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!
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!!
Congratulations Emma Dean - you're a Star!!
CELEBRITY MASTER CHEF UK
(2014)
Wasn't bad either - didn't see it all, but I loved the closing stages with:
Charley Boorman, Sophie Thomson and Jodie Kidd
Congratulations to the delightful Sophie Thomson!
COMMENTS
Please leave your Comments - it would be lovely to hear from you.
Here is this weeks Comment from KATE NICHOLLS:
"It's ironic that you lose 2 pounds this week and I had 2 pounds added to my
bum last Thursday by a sweet man who runs a booty stall in the North End Road.
It was quite painful but SO worth it. Here's my new bum.
Slightly bigger than I intended so I will have to re think my mother
of the Bride Outfit!"
Yay! We have a loss! Congrats tiny daddy!!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of putting $100 on Black! May i ask how much you won?
Those captions of your walk made me laugh out loud! Your Girls Cagney & Lacey are gorgeous!!!
I remember watching AMC with you, and I was gripped so there is no judgement here!! xxxx
Daaarling Neicy
ReplyDeleteNice one. Blog has now morphed into a fascinating family foodie travelogue. Vicarious chocolate drinks and rooftop meals in Madrid, strong alcoholic drinks in Las Vegas (loved the bet with your holiday money angle!), high calorie Master Chef across hemispheres, yet the McNeice Clan Chieftain sates himself in Syon Park with tea and a diet biscuit! Such control from the Bard of Brentford. Keep shedding Neicy......you're through the pain barrier and romping down the home stretch! Peterx
Comment from THE EVIL ONE:
ReplyDelete2lbs?! Yay!! I will definitely celebrate 2lbs, Now we're back in the right direction! 2lbs a week is 100 a year and slow and steady is an excellent way to keep it off, so no complaints from the Evil One this week.
Another great blog. And good to see Madrid - I lived there for 5 months, just off Calle Atocha, above some of the best tapas bars. I spent every day in an editing room in the square where they stayed. I thought my apartment was great - until the first weekend, when the streets below we're still as packed at 4am - it was like living above Oxford Street during Christmas shopping. Those Madrilenos LOVE to party. And the churros and hot chocolate!? Ian, do NOT go there. They must be 100,000 calories each.
And great to see more of Syon Park v v envious.
I can't help thinking that these Conventions must be used in some way. I hope you're taking notes, a diary of "My Weekends Among Aliens, Superheroes and Other Sweet But Oddly Dressed People" springs to mind.
But to place emphasis where it's due - 2lbs! YAY, YAY, YAY!
X
Now that's more like it! Just like the old basketball cheer: "2, 2, We want 2, 2..." Of course, maybe we should think about US Football and chant 6, 6, we want 6, 6 plus the extra point, so 7, 7, we want 7.
ReplyDeleteI just have to say that 2 points off is fantastic! I'm living with you and I see first hand the dedication that you are putting into this dietary pilgrimage! I know that you aren't cheating and that you are focused and exercising. As Monger said, "slow and steady". Another great blog! Really enjoyed reading about Maisie and Leon's Spanish adventures! Awesome photos too! And Trav with his lady luck in Viva Las Vegas! I love my walks with you and I have to say that I do think you look "trim" in the photo welcoming everyone to your garden. Or maybe I just took a flattering photo! Congrats on another successful week!
Love, Cins xxoo
Ian we LOVED gambling with your money on the roulette table, that was really fun and became a highlight for everyone on the trip. Maisie, first of all I loved your travel pictures and am very envious. So sad you and Leon don't have any fun together :) and sorry to say, the party is often in an Irish pub, it just is. I get it. But to answer your question, the pay out on red or black bets is 1:1 so we doubled Ian's money. Much of the ensuing activity involved all of us pin-balling around casinos looking for a cashier who would give us $200 in ones because we wanted to all go back to the room, turn up the music and jump in a pile of money on the bed. This was funny because every cashier Trav went to thought he just wanted singles for the strip club and turned him away. We settled for two bills :)
ReplyDeleteBut enough about us, Ian you're doing great! I love your park and hope to get your permission to visit it very soon. Also, those convention costumes are very high quality, standouts in the field in terms of the photos I've seen this year so far.
Keep buggering off the pounds, I like how Evil One put it, 2lbs a week is 100 a year.
lots of love,
Jenny
He's back on track! Nicely done big daddy! And a great blog today — what a post by Maisie — and doesn't she look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI can't say a word about your Master Chef addiction as I am equally enthralled with Game of Thrones. I thought I was above the fray, but got sucked in one weekend and now it's consuming my evenings.
You look a transformed man in those photographs, I still can't quite believe it.
Love you and am so bloody excited to be COMING HOME in just over two weeks. Gussie xxxx
Comment from MITCH BRIAN:
ReplyDeleteSo TOP SECRET is streaming on Netflix! Haven't seen it in years. Still funny. That scene with all the jokes and Omar Sharif is ONE TAKE...how many times did you guys have to do that to get everything to work right?
Dear Mitch: Omar & I were such old Pros - we did it in ONE TAKE, we were through by Coffee - as Omar had a Championship Bridge Game to get to............Believe me???? xx
DeleteReply from MITCH to the above Comment from ME:
DeleteGet the fuck outta here. Seriously? That's impressive. That movie kills me because as I looked at all the credits (including a lot of 007 technicians) it seemed to me that the ZAZ team must have made so much $$ on AIRPLANE! that they went to England and spent it like drunken sailors. It doesn't seem to be the least bit low budget to me. Any idea if it was a fast shoot or did they take their time?
My 2nd reply to MITCH's 2nd Comment;
DeleteSeriously Mitch we took the day to shoot everything it was in the Old Days of PINEWOOD STUDIOS when the 2nd Director came up to me and said we've booked a table for you and Mr Sharif in the Pinewood Restaurant
for 1:00pm. I remember taking my overflowing plate from the Carvery to the table where Omar had a small plate of salad - he was a gourmet who only ate in the evenings at posh restaurants. I spent the lunch in awe as most of Pinewood came to say hello to Omar! Yes - they seemed to have a healthy budget - didn't seem low budget at all - after a take the 3 Directors sat around the monitor to discuss it & then ONE person would come up & give direction it worked very well..xx
Pops another loss. Great result! And another great blog. Maisie's trip looks like heaven. That hot chocolate looks like the river of chocolate in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! And the roof top balcony, what a result. Maisie is looking more and more beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCindy you do take a mean photo, look at how slim Big Daddy is looking these days Need to come on one of these walks when I back home. Can't believe I get to see everyone next week!
Those comic con pictures look more bizarre than ever! Great stuff. Keep up the great work. You and I Dad are on a different diets this week. I am stuffing my face with every carb I can get my hands on in preparation for Sunday's marathon! Love as always and congrats again for another loss!!
Comment from EMILY:
ReplyDelete2lbs off, now that's more like it!
I challenge us both to lose 2 lbs a week for the next three weeks. We'll be svelte and sleek by the wedding!
P.S I love Maisie's hair too and her brown hat.
Love Ems