Oh what a niiiiiiight.........laaaate June, back in in 2012

Blimey, that was a weekend and a half. If ever I wanted an idea of how far I have come in the last twelve months, the last 48 hours have given me all I need to know. Granted it is not something I would wish to repeat on too regular a basis (comes under the category of 'busybusybusybusybusy..... ......Christ, it's Monday??!!), but to be still standing - unaided; just about - come Sunday night is a real achievement and testament that at time of writing, I am now much more fitman than fatman.
The mission I chose to accept was.....
Up at daft o'clock on Saturday morning and make my way over to my brothers (not the exploding shorts one, the one who came to support me in the badminton final one), to help him move house to Sheffield; little knowing that involved in said moving were, not one, but two.....TWO PIANOS!!!!..... ......yes.............you heard me...........let's count them together shall we.....one piano......two pianos..... .......definitely two.....what the bloody hell is he trying to do? be the first, non-electric Howard Jones??!! In the end, we only managed to shift one; the other one seemed to be weighed down by concrete - either that or was Loctited to the floor. We couldn't lift it, couldn't even shift it, we were getting nowhere, so we 'ad a cappa.....WHOAH.....bit of a Cribbins moment there; my apologies....now, where was I? Yes, much lugging of furniture, not to mention some death defying stunts in manouevring the piano on and off the tailgate, and all in the middle of biblical-proportion showers (rain, not bathroom).

About quarter past six and heading home, arriving just in time to dive (figuratively) into the shower, put my semi-glad (mildly chuffed?) rags on and head out to the end of season badminton bash (Chinese buffet and ten-pin bowling; more on this later). It is here that the old me would be wimping out; texting on the way home that I am 'stuck in Sheffield', feeling too exhausted to entertain the idea of socialising with friends, opting for the comfortably familiar territory of my Edenfield sofa and some rubbish on TV. The new me? A bit late arriving at the do, but had a blast (like I said....more later.....don't be so impatient!!) and the dirty stop-out wasn't back until 2am.

Sunday morning.....and slept through the alarm; finally surfacing about half ten; a time when you would usually see me three quarters of the way through the gym routine. Another chance for the old me to have a day off from the gym and loll (note spelling, NOT laughing out loud!), yet I managed to drag myself to the leisure centre, to find that the place had been invaded by a 'schoolboys football championship', turning what was a nice peaceful Sunday morning car park into a log jam, screaming the mental message 'don't think so!' at me through the windscreen. Then, on parking in a side street, came the sternest test of resolve.....forgetting my towel.... Faced with an 11km run (longest run so far), tired after the house move and a late night out, no towel, and the certainty that if I went home for it there is no way I would re-merge before Monday morning; I was on the brink of calling it a day. VICTORYYYYYY!! Not only did I go, I did the 11km!!!! Get in there my son!!!!!! Granted, the post-gym, unshowered (bathroom, not rain) shopping trip round Tesco's was a bit stinky - and I was completey banjaxed after that - but definitely elated. Chalk one up for the fat/fit guy.
So anyway, on to Saturday night (I know, you've been waiting for this haven't you?!); top night!! First; the Chinese buffet. To kick it off, despite being late, the guys had saved me a seat in mid-table rather than being stuck on the latecomers naughty end, which gave me a warm fudgy feeling inside (aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!). The meal was lovely, but the desserts......OOOOOOH THE DESSERTS!! Granted, they were distinctly unchinesey (anyone any idea what a Chinese dessert is!); but they afforded me a truly spritual experience, one which instantly regressed me to a ten year old (some would say that is not a big leap....). Alongside the little cupcakes, the cornflake cakes (no I am not kidding) and jelly (still not kidding); there was a biiiiiiiiiiiig bowl of - almost shuddering as I type this - bananas and custard........BANANAS AND CUSTARD!!!!! Joy of unfettered joys!! Not had that for decades, and for the life of me I cannot think why; by God it was good, and really did taste like Mum used to make! On reflection it's a flipping good job I didn't see that bowl when I first arrived as I would have started, mained, and desserted with it.

If that meal, followed by a couple of friendly games of tenpin had been the sum total of the night, I would have gone home blissfully happy; but the double act known as Mandy and Jo had the idea of 'spicing things up a bit'. The second game would be a normal one, but the first comprised of the
following........

1. Normal bowling
2. One leg
3. Other hand
4. Using the 'zimmer'
5. Backwards (through the legs)
6. Kneeling/sitting
7. Slow-motion
8. Two handed
9. Blind!!
10. Bumpers up (two bounces)

I think the two lanes of seven people broke the record for the longest game of tenpin in history; and to say we got some strange looks from neighbouring lanes would be something of an understatement. Much laughter, much micky-taking, and fortunately as explaining this in words will clearly not cut it, much snapping of photographs; a select few of which (edited to protect the entirely guilty) will shortly be added to 'bits and bobs' on the right!

Yes yes, I know that the diet may have taken a bit of a hit on Saturday - and I am also loathed to confess that I succumbed to a Chinese takeaway on Sunday night too - but sometimes I think you just have to let go and enjoy. Notwithstanding the sins of the weekend I am still quite optimistic about tonights weigh in; feeling good and knocking off the kilometres. Might be singing a different tune when I get on the scales, but as always, fingers crossed!!