2020++ - smiling and waving and looking so fine

mark55man

Been back a few days now, almost like we were never away.  Trip back down was very smooth we left just before local rush hour, spent 3 long hours on the M6 doing a steady 65-70 (really saves the fuel team) then arrived Birmingham well after its rush hour.

Humdinger - you are too kind - there are still some technical glitches in the "ambassador" role.  but a shortage of ferrero rocher jokes is not one of them 

EssexHebridean

We’ve long adopted the theory that a steady drive at around 65mph is the economical way to travel - and often also driving more steadily and smoothly means you don’t even get there that long after those who’ve screeched off in a roar of the engine and done much hard acceleration followed by heavy braking on the way either. My theory is that by travelling a little slower you have significantly more time to plan ahead around what other traffic is doing - be that changing lanes or just reducing the speed to avoid needing to brake as other traffic does so. 

mark55man

Thanks EH - proved you right again with 100 mole each way at 65 visiting my side of the family relatives for a long weekend by the Kent seaside.  Drove around a bit and saw some new towns and some lovely beaches where I had the worst coffee ever.  Early in the season and it was quite cold so I was grateful for the coffee anyway - but would have been more grateful if it didn't taste like it had been through the cat first - hi ho its a new month so will just have a decent coffee and then get on the numbers

savingholmes

Sorry you had your worst coffee ever but the time away still sounds good. I still haven't made it to the sea... Definitely on the list as one of my must do things soon. Still feels chilly though...

f0xh0les

I went to a cafe in S0H0, where the choice was Maxwell House  or Barley Cup.. . .  Life is too short for that nonsense.

mark55man

The seaside does make up for many sins, but paying even £1 for a Maxwell house is a no no

mark55man

so been (nearly) keeping up with my steps and have (nearly) restarted my diet.  as in I'm doing better but not quite there yet.  Just going out for a walk now as we have brunch with our BFF, and then fizz in the garden with our campaign group for the local elections.  I know not everyone is as political as me, certainly not such an aging leftie, but our team did well and we made a difference, and it was enjoyable watching the complete disarray and dismay on the blue team so a glass or two with my fellow champagne socialists will be very enjoyable

I think the money side is ticking along - I may have over committed on my regular savings so its been a bit of a scramble but I now have a bit of a buffer in my EF so if I need to sacrifice one of the regular savers I will but it hasn't quite come to that yet.  

Enjoy your weekend folks - will be a bit quiet this week (how can you tell the difference) as a long shot proposal we made a few months ago has suddenly and unexpectedly received a lot of interest and the team will need to bring that back to life 

mark55man

weight 244lbs (110kg) down from 245 as of getting back on the wagon target 200lbs 91kg

5k walk this morning then WFH so should be good foodwise, and may do some more steps gardening when I finish for the day at 5pm.

Steps recorded this year  722000 - Target to end of April 890164.  Shortfall 168000.  Will play catch up this month now I got the summer to work on it with

savingholmes

Good luck with all your plans. Glad you are getting your steps and diet back on track. It all helps.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

I vote blue (can we still be MSE friends?), but they definitely deserved the !!!!!! kicking after all the shambolic stuff of recent times, I was surprised it wasn't worse to be fair. 
Must admit though, I'm always a bit confused as our local councillors aren't relevant to general elections.  Our local councillor was tory and now isn't, but the new councillor is genuinely going to be completely poo and only got in because people wanted a local tory out.
Who knows, I don't and none of them have covered themselves in glory as far as I've seen.
Good luck with your steps etc, sounds like a good plan