How to spend a spring long weekend in Canberra?

Why do we have a long weekend?

It’s been a fine and mild long weekend in Canberra. For readers from distant shores, some states and at least the Australian Capital Territory (apart from the greatest Australian territory, viz., the Northern Territory of Australia) are enjoying a public holiday on Monday while Victoria enjoyed a public holiday on Friday. I don’t even know why Canberra (Australian Capital Territory) has a Monday public holiday (I probably should look that up!). I know in Queensland it is labour day which is odd given it is usually gazetted to coincide with the first day of May (to celebrate my birthday I assume). In Victoria, Friday was a public holiday so AFL fans could watch a parade in the streets of Melbourne.

AFL grand final

The AFL grand final is held on a Saturday (yesterday) while the NRL grand final is held on a Sunday (today). A Melbourne team, viz., Richmond Tigers defeated the Adelaide Crows. I didn’t watch the game, I was binge watching Star Trek The Next Generation. That said, I’ve told a friend that next year I may take an interest in AFL just to expand my horizons. My aim is to follow the Chinese Suns from the Gold Coast, my number two team will be the Brisbane Lions and my number three team will be Carlton. Obviously, there is a Queensland connection with the first two and I chose Carlton because one of my best friends is a supporter.

Who knows, this time next year when enjoying a long weekend, I may watch both the NRL and AFL grand final games.

NRL grand final

The greatest game of all

While my team, the Brisbane Broncos, were defeated last Friday night by the Melbourne Storm, my number two team, the North Queensland Cowboys, made it to tonight’s grand final game after defeating the Sydney Roosters. I am hoping for a Cowboys victory. If they lose, however, I won’t be greatly disappointed because the Storm is my number three team given their players form the core the mighty XXXX Queensland Maroons. It’s nice not having a Sydney team in the NRL grand final.

Man flu

The weather in Canberra has been remarkably mild. I wouldn’t say warm, but not cold and there haven’t been too many clouds in the sky. Not that I’ve been able to enjoy the weather. You see, since returning from Bendigo I’ve been feeling unwell. Crook is a better description. I have a dreaded lurgy, a wog, you know, man flu. That most maligned of all ailments. I’ve been rendered inactive with a mild fever, a constant low-level headache, sore joints and a nose that runs for hours and is then overtaken with nasal congestion which makes breathing feel like hard labour. To be fair to Bendigo, I did manage to get out to see Floriade before Man Flu took over.

 

 

I need to lose weight

So what else have I been up to? After returning from Bendigo which can best be described as a gastronomical journey I’ve been pondering the weight I’ve gained over the last couple of years. I’ve tried to look at my portion control but continually fail. The only thing that has worked for me in the past has been to reduce my carbohydrate intake. I don’t want to go full Atkins again though. It’s not sustainable. It’s unpleasant and makes meal planning and going out difficult. I mean, it helped me go from 100 kg to 77 kg over about 9 months and keep it off for at least 5 years. I’m now back to about 90 kg. I feel uncomfortable and I don’t want to spend money on new clothes. So what I’m going to try is to reduce my carbohydrate intake without going to extremes. I won’t eat anything with added sugar and I won’t eat any bread, rice or pasta but I will continue to eat a variety of fruit and vegetables regardless of the carbohydrate content. This will necessitate an increase in meat and cheese consumption but I will try to focus mostly on white meats like chicken and if I have to, turkey. I also need to be careful about cured meats. Previously I consumed large amounts of salami and other cured meats but since the International Agency for Research on Cancer warned about risks associated with cured meats which I presume to also include bacon, I’m mindful of being more careful. I’ll let you know how I go.

Catch you next week.

Other posts you may enjoy

Podcasts I listen to while walking, driving and working around the flat

10 reasons why podcasting is fun

Is my drawing getting any better?

 

5 Replies to “How to spend a spring long weekend in Canberra?”

  1. That’s a good enough reason as any to lose weight i.e that you don’t want to buy new clothes lol. Me and my jeans are having a stand off currently. It keeps lying to me and telling me that I’ve put on weight. Thing is I don’t believe it so we fight every morning. I feel I’m winning even if I have to wear it without doing up the front zipper.

    1. I’ve been tempted to buy a maternity insert for my jeans 😂🤣

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