August 2014: Turning Over A New Leaf

[El Gordo]

I'm not sure why the financial status of your consultant should seem so infeasible if he is accustomed to treating Beckham-category luminaries such as your good self.

But sounds promising. It always feels good to push the boundary of carnal knowledge -- as it were -- a little further.

Good luck with the ballast burning. I've stolen a 65-day march on you in the quest for the body beautiful. Main weapon has been no alcohol, which automatically eliminates a lot of dietary crap like crisps, nuts, cheese etc, but I've not eliminated too many categories as a matter of policy. As I feel healthier I naturally eat less starchy stuff. It's slow and steady for me, with about 18 pounds to show for my efforts.

I was in Baden-Baden again at the weekend -- second visit in 2 weeks. This time I took M with me, as I am mad keen to buy an apartment there to retire into at the appropriate point -- and her cooperation in seeing this project through would be somewhat handy, to say the least.

It's a glorious town, and I marked it with a visit to the MBT shop to buy a pair of those rocky shoes. I've tried some Skechers over a long period, which use the same principle of enforced instability. Gimmicky? Not sure, but I prefer to think not. I actually started looking at these shoes ages ago, following a chat about my calf problems with Julie in Almeria. She recommended Fitflops, which I couldn't find, so I settled for a pair of Skechers, followed, finally with the heavy duty MBTs. Do they work? Who knows, but along with the Chi running adjustments, my calf problems seem to have vanished.

I envy you your ability to enjoy the odd bottle of beer (if indeed you can). I learnt long ago that I am too weak of mind to allow myself such apportioned treats. All or nothing, as my wife delights in reminding me. So at the moment it's nothing, and with not even a faint desire to stray back over the line. Mind you, when sampling a range of Black Forest gateau over the weekend (yes, I know...) I thought more than once that a decent Spätlese or something even more unctuous would have been just the thing.

Hurrah!