One month till my birthday

 I'll be 46 next month.  Yes, I know it's hard to believe.  My bathroom scales think i'm 49.  Prick.

We're off to Fallow in the afternoon for my birthday

https://fallowrestaurant.com/

I follow the two head chefs on youtube and they've had a lot of positive reviews so thought i'd give it a go.  We're on the Chef's counter which means we'll get to see them all preparing the dishes.  Should be good fun.

As for presents, I have no idea.  I've probably said it on here before but i've probably got everything I want (within reason).  I don't want to get anything just for the sake of it but it's still nice to open a present or two on the day.

Pickled Ginger

 https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/pickled-ginger

Made this yesterday, I made some a couple of months ago but in a much smaller jar and it didn't last long.  Let's see how long this lasts.

Star wars viewing with the kids

I've been watching Star Wars with the kids these last few weeks and on Sunday we watched episode II (5 /9).  Looks like I fell asleep for part of it.  Thanks April.

Plants update

 Although short Arthur's sunflower has flowered.  We watered it again last night

Tomatoes are still going

My chilli plant has produced a chilli!  Not sure about the broccoli next to it, I don't think the pot is deep enough.

Last night's session

 Last night we cleared out a mansion of vampires and cultists.  Now only the basement to clear.  I wonder what we'll find in there.

Back to Vecna

 We're back to playing D&D after about a month off.  The GM has been busy with family stuff so we've been playing a quick short campaign whilst he was a away.  I was also off on holiday one week so hopefully we can have fun tonight.  It's in the pub so that should help.

We're now level 14.

Fastest 5km run

I ran a 5km run with Arwen this lunchtime. 29:48 seconds!

Nice country walk round Penshurst Place

 On Sunday morning we walked round Penshurst Place.  Kent really is a beautiful place.  Plenty of shit holes too mind.

Junior park run

In the rugby off season Flo's started up junior park run again.  Despite being another year older her times are actually getting worse.  She seems to be having trouble judging her pace and having to stop constantly.  I ran the last half a k with her on Sunday.  Next week i've said i'll run the lot with her to see if we can improve her time.

TJs win

 I played for TJs on Friday night in a charity game against an invitational team based of West Kent players from local rival clubs.  A handful of which I played with last year when I played for Leigh.

We had a squad of over 30 players, mostly kids but with a few old boys in there too.  I played around 30 mins.  It was good fun although very hot.  Other than being a little stiff, no injuries to speak of.

Expressing my point of view

Me getting smashed

Proof of life

 Flo's away with her friend for a couple of days in Whitstable (they have a holiday flat there).  Mark's been sending proof of life photos.

Health assesment

 I had a health assessment through work yesterday.  It's a free benefit but would normally cost £850.  It's basically a full set of bloods, loads of other tests and a 45 min session with a gp.  I've still got to do another test at home (shit in a jar) for a cancer test but it was very interesting.

I'm now no longer pre diabetic.  I'm pretty sure I wasn't as have lost loads of weight and have been a lot healthier. As I stepped out of the clinic it was torrentially raining so went to celebrate in the pub.  To celebrate further I went out with Arthur and April for a Chinese.  At that rate i'll be back in the pre diabetic range!

 

Discount quail eggs

So decided to add them to the fishcakes and hash browns I cooked.  It turned a very beige meal into an interesting one.  I cooked them a few times before and they're a bit of a faff but saw them in Waitrose for £2.50 and thought yes.  I will buy them.

 

Flo had her first gig on Sunday

 It was in the outbuilding of a local village pub.  She goes to singing lessons each week and it's through them.  The teachers fill in the gaps for the missing instruments.  Flo was first up and sang 2 songs.  She's been invited to go again to the next one.  She was brilliant.

Lions watching

 I watched the first Lions game at the rugby club, they've hardly advertised it for some reason.  It was still a reasonable turnout.  40 or so.  I ended up having a fair few.  It's difficult to estimate how much you've had when drinking with jugs.  Same again this Saturday!  And will be after my first game of the season.  I'll hopefully just get 20 mins or so.

Crumpet man

 Waitrose now sell crumpet men

Expensive meal

 When staying with Shahen and Kate we always do our usual.  Girls go out one night, boys the other.  This time we went back to the Hide and Fox outside Hythe.  The boys spend £650.  Ouch!  It's now double michelin stared.  It was amazing.

Dymchurch Fair

 BEing off on holiday a week before the state kids we had Dymchurch Fair virtually to ourselves

Highlight of the holiday!

Another dog walk

 I took the kids for a walk along the sea front and found my zombie apocalypse base.  It's always a good idea to have an escape plan

Fish shack at Dungeoness

 

Trip to the beach

 

Sand castle building Camber sands

Up the dune

Fancy pub food in Camber Sands.  Stange we didn't go here last year when we stayed for a long weekend

Rabbit tower made of jenga

The girls were out for their fancy dinner on Wednesday so the boys looked after the kids.  Shaheen somehow cracked the neck off a bottle of wine whilst opening it.  The clever man improvised and used a cafetiere to filter out any glass.  Genius!

Arwen enjying her stick

Good day on holiday

 

Hythe beach

Impromptu lobster 

Train ride to Hythe

Dad's relaxing before a very, very expensive meal

First dip in the pool

 First dip in the pool, the kids had a great time.  I think they enjoyed the smores 

More cooking