Watson Meal Planner Wc 28th January

Wc 28th January 2013

Monday

Dad:  Jambalya

Steve, Happy 50th on 31st January

Joe:  Turkey Drummers, Pasta and Peas

Tuesday 

Gammon Steaks, New Potoes, Broccoli, Mushrooms

Wednesday 

Pasta Bolognese

Thursday

Cod, New Potatoes, Veg

Friday

Chicken Fajitas

Saturday

Take Away

Sunday

Homemade Beef Curry

Half A World Away

Oh My God!  I have actually done it.  I’m half way to achieving one my goals I set myself for the year.  Yes I have booked to go on the British Lions Tour of Australia.  I cant believe its now booked.  I’m still pinching myself!

The tour of Australia will be a trip of a lifetime.  It will be the first time I have seen a sporting event overseas of this magnitude.  Watching the British Lions play will be a fantastic experience and I cant wait to saviour the atmosphere.  The British Lions will be well supported with Lions supporters in good voice.  Additionally, I get to see Australia and spend quality time in three of their largest cities:

Click on Brisbane,    

Click on Melbourne,

Click on Sydney

Of course being in Australia in June and July I will be there in the middle of winter.  Surely it can’t be as cold as here in UK.  Can it?

I feel very fortunate to be going on such a wonderful trip but it wasn’t an easy decision.  I spent so much time agonizing as to whether to go or not. My mind has been mulling this over and over. It’s a lot of money!  What about the kids?  Will they be alright?  Shouldn’t I be taking the kids on holiday? Could I go somewhere else instead? Will anyone else want to join me?  All these questions and more kept bouncing around my mind.

In the end I just thought “sod it! I have had a really hard time over the past two years I deserve it!”  Therefore, so long as someone else was prepared to come there would be no stopping me!

There will be some organizing and planning to do.  I would have to sort Georgina and Joe out before I go.  Georgina and her boyfriend are going to Fuerteventura for a week whilst I am away.  Joe will have to fend for himself but I will ensure there are people around to keep an eye on him.  The day after I return Joe is going on holiday with his mates so ensuring he has packed and got everything ready will be a challenge.

The only other issue was finding someone to travel with me.  Thankfully my long time cricketing mate Tony Rice, “Ricey”, jumped at the chance.  I have known “Ricey” for 25 years having played cricket together and we are good friends. However, I am really dis-organised and he has OCD. These two traits will make life interesting.  John Golder who has shared a room with Ricey on many cricket tours has already advised me what to do:  “take the lid off Ricey’s toothpaste and throw it out of the window”.  Thanks John, I will let you know if it works.   One thing is for sure we both know how to have a good time and are really excited about going to Australia. 

The itinerary is follows:

19^th June        Depart London Heathrow 22:15 Flying Emirates

20^th June        Arrive Dubai 08:05   

                        Depart Dubai 10:25

21^st June         Arrive Brisbane 06:40

22^nd June        1^st Test Australia v British Lions, Brisbane

25^th June        Melbourne Rebels v British Lions, Melbourne

29^th June        2^nd Test Australia v British Lions, Melbourne

6^th July            3^rd Test Australia v British Lions, Sydney

7^th July            Depart Sydney 21:10

8^th July            Arrive Dubai 05:40

                          Depart Dubai 07:45

                          Arrive London Heathrow 12:15

The 19^th June cannot come quick enough!

Watson Meal Planner wc 21st January 2013

Wc 21st January 2013

Monday

Southern Fried Chicken, Chips and Peas

Tuesday 

Chilli con Carne

Wednesday 

Pasta Bake

Thursday

Dad Late

Kids:  Dominoes

Friday

Fish, new potatoes, broccoli 

Saturday

Jambalaya

Sunday

TBD

Charity Cycle Rides 2013

For some cycling is a fun and physical pursuit. Man and machine against the elements.  To others its just middle age men wanting to dress in Lycra.  To me its all those things!  Anyway following the success of last year’s ride from Bristol to Lands End raising over £10000 for Cancer Research I have scheduled a number of charity rides for 2013.  Lets be realistic I don’t expect to reach the dizzy heights of last year’s success but every penny counts.

I have arranged three rides for this year.  Anyone who would like to participate there is an entry donation of £50 to http://www.justgiving.com/Caroline-Watson-48.  Any additional donations will be gratefully received.  The three rides are set out below:

·      Saturday April 13^th Cardiff to Bristol: “Caroline Memorial Ride”.  A number of people have asked if there is something we can do for charity and for Caroline.  Caroline always loved getting people together so the ride is in recognition of the efforts she put into supporting our Bristol to Lands End.  Afterwards, friends and family are invited for a few drinks in Bristol.  I will post details in due course

·      Friday 24^th May – 26^th May: “Tour De France stage”.  Neil and I have always wanted to do at least one stage of the Tour De France.  With this in mind we have selected one of the tours newest routes that is going live officially in 2014.  Yes that’s right we have chosen Cambridge to The Mall London.  Ok not quite the Alps but we’re getting on a bit!  Following our triumphant ride down The Mall we will then head West to Bristol.  Total mileage will be around 200 miles.

·      Week commencing 5^th August:  The Outer Hebrides.  This journey is Andrew’s, my brother, suggestion as he lives in Scotland!  What other reason is there? The Outer Hebrides should be a challenge logistically especially meeting the ferry timings between isles.

I am really looking forward to all of these rides especially as we are raising money for a fantastic cause.  I hope that some of you can join me in at least one ride.  Absolutely anyone would be welcomed to join any of these rides just let me know.

January! Sick and tired you've been hanging on me..."

“January sick and tired you've been hanging on me!...”

These are the words to a song released in 1975 by a band called Pilot.  January as a month has a bad press.  To most January is a long drawn out month.  You’re broke!  You've spent your money on Xmas presents, partying and a colossal feast all of which is now a distant memory!  Its ages before payday which has been made worse by your employer who as an act of goodwill paid you a week earlier in December which means its even longer between pay days! What’s more you’ve put on more weight due to the excesses of the festive period! 

So you want to make that leap and lose the extra timber by taking more exercise and start that diet.  Before you even leave the house there is a battle confronting you.  Facing you is all the remnants from your Christmas groceries.  There’s the unopened box of “After Eights”, the half eaten “Toblerone”, the 6 varieties of cheese that haven't even been opened, the pack of mince pies with the brandy cream waiting patiently in the fridge.  Not to mention all the left over booze.  You get the picture. 

The thought of stepping outside to do some exercise is daunting.  Well have you seen the weather? It's still the wettest drought on record and now they’re predicting snow! You could always join the gym but have you seen the cost and I’m really busy at work.  If all that is not enough when you wake up in the morning it is so dark and cold you can’t get out of bed.  The thought of doing exercise or indeed anything is just so depressing and takes so much energy.  January just does not inspire change.

Well actually is that true? For many January is the new beginning. January is the time where the past is pushed to back of the cupboard.  “This year is going to be different”  “I'm going to create the new me”.

So what are you going to do?  Sit there and take it? Or take the first step to making a difference to you and your family? Just put one foot in front of the other and strive for your goals. Structure your goals so that they impact other people’s lives not just your own.  By doing so gives you an extra motivation to keep going when times become tough.

The leftover food, the weather etc are all distractions.  Eat the food, store it or bin it!  Get the “workout dvd” out, wrap up warm go for a run.  Just clear out the “drag factors”.  Just get going! There are so many people walking or running around the streets now.  Most of whom are women dressed in “breast cancer” pink.

The most important aspect is not to expect instant results.  Build a routine and keep going.  It takes 30 days of repetition to create a habit.

Before you know it you will be on your journey to meeting your goals, affecting other people lives and the sun will be shining!

Be the person you want to be!  Life is too short

Watson Meal Planner Wc 14th January

Wc 14th January 2013

Monday

Dad:  Gammon steak, mushrooms, egg, chips

Joe:  Sausages, broccoli, chips, peas

Tuesday 

Smoked cod, new potatoes, broccoli, peas

Wednesday 

Dominos

Dad late

Thursday

Chicken fajitas

Friday

Chicken escalopes with ham and cheese, veg, chips

Saturday

Chicken casserole 

Sunday

TBD

Six months memorial

In case anyone needed reminding January 14th 2013 marks six months since Carolines passing.  The six months feels like a lifetime.  I miss Caroline incredibly and would do anything to be able to talk to her again.  Love you forever x

Watson Meal Planner 6th January 2013

Wc 6th January 2013

Monday

Chicken fillets with Chorizo and Manchego Cheese Crumble, New Potaoes and Salad

Tuesday 

Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes, New Potatoes, Salad

Wednesday 

Pasta dish

Thursday

Chilli Con Carne (Joe cooking)

Friday

Take Away

Saturday

Sausage Casserole

Sunday

TBD

Another Year Over and A New One Begun

Now is the time of year where we spend time reflecting on the year just gone and look forward to the forthcoming year.  My own 2012 is well known and well documented.  Here’s a lighthearted look at my 2012 achievements

1      Rode from Bristol to Lands End on a bike along with another 6 riders and 5 in support vehicles. The sponsorship generated from this journey was a large proportion of the total of £14000 raised for charity.  The charities benefiting are Cancer Research and St Peters Hospice

2      Learnt how to operate a washing machine. The most complex machine in the world with the worst supplied instructions

3      Learnt how to cook. Still fairly basic but at the start of the year I could burn water!

4      Lost over 2 stone in weight.  Bike riding and gallstones helped immensely 

5      Made Xmas puddings. 60 of them!

6      Bought bedding.  Wow! What is all that about?  So much to think about.

7      Had morning coffee with the girls.  A whole new world

8      Got a new job.

9      Won the lottery.  Well a 10th share of ‘5 numbers and the bonus’.  Nonetheless enough not to be sneezed at!

10   Survived

It is now important to look forward to the future.  The past cannot be changed only remembered and cherished.  My focus now switches to 2013 and looking at my goals for the family and myself:

Family

1      Help Joe through his A levels

2      Help Joe decide what he wants to do next whether it is University or something else

3      Help Georgina through her first year of University

Me

4      Watch British Lions in Australia.  Anyone else interested?

5      Three bike rides: 1) across the Outer Hebrides with my brother Andrew; 2) memorial ride from Cardiff to Bristol; 3) one other big ride e.g. London to Paris – maybe!

6      Maintain my weight at 13 stone

7      Learn to cook properly

Work

8      Work out what to do next regarding my career

Along with my family and friends we are determined to make 2013 a successful one!  We owe it to ourselves and to Caroline.