Today started so well.  I always like to start on a positive note.  Smoothie for breakfast: blueberries, banana, soya milk, vanilla fat free yogurt, 1/2 tbsp chia seeds and 1 tbsp tahini.  It was delicious.  And very purple.

I made wraps for lunch as we were going to London to watch one of the London 2012 Olympic test events – Beach Volleyball in Horse Guards Parade.  I was so EXCITED!!!  But full of resolve so made up wraps (wholemeal tortilla, spinach, rocket, red pepper, cucumber, chicken and blue cheese) and took along a punnnet of cherries.  James and I had the chicken and cheese and Harvey had tuna mayonnaise.

Luckily the weather forecast was wrong and instead of the predicted rain we arrived in London to glorious sunshine.

We settled in to our seats, Michelle joined us and the sport began.  The beach volleyball was fantastic.  We watched 2 ladies quarterfinals: Brazil Vs Australia and GB Vs China.   It was lively and fun with the crowd getting in to it and clapping and Mexican waving.  And GB won so we had a lovely little patriotic moment too.

Surrounded by Londons magnificent historic buildings, the “beach” and viewing stands make a fabulous venue.

Now I know the men like going along to see the scantily clad athletes.  The volleyball players do indeed have amazing physiques and are an inspiration to us all.  I am not quite convinced about the gratuitous semi-clad dancers that appeared from time to time though.  Especially since that dancing was dreadful – Britain Has Talent could have provided far better.  However, my husband and all the other men seemed to enjoy it!

And at least we girlies got the “sweepers”, who perhaps unkindly were sweeping to the Benny Hill theme music, but it was very amusing.

The beach volleyball was finished by 3pm so we set off to the National Portrait Gallery via a teashop.  The National Cafe had some empty tables and is a large, high ceilinged and pleasant place to sit and have a cup of tea.  I was tempted in to having a cream tea (took about 1/2 a second to tempt me) which I justified as I still had some weekly points to use and I had already planned a low point supper which was all ready at home to be reheated.  So I enjoyed my cream tea.

Fortified we went to the National Portrait Gallery and enjoyed the BP Portrait Award 2011 exhibition.  No idea why the winning photo was selected as it seemed so dreary and ordinary compared to the others.  Several of the paintings, and one in particular, looked like photographs, even close up.  It is incredible to me that someone could use paint to create a portrait that looks just like a photo.

I love the NPG and am in awe of anyone who can paint/draw/sculpt a face which I find particularly difficult.  And to have this incredible gallery here, which is free to go to, is extraordinary.  next time you are in London, go and see it.  www.npg.org.uk

Lovely as the day had been so far, watching sport and admiring art is exhausting so we thought we should find somewhere to sit outside and enjoy a glass of something refreshing.  We settled ourselves down in Covent Garden Piazza  and enjoyed listening to a very talented busker.  Michelle and I had a lovely glass of wine.  Which swiftly led to another.  And before I knew it, the Diet Devil had begun to take me over.  The second glass of wine was joined by tortillas and salsa and I was then completely overtaken.  I was transported, in a trance like state, up the stairs of Chez Gerard and seated at a table on the balcony.  Resistance was futile.  All rational thought and resolve were far away as we ordered a bottle of wine.  The bread and butter were devoured with gusto and then behold, a beautiful steak and frites appeared.  And with Bearnaise sauce which is my favourite steak accessory.  Marvellous!

How time flies when you are having so much fun.  By the time we got to Charring Cross it was 10:30pm and so we weren’t home until nearly midnight.  So much for being home for supper.

I managed to consume an incredible 77 points which has obliterated all my weekly bonus points and some of my activity accruals too.  However, the joy of Weight Watchers is that you have extra points for such a blow out and as long as I am really good on Sunday, I should end the week within my point allowance.

I had a fabulous day out and at least I didn’t have a pudding!  I like to end on a positive note.