Project: Portion Control

The half marathon training is going well. However, what I REALLY need to do is control my calorie intake to keep the weight down and this, in turn, will lead to better pace on my runs. So I think I need to limit my main meals to a respectable portion of food. This will be quite a challenge as I am a glutton who eats until he feels like a over-inflated balloon. Expect this to only last a few days.

Meanwhile, illness returned to the Stringer household last weekend as Emily took her first steps into the world of projectile vomiting. The poor little lady must have picked up a bug and was laid low for two and half days. Happily though, she is now bright as a button and doing all of those things that two year-olds do.

Brian Jonestown Massacre

Tonight, brother-in-law Scott and I will be off to the Camden Roundhouse to see Brian Jonestown Massacre play. This is definitely a big tick on my bucket list as I've been a BIG fan since 2005 and didn't ever think I'd get to see them. I'm surprised they haven't self-destructed by now as they had a reputation for being a volatile collective, however Anton Newcombe is an awesome songwriter and the music has kept them afloat. This is also my first visit to the Roundhouse.

Emily Ready For The Beach

Juniors

Beth visited her new school yesterday afternoon with Parkes. It's small and seemingly very friendly; most of Beth's current school mates will be going there to so hopefully it won't take her too long to adjust to her new surroundings.

High Weald Landscape Trail

Last Friday and Saturday Steve, Dean, Keith and I walked a section of the High Weald Landscape Trail. We picked it up at Goudhurst in Kent at about 9am on Friday and, armed with maps and gps devices we trotted along to our overnight destination Tenterden. On our way we passed through Cranbrook and arrived in Benenden where we enjoyed a couple of lunchtime pints at The Bull Inn (and several thousand bags of crisps).

Feeling refreshed and a little tiddly we ventured forward and within a couple of hours we arrived in Rolvenden, where we enjoyed a couple more pints at The Bull (lovely pub). And more crisps.

Feeling rather loose we plodded on and arrived in Tenterden soon after. The terrain was gentle and we saw very few people; just rolling countryside, arable pasture and orchards.

Our B&B, Little Dane Court, provided great lodging and after a spruce up we hit the pubs for food and sustenance. The following morning we ate breakfast at 8am. The brekkie was fabulous, very fresh and locally sourced and we ate outside as the weather was gorgeous and this helped brush away the cobwebs.

A few bags under eyes but spirits unbroken.

We set off at 9am on the Saturday with the aim of getting to Rye in Sussex by early(ish) afternoon. Generally the route is well signposted but can occasionally through up navigation issues; the OS maps were fairly essential.

The second day took us through lots of dark woods (we were grateful for the shade at times) and one in particular was full of wild garlic plants which gave the air a wonderful whiff.

The trail on the second day took us past the Chapel Down vineyard. If we'd had more time we'd have spent more time there, but as we were crimped for time Keith used it for toileting purposes.

The second day was quite a slog as Dean's knee was really starting to give him discomfort and Keith was suffering from dehydration and hot-spots. However, everyone took a man-pill and got to the finishing line before 3pm.

Massive thanks to the guys for a fabulous couple of days. Great company and great weather.

Peveril Castle Ladies Part 2

Peveril Castle Ladies Part 1

Life Crisis

Doctor,

I have never been one for coloured socks and have never bought them. However, I was bought such sockage at Christmas and have recently started wearing them. I am 42 years old. Am I going through "the change"?

Animal Fatalities

I have recently been responsible for the needless deaths of 1 mouse and 2 mackerel through laziness. This has truly rocked my veggie soul. However, my ying-yang balance was slightly pushed back in the right direction when a herring gull defecated on my back whilst running (I was running, not the herring gull).

I feel I have more pain to come but not certain what form it will take. 

More Reims

Here are my three travel buddies; Parkes, Nicole and Keith. As travel buddies go they're ace!! Here we are in Reims and mischief is to be had...

Cool

If there is such a thing as reincarnation then I want come back as this - whatever it is. I could sooo rock this look!

UEFA World Cup Feeeeeever

I'm really looking forward to this WC and to England's participation. Usually there is the expectation that we could win the competition; however this time around things are less bombastic and more realistic. Without the star names of previous competitions (except prima donna Rooney) I hope the current squad will play for the shirt and country. Who knows eh?! New stars may be born on the international stage and we may end up in the later stages of the knockout phase - stranger things have happened!!

Veggie

I have been veggie for about 3 weeks now and it seems to be going well. The cravings for meat are minimal and I am still eating fish so I can get a meaty munch when required. My reasons for going veggie are as follows:

1) Meat is expensive

2) Meat is increasingly pumped full of water and the flavour is poor

3) I like animals and small furry things

Who knows whether it will be a temporary thing but I suspect it won't be!

Dynamic Duo

Invader

Whilst at Peveril castle at the weekend Strings spotted this alien ladybird.

Owl and Otter sanctuary

Beth spotting some wildlife in Buxton.

Ambulance

Emily gave us a scare last week. She was struggling for breath, we were ambulanced to the hospital at 7am, she responded well to steroids and antibiotics and was treated for bronchiolitis. She is fine now, back to shouting and screaming at all of us.

Race

What a glorious weekend weather wise, perfect for an animal race. Emily had her first go on these, Beth was a pro, jumped on and shot off. This was at Ellington fayre on Saturday afternoon.

Rheims

A few pics from our fabulous trip to France.

Easter egg hunt

There were plenty of eggs to be found in the Stringer house.