Yesterday the PCS regional office had arranged for me to visit so that we could discuss the content of the next regional newsletter.  I am the person on the regional committee that is responsible for guiding content.

When I left the house for the station, I thought the weather had warmed up a bit but I soon realised my error.  The footpaths were extremely icy and it was very chilly.  I wished I had put thicker shoes on and worn my hat.

When I got to the regional office the regional secretary already had a plan for the content of the next newsletter and just wanted my endorsement as an elected committee member.  I think the meeting could have been conducted just as well using telephone conferencing.  Following the meeting I was told that they wanted me to feature in a YouTube interview about the national campaign against the cuts and changes to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.  That wasn’t part of the plan!!  I don’t do media interviews.  I much prefer to write articles.

However there was a problem.  There was no tripod for the camera and when they did a test run they realised the camera only had a 2mb memory card.  So I was let off the hook.  If it was up to me I would have just gone to the nearest shop to get the necessary equipment.  But they decided on plan B which means I will have to keep a low profile at the regional AGM next week

Following the meeting I made my way back to the train for the journey home.  Unfortunately I managed to get cramp in my foot which made it hard to walk, not to mention painful.  When I got off the train the ice on the pavements had cleared a bit but I still had to be careful where I put my feet so that I didn’t fall flat on my back.  I was so busy looking at the ground that I didn’t notice I was being approached by a suited man on a bicycle.  It was one of the local Mormons hoping to teach me a thing or two.  I think I said too much (or maybe not enough ) because they wanted to come home with me…

Eventually I managed to get home, make a cup of tea and then set about finding some wrapping paper so that I could wrap my secret Santa gift ready for the Weight Watchers meeting.  I had only found out earlier in the day that I needed to take it yesterday evening.  At the same time I found out that the Weight Watchers ‘Christmas’ meal that evening was going to be an Indian instead.  Confused yet?  I certainly was!

I had just started to wrap the present up when my mobile phone rang.  Unfortunately I had left it downstairs and had to go and fetch it.  After all those distractions I was totally disorganised trying to do the few things necessary before I drove to Weight Watchers.  Then to top it off I found out that I had gained 2.5lb.  I am not sure why though because my clothes still feel loose.

After the meeting the Weight Watchers leader and helpers went out for their Christmas meal, which as I mentioned earlier was in an Indian restaurant.  The meal arrangements are not normally so last minute, but the meal had to be brought forward because one of the ladies may have to go into hospital before Christmas.  After all that rushing around we had a good laugh and enjoyed the meal.

What a day!!

• Eat healthily
• Controlling portions and staying satisfied
• Moving more
• Planning ahead
• Thinking positively
• Monitoring your weight regularly
• Organising your surroundings
• Getting the appropriated support from friends and family
• Staying focused
• Making time for yourself

I think I have got most of those covered to some extent although there is still room for improvement in one or two areas.

I suppose you are all wondering how I got on with eating out last night. There weren’t any very healthy choices, so I went for the chicken option. The chicken was stuffed full of goats cheese and sun-dried tomatoes and wrapped in Parma ham.  It was accompanied by summer vegetables and something that was called a bacon floody! This turned out to be a potato and bacon rosti. It was all very nice and far to big a portion for me which was a good thing because it meant that I was too full to even contemplate a dessert, all of which looked very calorific. Hopefully it won’t add the 1.5lb back on next week…

Whilst sitting waiting for the food to arrive I remembered that there used to be a little saying on the gate as you entered the car park. It seems to have disappeared over the years but it used to say:

This gate hangs well
and hinders none,
refresh and pay
and carry on

The food was excellent and I would certainly go back again next time I visit York.  Instead of the normal bread roll on a side plate we were presented with little flower pots of freshly baked bread served with a slice of roasted garlic bulb and butter.

For my main course I decided to try something different and opted for pan-fried Bubble and Squeak with poached Duck Egg and Brown Sauce, it was delicious.  By the time I had finished the main course I was quite full so I opted for a light dessert.  I chose a contrast of Apples with Cinnamon Shortbread which was apples set in apple jelly with apple sorbet served in a glass cup, which was nice and refreshing.  I must confess that it wasn’t until I had half eaten the desert that I remembered I was supposed to be photographing it!  So on this occasion you will have to use your imagination

Now on to the meetings. The first one was before lunch and it was the local Whitley meeting. For those of you that don’t know, this is where management and the Trade Unions meet to discuss matters of the moment including any current concerns and issues. The meeting ran smoothly as usual and finished within an hour; all meetings should be like this. The second meeting was in the afternoon and it was where staff got together to discuss their problems and concerns. This one was not at all like the morning session and at times there were several discussions going on at once. I am glad that I wasn’t writing the minutes! After a while the head of our business unit joined us so that we could ask him questions direct. Unfortunately I had to leave early to attend a pre-arranged appointment and  felt a little bit rude in doing so.

The appointment I left for was a visit to the crematorium with my mum and brother. We had arranged for my dad’s ashes to be scattered in the Garden of Remembrance and we wanted to be present when they did this. We were a little taken aback when asked if we had walked round the garden and chosen a spot.  We were expecting them to tell us where!   After being given a little tour of the garden so we could decide, we chose to have the remains scattered in the willow meadow in the shade of a tree and overlooking the pond. There is even a bench nearby and you all know how I love to sit and ponder on a bench in a garden. The weather even had one of its special sunny moments for us.

Then to save the hassle of cooking an evening meal we walked from my mum’s house to a local Italian restaurant and had an enjoyable meal. There is a bit of a back story about the restaurant too, but I shall save that for another day.

PS: I forgot to mention that the meal was accompanied by church bells.  The local church has just had it’s bells restored after many years and the bell ringers were practising.  It brought back so many memories of listening to those very bells in years gone by

For more of this weeks PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.