September

Autumn already. Where was the summer? What happened? Why?

Trying to make a living out of selling sunblock has suddenly become less attractive. In 2006 we sold so much that even the tax man got interested. Now, it’s a pittance. Even being voted best option Sunblock in Ethical Consumer last July hasn’t made a dent. I really feel for all those people trying to make a go out of the UK holiday season.

And so, September. The month of new beginnings, new friendships, new goals, new targets and new shoes too if you are lucky. The heating has gone back on, the second duvet is at the bottom of the bed ready in preparation for that first autumnal chill that actually we have already experienced this recent August Bank Holiday which despite the sunny predictions was absolutely freezing – in Bristol at least.

My training programme continues with a vengeance and the deal is no beer for the whole month whilst stepping up the workouts. Its not actually getting any easier and its not as much fun as when I was 13 but it still has its feelgood factor and of course there is once again the ‘why have a six pack when you can have a barrel’ question. For years I have been working on the Barrel theory but undoubtedly since starting training last June the six pack has come to the fore and is distinctly more rewarding, and quite frankly not as ugly either. Definitely better for the beach look, anyway.

Despite the gruesome weather and the 4 hour queue to get into the Banksy exhibition there have been highlights this summer – and none more so than when the beautiful Glass ‘o Water returned from 6 weeks in Kathmandu avec French Boyf. They had been out there on holiday and night stopped a couple of days before onwards to France for more studies. Interestingly the Boyf, being from France, had never really come across food without meat in it before, and I was more than pleasantly surprised to see he chomped down both a Redwoods ¼ pounder with Meltin Cheezly and a Fry’s burger too without any episodes and then proceeded to lick the plate clean from my Lentils a la Mediterranean with Mushrooms marinaded in Garlic and Red Wine with Wild Rice speciality which was encouraging. The daughter meanwhile was sick everywhere but more than probably that was a touch of the ol Delhi Belhi than her dad’s vegan a la carte menu de la maison.

Issue 5 of Off the Hoof is now under way and I have just returned from a clandestine meeting with Agent H where we were discussing her next articles. Seems like an expose into the Freedom Foods label farce gets the vote, whilst an undercover operation against a local firm is yet to be disclosed and there might be an embargo on it so we are not sure about that one. Meanwhile Large Tone has been helping me with the organising of our first Eco veggie Show in Croydon on November 1^st – see www.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk . I am however worried that he wants to spend an alarming proportion of the show budget on cake. I know it is the 65^th anniversary of World Vegan Day but I’m not sure we can stretch to a 4 figure cake allowance in a recession. He also has this annoying counter on one of his websites which is counting down to November 1^st – last look and its only 60 days to go – as if I need reminding, thanks!

Do feel free to forward Issue 4 of Off the Hoof to all and sundry, especially sundry, until next time

Blessings