Define ‘lunchtime’

Having too much time on my hands, I frequently eat lunch in Café Nero in the centre of town. Their hot chocolates really are too good to resist. Yesterday I arrived halfway through the possible lunchtime rush, so imagine my surprise finding the majority of the tables taken up by customers having only ordered a coffee. It was lunchtime. Where was their lunch? I felt pretty stupid being one of only a handful of diners at 1 o’clock. Finding out that another of our restaurants in Stafford had indeed recently told customers that unless they were eating between 12 and 2, they had to sit in another part of the restaurant, I allowed myself a small smile. How many of you have entered a restaurant and struggled to find a seat because all the tables are taken up with coffee drinkers? Be honest now, hands up. I have! It is very frustrating. Perhaps the increasing obesity problem in our country is having more of an impact than we originally thought. All things considered, I’m going to stick with a wonderful quote that my best friend told me yesterday; ‘coffee is the new lunch.’ Perhaps…but lunch will always get my vote.

The one positive about being ill

Happy New Year to everyone, hope you all had a great Christmas. I had a cold before Christmas and sadly suffered another one after New Year. My immune system took a huge hit, and I normally pride myself on my healthiness. Having never had sinus problems, I was surprised and annoyed to find out that my cold also wanted to invade all the pressure points in my head. For the best part of a week, I suffered from a dull ache occasionally a sharp infrequent pain across from forehead, and aching ears too. It was a few days before I succumbed and started to dose myself on paracetamol. Sleep was torturous, having more than once been woken up during the night with a sharp knife like pain through my skull. Just when I thought that things couldn’t get any worse, I lost my sense of taste. I would have happily put up with the head pain, if I could have tasted my food, well maybe not, but the thought was there.

Now a week on I can taste again. I only lost it for a week but I can assure you, it felt like an eternity and the positive, it has made me appreciate food again; particularly cheese, bacon and chocolate, my favourites. I feel much better now, am pleased to report I’m painfree which makes rehearsing for the up and coming performance of The Ghost Train much more enjoyable. On Monday declining the paracetamol I had pain above my right eye the entire night and by the end I had had enough, frustration had appeared coupled with a huge dose of irritation towards my fellow actors and I wanted my bed. Tonight, the old me will be back.

One last note, sinus pain is far more than a headache as I gently pointed out to my doctor on Monday evening and anyone who has suffered from it, will testify to that. Here’s to being healthy.

Have a great weekend everyone.

x