The week that was and the things I learnt in it

1. Charlie Chaplin was a prolific composer.
He composed most of the music for the films he appeared in, and when he was hounded by the McArthy anti-american trials he moved back to England, in part because he needed to be able to compose and a condition of the trails was that he stopped creative work.

I've been listening to bbc podcasts and classic FM a lot thanks the the broken radio in my car (a long standing issue) and an aching need for something soothing when I get home.

2. If I think its cold out then plants do too.
The french beans died, another batch of them. I can't face trying another load yet until the spring actually springs, so if I get any homegrown beans it will be around September time! As well as the weather part of the trouble is apparently the heavy clay soil we have in our garden. It stays colder for longer due to the higher water content.

3. Biking is *much* faster than walking.
We went on a lovely ride yesterday to Fiddler's Ferry, where there is a real ale pub hiding between the railway line and the river Mersey. It also serves fish and chips, of the fresh, hot, lovely and crispy home made variety. Which made a lovely send off marker for my dietary plans (explained below).

We also saw lots of wildlife; frogs, moor hens, coots, a pair of swans and their cygnets (7), 3 separate herons and possibly a yellow hammer.

4. Doctors don't know everything, or maybe they just don't care.
I've been having some low level health issues for a while. Nothing serious, more annoying and 'get you down'. Nagging headaches, nasal congestion, teenage spot breakouts and an on-and-off gippy tum. After getting my eyes checked, and new glasses just in case, Hubster persuaded me to go to the doctor to rule out scary things.
So off I (finally) went. Without focusing on the doctor's people skills (minimal) or apparent interest in any of my complaints (again, minimal) I came away with the suggestion I take an anti histamine. A stunning medical insight.
Which brings me to my new, self directed, plan. Anti histamines stop allergic reactions, if I need them it is reasonable to premise I am allergic or intolerant to something. Therefore I need to work out what, or at least try to.

So, for the next six weeks I do not drink alcohol. I do not drink caffeine. I do not eat or drink milk or milk products.
Alcohol because of the headaches, also its sugar content and work load it creates on your liver.
Caffeine because of the headaches, and I don't like black tea black!
Milk because of everything else, its a typical culprit in these situations, and other members of my family have trouble with it.

I toyed with the idea of cutting out meat and wheat as well but then thought it through. That's basically everything pre-made or prepared outside the home. And alcohol and milk will be a challenge enough. Given the symptoms that have been bothering me, and my family history (lactose intolerance) it seems a sensible place to start.

If things get better I will re-introduce each separately. If things don't get better I'll cut out something else (probably wheat *gulp*) for another 6 weeks. If all that makes no difference I'll go back to the doctors and crack some skulls, with evidence.