The Genuine BESH Palais. To misquote Carlsberg, we're probably the barrenest TTC-ers in the world...

Jens is much better, Hest!

No, Dot, I not, but it is close enough to get the train for a sportive. Lovely cyling country round there though the hills nearly killed me

Draf do you live in Stevenage? I worked there for years before moving Oop Norf.

Ah, that happens. I did that on my Stevenage ride a while back - not fun!

HTFU is nothing personal, by the way, all the pros (and many non pros) say it to each other. That, along with Jens Voigt's catchphrase "shut up legs" will get you quite a bit further than you expect...

That happens, Hest. Padded shorts and a hard saddle are the way forward, as well as chamois cream if you're going a really long way. Also, in cycling parlance, HTFU

Oh, Twink :( it does hit you out of nowhere sometimes, doesn't it?

There is a Mystery Man outside my front door. I'm not answering it because (a) he's probably trying to sell me double glazing, and (b) anyone who chooses to fiddle with the cat flap instead of ringing the door bell or, y'know, KNOCKING ON THE DOOR is not worth answering the door to anyway.

I have just completed my second bike ride of the week. Two by Thursday is pretty poor, but at least they've both been 25-milers :)

My tube into work this morning was FULL of pushchairs (it was the morning rush - wtf?). I have to say, the whiney little shyte nearest me made me consider changing my mind about the whole enterprise.

(I am not at my best first thing in the morning.)

But Twink I completely get how it can just hit you sometimes.

Hair strokes, twinks. Funny how it catches you when you least expect it.

BE is attempting to rebuild the plumbing today and really not having a good time. I'm all useless and holey and watching him suffer. Poor bugger.

I'm glad your musty smell has gone hest. Today I had to vacuum the ceilings. They do get very cobwebby.

I had a late breakfast with HWCA in a Costa in the heart of yummy mummy central. A lady about my age came in with a little girl in a pram and with no warning whatsoever I started bawling my eyes out. What a dickhead. To think I had almost managed to convince myself I didn't really want a baybee that much.

I could never hate you rie. Well, maybe if you became a smug instadiffer or something and suddenly popped out 5 sprogs, each 9.5 months younger than the previous one.

Twink on to better things. Including the south of France. We are going to try to fit in another visit to the outlaws this summer.

I would be if I weren't shopping for new sandals for the south of France at the weekend

I was back at work today, for those who are interested nobody It was very tiring. I cleaned out my desk from my old, much loathed role. I almost felt a tiny pang of sadness then I remembered I despised almost every moment I spend in that office.

Sorry, busy packing for New York

Wow. I haven't just killed this fred, I've slaughtered it.

Yikes euro that's some hardcore bleeding :( Steak and Guinness for dinner tonight? I like the US version as well, but then I have a deep and enduring love for Lucy Liu.

Masterchef is another one that likes to show people crossing Westminster Bridge in taxis, no matter where they're going.

Poor sore moll.

Morning all not that I slept much! thanks for asking euro. She is scrummy and growing - got her weighed and she's now 6lb 13.5oz! Brilliant weight gain and supports my argument for exclusive breast feeding! Last night was a bit tough because she would only sleep next to me but often she sleeps for 4-5 hours at times so I count my blessings!

Take it easy today moll. First couple of days post anaesthetic can be rough!

I finally saw the end of Sherlock and I luffed it! :) I started with season 1, episode one. Next episode is on Thursday!

Twink I started with that too last night and really enjoyed it, but fell asleep! :( Droid is still a bit odd post-mc and I had a flood yesterday morning - went through a superplus tampon and a heavy towel in 2 hours. The floods always leave me feeling a bit wiped out. Hopefully we will watch the end of it tonight.

I saw a couple of episodes of the US version with Lucy Liu on the plane last month and really liked that.

moll I am really astonished at the attitude of the hospital. The more I think about it, the more it angers me. They have a woman in who has a lump discovered in the course of fertility investigations and they are surprised when she doesn't want all her reproductive organs whipped out. I mean, WTAF?!?

And I agree with your feminist rant. BTW, you know many men get annoyed with women asking what is going on in films and TV shows? I have a theory about that. Most of this stuff is written and directed by men, so the story is portrayed in a way that works for the way men think, but less so for women.

norf I agree - The Apprentice is terrible for that. Surrallan really works out of an industrial estate in Braintree or something, but the show makes out that the hub of the business is Canary Wharf. I think they actually have one office there or something.

It is funny when you see places you know on the screen and they get them all wrong. Ruins the story. My old school got used as a film set for something that was meant to be in South Africa.. Massively unconvincing.

Frank I see your point, she is an improvement on Conan-Doyles version. I do find Moffat's women even more annoying than Gattis', so that explains a lot! I think what bugged me about Irene Adler was that both Gatiss and Moffat only seem to understand female strength as being overtly sexual. I find their women rarely have actual personality, at least not nearly as much complexity of personality as the men, and there are so few women in it anywhere (or writing it, or directing it). But that's true of most media. (Take a look at the Bechdel test )

Feminist rant over. As you were.

The anaesthetic has worn off now, you might be able to tell by my grouchy outlook..

GoodGollyCapnMolly, what a day! Thank God you were so precise about, you know, wanting to keep your womb. How are you feeling now?

Another awful one for stupid routes is The Apprentice - basically every journey takes them over Westminster Bridge and past the Houses of Parliament. Or past some shiny shiny landmark buildings in the City, when in fact they are travelling from their digs in Acton to a factory in Uxbridge or something.