20 June 2012

It was a lo-o-o-ong set of graves!  I didn't do anything for the past 4 days but sleep and work--which doesn't make for exciting blog entries, so I didn't bother.  The weather has been gorgeous the past few days, so now that I'm off, it's rapidly going to pot!

I wanted to take a trip north to the Farne Islands so I could see the puffins but tomorrow is supposed to be heavy seas, so that may have to wait for another break.  The back-up plan is Warwick and Kenilworth Castles so long as it's not chucking down rain.  The rain plan is to finally do some housework, which is not my idea of a good time, so I'm holding out for no rain.  I'm hoping to be able to grill a few chicken breasts for the next few days...  It's not looking good!

My friend Penny sent me a box full of books, so I'll have plenty to read regardless of what the weather does.  Yippee!  I think I'm going to start with Crucible by S.G. MacLean; I got an e-mail today about the Inverness Book Festival and this is one of their featured book.  I probably won't make the Festival but I can still take a look at some of their featured books.

I'm on a plateau (again--dammit!) right now but 48 lbs is nothing to sneeze at.  I had a brain wave (very painful) Monday night and decided to order some sashimi from The Orchid restaurant in Harrogate for my supper Tuesday night.  I got to the restaurant a few minutes early, let them know I was there and went to use the loo--since I don't seem to be able to wait more than 30 seconds between sandbox breaks.  [This is not a feature of the diet--I've always been that way.]  Anyway, I went in to the loo--and got the surprise of my young life!  The last time I had dinner at The Orchid, the loo was a very tight fit!  [Brits generally don't waste much space on toilets.]  Now, it was no problem!  I was stunned!  And after I finished, I sat down to wait on my order and actually had wiggle room (and a surprising amount of wiggle room) in the chair they have for people waiting on take-aways or bookings.  All this is VERY motivating.

I have my next Bettys Cookery School class on Wednesday of next week--The Spice Box 2: 

A further selection of authentic recipes using an assortment of fragrant spices and the essential information and tips on how to best use them. From turmeric to star anise, cumin to mustard seeds, you will find that variety really is the spice of life as you make: chicken jalfrezi; Moroccan spiced lamb; pork pho (a Vietnamese noodle soup); and Bombay potatoes.  Yum!  Yum!

I find I get a bit twitchy if I don't have a Bettys class to look forward to, so I also booked "Everyday Delicious" (This fabulous selection of dishes offer an array of mouth-watering flavours inspired by the Mediterranean and warmer climes - perfect for relaxed summer meals with family and friends. You’ll prepare: whole roast chicken with lemon & rosemary; Greek lamb koftas served with a rich tomato & oregano sauce; Cajun spiced salmon goujons with a tangy vegetable salsa; and Tunisian orange cake.) for late next month, right before I head off to France and a beach cottage (fingers crossed!) for a week.  Amazingly, the chicken and salmon are on the diet :-)