On Wednesday I start again for Lent. So, I decided this morning to have a break.

I missed St David’s Day on Saturday, so en route to the office I procured Welsh cakes and devoured them with a cup of tea. A colleague is visiting me from Zug. We went to Tower Hill, walked across Tower Bridge and ended up in Manze’s where we had pie and mash.

I have to say that pie and mash is a favourite of mine. It’s very cheap but very filling. When I eat it, I’m reminded of poorer times. Not that I had any poorer times of course, just that for some it was a way of life. You can be in and out of a pie and mash shop in 15 minutes, spend less than £10 and have your dinner.

I also had a doughnut. This was less of an experience and, in fact, has left me feeling a bit off. I ate an egg sandwich for tea and a bag of crisps.

Anyway, I’m not going to make progress like this. These days are the exceptions not the rules (cough).

Tomorrow is Shrove Tuesday and I’m going out with colleagues. I managed to find a place that will let us in (very important) and that serves pancakes. Hooray. Then the preparations for Lent will be complete. And the battleship will be fully armed and operational.