Thanks for the priceless update on your trip to Bali BPG and I do hope that the mozzy bites have lessened since your return, although I must point out that there are a fair few mosquitos in the UK at the moment and you should see my flea bites, not a winning look. I haven’t shaved my legs for two weeks because there are so many chomps on them and I haven’t worn a skirt or even open toe’d sandals for days. The fleas appear to have gone, having been poisoned and hoovered off both the dog and cat a trillion times; unfortunately they were immune to anything the petshop had to offer so we ended up with vetinary prescriptions and although the little boogers have now gone the remaining bites still get very itchy, especially after a hot bath, so, I have taught myself to ride out the itch and stem the impulse to scratch; this can be done, it is a simple case of mind over matter and if you can ride the itch the bites don’t last as long and they certainly don’t leave the skin so scarred, it IS hard not to scratch but well worth the effort and having recently learnt where Damien Lewis plays football at the weekend needs must; no itching, no scarring, then hang around at the football ground in stilettos if you get my drift:

Dream, dream, dream

When I need you

I musn’t scratch

Whenever I need you

All I have to do

Is leave my bites alone

And dream………

One thing I shan’t be doing at the football is standing at the side lines yelling like my friend’s husband does, poor lady, it’s as if he’s calling passengers to top deck on the sinking Titanic. She and her husband are rarely at school rugby, hockey, tennis matches together because she simply cannot bear his shouting, even I have a problem listening to him go. Not only does he scream directions at the entire team for the duration but he also singles out the names of his children “Run Johnny, down the line Johnny, spread wide Johnny, sticks to the floor Johnny!”. It is without doubt the most embarrassing few hours of the week for us all and of course she dreads them. She says she dreads the incredulous glares from other parents followed by hidden whispers no doubt questioning “whether the stupid bloke can actually run himself! ” followed by the inevitable palava when she asks him if he could  just keep his voice down…….a little, he will always turn his back and walk away from her, no matter who is standing by (embarrassing for us all) and whilst walking away argue loudly that this is the difference between them and that he can do what ever he wants……………..ho hum, AWKWARD!!!

Well, who am I to say what goes on behind closed doors, maybe it IS her problem, maybe she needs to argue more in public, be ruder, louder and less pathetic all round, perhaps she shouldn’t care that the whole world is staring and wondering who on earth yonder idiot is, yelling, shouting and more importantly embarrassing the crap out of his kids, the truth is she probably doesn’t care a fig about the other parents but about the feelings of her children and how difficult it must be for them when there is absolutely nothing they can do to stop the behaviour of their father. Listen up all Dad’s, yes, by all means get stuck in but please leave sideline coaching to the prof, it’s just so embarrassing for everyone!!!

Now that I’ve got that off my chest here’s my annual restaurant recommendation 288 Bar & Wok Cheltenham, what a find! The restaurant is situated at the rather soul-less end of Cheltenham High Street but is possibly one of the best Chinese restaurants I have ever eaten in in the UK (that’s in SW1, SW3 and GL50). The owner Pak Wai Hung left London’s rat race in 2005 to open Bar & Wok, his mission was to use local produce (his family farmed Pak Choi for generations) in a family orientated restaurant, serving great food at affordable prices and to my mind that is exactly what he has achieved. The simple and attractive venue, was full to the gunnels with young, old, rich, not so rich, funky, square, thespian and clubbing crew when we visited early on Saturday evening, the queue ran down the street, practically round the corner and the food was mouthwateringly good, oh dear , yes I did rather stuff myself and I can still remember pretty much every mouthful, it was THAT good. If you do get a chance to visit try the Honey Roast Spare Ribs and Satay Chicken with Cucumber Salad……..absolutely delicious, best chicken satay ever, anywhere.

Another quick recommendation, cheese and one of the best Cheddars my husband and I have ever tasted (that’s in nearly a century between us) have eaten quite a lot of it too this weekend….Godminster Organic Cheddar, if you are a cheddar fan this will not disappoint, full-bodied, rich and creamy, I’m not very good at reviewing cheese so I’m afraid you’ll just have take my word for it….YUM.