CHECK-up-WEEK!

WEIGH-IN WEDNESDAY

Bingo! There it is - another 3lbs Weight Loss! Having got over the hiccup of
The Australian Trip we now seem to have found our "Zone". God bless
the 5/2 and the Hairy Bikers - a marriage made in conjugal bliss for this
Lone Calorie Counter. If we keep on track for next week - we could be
announcing the 3 Stone Mile-Stone - here's hoping!

In the week I went to see the Physiotherapist at Brentford Medical Centre to

check up on my knees - I mentioned that I had been losing weight - as I knew 

that was something I would have to do,  if I wanted to have any knee replacements.

Over the last year the pain in my knees has increased, due to arthritis and I felt an operation

was the best way forward. 

After an examination of both knees he said he would like to see the X-rays and the Report

that I'd had done in Port Isaac last June. I said I would contact Doctor Garland in Cornwall and 

request them to be sent. In the meantime,  he felt that it might be a little premature for me

to have any knee replacements. After scheduling a follow up appointment he gave me some

exercises to do at home. But for now, there was no doubt,  that continued weight loss would

ease the situation - we shall see.

WEST MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL

(NHS TRUST)

During the week I went for a routine check up at this hospital for my heart. I'd had an

ECG earlier and my Doctor thought,  as a precaution,  I should have a HOLTER MONITOR

fitted. This is a machine that continuously records the heart's rhythms. You wear it for

24 hours - during normal activity - including sleeping:

This photo shows how well my diet is going - I wish!! I wanted to show you my own photo,

but Cindy wouldn't let me - she was jealous that my breasts were bigger than hers - bitch!

       Electrodes (small conducting patches) are stuck onto your chest and attached to a small recording                                Monitor. You carry the Holter monitor in a pocket or small pouch worn around your neck or waist. The monitor is battery operated. The only thing you can't do is operate a Microwave. Well, sod it, there goes my supper!  The Monitor is used to determine how the heart responds to normal activity. 

One thing they don't warn you about - is when they remove the electrodes - they rip the tape off. Its like a form of female waxing - girls, I feel for you! There is nothing to worry about - this is just a routine, normal procedure. Watch this space - I'll let you know the results.

Also during the week I dropped into my local Tesco at Osterly and was amazed at what I

came across. I was told that this Tescos was the first one to have one installed. Welcome to:

We now have our very own American Style Diner - how cool is that?

Fred's Food Construction is apparently a New York style deli-diner, inspired by the

iconic photo of workers on the rooftops of the Rockefeller Center in 1930's

Manhattan.

With things like Chicken Noodle Soup, Salt Beef Reuben, Fred's Grilled Cheese -

What's not to like? Bring it on!

They also do Breakfast - Granola & Fruit Compote,

Organic Porridge with cinnamon, London Smoked Salmon Bagel.

Yummy-Scrummy!

ANOTHER WELCOME ADDITION

to our neighbourhood is the Celebrity Chef: 

 Marco Pierre White.

I've been watching him recently on AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL MASTER CHEF -

OMG! - this man is SEX on a STICK - he is seriously PHOAR!!! I'm not surprised he's 

been married umpteen times - he's a nightmare but seriously talented and entertaining.

He has just opened his new Steakhouse Bar and Grill at this hotel:

THE HILTON HOTEL SYON PARK

This is only 5 minutes away.

 This bizarre hotel is situated,  quite frankly,  in the middle of nowhere, 

completely off the beaten track - it opened some years ago and I am amazed 

that it's still going. Someone must obviously be pouring money into it to keep 

it alive. But, hey, if Marco's team are cooking there now, I'm definitely going

to check it out.

Yep, SEX-on-a-STICK for an ENTREE!

Check out his Menu - More Yummy-Scrummy Time:

http://www3.hilton.com/resources/media/hi/LHRSPHI/en_US/pdf/en_LHRSPHI_MarcoPierreMenu_16April2014.pdf

"THE OTHER WOMAN"

I made a terrible mistake in the week and went to see this film. I fancied something light,

funny, easy on the eye, and diverting and what I got was a whole pile of poop! 

This is a seriously bad film on so many levels.  Even Cameron Diaz who I have

enjoyed over the years - (not least on a personal level -watching her get out of a swimming

pool on numerous occasions before she shot an apple off my head in "A LIFE LESS

ORDINARY" - a surprising Danny Boyle flop) couldn't rescue this from falling flat

on its face.

MY DARLING MAISIE

For the last two nights I've had my gorgeous daughter Maisie staying with me. She and her

mother Kate have just returned from visiting our son, Angus, in Chile. They had an 

extraordinary trip ending up in a Rain Forest in Bolivia. With me she had to make do 

with a rather tame wander around scary Brentford! I wanted to show her Johnsons

           Island where I had found this Art Gallery and where a number of Artists have Studios. 
It's a bit like a rabbit warren of interconnecting spaces. 
When we got there we found this poster:

It was all about an Art Competition - which upon reading Maisie became extremely interested in entering. At that point I noticed someone inside the building and to our good fortune one of the present artists invited us in and gave us a grand tour.

In one of the Studios (with an amazing river view) with two of the Resident

Artists: Dianne Preston and Tara Winona.

I have a strong feeling that one day in the near future Maisie will be

having an Exhibition at this Gallery.

Fingers crossed!

That night we had dinner together at the flat.

And guess what? You're absolutely right! 

The Hairy Bikers Light Coconut Prawn Curry with Rice

(Curry: 254 Calories per portion/Rice: 170 Calories per portion)

THE CHILE and BOLIVIA PHOTO ALBUM

Just to round things off I thought I would include some of Maisie's amazing 

photographs from her trip with Kate,  her Mother,  to visit our son Angus in

South America.

We start with Angus' apartment in Santiago:

Local Wall Art Work.

A trip to Valparaiso.

The start of the main Trip heading out to the Atacama Desert.

The Mother prepares.......

Salt lake: Laguna Cejar.

Atacama Desert.

Border Crossing: Into BOLIVIA

Altiplano Bolivia

Salt Flats in Bolivia

The Town of La Paz Bolivia

The Final Chapter:

 Heading to the Amazon Rain Forest in the Madidi National Park.

The Five Hour Boat Trip to Chalalan Eco Lodge

Trekking to the Lodge

 

                                                This is known as a "Willy Tree"!

Our Intrepid Travellers Angus, Kate & Maisie with their "Catch of the Day".

A THANK YOU!

Last week I received a staggering 16 Comments. Amazing! Thank you all

for your contributions - it means a great deal. I know I have been a little

naughty in chastising a few of you for being a tad slow in coming forward,

but I must say I'm delighted with the results! To all my loyal followers -

you know who you are - a huge thank you!