Hopefully this won’t jinx it, but it’s fair to say we’ve had a fabulous summer so far.  There was a week or so where it cooled down, was a bit dreich and autumnal, but thankfully that passed quickly and the summer has returned in full force.  I have to say I do love the heat, even it means the midges seem to be out in full force this year, and for the first time in years I’ve been bitten a few times this last few weeks.  When I go camping later in the month, I think I’ll need to stock up on citronella candles and industrial strength insect repellent.

So I’ve finally hit the half way mark on my debt repayment, hurrah! and this is despite paying for flights and car parking for a Spring ’18 Lanza trip, and also paying a deposit for a hotel next summer.  All unplanned expenses at this point, but I took the decision to use up spare cash for June & July (i.e the only money I had in my savings) to pay for the holiday expenses now while they’re cheaper (in Lanza’s case – I’ve save about £70 over what I paid for the trip this year).  Next year the Pirate party is heading to Ironman Austria in July, so I couldn’t resist signing up….to support!  I’ve never been to Austria, and when you know you’re staying 100m from the lake front below, there’s no way I’m missing out.

Due to the fact the race is on, the hotels are only booking for a minimum 7 night stay, so I’ve had to sign up for a full week of lakes, mountains and fresh air, how awful!  The only downside is having to pay the hotel this year, but that’s only because I hadn’t planned for it.  Anyway, I managed to pay the deposit, and will pay the balance by the end of the year.  Paying in advance for holidays is actually making me very happy though.  I used to credit card the lot and worry about it after the fact.  No more!!  The result is it that the debt repayment may extend a wee bit longer, and as such after a big payment in January, my last card repayment may be in February 2018 (the last £400!).  I may be able to pay more than planned this year and bring that back, but ultimately it doesn’t really matter, I’ll get shot of it all eventually, end of.  My attitude to money has completely changed, only about 20 years too late, ha! Hence paying for holiday stuff now when I can, otherwise if I didn’t have the money at the time, I’d now say no, and quite frankly, I like my holidays and don’t want to miss out if I can avoid it.  So after a lean (ish) year, I’ve still got two amazing trips to look forward to next year 🙂

Allotment wise, I’ve been learning that you can weed & weed until the cows come home, but if you don’t cover the cleared-bed up, they’ll come back, with a vengeance.  So because I’m a numpty and have only just realised, in some ways I feel like I’m not getting anywhere!  I’ve got the one bed I plant stuff in, but I’ve not been able to plant anything else.  However, it doesn’t really matter because I still enjoy it, i’ve learned my lesson, and i’m slowly getting on top of it.  Today I finally finished clearing one bed (again!) and i’ve covered it up until i’m ready to plant in it.  My aim now is to have the place in better shape for the Autumn, so I can then start to plant more stuff that can cope with the cold and frosts of winter (parsnips anyone?).  What I have planted is doing well, and despite thinking they were dead, the even the broad beans are starting to grow!

I pulled an onion up because I was dying to try it, but I’ll try to leave the others in a bit longer; some are a reasonable size, some are still pretty small.  The potatoes are doing well.  I’ve pulled most of the Charlottes, as the leaves succumbed to a bit of blight, so I’ve dug up those potatoes now.  The International Kidneys are still in the ground and will keep me in tatties for a while.

Otherwise I’ve been taking a few walks down by the river when it’s been nice, and always manage to go and say hello to the locals, who always come when I call them.

I’ve finally managed to get back to the gym too.  My back is still bothering me off & on, but I got a new 12-week programme designed to work on flexibility & mobility, and so far (2 weeks in), I’m feeling better for it.  Over time I’m hoping it will sort out the back issues I’ve been having once and for all.  Sugar wise i’ve been a bit up & down like a yo-yo.  The culprit isn’t sugar as such, it’s basically too many carbs.  A ridiculous amount of trial and error has demonstrated to me, without a shadow of a doubt, that I can give up sugar and have few issues with cravings, but if I overeat on the carbs or have bread or anything similar (even if no/low sugar), it makes me crave sugar like a drug-starved crack addict, and I can’t stay off it.  So attempt no. 1 billion is underway, and i’m 8 days in and feeling good.  I’ve even managed to do it in a PMT week (unknowingly, but it makes sense why my back has been worse for a few days).  So the upshot is when I go camping at the end of the month, i’m going to sadly have to refuse all the beautiful cakes and scones in the local Tea Room.  It sucks and will sound insane to anyone that doesn’t have an issue with the stuff, but I need to do it for me, once and for all.  Enjoying life, i’ve realised, is much more important than ‘missing out’ on some foods, so that’s what i’m going to do.

Happy summer folks 🙂