Times Like These

There are times when you just want to scream when you feel your losing a grip of life and events going on around you.  There are times when you are so happy you just want to hug everyone.  The past few weeks have been a bit of roller coaster.  A number of issues have recently arisen simultaneously within the Watson household, which will have quite wide ranging and deep impacts on our lives.

However, these issues are no different and no worse than those thrown at most families up and down the country.  The trouble is that when you are on your own everything becomes magnified appearing to be more critical than they really are.  Keeping life in perspective can be difficult. When you are in a couple you can absorb most of life issues, see them from different perspectives, coming up with a good compromise.  Actually facing these issues together makes you both stronger and re-enforces your bond. Recently I have found it is more difficult to keep a sense of balance perhaps becoming too emotionally involved to come up with a useful pragmatic solution.

Caroline always seemed to take these issues in her stride using her pragmatism to great affect.  Between us we would sort out most issues respecting each others’ views and perspectives.  I know that I can get quite stubborn about some things and can find myself “barking up the wrong tree”.  As a result there has been some emotional stress flying around over the past few weeks, which is not good for anyone.  Luckily and thankfully I have good friends and family who are good at opening my eyes to other routes to getting to the best answer.

We are not out of the woods yet!  As we progress through these journeys I will keep this blog updated.  Hold on tight it could be a rocky road. All I know is it will be times like these time and time again.

The Watson Meal Planner wc 4th February

Wc 4th February 2013

Monday

Haddock fish cakes, new potatoes, peas

Tuesday 

Dad late

Joe Dominoes 

Wednesday 

Chicken escalopes, chips, peas

Thursday

Cod, chips and beans 

Friday

Spaghetti bolognese 

Saturday

Balti chicken wraps

Sunday

TBA

BEEF KOFTA CURRY FLUFFY RICE, BEANS & PEAS

I have just put my hands to making Beef Kofta Curry and Rice.  It tasted bloody delicious and even got the seal of approval from Georgina. Even Joe liked it!!!!!!!!!!!!  I got the recipe from Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meals.  I hope he doesn't mind me re-producing it below.  Anyway it took much longer than 15 minutes to produce once you take into consideration preparation time.

I have to say it was fairly simple to make and surprised myself.  Give it a go.  Let me know how you get on

Curry

1 * 250g pack of ready to eat Puy lentils

1 heaped tsp garam masala

 400g lean beef mince

Olive oil

3 ripe tomatoes

1 thumb size piece of ginger

2 spring onions

1 fresh red chilli

1 bunch of fresh coriander

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp runny honey

2 heaped tsp Patak’s rogan josh curry paste

1/2 * 400g tin of light coconut milk

4 tbsp fat free natural yogurt, to serve

1 lemon

Rice

300g of 10 minute basmati rice

5 cardamom pods

200g green or yellow beans

200g frozen peas

Poppadoms

Casserole Pan, Frying Pan and Kofta Pan

START THE COOKING

Put the lentils into a bowl with salt, pepper, the garam masala and mince then mix and scrunch together with clean hands.

Divide the mixture with wet hands quickly squeeze and mould into fat fingers (approx. 12).

Put them into the frying pan with 1 tablespoon of oil, turning when golden.

Put rice, 2 mugs of boiling water and the cardamom pods into the casserole pan, then add the halved beans and put the lid on.

Squash the tomatoes into the liquidizer. Add the peeled ginger, trimmed spring onions, the sliced chilli, the coriander stalks, turmeric, honey, curry paste and coconut milk, then blitz until combined

Pour into the kofta pan, add the moulded mince fingers, bring to the boil then simmer and season to the taste

Take the lid off the rice, add the peas, mix it all up and give it just a few more minutes.

Finally slice the remaining chilli and the coriander leaves and scatter them over the curry, dollop with yoghurt, then serve with lemon wedges, poppadoms and the rice, beans and peas.

Jamie Oliver Time 15 minutes

Paul Watson Time 1 hour 20 minutes

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.