Days 24, 25 & 26

Days 24

I have that Friday feeling. More Philadelphia & Ryvita for lunch preceded by a swim –another 50 lengths despite feeling incredibly tired. Is it possible to overdo exercise?

In the evening ate the rice and prawn sort of risotto (low fat) made by Neil for the girls before they went home. Made with extra flavour to include garlic and onions. Was most impressed as it was something he came up with himself.

Prepared to go and see Neil’s family friends in Wigan.

Day 25.

Off we went to Wigan stopping off a service station on the way where Neil had croissant, his Mum & Dad hash browns (yum) and I a spot or 2 of muesli.

We got to Wigan and I was fascinated by Auntie Rose (Irish with gypsy blood) and Uncle Shiv’s (originated from Calcutta) house. Lots of dark colours, artex purple walls, mahogany window frames and largish (sort of not my taste) ornaments. I was also quite taken with Auntie Rose and studied her closely with her gold looped earrings (about 5 per ear) and array of gold necklaces. Complete with 5 chihuahua’s (yes loved them all as have felt starved of dogs company) and massive fish pond with the largest carp you’ve ever seen at a grand old age of 28 years and only one eye.

We had freshly baked vegetable samosas for lunch and boy were they good. I only had one and a half and felt quite constrained as could have eaten the lot (all 12 of them!!).

Lovely chats and quite a long snooze for me in the afternoon. A brief walk around their area was followed by the start of a long evening of drinking and eating. I could resist the 8% alcohol fruity white wine that went with dinner, however not the Chardonnay which followed. Even Chardonnay tastes good when the alternative is a bit watered down. I think we had ‘tea’ at 5pm really very early with curried chicken and vegetables and rice (all the while feeling worried that by 9pm I’d eat the whole lot all over again!!). More family came round and there was a lot of chat and merriment that lasted quite late into the evening with more samosas, sausage rolls and peanuts. I felt very content if not a little bit naughty with my overall consumption. What the heck it was a good day, especially the evening.

Day 26

Copious amounts of coffee and one fried egg on toast (with butter) for breakfast. Well it would be rude to say no!! A lot of sitting around and chatting and another mid morning snooze (gosh I feel rested – just what I needed after running around all week). For lunch we had pork chops, roast potatoes and beans. Despite Auntie Rose’s upset at the chops being a bit overdone we all tucked in. Chopped and fried marrow can be quite nice with a little cinnamon –you know. My neighbours had given me a massive marrow before going away and I was eager to pass it on or save it for the village show and pass it off as my own grown and hopefully get a ‘first’ rosette for being the firmest and plumpest marrow in Upper Baz. Well needless to say it ended up in Wigan with me being one of its consumers. Was nicely surprised as never one for courgettes or any of its derivatives. After a cup of tea and fond farewell we set off home. Home not too late (after 4 hour journey) and after a peace of toast and cheese (not too fussy about fat content) went to bed and slept oh so peacefully.