Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! : July 2014

WEIGH-IN WEDNESDAY

plateau |plaˈtō|noun (pl. plateaus or plateaux |-ˈtōz| )1 an area of relatively level high ground.• [ as modifier ] denoting a group of American Indian peoples of the plateau country of western Canada and the US, including the Nez Percé.2 a state of little or no change following a period of activity or progress: the peace process had reached a plateau.verb (plateaus, plateauing, plateaued) [ no obj. ]reach a state of little or no change after a time of activity or progress: the industry's problems have plateaued out. ORIGIN late 18th cent.: from French, from Old French platel, diminutive of plat ‘level.’
Unfortunately I seemed to have reached a "Plateau of my Own" - where it is harder to lose weight. The good news - I have not put any weight on, the bad news - I've not taken any off this week either.I'm exactly the same as I was last week - a total loss of 66lbs since January 8th. My most recent goalis to lose 70lbs by Saturday 16th of August (Emily's Wedding Day) So that gives me a target of 4lbs in17 days - which should be achievable. My apologies to you all - I know "The Evil One" is going to bedisappointed with my lack of progress - but in my defence it's always harder when I'm away from home, like I have been this week (attending Conventions) to count calories. I know there is really no excuse but hey! watch the space for progress next week!!!

LETTER FROM SAN FRANCISCO

TRAVERS McNEICE:

So I ran my third marathon this past Sunday. It was in San Francisco and my god that course is a hilly son of a bitch! My goal has always been to try and run a marathon in under 4 hours and with Jenny and friends screaming away I crossed the finish line with a time of 3:53. I was ecstatic but at the same time I thought I was going to puke and pass out. So very glamorous. But I finished in the top 20% of all the runners that day!

After the race a group of us headed off to the Castro (gay district of SF) for brunch and bottomless mimosas. And in true SF fashion, the mimosas weren't the only things showing off their bare bottoms..

After 4 months of training and probably 400+ miles of running it felt amazing to reach a goal I've had for over 6 years. Next big event I think will be an Iron Man but after a good long break. Doing a transatlantic flight the day after a marathon is a terrible idea, holy Jesus I'm sore.

The Supporters!

The poster says "run baby*, run! *Travers and Kyle, specifically" - we were not up all night making that sign.

Travers & Kyle

Dad thank you for getting me at the airport. And for those of you who have not seen him recently the transformation is remarkable! He looks like a completely different person! Can't tell you how proud I am of you.

Thanks Travers and Congratulations to you for completing the San Francisco

Marathon in record time - I'm very proud of you too!!

WESTON-super-MARE CONVENTION.

This past Weekend I headed off to Weston-super-Mare for yet another Convention.

this time it was held in the HELICOPTER MUSEUM - a fascinating place!

The Royal Helicopter

Here are some of the Guests from the Show:

James Cosmo from "Braveheart", "Trainspotting" and "Game of Thrones"

Caroline Munro from "The Spy Who Loved Me" and "The Golden Voyage of Sinbad"

Kai Owen from "Torchwood", "Waterloo Road" and "Being Human"

Making a rare appearance at 85 years was Peter Wyngarde from "Jason King",

"Flash Gordon" and "The Avengers".

Here are some of the usual attendees: From "Ghostbusters".

R2 D2 from "Star wars"

STRADA RESTAURANT - BARNES

Last Wednesday I had Supper with my friends Robert & Susie at the Strada Restaurant

in Barnes, half way through the meal the Manager of the Restaurant, Francisco, came over and

surprised me - by saying: "You were in the film"AMNESIA" weren't you?

Restaurant Manager: Francisco

This was an Italian Film I made in Ibiza with the Oscar Winning Director

Gabriele Salvatores. I played a Drug-pusher/Hitman and I was the only English

speaking Actor in the Film - the others were all Italian.

A host of happy memories came flooding back.

Doug Chandler - The Drug Pusher/Hitman

Sadly "My Death!"

A lucky thing about working in Ibiza was that Travers came to stay for

a while and whist he was with me he learnt to Scuba Dive. He learnt

all his practical paper work and then completed a series of dives. The

last dive he did I went out in the dinghy with him along with some other students

as well as his instructor (above). They all vanished over the side for a

30 minute dive leaving me alone in the dinghy rocking from side to side.

I've never been so sea-sick in all my life!!

With the Director - Gabriele Salvatores

I just came across a Review in the International Movie Data Base for

"Amnesia" which ended with " However the scene with the fat 'pusher'

talking with a prostitute about his wife, and his dreams and the Beatles is

worth the ticket alone."

How nice is that!

TRAVERS

Yesterday morning I went to Heathrow Terminal 5 to pick up Travers who had arrived

early for Emily's Wedding. His wife, Jenny, will be joining him next week. I took him

to Comeragh Road where Kate had prepared a "Calorie Conscious" meal of Butterfly Leg of Lamb,

Olive Oil Mash Potato, Spinach and Tomato Salad and Mushroom Jus - delicious!

The Remains of the Lamb Dish!

OAKLEY

Also in the above Photo is Oakley who is 21 tomorrow - the 31st of July

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OAKLEY!!

Please leave your Comments below - thank you!

WEIGH-IN WEDNESDAY.

Comment from EVIL UNCLE CHRISTOPHER MONGER last week:

"Ok fellow readers, seriously, how long are we going to put up with this shit? No pounds, a pound? Are we going to start getting blogs about ounces? And it's not winter when all those hearty fat sugary foods come calling. So, I am setting up a viral chant, we must all yell OFF! OFF! OFF!"

Well! Will this silence you Oh Vicious One this week??: A sturdy 2lbs OFF! OFF! OFF! I sincerely

hope so - as I seemed to have reached that "Weight-Watcher's Plateau" where it's just a little harder

to shed those pounds. But it's not from want of trying - quite a lot of walking and a delicious Calorie

Controlled Meal like last night:

Skin-less Breast of Chicken, Salad, Beetroot & Mushrooms

(Approx: 300 Calories)

EMILY

Last week I forgot to post Emily's Comment on my Blog.

So - with sincere apologies - here it is:

EMILY:

"I take full responsibility for the one and only pound lost. My low calorie lunch followed by a walk along the seafront shifted that!

Emily's Wedding Headdress

I'm not going to apologise for the beautiful and low key headdress. It my big day and I want to feel and look a lot taller

The girl in the picture looks amazing and I will too!

LAS VEGAS

Last weekend Travers and some friends went to Las Vegas.

Here is the Email I sent him:

"Have a great time in Vegas for me Baby. OK - Here's what I want you to do put $100 on Black on a Roulette Table for me - if you lose - I pay you in dollars when I see you - if you win - buy your friends a round of drinks from me with your $100 winnings. Email me the outcome - I'll be fascinated!!...xx"

Here's his reply:

"I love the idea of putting $100 on black for you! I hope we win!

I Will of course provide pictures with drinks in hand if we win!"

AND THE WINNER IS: BLACK NUMBER 8!

"I just put $100 on black baby! At the Bellagio. Black 8! We won. Got some great pictures I'll send on Monday. Going to buy drinks for everyone at the pool tomorrow. That was so fun! Thank you xx

What a fantastic Result Travers - So glad I don't owe you $100!!

LETTER FROM MADRID

BY MAISIE McNEICE

It was mine and León's four year anniversary and he took us to Madrid as a treat. We booked it ages ago when Spain had not been knocked out of the world cup so we had visions of us celebrating there but oh well!

We booked an amazing airbnb apartment that over looked the Plaza Mayor and had its very own roof terrace that we spent a lot of time on. The weather was beautiful the whole weekend.

We arrived at the airport and took the metro into town and wondered around and explored for a few hours and made some friends

Our apartment wasn't quite ready to take us in so we explored and found an amazing cafe that is famous for its Hot Chocolate and Churos and had a feast!

Once we could check it we walked through the square where our apartment was over looking and couldn't believe how lucky we were. We were staying in the centre of the city and discovered we had our very own private roof terrace! We went to the shop and bought a few cold beers and set ourselves up on the roof and played monopoly there in the evening.

Then we went into an area called La Latina that is famous for its tapas! That’s where my phone got stolen out of my bag so the night ended a bit early there as I had to sort out cancelling it and get in touch with my insurance (Thankfully they are covering it and I am getting a new one)

The next day we got up and had breakfast on the roof which was heaven!!

We spent the weekend exploring, visiting galleries and eating amazing food! León and I found an amazing restaurant and ordered pretty much everything on their menu that took our fancy! Along with some fancy G&T's.

Spanish omelette with goats cheese and caramelised onions

Fried potatoes wrapped in spanish ham, with a fried egg on top accompanied with black pudding and Goats cheese salad.

(NB: For those of us on a diet that would be 1,758 Calories per portion!)

Near to our flat there was a small little shoe shop that had queues out the door it was so popular! They had colourful leather shoes that were very cool and I am sad I never got my hands on some!

For the world cup final we watched the first half in a Spanish tapas bar, however we explored during half time as we wanted somewhere that was a bit livelier and full of Argentinians...so we actually ended up in an Irish Bar...I know, I know...But it was a lot of fun, and devastating at the same time!

Madrid is a lovely city and we will be back!!

Thanks Maisie - sounds & looks like you had an amazing time!

Oh by the way I love your new hair length - gorgeous!!
xxxxxxxxxx

MANCHESTER COMIC CON

(Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th of July)

Another Week - Another Convention - this time in Manchester. A city I haven't been to in

a long time. Whilst the sun shone bright over London, on the Saturday the heavens opened

and it poured down on Manchester. Some of the 20,000 fans who had been queuing for

hours to get in the Convention Hall finally arrived drenched with their costumes a soggy mess. But that didn't seem to wipe the smile off their faces when they came to say hello.

Here are some of my favourite costumes:

Off to Western-super-Mare this weekend for another Convention!

If I play my cards right I may even get a ride in a Helicopter!

SYON PARK

Syon Park has become my second home. Certainly I now look on it as my very own

garden or back yard. One that I don't have to do any of the chores - like weeding or

cutting the grass - thank god! But it is a valuable source of exercise that can be

rewarded in the Refectory by a nice cup of tea and a diet biscuit - if I remembered

to bring one with me!

Here are a few photos from my latest outing:

"Let me show you my Garden"

"My Greenhouse"

"I'm sure that Statue is flipping me off!!"

"My Pond"

"My Girls: Cagney & Lacey"

"Yes, thats my house in the background."

"Big, isn't it?"

"I think they're my Canadian Geese"

"Can't wait for Christmas!"

AUSTRALIAN MASTER CHEF

(2013)

I have become totally obsessed with MASTER CHEF AUSTRALIA. Having watched

umpteen episodes of contestants being rejected - I ended up watching the Final the other night. It was a total nail biting finale between Samira, Emma and Lynton - scored by the judges Gary, George and Matt. I've been watching them every night for months and I now look on them as "family". I know some of you will be appalled by this and are shrieking "Get a frigging Life" - but I know that there is at least one of you that shares my obsession. They

have their own feelings towards a family known as the "Underwoods".

You know who you are - God Bless You! Master Chef Australia 2013 is now over -

Boo-Hoo - heartbroken? Yes I am.....But all is not lost.....

because MASTER CHEF CANADA is just around the corner!!