You find us awash with Trumps here in the UK. I was very taken with the photo of Larry the Downing Street cat sitting under 'the Beast', Donald Trump's presidential limousine, which had no doubt been flown over here at great expense for the three-day visit. Anyway, I am hoping someone got down on their hands and knees and checked that Larry had moved off to safety before driving away. Otherwise I fear Mr Trump would find himself a little unpopular... The nation is very attached to Larry, who was later pictured on the windowsill licking his, well, himself. Dear Larry. We are of course reading all sorts of symbolism into the whole thing.
Anyway, there is only one day left, after which we can return to our normal state of political drama and obsession over the cricket scores. Never mind the world cup, we are deep in the cricket season in this house and the washing machine is groaning as it tries to get the whites white. Bats have been handed down from big brother to smaller brother, and the biggest boy is developing a nice line in bat refurbishment, sanding, oiling, repairing and regripping things. I am huffing about the sawdust and smell of linseed oil. Is it linseed oil that bursts into flames if you leave it on a rag to dry? I can't remember. I'm hoping not.
I am currently in a complete willpower slump. I would like to be eating less, but alas, by 3pm each day all of the self-discipline has totally evaporated. By the evening I am just throwing crisps down my neck willy nilly and rummaging through the the fridge for tasty morsels. Where does the willpower go during the day? I am a fabulous model of self-control all morning, then it just crumbles. Ooh, crumble, I have just remembered, there is orange and rhubarb crumble. And I have cream. Happy sigh. No, it's hopeless, I cannot resist.
I am even being sucked back into the evil that is coffee. I'm always so envious of those people who drink water and eat raw food all day and bounce around with all the energy. Maybe I need to be locked in a detox facility until it sticks. I think a new habit takes around three weeks to form.
Any tips for being healthy gratefully received.
PS: I have just googled linseed oil and discovered that yes, it can indeed burst into flames on a rag without a spark. So now I am wondering where all the rags have been left. And what that orange glow is coming from the garage...
I am truly sorry, because I love the British, but I am glad he is off of our hands for 3 days! I know he must have been a trial for the Queen and Family, and I am holding my breath that he does not do anything totally stupid at the D-Day commemoration. Your photos of the countryside and flowers are lovely, as usual. Hang in there, 3 o'clock is everyone's downfall!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post and stunning photos. I watched Larry under the limo with baited breath too. Larry is a national treasure (far superior to Palmerston!) and I fear an international incident should any harm come to him from visiting Presidential vehicles. Linseed oil does smell horrid doesn't it - R uses it to oil our worktops from time to time and the smell lingers for days. I'm the same at the moment with snacks - I've had to stop buying Tesco's onion rings as I'm a stranger to fruit when they're in the cupboard. Good luck finding those rags! xx
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry that my poor beleagured Motherland has to deal with Agent Orange. I have no idea at all how he managed to get to the Queen et. al. What were they thinking?!? I hope she got in a good few zingers....which likely went right over his orange head.
ReplyDeleteI have no advice for the staying healthy thing...lord knows I've repeatedly tried. Repeatedly. Then again. I've decided that their are just some things I'm not willing to give up and that's just that. There's got to be some joy in food...and while I love a good healthy feed with lots of fruit and greenery...I'm also very fond of a bit of chocolate and trifle and cheesecake and, oh, the rhubarb crumble I'm going to make with my bountiful harvest....I could go on. I figure if I can be virtuous 90% of the time, the other 10% has been hard earned. xoxo
My condolences that you had to have that disgusting excuse for a man, much less a president, that has despoiled our White House spread his stench into your country. Ugh. Every day he and his puppet-masters do more damage to our country. How anyone could support him is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteAs for eating more healthy, you're already doing much better than I ever have so no ideas to share from me. I hope you find the oily rags and get them far away from anything flammable!! Enjoy your summer. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
It does seem 3:00 is a hard time for hunger especially when preparing dinner. The only thing I can suggest is to actively plan snacks between meals and a supper. That way it's all managed and not high calorific food you regret later. Have you tried those rice cakes from Morrisons, they have the most delicious toppings but before you panic I'm told by local slimming world ladies they are filling and healthy. They seem to know so much about food, it's discussed at length each get together.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, Cathy x
Good luck with the linseed oil! I wonder what Larry will make of our next Prime Minister. Maybe that’s a thought to not ponder on for too long or you’ll be nose diving for the fridge once more. I should be out jogging but I’m pinioned to the bed with a cat on my lap. Fortunately he’s not in licking mode at the moment. Have a Trump free day :) B x
ReplyDeleteSounds like full on cricket and linseed oil dramas in your house. Hope nothing has ignited. I too have no will power I'm good for a couple of days then it all goes to pot. Still theres always tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteMx
Ooh, truly beautiful photos of gorgeous countryside, and intrepid investigative small brown dog. We've had the kind of weather that confidently tempts you out after five minutes of glory, sees the final peg inserted onto the washing line, and then instantly turns into a purple-skied furore of vertical rain for the next half hour which completely wipes out anything achieved in the spin drier. Mind you, as today the washer has now given up its unholy battle, once and for all I fear, with hairy dog blankets, and inaptly-named 'smalls' (which take three of the afore-mentioned pegs), I won't be caught out today. At least not in that department.
ReplyDeleteI think you are onto a winning streak, and to be admired, if you can combine a few vegetables and bits of fruit with crisps, crumble, and cream. I've fallen into a routine which involves (almost constant) grazing, which makes me feel virtuous as I haven't had a big meal all day, just nibbled on, oh, small bars of chocolate, crisps, and the odd sandwich/pasty or two here and there. Now and again, a vanilla custard doughnut, or something. You never feel hungry, never over-full, or unable to possibly manage the ironing while you digest, ( I have other excuses for that). All good, yes ? Er, except for the ballooning weight gain. Perhaps best not rely on my dietary advice, then.
And Mr Trump and his three-ringed circus will not be missed too much, I think, especially as I heard last night that he was considering throwing the NHS into a trade deal ? Can you believe it ? Or was I dreaming ? Anyway, I'll be enthusiastically waving him off into the sunset, and thanking all gods that we just have the more mundane, run-of-the-mill, political lunatics. Moderation in all things xx
Lovely pictures. Water and raw food all day is a nonsense! I'm sure that you know how to eat well and be healthy. As for the linseed oil rags I have my fingers crossed. xx
ReplyDeleteYour blog is, as always, a delight and a pleasure to read. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI hope your garage is still standing? I had no idea that linseed oil can ignite. I am sure we have some soaked rags somewhere..... As for cricket, I don't get it at all, weirdest sport ever.... I am not sure if I am genetically deficient in understanding it, being an immigrant and all. The Trumps, what a palaver. I fear that man is highly contagious, trumpifying people and ruining the world as we know it. Larry the cat might be the best option for Prime Minister yet, I like his attitude. Have a lovely weekend when it comes xx
ReplyDeleteTrump flew out of Eastleigh airport, which is just down the road from here. We were all a little bit surprised, because it usually hosts teeny weeny planes that you hop on to go to Edinburgh or Ireland, but apparently Air Force 1 and Marine 1 were both there. Dear Larry, he knows how to show his disdain. My only advice with snacks is if you're eating 3/4 healthy ones, 1/4 less healthy is probably acceptable :o). Hoping you haven't burnt down. xx
ReplyDeleteOh dear - it's bad enough having a husband glued to the cricket on TV but at,least it's at a distance.
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous photos! Each and every one deserves a frame. Sometimes it seems I've spent half my life dieting - or denying myself what I really want. And then the other half catching up on all the good food I've missed. A lifelong battle! You're not alone.
ReplyDeleteThose are some beautiful photos. I'm glad Larry the Cat was able to remove himself from the danger zone. It would have been nice for the U.S. if you could have kept the Orange for a while longer, but I couldn't be that cruel. I love reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry the miserable Trump family, and I mean all of them were over your way. It was so nice to get them out of our country for a while. We read loads about Larry the Cat over here, hysterical! As for willpower, I have none of it. I am eating potato chips while driving for work just to get through my long day. Pathetic!
ReplyDeleteI'm not commenting on Trump, because I can't do it without swear words. I'm learning some good ones while I'm here in Germany, it's a very descriptive language.
ReplyDeleteAs for snacking at 3pm, you might find that it's got more to do with your daily routine than lack of willpower or hunger. I often eat because I'm bored, lonely, or facing a chore I don't feel like doing. When I'm immersed in a good book, or the creative juices are really flowing in my work, I've been known to skip a meal without noticing. Maybe you should think about what you do at the time of day when the munchies overtakes you, and plan to be busy with something else around then.
Have you tried Grumpy Mule decaff coffee? It's pretty good. Enviro-friendly decaff process and tastes good too :)
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