I woke up ridiculously early this morning, around 4 am. I just knew I wouldn't get back to sleep but didn't want to get up, I was warm and snuggly in bed with the dog lying pressed against my side (she sleeps on top of the duvet, not underneath it). So I read the papers on my phone. I see the lovely Ken Bruce (of Radio 2's mid morning show) is annoyed, rightly so, about his treatment by the BBC. He had been planning to honour his contract and leave the BBC at the end of March, but apparently yesterday he was called into the boss's office after his show had finished, and told he would now be leaving next Friday - he said there was no real reason he could understand given (he put out a statement to that effect). I love Ken Bruce and have listened to him for years, after his show finishes next Friday I will no longer listen to Radio 2. They've now got rid of pretty much all my favourite presenters, the ones who are over 60, in favour of much younger ones. Luckily, several of them - including Ken who will be presenting his new show on there in April - do shows on one of the commercial stations, Greatest Hits radio, Simon Mayo who I've also loved for years does his Drivetime show there in the late afternoons. So that's what I shall be listening to from now on....well, from next Friday when Ken leaves. The producers of Radio 2 seem to be wanting to turn it into Radio 1 with the new younger presenters - why, when they already have Radio 1 for that?! And the Radio 2 audience (I guess made up mostly of older listeners like myself) are all saying they'll be leaving in their droves and following Ken to his new station. So I cannot understand why they're alienating so many of their listeners, doesn't make one iota of sense to me.
I'm feeling very bloated and sluggish lately, I know it's a result of eating too many carbs. Winter and cold weather always makes me want to eat carby things, but they do me no good at all. I weighed myself this morning, I've not put on loads of weight, only a couple of pounds, but feel like I have gained loads. Husband says he's put on over half a stone recently. So today I shall sit and write a new menu plan, incorporating less carbs and more protein and veg. I know eating that way will help me feel so much better, lose the bloated feeling and give me more energy. Roll on warmer weather, both so we can start staying over at the caravan and go for more walks. In winter I practically hibernate, I really don't like it. The days are getting longer and longer now, which is lovely - that and the Spring bulbs that are out everywhere, blossom starting to appear on trees and newborn lambs in the fields show that Spring is very nearly here.
Incredible to think that it was a year ago when Russia, under that madman, first started the war against Ukraine. Obviously they've been showing lots of images of Ukraine on the TV the last few days, the total devastation in some of the cities is heartbreaking, as is the aftermath of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. It makes me wonder just how they can ever rebuild their cities when all that's left is massive piles of rubble. We are so very lucky to live here, our problems with rising energy and food costs, the crumbling NHS and tomato shortages(!!) are nothing. Makes me feel very humble.
Well, it's a very introspective, serious and negative blog today isn't it?! Sorry about that, I'm not meaning to be negative, I actually feel absolutely fine, content and happy with the way life is going. I'll try to do a happier blog tomorrow, I promise! 😁
Unfortunately the BBC seem determined to alienate their listeners and viewers on most of their channels. It isn't just Radio 2 that they have messed with, I used to listen to Radio 4 occasionally but that has become a woke and preachy echo chamber devoid of real alternative viewpoints. And apart from the occasional gem like Death in Paradise and Father Brown I find much of the BBC TV output unwatchable.
ReplyDeleteHello Will, are you new here? Yes we like Death in Paradise (think it finished yesterday) and Father Brown too. Call the Midwife is another favourite...I think tomorrow is the final episode of that as well.
DeleteOnce again, I agree wholeheartedly with you. I rarely listen to the radio now. I always used to listen to Ken Bruce, Steve Wright etc. Everything seems to be geared to the young now.
ReplyDeleteWe've cut out carbs and are on an 800 calorie a day diet. Husband will sometimes have a meal replacement shake as well to make up the calories. He needs more than me! We've both lost around half a stone in 2 weeks, and hopefully, husband's blood glucose level will drop. He's pre-diabetic and hopes to prevent medication. Lots of non-starchy veg, some fruit, and protein. Sounds awful, but actually we both feel better for it.
Yes, we are lucky in this country. I know we grumble, but it's not a bad place to live, is it? Just wish the warmer weather would hurry up! xx
That's good going on the weight loss, well done! xx
DeleteI followed the Fast 800 for about 12 weeks in 2016 and lost almost 3st and reversed my type 2 diabetes. Sadly I fell off the good eating wagon and hey presto my diabetes came back! I can recommend it 100%.
DeleteIt's not easy eating healthily, is it? I just hope when (not if!) we lose the weight, and husband is no longer in danger of developing diabetes, we can stick to a reasonably healthy diet. I do love my carbs, but it seems they don't love me. I always feel bloated and sluggish if I eat too many. But a salad isn't quite the same as a chip butty!😭 xx
DeleteWhat a coincidence!! I am just about to start the Fast 800 tomorrow ... well you have to start on a Monday don't you!! My husband did it a couple of years ago and managed to really help his diabetes by losing 2 stone before he lost interest. He's stayed lighter though and it's really helped.
DeleteThis morning I heard that now turnips are in short supply as people have been panic buying them. You couldn't make it up ....
ReplyDeleteOh that did make me laugh, I can't imagine anyone panic buying turnips! Not one of my favourite veggies....
DeleteI buy 2 or 3 turnips a week purely as our lab pup adores them! He used to pick his own on his walk but now sheep are in the turnip field, so pup misses out.
DeleteI think we all reach for comfort food in winter, yet it really does nothing for us, makes us feel bloated and we end up putting on weight, but it never stops us, haha. And even if we want to eat healthily we can't get hold of salad ingredients anyway. Honestly, panic buying tomatoes as soon as it's announced they're in short supply. Where will it end!
ReplyDeleteAs the days get longer again, our appetite sort of changes, I think, to match the days. I'm really enjoying salads again at the moment. xx
ReplyDeleteI can hardly wait to eat more salads and lighter foods. Like you winter seems to make me eat heavier things and add a bit of weight. I will love the warmer weather and nice long walks.
ReplyDeleteUkraine still stands even though the megalomaniac thought the takeover would be easy. One would think he would give up.... but that would be wishing for the impossible.
God bless.
Yes yes...where are your unicorns and rainbows you usually write about. Heavens I would think you were someone else if you didn't write about real life things and happening....leave the pink unicorns to someone else...I like you just how you are! ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's that time of year isn't it, when we have all had enough of eating stodge and are looking forward to lighter, healthier meals. I feel better for eating less carbs too ... I just love them so much while I'm eating them.
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