incredible and every one of them more beautiful for being viewed lit up with the backdrop of Kew in the dark and a clear sky with a beautiful moon. It wasn’t crowded so we had the opportunity to stroll along in the dark and pay attention to how amazing the huge trees looked and how almost eerily quiet it was.
We decided to eschew the overpriced wine and food on offer in the Gardens and go to the pub and I’ve already told you how that ended 🤣

Have a good weekend everyone 😜

Hi Purple,

It’s the first time I’ve made anything other than chilli jam for 3 years and the shelf contained only empty jars. I really enjoyed it and am now itching to make something else.

I love having the cupboard full of chutney and jam. A jar of something homemade is a great gift and a spoonful of the right one can often liven up a dish that didn’t turn out as tasty as hoped, or a sauce that is a bit lacking in something but I’m unsure exactly what. And of course they are great with cold cuts, cheeses and numerous other dishes.

The chutneys and marrow jam were made using locally grown produce from Osterley farm shop, really fresh and much cheaper than anywhere else.

I’m not sure where the time has gone today, but I did some chores this morning to stop myself from eating anything and take my mind off my headache, and had a short walk in the sunshine so I’ve not been idle.
The plan for tomorrow is an early walk in Kew Gardens as I want to make the most of this fine weather and the extended summer opening hours for members.

I’m now going to find something to take my mind off the thought of a G&T……….

Ha ha, Amazon, you’ll be OK post-no deal Brexit then! We’ll be banging on your door by the end of November 🤣

I haven’t made much…yet…this year. It’s not been the best few months and I’ve been unmotivated. The greengrocers in town had some lovely damsons today though, so I bought 1kg and 2l of gin 😀

I’m thinking of making some tomato chutney. And I’ll get round to some chillililli at some point. Oh, and I did make rhubarb and ginger jam earlier in the year.

P, I know how you feel! I really enjoy baking, but we don’t eat puddings or cakes. I have to get my baking fix when we have guests 😊

It’s been a lovely day here, warm enough for a long walk this afternoon in a T-shirt. I’m hoping to sleep well after 23000 steps.

Morning/evening all,

So I turned off the alarm and went back to sleep. There will be a walk but Joe Public will also be there……

Damson gin sounds good.
I was considering what else to make and I keep thinking about the raspberry vodka a friend of mine was telling me about as it sounds wonderful but not to be consumed if one wishes to do anything else later that day 😆

I really miss baking. I used to make somehing every couple of weeks and take it to work for my wonderful staff. I used to bake muffins when I got up and take them to work still warm or have a weekend baking session, they were very fond of my courgette loaf which is actually a cake just baked in a loaf tin. I was fond of it too as it was another way to use up the courgettes of my nightmares.
Why can we never resist planting an extra seedling in case one of the plants dies…..

It’s a beautuful morning, I must get a move on and get out into the fresh air.

Have a good one everybody 😜

Hello again after an unintended silence.
I managed to unsubscribe myself without meaning to and only after talking to Barata on Messenger yesterday did I learn. I just thought the thread was quiet.

Sorry to hear about Charlie, Jojo. Dogs are a part of our village life here in France. They mainly consider us as sheep who need to be rounded up and led away.
Fasting is very present for me at the moment.
I had my vein op 10 days ago and it was a lot more challenging to the surgeon than anticipated ( I was awake during it all with a local anaesthetic only). I was impressed as there was not a lot of swearing going on.
I am taking a long time to recover in spite of a strict fasting regime.
I fasted for 4 days before, and I realized that recovering was taking a lot of energy. I fasted another 3 days after with a food break. Nevermind, I look wonderful with a elastic bandaged leg.
I see the surgeon on Tuesday and hopefully he will let me fly to NZ on 1 October.
I am not 100% optimistic, though the ankle split does seem to be recovering, which was the objective.
What is great in France is the travelling nurse system. They come every day and check and dress and inject and bind up my leg with the bandage. Their greatest role however is reassurance.
Your meal and swim sound wonderful, Purple, I so miss the water with this stupid ankle.
xx Wiwi

Wi,

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your flight! I hope this finally resolves your wound. I did think of you when I saw an article in the news a few weeks ago about the increase in chronic wounds in the UK. Apparently some 2m people and £5b/year cost to to the NHS. I hadn’t appreciated it was such a common problem.

Amazon,

You shamed me into making tomato chutney yesterday too. Best to have something other than alcohol in the store cupboard 🤣

P,

I’m jealous of your swimming! We’re having some nice autumn days, but not that nice!

I’m (planning on) fasting today. I normally do Tuesdays, as I’m travelling, but I’m home all week so aim to kickstart the week this week.