"IF YOU COULD RISE FROM THAT DAMN CHAIR....AND TAKE A STROLL!"

WEIGH-IN WEDNESDAY

Well! That's a bit more like it:  3.5lbs Off  Hurrah!

As you will notice from this weeks heading above - I've been a bit

more active and it seems to have paid off! Yes, Mr Monger, I rather

grudgingly went "Walk-About" around Brentford and the Magic 

performed its tricks!

"WALK-ABOUT"

Saturday:

With the advice of my friend Christopher Monger:

"If you could raise from that damn chair, put down the remote, iPhone and iPad and take a stroll" 

SO!

I set forth from the comfort of my Flat in Dorey House, Brentford and went for a

gentle perambulation or wander. I'm lucky enough to live by water and soon came

across our working Lock:

This was on the Saturday:

Now that's what I call "A Man on a Mission to lose those Pounds!"

Sunday:

On Sunday I visited:

I went in search of the Coffee Stall, where over the past months I have been 

visiting the Market,  I have made friends with the owners - Neil & Rebecca 

Vanstone. To my dismay I couldn't find the Stall and then I came across

this amazing contraption:

Neil had bought this wagon in France, brought it back, refurbished it and this Sunday had

its first outing at the Brentford Sunday Market:

Neil Vanstone

I'm thinking this might be a lovely addition to Emily's Wedding Celebration in the Summer.

Check them out:

https://www.facebook.com/thecoffeetraveller?hc_location=timeline

www.thecoffeetraveller.com

info@thecoffeetraveller.com

ALSO AT THE MARKET

Whilst I was at the Market I was accosted by two middle aged women! "Could you settle a

bet for us please - I've bet my friend, Rowena, £20 that you're off the Telly!" I put them

both out of their misery "There you go, I told you Rowena! And you with a daughter on the

Telly yourself" I asked Rowena who her daughter was. "Oh, my daughter's called Charlie

and she's Janine Butcher in "East Enders" 

Rowena, the Mother of Janine Butcher in East Enders

Janine Butcher

"After previously getting away with murdering her first husband Barry Evans, 

Janine went two for two when she killed her husband Michael ..."

Now I have to admit, a Guilty Secret - I'm an avid watcher of "East Enders"

So, I was over the moon to meet the Mother of "Janine Butcher"!! 

Monday:

After visiting the Post Office in the High Street on Monday Afternoon My Walk (!)

took me in search of Brentford Art Gallery & Studios which I knew was situated

on a small island at the Thames in Brentford connected to the mainland by a footbridge.

What I found - delighted me:

This provides resident artists with an ideal space to retreat and create and also 

offers a small 

Exhibition space:

I immediately thought what a perfect space to house an Exhibition of my daughter Maisie's

work. She is an Artist in Dublin and when she has enough work that she wants to show

I seriously think we should investigate this space. Take a look at the recent exhibition of an

artist:

http://www.littlepictureshow.com/photo-album.html

And to take a look at the Brentford Gallery itself:

http://www.brentfordgallery.co.uk

The Rest of Monday's Walk:

took me to areas around which must have been,  at one time,  a thriving working Dock for transporting

Cargo off trains and onto Barges for journeys up the canal to Birmingham.

Brentford Dock began construction in 1855 to a plan by Brunel as a freight link between river-borne traffic and the Great Western Railway's (GWR) rail network to the West Country and other parts of the United Kingdom. It was opened in 1859. It is interesting to note also that whilst under construction, stone, bronze and iron weapons along with roman coins were discovered in the dock basin, giving an indication as to how long there had been settlements in the area.

(Thank you to all the people who helped take my Photograph on my Walk-Abouts)

Hairy Biker's Lite Beef Casserole 

(411 Calories)

Well, after all that "Walking" I found the perfect recipe - a hearty but diet friendly

Beef Casserole. I made enough for a couple of days at least and also some for freezing!

And how about this for desert:

The Hairy Biker's Warm Nectarine Tart

(173 Calories per portion)

Seriously Yummy!

The Grand Budapest Hotel

During the week I managed to catch Wes Anderson's Masterpiece. I can highly 

recommend this film. The performances are delightful - Ralph Fiennes is a 

revelation - very funny. The Sets, Costumes are all gorgeous - the attention 

to detail is outstanding. Over all the film is very enjoyable - an absolute delight.

DOODLE FOR CHARITY

(KBO = "Keep Buggering On!")

I did this doodle of myself as Winston Churchill in "Doctor Who" for 

The Charity Epilepsy Action.

Someone bought it for £23.50 out of 7 Bids on Ebay - Bless them!

ebay.eu/1ox5qfp

TRAVERS

Congratulations to my son Travers who gave a presentation of his Book THE LION CHILDREN

(he co-wrote with his brothers & sister)  for Bronwyn - a friend of his that teaches autistic

children - ages 9-13. He had a very moving experience sharing his stories of writing 

the book of his adventures growing up in Botswana. He said it was a day he will never 

forget seeing the joy in the kids eyes and the laughter they all shared. Well done Trav.

Bronwyn's Class with Travers.

The Class sent Travers some "Thank you Letters"

Jenny McNeice's personal favourite was Gavin Runkle, whose least favorite things include onions, commercials, waiting in line, sweet potatoes, getting yelled at, water and pointy things.

I've just picked up my first ever Prescription Spectacles 

From: SpecSavers

Cool eh?

JENNY McNEICE

(The delightful Jenny has very kindly come up with a delicious recipe)

Thank you Sweetie..xx

Hey Pops!

On the eve of Weigh-in Wednesday, I thought I'd share with you a new recipe I found. I cooked it for Trav and our roommate Mike last night and got VERY good reviews. Trav's having it for lunch today, too.

A few notes on the recipe: I added ground coriander seeds and fresh ginger. Also, I did 1 cup of quinoa, and found 1/2 can coconut milk and a little more than a 1/2 cup of water to be a good ratio - just test the quinoa as it's simmering down and add more water if needed. Lastly, I added the raisins only towards the end, in time to warm up - I didn't want re-constituted grapes rolling around in my quinoa. Optional: I sauteed some chopped green beans I had lying around with some garlic  and and they go great on the side or stirred in.

The author of the recipe doesn't have the caloric count, but with lite coconut milk and going easy on the oils, I think it's a very healthy meal. On top of being fucking good.

Bon apetit, and much love,

Jenny xx

*pro-tip, Arugula=Rocket 

http://cookieandkate.com/2014/curried-coconut-quinoa-greens-roasted-cauliflower

AUSTRALIA

Perth & Adelaide

When most of you will be reading this I will be on a plane heading for a stop-over in

Dubai - before arriving in Perth on Thursday. Yes, I'm off on my travels again,  having

been invited to attend a couple of Sci Fi Conventions in Perth & Adelaide. You will 

be pleased to know I've been to Morrisons to purchase 5 boxes of Crispbread because,

as you are all hoping I'm sure,  the diet must go on! It's not going to be easy because being at

home I was able to keep a strict count on my Calorie intake. The good news is -,there

will be a Blog next Wednesday or "Letter from Oz" - but I'm not sure I'll be able to

find a scales big enough for my Weigh-in. We shall see!

COMMENTS

Yet again it was a bumper crop of  comments last week. Please keep them coming -

they are much appreciated & a joy to receive, well nearly all of them!