Some fencing and a punch in the tenders.

Day 19 and 102.5 kilos

An interesting day yesterday - I was so full of energy that I was initially unable to write yesterday's blog without first expending some. So, like you do, I went for a one and a half hour bike ride. I was actually tempted to go further but something extremely cunning and clever inside me said "Turn round and go home!" By the time I got to the end of our road feeling dangerously tired, I decided to dismount and walk the bike for the final half a kilometre as a gentle warm down. Within 50 metres of the gate I had a strange ache in the middle left of my chest which went all the way up my throat and with every step it got stronger - I was totally freaked out. I almost stopped and sat down outside the front gate but decided that my bed with air conditioning and a bottle of cold water would be preferable - I made it back to the house just but it was a bit scarey to be perfectly honest. Unfortunately I may not have mentioned this to the chief so as this is the first that she's heard about it, I might be in for a bit of a roasting tonight. Ooops. I admit that perhaps I could have been a little bit cleverer about both the bike ride and the chief. There's really no need to send comments about overdoing things - I've learnt my lesson.

Having recovered, showered and written the post, I got a phone call from an old mate which due to a blind spot in the dining room had to be taken on the sofa downstairs in the sitting room. 45 minutes later, I stood up and about 3 seconds after that I nearly blacked out - luckily I managed to get back on to the sofa before it happened. This has never before happened to me in my life. At least not whilst sober. So now, every time I stand up, rather than walk away, I stay standing and let the head rush pass before bumbling off to do whatever I was going to do. So I think that these two things are fairly clear evidence that I'm beginning to slightly strain the body - no bike ride today.

In response to my request for things to do at night - thank you for your comments. Joanna naturally enough I am going to single out your comments as they are every bit as acerbic as I would expect.
First I would like to reprint the question that I asked:

I would be interested to hear what the rest of you like to do in the evening. TV, cinemas, work, the gym - anything else?

Now and for everybody's delight I shall reproduce her comments, next to which I shall make my riposte in blue text:

Things I like to do with my friends that don't involve eating (and yes Ben, in answer to your question, your lack of imagination in this area is akin to a child unable to consider any activity aside from television to amuse himself): (I already cracked the lack of imagination gag - pull your finger out!)

* Long walks in beautiful places (I live in Singapore not Malaysia)
* Climbing Munros (I live in Singapore not Scotland and Search and Rescue would advise against climbing Munros at night)
* Netball (I'm suffering from a lack of energy due to a prolonged fast)
* Tennis/squash (I'm suffering from a lack of energy due to a prolonged fast)
* Yoga/ Pilates (I'm suffering from a lack of energy due to a prolonged fast)
* Kite surfing (admittedly I've only done this on a few occasions) (Not enough wind in Singapore and difficult in the dark) and (I'm suffering from a lack of energy due to a prolonged fast)
* Making stuff- anything from DIY to brewing beer (which contrary to the Rule of Ben you do not then have to drink in one go) (Done the beer before and hated the results - not really in line with where I'm trying to get to at the moment.) - The other stuff could be good and worth some consideration.)
* Gardening (I don't have a garden and not really a night time activity)
* Sewing (Seriously?)
* Museums/galleries (They don't open at night)
* Lectures- great place to meet interesting people, expand your horizons and learn (This is a genuinely good one - I hadn't thought of it
* Reading (solitary) (I already do it)
* Board games (unwrinkle your nose, some of the funniest evenings I've had have involved a ridiculous game. Playing Thoughts and Crosses a couple of Christmases ago with a Very deaf Aunt Linda right up there) ( I love board games - Scrabble, backgammon, cardgames, Risk and chess. However maybe it's time to look at Bridge - most players rave about it.)
* Stamp/toe nail collecting (Stamps - did it at school and it's surprisingly tedious) (Toe nails - I actually do collect them and admire them occasionally but let's face it - I like them big which means the harvest only comes every two months - hardly something to do every night. I've tried to collect the chief's but she's having none of it and cuts and disposes of the clippings when I'm not around.)
* Going to auctions/festivals/fairs (Not a night time activity)
* Live music (you don't have to replace your blood flow with beer to enjoy) (I do occasionally go to watch live bands but I find it tedious when everyone else gets to the 3 pint mark and I'm sober if it's in a pub but I do go to concerts occasionally)
* Theatre/concerts/comedy (I have only enjoyed one piece of theatre in my life - The Railway Children at Waterloo station - brilliant - I was sobbing at the end! I've been to Stratford on six different occasions - you can keep Shakespeare. I've watched Ibsen and Chekov, Tom Stoppard and Arthur Miller and West End Musicals and it's just rubbish to me. The only contenders that might make me smile are Oscar Wilde or Gilbert and Sullivan but that's in keeping with my child-like and facile mind. That aside I refuse to go to the theatre. Comedy shows are a great suggestion and I am in fact going to see one next month - I love them.
 A group therapy session ("My name is Ben and I have a disgusting obsession with putting things in my mouth") (I'd rather stick my tackle in a bees' nest.)

Sometimes you have to push people a little to make them do different things with you and it can seem unrewarding. BUT when they do, they tend to love it. It really saddened me to read your post about the only time you socialise with Asya being at meal times. You have things the wrong way around. You may happen to eat when you are socialising but you shouldn't have to. What I actually said was: If I think about it, each of these times are when our communication is at its strongest apart from at the weekends. Which clearly makes irrelevant the points that you were making and I suspect you might get a broadside salvo from the chief for that little number. If you spent as much time and money as you do on food and alcohol on ANY other pursuit think how talented/skilled/cultivated you would be... Don't underestimate the talents, skills and cultivation that I have learned around a dining table - if 10,000 hours of practice is what it takes to become an expert, guess what I am?

I would like to thank you for not only responding to my request but for making some great suggestions - making stuff, Bridge and lectures, all of which I shall look into. However I'm less sure about the acidic and sanctimonious delivery and am consequently preparing a punishment for you similar (but obviously not the same) to that delivered to your brother by Charlie Walker. I think also it would be remarkably churlish not to complement the quite stunning photography of Hedge - dude, really - quit being a successful stockbroker and become a penniless photographer as you have the genius of timing - just look at his facial expression!