To London and back, with overnight stay

A year ago I would have thought nothing about catching a train to travel the forty miles or so into central London and stay overnight whilst my wife is at a conference. Today this is a challenge that takes more planning than just checking tickets and cash are sorted.

My planning started about three days ago ensuring I was not eating anything that was going to cause a flare.  Flares from complex foods can take three or even four days to clear my system,  and after that I have to allow time for my strength and emotional stamina to build.

The first morning I am as right as much as I can hope for and I even walking tolerably well. I was up early this morning having a lovely of porridge with a banana.  Check emails, pack a case, pack my meds and have another sleep (blame a bad night of Brexit-itis!)

My first GF beer

I feel that going out to restaurants is like taking your life in hands: rarely can one have confidence in the menus to deal with a challenging diet like mine.  I may go into that later.  What I want to say right now is that I had a Daura Damm beer and had no side-effects apart from a good sleep afterwards.

I largely became an alcohol-free zone about six months ago, say October 2015.  My first alcohol was a couple of small glasses of some rather expensive Sauterne which I had early in the New Year.  From this I am confidence I had no side effects.

Dowsing results are in

Many people with arthritis look for help wherever they can find it, partly because of the all-consuming pain and life changing nature, and also because you just need help, any help.  I had an offer of being dowsed to ascertain any food intolerances.  Here are my results:

• Dairy - Cows’ dairy products give a strong negative reaction. Goats’ dairy products, however, are good for you. Sheep dairy products are OK as are soya cheese and milk, but neither has a strong positive reaction.
• Meat - Chicken is the only meat that seems good for you - red meats definitely not. Quorn is also OK.