Sad times & Good times...........

Sunday was, as predicted, a very gentle day.  Phil wrote, I sunbathed and then we went down for the BBQ lunch at 1pm.  We ordered drinks while the meat was being cooked and Phil, in his impatient boredom, switched on his iPhone4, only to pick up an email from Jim to say that his dad, Tom had passed on Friday. Now we both knew that Tom was of a certain age and that he had been on medication but we were not aware that he was suffering from a rare form of skin cancer.  Of course, Phil knew Tom far better than me, I had only met him on 3 or 4 occasions but even so, when Phil told me the news, a few tears ran down my face as so they did Phil’s.  The last time we saw Tom senior was at Shirley & Jim’s birthday bonfire cum birthday party for Kylie and he was in fine form.  The life and soul of the party as they say and that night was no different and is how we shall both remember him.  Tom senior, just as isJim, was and a great man and a lovely bloke.  R.I.P. Tom Robb senior, R.I.P.

Yesterday morning (Monday) we caught the free hotel bus down to the sand dunes then walked up to the central bus station.   Neither of us could understand the timetable but somehow we managed to catch a bus to Puerto Rico, god only knows how, because the timetable and the departure list made no sense.  But we did it and in around 30 minutes we were in Puerto Rico. Phil was reluctant and impatient to go someplace, any place, but I managed to ground him and we fumbled our way onto a bus to Puerto de Mogan..  The guide book suggested that Mogan was a little bit like mini Venice and in a way it was.  Also, my friend Jane who has a time share in Puerto Rico said Mogan was the place to go.

She wasn’t far wrong and we were certainly not disappointed. Mogan was beautiful and after stepping off the bus we had a truly lovely walk around the town and the harbour. Honestly, if you come to Gran Caneria, then you simply have to visit Mogan. It is always expensive to eat by the harbour, wherever you are, in which ever city, so we decided to head to the outskirts but amazingly we found a café with views of the sea and harbour with a fixed priced menu for 3 courses for less than 10 quid. Fresh salad, onion soup, fresh white fish and tuna for Phil and a coffee ice-cream with a really decent glass of red included in that price; we were more than happy; Phil more so than me! Lol!

After lunch and another long walk around the harbour, we spotted a flyer advertising a glass bottom boat trip from Mogan back to Puerto Rico.  It was only 6 euros each so we jumped at the chance.  A pleasant crossing and only a short walk to the bus terminal.  The number 39 was leaving in 20 minutes which just about gave me the opportunity to jump across the highway and grab us both an ice-cream before our departure.  Phil was a happy bunny, for once, full of sugar; we arrived back in the centre of Maspalomas just in time to run down to the sand dunes bus stop to catch the hotel shuttle. For once, great timing and we were back at our Koala apartment by quarter to four.  All in all, a great day out, or at least I thought so.  Who needs wheels anyway when they can work the buses?

Plenty of Sunshine & Lots of R & R

A little birdie tells me that the weather at home has been lovely which pleases me.  The warmer weather and clear skies always cheers me up and somehow gives me more energy and I am sure it’s the same for everyone else.  The weather here in Gran Caneria has been grand; it’s a little cloudy to start with but by mid-morning it’s about 23 which is just about bearable to walk in.  It gets up to about 28 in the afternoon which, after a long lunch with which generally involves wine, is perfect to flake out on a sunbed.  I could live in the Canaries full time.  

In the end we decided against hiring a car or a motorbike for a couple of reasons.  Firstly, bike hire on the island is not cheap, around 80 euros a day, which makes it even more expensive than hiring a car.  But the main reason for not getting transport is that Phil doesn’t want to.  When he told me that for once on holiday, he wanted to relax and work on his book, he wasn’t joking.  So given that he doesn’t get much time to himself, I need to respect his wishes, it’s only fair.  It’s a complete turnaround because normally it’s Phil that wants to explore and I’m the lazy bones that prefers to sit by a pool and read. 

From what little I have seen of Gran Caneria (which is not much) my first impression is that it is fairly manufactured but I can only base that opinion on the southern part of the island.  I am certain if we were to head inland we would quite easily stumble across caveman and traditionally village life.  After breakfast on Friday we caught the free shuttle bus into the centre of Maspalomas.  We headed down to the beach and then turned right and walked along the promenade which was lined with some very upmarket bars, restaurants and shops.  It was a lovely walk and we walked as far as the path would take us which was to a place called Meloneras.  We turned around and headed back to town and in total gave us a good hour and a half walk.  

When we got back to where we started which was at the light house, we decided to explore the shops. We found lots of modern posh shops as I would call them but none that could tempt us in.  Heading back towards the beach but turning left by the Grand Palace Hotel, we accidentally stumbled upon a cobbled street filled with stalls and little bars with outside tables which is where we stopped for lunch.  Phil had spotted a Spanish bar with an oriental buffet so this is where we sat down.  Phil thoroughly enjoyed his Chinese food, he went up several times and it served me as a reminder for the future, that buffets are no good for Phil.  His temptation to over eat cannot be curbed, but I don’t suppose it matters having the odd treat, after all we are on holiday.  The rest of Friday was reading, sunbathing and generally chilling out.

Phil was rather disappointed that we can’t get many English TV channels; we get Sky News & BBC World News and that’s about it, the rest of the channels are predominantly Spanish with a smattering of German channels.  Phil wanted to watch the Malaysian Gran Prix qualifying which was on live at 9am on Saturday morning.  Normally he likes to watch with a cold beer but this wasn’t an option being on so early in the morning.  He had the choice of watching it in Spanish or German, he choose the latter.  We left out our apartment just before 11am and caught a taxi to the Jumbo Shopping Centre in Playa del Ingles.  Phil blew up our hairdryer and we wanted to get a new one, luckily we found one quite easily and made our way to the beach.  On the way down, we stopped to look at a couple of car & bike hire places but decided against for reasons I said above.  To give us some exercise, we decided we’d walk back to Maspalomas staying as close to the beach as possible.  We found a new boulevard running through bars and cafes and then eventually running along the sand dunes.  When this came to an end we had the choice of walking on the sand dunes and along by the sea or turning inland.  I choose the later which did turn out to be the wrong choice.  One hour and a half later we did eventually get back to the centre of Maspalomas.  Phil was sweating and cursing but he did admit when we reached our destination that it had done him some good.

It was lunchtime by this time and we were both hungry.   Our very basic guidebook recommended the buffet at La Foresta restaurant at the Maspalomas Oasis Hotel.  It took us ages to find the main entrance to the Oasis but once we were in and saw how posh the hotel was, we decided it wasn’t for us.  For one thing, the lunch time buffet was expensive and we were way too underdressed.  We decided to head back to the charming street that we found the day before but this time we tried a different café.  We both had the same, a plate of sardines with salad and canarian potatoes.  Sardines are not my favourite fish and the canarian potatoes weren’t as nice as we remembered but never mind a carafe of house red made it all gone down rather nicely.  Our Saturday night was much the same as every other night, shower, snacks, reading and then bedtime which was half eight for me and 9pm for Phil.  Oh yes, I know we are rather sad.  We got to bed just as most other people are going out.

To be honest, my head cold has got me down a bit; yesterday I stopped taking the flu drugs because they were making me feel drowsy.  When I said this to Phil, he laughed out loud and said it was probably the wine!  Cheeky boy, but I’m guessing it’s a combination of both but today (Sunday) I am pleased to say that I am feeling much better.  We are having a really easy day today.  Phil made me breakfast in bed and then settled down to watch the Grand Prix which gave me time to catch up with the blog.  Nothing else very exciting planned for today I’m afraid.  In fact we are not leaving the complex, we are going to the BBQ lunch at our restaurant because we haven’t tried it yet. After lunch Phil plans to write more on his book and I, well I suppose I shall find me a sunbed and have a siesta. Plenty of sunshine, lots of R&R, jugs of Sangria, just what the doctor ordered!!

Buenos Dias Mon Amigo's

Well mother of all fuckers, I knew I would come down with Phils cold and I did with vengeance on Wednesday morning at 4am. If I am honest, I had felt a little bit run down for a few days before, especially on Tuesday when I had to cut my run short and was in a gripey, short tempered mood all the way from lunch time until we arrived at the grot hotel in Birmingham. Its my own fault, I cannot in any way blame Phil, I have been a bit lackadaisicalal in taking my honegar and organic cyder vinegar and also I haven't been great at my 5 a day, so much have I been focussing on Phil's healthy diet that I forget about my own well being. But oh boy, did I feel shit on the flight on Wednesday morning; thank goodness we just about had time to stock up on flu drugs from Boots before boarding the flight to Gran Caneria but even then, in spite of the drugs, I was just the sort of person in flight that I would want to avoid. A sore throat, a bunged up nose and sneezing every 10 seconds, not the sort of person you'd want to be sat next to for 4 hours hey. Certainly not great company for Phil; the flight was boring, the transfer was long and painful but Koala apartments weren't disappointing and are just as the trip advisor reviews, cheap and cheerful. Whilst trekking in India, we have certainly stayed in far worse, so Koala is a real luxury for us even though it does have a kitchen in a cupboard.

 

When we checked in yesterday afternoon, I quickly unpacked, we found a cheap place for lunch and a nearby supermarket for some urgent supplies then it was back to the apartment for a shower and then early to bed. Phil went down to reception this morning (Thursday) to post the blog that he'd penned on arrival but had problems so he aborted his attempt and came back home and we caught the half nine bus down to the Maspalmoas sand dunes. We'd read in the guide book that it was a great walk over the sand dunes down to Playa de San Agustin. I have to say, that to start with, the skies were grey and overcast and I was glad of my M&S cardigan but 3 hours later, we were hot, thirsty as we had no water and in desperate need of a cash machine. In the end we had to turn back and ended up Playa des Ingles, a 12 kilometre walk in all, taking 3 hours and we were desperate for a cold beer and lunch.

 

We ended up in a shopping mall in some over priced, beautiful but somewhat touristy clinical bistro overlooking the sea. We paid over the top for a chateau brianned and a decent bottle of red but it was exquisite and certainly worth the indulgence, after all you only live the once. Both Phil and I were sleepy afterwards, Phil from the wine and me from the Beechams drugs so we hopped into a taxi and got back home for less than five euros. Once back, Phil took to his bed and I went to the sunbeds by the pool where I admit I had 40 or 50 winks. Once again it was a shower and another early night.

I do feel better today, thank goodness, the cotton wool that seems to have stuffed my head seems to have lifted so I can think clearly again. I know I said that we were going to try to do without hiring a car or a bike but I have changed my mind. Whilst the Koala Garden Apartment suites are fine, the location isn't great and I can't bear to be without our independence. We are amongst a touristy, rip off environment mostly catering for the Germans and I for one, need to escape. I need to see the caves and the people that are living in them, I need to eat some genuine Spanish tapas, I yearn for calamaris and I simply must sample those salty potatoes, I think they call then papus arrungadas, crinkled potatoes served with a mojo sauce, yummy.

Yes there is lots I want to do. I know I said this was meant to be a relaxing holiday but I am not a girl that can sit still. I used to be, but not any more. I am really liking our apartment which has proved good value for money but it's miles away from anywhere. We must hire us some wheels so we can really get to see the island.  For now, Adios Mon Amigo. More from me Manana!

Tamaran (Gran Canaria)

The indigenous aboriginal people that were living here when the Spanish invaded in 1403 were called the Guanches.  They couldn’t remember how they got there but it is assumed that they came in boats from the African coast but they also couldn’t remember how to sail anymore either.  They had never seen a wheel, had no knowledge of metals and were living in the Stone Age.  They were normally naked and traversed down steep hillsides on wooden poles like pole vaulters.  They lived in tune with the land and made “gofio” (a type of flour made from toasted barley and wheat).  They also kept pigs, goats and sheep using their milk, skins, bone and meat.  They consisted of two social divisions, the nobles and the peasants who were easily distinguished by their shaved heads.  The Guanche name Tamaran in the title means “Land of the Brave”.

The Spanish were driven away on this first attack but returned in force in 1478 killing most of them and putting the remaining ones that hadn’t committed ritual suicide into slavery.  Christopher Columbus stopped here on route to India in 1492.  Francis Drake launched an unsuccessful attack on Las Palmas, the capital in 1595 after his victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588.  Driven back from Las Palmas, he sailed to the Caribbean where he died of dysentery and was buried at sea.  His defeat at Las Palmas is still commemorated every year on 6 October with a festival.

Today Grand Canaries’ main business (about 80%) is tourism here they receive around 5 million visitors a year, most of which seem to be staying near us.  We had a great flight but our transfer took 90 minutes before we were put off about ½ a mile from our reception.  The bus seemed to drop one person at each of the most remote hotels on the island before stumbling across ours.  Each square meter of sandy beach in the island is worth over £80,000 in tourist turnover; substantially more than the fertile land that they grow their tomatoes in which is their second largest export.  It is thought that the name Canaries originally came from Latin for the large dogs that used to live here with the local aborigines.  The bird canaries that are indigenous here were named after the islands.  They are not as brightly coloured as our canaries which have suffered 400 years of selection.

We had a lovely time staying at the hotel near the airport but still had to get up earlier than I would have liked.  We are also very pleased with our apartment, its amazing for the money.  We seem to have pools all around us and with few people using them I am sure that we will make use of them.  It’s a large apartment but we still couldn’t find the kitchen until Claire looked inside the large wardrobe and found an Ikea micro kitchen.  Still, its adequate for our needs with two hot plates, microwave, kettle, toaster and oven.  We will probably sample the local cuisine most lunch times and eat breakfast and evening snacks at home.  We are taking it easy this first day and found a restaurant a short walk away where we sampled a set 3 course meal for 6.95Euros each.  Not bad, when it included, bread and a beer for the price.  We started with avocado king prawns and then I had the chicken Cordon Blue which was basically chicken schnitzel with cheese and ham inside with chips and salad.  We treated ourselves to a local red wine with our meal after the first beer which was only 8Euros for that.  We bought a few more bottles in the supermarket next door of varying prices and we assume qualities but we have just opened the cheapest one that was 2.30Euros a bottle and we both like it very much.  Talking of exchange rates, I saw that the Australian Dollar is down to 1.55 earlier this week.  It was 1.80 when we went last year and had only just come down from 2 dollars to the pound.  It is actually higher than the American dollar now.

I am doing this first blog entry from sunny Grand Canaria but I think Claire will be doing most of the others this time leaving me time to start back on my book again.  I haven’t added a single word to it this year; however, I have been doing lots of research reading at least 3 books a week.  Anyway, I will tell you more about that upon our return home and also about my new job in Milton Keynes which I have been doing since the day we returned from Goa in the snow.

Last Friday I started a new head cold, which is unusual for me as it normally goes straight for my chest which is my weakest part.  I’m not saying that my head is very strong, but it is stronger than my chest.  Anyway, it reached a climax on Sunday and Monday but has now started to fade.  However, Claire seems to have contracted it now and she can’t stop sneezing and sniffling all day which is driving me mad, especially on the long journey today.  I do feel sorry for her really she is quite poorly but of course, not as poorly as me.  I had a “Man Cold”!

Maspalomas, here we come!

It takes lots of doing before one goes away; I'm sure I'm just like every other girlie in the world in that I like my house in order before I fly away. The house must be cleaned from top to bottom, rubbish sacks need to be cleared and I absolutely can't leave home unless the washing and ironing baskets are completely emptied. You may laugh at me and I'm sure its not the same for men, they couldn't give a toss, but I had to make Phil strip off when he got back from work and get into his dressing gown so I could get a last wash on and the ironing done before we depart. And it goes without saying, I have to have clean bedding so I stripped the bed, washed and had it ironed and back on for our last night. I made Phil do his work out on the bike even though he was still poorly and made him have a shower before climbing into our fresh bed. Of course I do have spare bedding but its not the same as the 100% pure Egyptian stuff that cost a fortune and once you have slept in this, trust me, no other bedding is good enough. I make work for myself, I know, but I can't help it, I am as I am and Phil, used to my standards, probably wouldn’t have it any other way.

Poor Harriet will probably run riot whilst we are away and most probably is looking forward to being without me and my OTT fastidious ways; she is a natural lazy bones sloth and just doesn't get me at all.To be fair the last two times we've been away, I've returned home only to find no fault with the house state,. If I am really honest,  I feel sorry for her having me as a mum but we had a fairly serious offer on the house on Sunday and I feel more under pressure than usual. If I an honest, I don't want to move, 2 new house purchases, Phil undergoing 7 and half weeks of serious radiotherapy plus a major house move, well I can feel the stress even now. BUT, it makes sense, we can release the capital which will give us revenue to do the new places up, also we can pay the credit cards off and Phil won't have to work, which is my biggest concern. My boy needs to relax, relaxing isn't quite the word because the pressure will be full on but he needs the freedom to come and go as he pleases. And me, well I just need a project; maybe not 3 all at once but hey ho. We haven't made it this far, my boy and me, without working hard and having a little bit of pressure. Bring it on.

I pen this blog from the Britannica Coventry Hill Hotel, just 6 miles from Birmingham airport. Phil finished work at 1pm today and we had lunch, he changed into holiday gear,did a bit of maintenance on his PC (won't got there for now) then we got on our way. The hotel is a little tired and a bit weary (just like me really) but its served a purpose. Actually I don't recommend it, its got as much ambience and attiude as a used bandaid, it fairly crap. I am in the bar with smelly carpet by myself penning this blog and all I will say is there is far more places that I'd rather be.  God job I don't mind being in a bar all myself (bar my laptop) because Phil grumpy umty as he is these days has chosen the Chef programme above me. I digress, with a 4am wake up call and a 5am pick-up to the airport for a 7.20am flight this hotel does its job. Phil naturally wakes up at 4am most days so there’s no change there. But the best part is that is only cost me £56 for a nights stay and 8 days parking so that can’t be half bad.

We're doing things a bit differently for this 1 week holiday. Normally, as you will know, Phil takes over the blog whilst we are away and generally manages to post every day. But this holiday, he wants to work on his book, so I'm afraid it will be yours truly that will be posting. I can't promise that I'll keep up to Krausey standard or indeed manage a post every single day but I shall try my best. Normally we would hire a car but seeing as we have a holiday transfer included in the price of our holiday, we are going to try and do without a car, given that it may make us walk further which will only help to Phil's exercise. Saying that, I can't bear to be without freedom wheels and have spotted a rather sexy scooter and quad bike, from a hire company on the net. I have saved this site to My Favourites just in case, as I have always fancied one of these! We'll see; early to bed cas' its nearly 8pm. Maybe more from Maspalomas tomorrow maybe but no promises. For now, just wish us 'Bon Voyage' and a safe and non delayed flight.

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Eats, Treats & Celebrations

Harriet had the day off work on Friday as she was meeting up with her cousin Jessica who was flying into Gatwick from Jersey for a hospital visit. I dropped Harriet off at the station and her dad collected her and dropped her back at home on Friday evening. Phil left work early and went straight to the doctor's surgery for his blood tests. He did have these done a few weeks back but the nurse rushed his samples and they got lost in the system so they had to be redone. G came for her tea before starting her shift at Zizzi's. It was all a bit of a rush, she was late arriving and just had time to wolf down a plate of salad, lasagne and half a baked spud before driving to work. She'd not long left when I realised she'd left her shoes behind so I had to drive to the city to take them. Not much fun in Friday evening rush hour.

Phil was complaining of coming down with something and sure enough on Saturday morning he woke up with a thick head and a slight snuffle. I think he would have liked a day in front of his laptop to work on his book but there was no chance as we were booked to take Phil's mum and dad for lunch at the Bowls Club to celebrate Mothers Day. I had tried to book on Mothers Day but they were fully booked, hence lunch on Saturday. The motorway was busy and we found that the bridge was closed on the outskirts of Melton Mowbray which meant a huge detour to get to Phil's mum and dads house. The traffic was a nightmare so we were very late arriving. Lunch at the Bowls Club wasn't very exciting but at least it saved Phil's mum from cooking. After lunch we went back for a cup of tea and then left Melton just after 3pm. Getting out of Melton was nearly as bad as getting in, added to which we needed to stop to get petrol and put air in my tyres.

Harriet went clubbing in Birmingham on Saturday night and was staying in a hotel afterwards with some friends which meant that we had the house to ourselves. Not that it made much difference mind you, because all we did was watch series 6 of 24. It was a quiet evening with red wine and a box or orange matchmakers which HH gave me for mothers day. She gave me my card and pressies early as she wouldn't be home and I did quite well. A nice card, matchmakers, a book and some flowers. Phils cold really started to come out on Saturday evening so we decided to call it a day and go to be early.

On Sunday morning Phil was awake early, like before 5am. He put the light on to read his book and then I was in the wide awake club. His cold was worse so I dosed him up with aspirin and after breakfast we went to the health club. Phil wasn't really fit enough for a workout so we just went in the jacuzzi and the steam room which I thought might help clear his head. I had intended to have the lasagne for lunch but Phil suggested we go to the Ship Ashore as a treat and then walk to the centre to catch a movie. This was fine by me and we were at the pub before it was even open. We figured it would be best to get there early figuring the pub would be heaving due to Mothers Day. How wrong we were; there were tables booked but there weren't any others dining when we got in, perhaps maybe because we were so early. Never mind, we had a 2 course lunch, cheesey brie for Phil and pate for me, followed by roast beef and a lovely bottle of Rjoca. I am pleased to say that the normal roast potatoes were back on the menu and lunch was really nice. We decided not to bother with the cinema as the timings weren't right, instead we went back to carry on with watching 24.

All in all our, weekend was rather indulgent but I don't think it hurts to have one of these every now and again. I've packed Phil off to work this morning with his fruit, hankies and aspirin. He is full of cold which I really hope clears before we fly on Wednesday. What's the betting that he passes the damn thing on to me? I hope not, I have too much to do. Only one more sleep before our holiday, well 2 really if you count the hotel in Birmingham tomorrow. I am very excited but right now I need to post this short blog and get on with the packing.

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

Nothing out of the ordinary this week, but as usual I have managed to keep myself busy. I've done my 2 hour stints in the gym every day this week and Phil has managed his hourly bike ride every night after work. On Monday afternoon I went to Sandy's, and between the 2 of us, Lisa & I got 2 extra coats in the en suite bathroom. It is not a very big room so it was a little bit of a squeeze. My work over the road is now finished, job done. Lisa's bed arrived on Tuesday and her new sofa bed on Wednesday so she's good and ready to go. Phil wasn't happy me offering my services for nothing, I think he thinks that people take advantage of my good will. But that is simply not the case, I think we girls should help each other out and I really don't mind painting, I enjoy it. I am no Saint Claire but I would like to think that others would help me if the need ever arose.

On Tuesday afternoon I went to Christine's retirement presentation at the OU. Actually there were 3 members of staff retiring so you can imagine the speeches went on for a very long time. Christine went first and thankfully her speech was short and sweet. She was a little emotional which is only to be expected, but I think really, she left the OU in her heart a long time ago. It is time for her to move on and find other challenges or otherwise just chill out, walk her dogs and sit in her country garden and drink copious amounts of red wine. She can be a lady that lunches. I always feel a bit weird when I got back to the OU, it seems like another life when I was working there. I saw a few familiar faces and made small talk but I am no longer part of the gang. Damn shame I forgot my camera. Its not good to go back and this is certainly is true in my case. Onwards and Upwards.

The weather wasn't so great on Wednesday which was a shame but who cares, this time next week I shall be sunning myself in Gran Canaria. After my gym session I deliberately didn't apply any make-up and went to Superdrug at the centre to get by eyebrows and upper lip threaded. They weren't too hairy but I've noticed is not so painful if I have it done every month. As time I goes on I seem to get more and more whiskers; its horrible getting old, I hate it. It's bad enough with body but facial hair is just crap. After lunch on Wednesday I popped over to Westcroft to see Jan. Despite her discomfort she was good company and seems to be making progress, okay its slow but each time I visit I can see improvement both physically and mentally.

Steve Buckton came to stay on Wednesday; I can't remember the last time that he came to see Phil. I loose track of his whereabouts so it was good to catch up with all his news. Of course he really came to see Phil but I was allowed to sit in with the boys before they met up with the Wednesday night crew at the pub. Phil has so many friends called 'Steve', I feel bad having to revert to surnames. Judging by Phil's hungover face on Thursday morning at the kitchen table, I gather a good time was had by all lol!

My activity for Thursday afternoon was leg waxing. I was scheduled to have this done next Tuesday but when we were in the cinema last Saturday I threw my leg over Phil's knee and he instinctively went to stroke my leg, only to flinch when he found he was stroking a hedgehog! He laughed but it wasn't funny. A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do and in terms of leg waxing, one has to grew the hair follicles for at least 3 weeks beforehand to make the de fluffing effective. I hadn't seen Denise at D for Beauty for a while (she's situated by Kingston Library BTW and is very good). Since I last saw her, she has found a new man and is a much brighter bunny. Denise hasn't been happy for a while and has for a long while 'been lost at sea'. I am really pleased for her and was delighted afterwards with my smooth bits and pieces. No more prickling and stubble for a while which can only be a good thing.

I think I must be getting better with the cancer diet because the food preparation and cooking doesn't seem so laborious these days. Phil really likes the Quorn veggie chilli and rice so we started the week off with this. Wednesday I did whole wheat noodles and home-made chilli sauce replacing the chicken with courgettes and peppers. It was very good but very hot as I had swapped the birds eye chillies for scotch bonnets. These are so hot that when I chop them up I have had to resort to putting on rubber gloves because they sting my hands so much, no matter how many times I wash them.

For soups this week, I did the usual tomato, followed by a celery soup and to finish the week I am making a spicy sweetcorn soup. Lunch today will be a shared portion of cod and chips accompanied by mushy peas. So same, same but slightly different. To be honest I don't really mind making food from scratch, anything if it helps Phil and at least I know what I am eating. We have virtually cut out all red meat which is not a big deal because having read all the cancer books, I know that it is not very good for you. But I do cheat; mid mornings around 10 or 11am post workout, I get real hungry and need a sugar fix. Last week I had a thing for 50p hot dogs oozing with ketchup from Ikea; this week is has been 99p cheese burgers from MacDonald’s. And my chocolate treat this week has a been a multi bag of mini Mars bars. All very nice but very naughty because I've eaten the whole bag! It's just a shame while I have been stuffing my face with chocolate and downed wine, poor Phil has stuck to the diet with no cheating and not lost a pound. It's doesn't seem fair but then again I suppose life isn't fair.