Another new day and I am well rested after a lovely day out yesterday.

Brian and Shirley organised our day out and took us first of all to coffee at The Salvation Army, Harold Hill. There is always someone we know at 'The Army' and it was good to meet new people too at a Corps set right in the heart of the community and providing effective Christian service and support to local people.

Then we went home to Brian and Shirley's for a light lunch - still not knowing what else was happening. They presented us then with a voucher for 2 for afternoon tea at the Marygreen Hotel, Brentwood. What a lovely experience - we sat in a lovely warm conservatory with large posts of tea and a lovely spread of sandwiches, scones (with customary jam and cream) and a selection of cakes. We spent a lovely 2 hours there together - we have been good friends now for 25 years and it was good to be so relaxed and easy in each other's company.

I still managed to count calories (quietly and without fuss of course) - and by the end of the day I was happy that I was still on target. Now it was valentine's day too and that meant that I received a beautiful box of chocolates from Robert - I only had 2 which is a miracle for me. I need to keep up this approach and with Friday weight in fast approaching I am keen that today and tomorrow I notch up the steps and at least attain some weight loss. this game will get easier and then just become my lifestyle.