Wednesday, 25 June 2014

"Competition Time!!"






WEIGH-IN WEDNESDAY

I must say I was nervous as I approached the Scales this morning - Last wednesday I'd 
had a late supper at Joe Allens after the theatre. Thursday I'd finished off my Chicken
Casserole I'd cooked previously. Friday was Kate's Birthday and she'd put on a spread that 
included cold Roast Beef and Ham (from her award winning local butcher) potato salad,
french cheeses, 3 home-made desserts, what looked like a tall ice-cream birthday cake,
and YES I sampled everything, Saturday had been the Kew fete and I'd given in to
a couple of naughty treats here and there and finally a roast chicken supper on the Sunday.
To say that I stood on the scales this morning with a certain trepidation is an 
understatement. However I am happy to report a loss of 4lbs.
No one is more surprised AND pleased than me!!
(A total weight loss of 61lbs)


SHINGLES UPDATE

I must say this has been a particularly nasty little virus to shake off. I've had more 
than my fair share of headaches, tiredness, nausea and an excruciating attack of
constipation - but WOAH THERE NEDDY - that's far too much information I 
hear you cry - especially for a certain Mr Robert Dickson.  Still, I can now see 
a glimmer of daylight ahead so hopefully I should be turning 
a corner soon - fingers crossed!!



NICO ROSBERG


Nico Rosberg extended his championship lead over Lewis Hamilton to beyond a race 
victory for the first time this season after winning a tense, closely-fought Austrian GP.
If you remember in the early days of my Blog I told you I'd been advised by Jimmy,
Emily's fiancé, to put a bet on Nico winning the F1 Championship for 2014. Well
after a string of Hamilton Victory's I thought it was all over - but that is not the case!
Here is an update from Jimmy:

"Hope you're well. Yes, we certainly do still have a chance. The Mercedes is still the best car out there but in Canada they suffered reliability problems. Lewis failed to finish but Nico managed to come second to re-establish himself in the lead of the world championship. It will be fascinating to see if he can extend that lead this afternoon in Austria...There is still a long way to go - about 10 more races I think - so we won't know until November. And there will be more twists and turns to come, I'm sure. But it's a straight fight between the two of them and while Lewis is faster, Nico is the more intelligent and has worked out how to beat him...Keep watching!!!! Lots of love, Jimmy

P.s did you manage to get odds of 20/1? My mother also has £50 but only got 18/1 - still I know a few people who are all crossing fingers for Rosberg!"

So two things to come out of that - Nico did extend his lead and Yes! I did manage to
secure a bet of £50 at 20/1 - so thats a £1000 pay-day if Nico wins!!

GO NICO!! WATCH THIS SPACE!!


MY OTHER SON - JOE ABSOLOM


At the beginning of the week I met up with my "Son" in DOC MARTIN,  Joe Absolom.
He has moved his young family down to a village near Port Isaac called Trebarwith Strand.
They have rented their London house and are seeing how they enjoy life on a full time
basis in Cornwall. As Joe hasn't worked much since he moved down there,  the "Jury is
still out" on whether they are all comfortable with the move. One thing is certain the
kids love the schools down there - with 7 children to a class - how could they not!
Joe's wife Liz is enjoying working at the MOAT Restaurant as a waitress.




We had a drink at THE WEIR in Brentford and Joe told me he was up to work
on an episode of MIDSOMER MURDERS as well as working on a Low Budget
improvised film for the next 3 days playing an inmate of a prison!


"DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS"

I met up with another Cast Member of DOC MARTIN this week when I went to see
John Marquez (The Policeman) in the West End Musical DIRTY ROTTEN
SCOUNDRELS at the Savoy Theatre.



This is a wonderful Musical with outstanding performances from Robert Lindsay
so suave and debonair and John as his French Policeman Accomplice.


John has a romantic interlude with Samantha Bond which he sings and dances with
such self assurance. This is the third musical I have seen John in and he just gets better
and better. Definite Leading Man material next time. The evening was also a farewell to
my friend - the Artist DAVID HINCHLIFFE who has now safely returned to Australia.
We rounded off the evening with a late night supper at JOE ALLENS.



ANGUS "GARY MEDAL" McNEICE

A little while ago I sent my football crazy Son, Angus, a copy of a Sunday Times Special 
Addition of the World Cup which contained a Poster. This was his response:

"Hola mis padres" 

"Thank you so much for the Times special edition, the poster and the card from Cardinal Wolsey's casa! The poster will go up on my wall in pride of place, and I've already read two fantastic articles in the magazine. Please find attached a photo of me wearing my favorite Chilean footballer's shirt — Gary Medel. In the grand English tournament-time traditions, I've gone and got a horrible haircut to look just like my hero:" 



"Emily would kill me to see this now so don't share! At least I've got just under two months to grow a bit back and not ruin the wedding photos!"




Sorry Gussie - this is just TOO GOOD - I had to SHARE IT - it's just hysterical!
Good luck in growing it back in time for the Wedding! We'll all be looking it for it now!!





KATE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Last Friday saw a jolly get-together at Kate's in Brook Green to celebrate her special
Birthday. Lots of familiar faces were there such as Mabel, Angus ex-girlfriend along with 
her mother,  Tracey Ullman. Also there was the delightful Julie Peasgood. Julie and I had
worked together back in the eighties at the Royal Shakespeare Company.


Julie has now become a Producer/ Presenter for her own TV Show called CRAFTY BEGGARS
on the:



Whilst we were catching up she asked if I would be prepared to appear in a special
Celebrity Christmas Edition of "CRAFTY BEGGARS"- alongside my DOC MARTIN 
son - Joe Absolom.





The premiss behind the Show is this: - We start on the beach in Brighton and are given £20 to
go and purchase materials (to make our Crafts) in the town centre and then spend the rest of
the afternoon making our crafts - in our case it would be Christmas Candles! Kate has
promised to teach me how to make them! Then the next day we set up a Stall in the town
centre of Brighton and sell our wares. The programme will contain two Celebrity pairs
and who ever sells the most crafts wins. All proceeds go to Charity. This show will
probably be made in the winter of 2015 to follow the 7th Series of DOC MARTIN.
I must say I rather like going to parties where you walk out at the end with a JOB OFFER!!


COMPETITION TIME


Remember last week I told you about our intrepid reporter DAVID HINCLIFFE  reporting
from the London Naked Bike Ride:



Well here are the rules for THE COMPETITION. What follows are a series of photos each 
with a numbered caption. All you have to do is come up with a heading for a photo that
takes your fancy and then email me the photo caption number along with your witty heading.

It's as simple as that. Here's my email: ianmcneice@mac.com and here are the photos:

HAVE FUN!




CAPTION ONE


CAPTION TWO


CAPTION THREE


CAPTION FOUR


CAPTION FIVE



CAPTION SIX


CAPTION SEVEN


CAPTION EIGHT


CAPTION NINE


CAPTION TEN


CAPTION ELEVEN


CAPTION TWELVE


CAPTION THIRTEEN


CAPTION FOURTEEN


CAPTION FIFTEEN


CAPTION SIXTEEN

For all of you that enter and take the plunge - the best "Headings" will be rewarded with
Prizes - so what have you got to lose! Can't wait to see what you come up with -
don't be shy now - HAVE A GO!


JENNY McNEICE


Jenny is a GOLD STAR MEMBER of my Blog - she is a faithful contributor to
my Blog on a weekly basis - for which I thank her deeply!


Here's Jenny with her Sister Dani & here's an Email she recently sent me:

"Hi my loves,"

"Wine tasting with my sister this weekend near Guerneville, CA, at a beautiful winery called Porter Creek, a gentleman named Paul from Scotland swiped my credit card and commented, "McNeice, there's a famous Scottish actor by the name Ian McNeice". And of course I had to tell him to shut the front door, that's my father in law!  I made him take a picture with me there on the spot.  I don't know why he's pointing at my tiny chest but there you go. Another one for the fan list." 

Lots of love!
Jenny



This is "Paul from Scotland" with Jenny!



"OH EVIL ONE!"



"Dear Mr Monger just to let you know that when your Stand-Up  Appearances
dry up in Los Angeles there is always a spot waiting for you here on OPEN MIC
NIGHT at the SIX BELLS PUB in BRENTFORD 

(Yes, you heard right that's BRENTFORD not BRENTWOOD!")




A LITTLE TASTE OF OLDE ENGLAND
For those of you feeling a little homesick for an English Summer:







On Saturday I had a little troll over to KEW GREEN where there was this year's
Summer Fete in all it's glory:



Here are some of the Stalls I encountered:


The Obligatory Dog Show



This charming Weimaraner and it's charming Owner came Third!

























  





I must say the FOOD STALLS caused a serious amount of temptation!



ANOTHER ENGLISH PASTIME.

Across the other part of Kew Green another one of my favourite traditions was
taking place:



VILLAGE CRICKET



THE THAMES PATH



Went for a little stroll today along the THAMES PATH which is by the Canal
in Brentford and came across this family:










As another Blog comes to a close - all that remains - is for me to extend a warm
welcome to one and all for any comments you would care to leave. If you have
trouble posting them - just email me your comment and I will place it of you. As
always many thanks for taking the time to read it..xxx

ianmcneice@mac.com





10 comments:

  1. Right re weight loss a blessed miracle! Re nudity please supply adequate warning before posting naked geriatrics ON BIKES: my morning coffee was ruined and quite a lot of the masterful beverage went up my nose!
    Your life this week was particularly reminiscent of an episode of the Archers set during Walter Gabriel’s reign. I shall take pride in offering candle-making classes at my establishment-please start saving your yogurt pots! I picked up a rather nifty heart shaped lunch box yesterday after another stirring visit to Kew Gardens accompanied by no less than three young Ruskies-oh dear gods my life! Now I must go and have my second cup-and PLEASE no further early morning nudity. I can’t speak about our youngest son’s haircut-life has hit an all time low. Thanks for the pics-thanks for sharing…. I am now going to weep into my second cup of coffee and wonder where I went wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well congrats pal on 4lbs loss.....and after all those treats during the week! How DID you do it?
    Now as for the captions, I don't know whether I'm allowed to enter as the photographer, but assuming I can, here are my humble submissions.
    1. Usain UN-bolted!
    2. Why would you bother with a t-shirt when the rest of you is sticking out like that!?
    3. Now THAT's a G-string!
    4. The devil really DID make them do it.
    5. Watch the cross bar old man!
    6. Too many chiefs and not nearly enough feathers.
    7. Hands on action.
    8. I think that Tat totally spoils his look.
    9. "Now, I know I've got my hat on, but I keep thinking I've forgotten something..."
    10. Big Ben...little Ben.
    11. I didn't know John Major was a nudist!
    12. This guy started a rush at Sainsbury's on pink nipple tassles!
    13. These 'sights' weren't on the tour guide's list.
    14. All these naked cyclists and dangly bits definitely put me off Ned's Noodles for lunch.
    15. What the average Brit wears in June.
    16. No need for a caption on this one. The bus sign says it all -- "Walking on Sunshine"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OMG! David they are ALL hilarious - you've set the bar incredibly
      high - good on yer - thanks for taking the first bite of the cherry!
      Bonza! Bonza! Bonza! xxxxx

      Delete
  3. Epic blog today dad! How did you lose all that weight after such a week of temptations? AND HOW DID YOU INCLUDE THAT PHOTO WHEN I EXPRESSLY TOLD YOU NOT TO! What a bastard!

    In return I insist that the next blog is nothing but photos of you staging a one-man naked bike ride around Brentford. Or I'll take a cut of your Rosberg winnings, either will do.

    So proud of your continued progress. Love you, G x

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great week! Great blog, great loss achieved... all around loved it. But have to second Kate, this made breakfast difficult. Especially as I'm eating at my desk. I adore your little swan family. I love hearing about Kate's Birthday party but I think it's a little rude the only photo from the occasion is the woman who offered you a gig and not the birthday girl herself. At first glance I thought you were talking about a different Kate!
    Thanks for the shout-out and the gold star. Blog or not, I've been heading up the US branch of the fan club since 2003 (in my mind), and take my job very seriously. So does Paul, the pouring host at the tasting room, who thought he was educating me on the roots and famous associations of my married name. Fun fact: he proceeded to tell me McNeice is a derivative of McInnes which means Son of Angus... so things have come full circle as your son's name means Angus son of Angus.
    Great job this week! Lots of love from downtown San Francisco where July is nearly upon us: 13 degrees c and foggy.
    KBO,
    Jenny

    ReplyDelete
  5. You are unstoppable!! Wow. What a great post today, you made me laugh a lot, and you made me very proud! I have not forgotten your certificate and it is on its way...and deservedly so.

    The summer Market looks magic wish I could have been there.

    Gus' hair...well...I think we are all slightly worried...
    Captions I will email..

    Love you Loads

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sweetie! Four more pounds!!!!! Amazing!!! I have to say that my favorite part of the blog was Gussie's hair. I haven't stopped laughing since he emailed us during the week. That photo just made me smile from ear to ear! God Bless Him (Angus, Son of Angus!)!! I also loved the naked bike run! Made me crave a nice English sausage roll! I'll have to have a think about the captions! I'm not as quick as David! Can't wait for our next walkabout! Love, Cins xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  7. Arrrrrrgh…. I had written long comments twice, only to have them disappear! Obviously the blog does not want a large contribution from me… Congrats on another 4 lbs, BRILLIANT - BUT, I'm sorry, I was quite put off my toast and coffee by the photos and won't be entering the caption contest: I am just too queasy to look at them again. I couldn't help wondering where did they all strip and stash their clothes - it would be a hoot to steal all their kit. Yep, larceny and comedy are grand bedfellows. As for that haircut, I thought it was fab, and will come in handy should he ever want to join the British police force. It'll fit perfectly in the helmet. Keep up the great work and I will attempt a longer comment next week,
    Evil

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dad your blog should come with a warning "DO NOT OPEN AT WORK". I was reading your blog and scrolling through the pictures and a co-worker walked by perfectly in time to see the very unflattering naked bikers. Made for a good laugh this morning. And Angus's hair, what can you say, probably the best part of this world cup, Gus looking like a twat. I'm thinking of getting a matching do for Em's wedding.

    So proud of yet another loss. Quite unbelievable after all the delicious food you rattled off. 61 pounds baby, well bloody done!

    Yet again just a great blog. Keep it all up, makes hump day mornings such a treat.

    Love ya small daddy! Trav

    ReplyDelete
  9. As far as I'm concerned, well done Gus for staying close to the number one player of the Cup! Seeing Medel's t-shirt reminded me of Alexis Sanchez, who for me is the light of the World Cup! As for the medical reports, these now have to be edited. PLEASE KEEP THE BULLETINS TO MINIMUM INFORMATION. More importantly, avoid nudity, especially on bikes. This whole blog business is getting a little tacky. I've said this before, and I'm minded to say it again - try to think more about others and less about yourself. Particularly learn to accept invitations from your godchildren to events which require your attendance! Love your other son, Bert x

    ReplyDelete