Oh, and on Thursday I also got my bag ready for running club, although I'll see how tired I feel later before I decide whether to go. But at least if I feel like it I've got all my stuff.

Wow Helen I am suitably impressed that you planned for the day after holiday BEFORE holiday I usually moan that we didn't get back early enough and then go scratching round the kitchen at quarter past 7 in the am for food for the day!

Well I've had a lovely weekend, even though it didn't go quite to plan. I had myself a private lesson on Saturday morning grappling I am black and blue from head to foot now My abs, shoulders, hips EVERYTHING aches! I feel like I've been hit with a brick and it hurts to laugh! It was good though! Then we spent the rest of the day dozing in bed and then we had Pizza and scrabble! I won! YAY! I seem to be finally able to beat him now we've changed the rules to what we should've been playing.

Sunday we took the coach to Stratford Upon Avon, which is a really lovely and interesting place We had lunch at the oldest pub in Stratford - I had Sea Bream with veggies and new potatoes, the fish still had its head and fins and tail and everything! EEEEEEW! But it tasted so good I'm surprised Dom could watch, him being a sensitive veggie Oh and we had the most fantastic rhubarb crumble with clotted cream ice cream We walked out to Anne Hathaway's cottage (about 2 miles there and back) and of course my knee started playing up, but it was bearable. And we saw Mr S's birthplace and walked round the river and canal and when we were feeling completely pooped and leg-weary, we went to the library and read for a little bit Then we sat and swilled tea in the oldest pub again! Then got the coach back which took forever because of the stupid M1 stupidness. But we were home in time for bed-time

And the scales are being kind too

Ooh, you'll probably have gone past my old school on the way out to Shottery. I really must get round to another trip down there, since I left I think I've visited twice in (counts) 12 years. Could try harder...

Nice scales

Yes, Shottery, I think we walked past a school - the path took us through a big field and there were football pitches and a 100m sprint running track that looked new.

Yes, if you go over Shottery Fields that's my old school, the path goes between the school itself and the playing fields. Might have been a hockey pitch rather than football unless things have moved on though. Happy days...

Now you know me won't do that I just won't go back.

Did you enjoy your biscuits?

Hi Everyone

Helen - Well done for getting ready for after the weekend - you are far more organized that I every could be. I used to work in Wellesbourne, very close to Stratford.

Frus - You really out to try resting that knee... but I'm glad it didn't spoil your weekend. I fish so the bream sounds yummy to me. (Next time you could ask them to remove the head, tail and fins before serving it - a good restaurant will be happy to.)

CG - Can't you get an appointment at another hairdresser to get it re-shaped in to something a bit more acceptable to you. (Maybe take in a picture with you of how you want it to look?) Although, heavens only knows, I should be one to talk - I hate going to the hairdressers and haven't been for years. I keep wanting to get it cut but just never seem to get round to it.

Chris - Chocie bikkies... Poor Lew, poor Dave!

I'm going to phone the Vet to see if I can get Ellie fixed while she is in season. The sooner, the better! I can't be bothered with waiting for a reply from her owner anymore because he obviously doesn't care. I phoned the police yesterday about the romeos camped out in my front garden - they sent the dog warden. Turned out that a couple of them had been reported as missing - having managed to jump walls/fences which were so high the owners didn't think it was possible for them to escape. And I've had to throw away my lovely off white wool rugs....

I am cooking a recipe given to me by one of the customers from work - she's a West Indian lady and she assures me its her family's favourite.... sounds pretty weird to me.... mashed sweet potatoes mixed with minced cold roast chicken, chopped garlic, chopped chilli, banana, sage and a little flour and lemon juice - formed in to a thick burger shape and then baked. It smells alright but I'm not sure about the bananas. Ah well.... its an experiment. (If it all goes wrong it could end up being fish 'n' chips tonight!)

I hear ya! I'm taking the week off kickboxing, but going boxing on Weds (not much knee activity there...) and only doing UBWO and I should be on track for being almost fixed at the weekend

That sweet potato thing sounds great! Would she normally use plantains in there? They're not as sweet or as strong as bananas. I like 'em fried

I dunno she said bananas. Its... 1lb mashed potatoes, 8oz minced up cold roast chicken, a large banana, a finely chopped red onion, garlic, chilli, lemon juice and 2tablespoons of flour all mixed together. Like I said, it smells okay - just not sure about using banana in a savoury dish (although I did have it in a pork casserole thing recently and it was okay.)

While I was making my bfl apple pie I was thinking... Have you kept a record of all the calls you've made to Ellie's "owner"? I have a funny feeling that he could get all annoyed eventually and it could turn into a big ole lega thingy. But I guess if you keep a record of all the times you've tried to contact him and had no reply he won't have much of a case. Just a thought.

Sarah if I got it cut anymore I would look like Britney Spears

I don't think I'll run tonight. My energy crashed at about 3.30, and my legs have felt odd all day. Not injured odd, just heavy so possibly tiredness rather than anything else. I'm planning on going home and maybe some yoga before an early night, although it might relax me too much to get through the whole CD...

Oh dear! THAT bad? Best leave well alone, give it a couple of weeks and it won't look so awful.

Frus, most of our communications have been by text or email and he's not replying to either. More to the point, he's supposed to pay on the first of every month for Ellie's upkeep and we only ever got the December one. Last time we heard from him was an email saying he was in the offing for another 6 month contract abroad, which was when I replied that I didn't think it would be fair on Ellie to take her away from here after being with us and the boys for a whole year. Weird situation because she is actually registered with the microchip people in our name - we all decided it was best after that time when DH and I had to sit in a Police Station for hours waiting for him to confirm to the Police that we were in fact rightfully in charge of her and hadn't stolen her.

That chicken/potato/banana recipe was completely revolting Isn't it strange how peoples' tastes differ. She said it was her family's favourite!

So did you have fish 'n chips?