Abstain and maintain.Stepping forward never back.

Hi Duncan, thank u 4 ur kind words on my diary. It means alot 🙂

U r doing brilliant, ur positivity and dedication shines thru 🙂

U give me hope, so thanks 🙂

I hope u have a gr8 wknd 🙂

Those miserable, wet days that we are having at the moment will never stop the feeling that we have inside as we all continue our gamble-free runs.

And when the sun does eventually decided to make an appearance, that feeling will improve!

Have a great weekend.

NT

evening diary. First and foremost my condolences to sabine r.i.P. Today another gamble free day at the stoves and it seems my constant half glass full approach to life has reached the brigade at work and the kitchen is the oasis in the building, sort of become the hub, a place to want to be. Today we served a wedding and i hope our food helped to make the day that bit more memorable. Today it was great to see us function as a team, i do get so much from my work and love the natural buzz it creates, something gambling with honesty never caused, or gave me. So on route home and not many hrs off between now and a day tomorrow which the bookings are stacked up, but folks enough time to sneak a cuddle with my light, my sarah and a run with the hound, before work tomorrow, the sun is a shining here i only hope it is for all of you! 🙂 duncs stepping forward never back. No bet today.

morning diary. Well ticked the boxes so far had a lovely snuggle up and before setting off to work i got an hour with the hound, watching him bound about carefree brings a glow that will drive me through the day, today our goal not one single complaint. Tonight will bring us together for a belated sunday roast and no doubt a well earned pint or too of the black stuff were today i shall toast next week being better than this, why? Gamble free! Duncs compulsive gambler no bet today stepping forward never back.

Morning Dunc,

Glad to see you got your snuggle! Well desrved for all your doing i say!

Glad the hound got to bound about wet free and just enjoy being free, just like us while we remain bet free!

No complaints , glad i'm not eating there lol as a ex chef i am very critical but i reckon there would be no complaints at Dunc's place!

Enjoy your day and the belated roast with a few, i will raise my glass to you Dunc's as you bring the sunshine even when it's miserable outside 😉

Keep Strong Dunc

Smiling Lucy 🙂

Morning,

These weeks fly by don't they. Maybe when we were gambling , counting the minutes till the next payday.

Made time go slower. Who knows . But yep that's in the past.

Today is most defo about striding forward , and taking pleasure in the small things like family or friends or pets (lol)

Off to Portsmouth tomorrow , you never know our paths may cross. And we would never know. If I see a tattoed stranger walking his dog , I may just shout Hovis just for the fun of it ........

Hugs

Shiny xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hello and thank you for your support on my thread, I was quite taken aback at how many lovely people came out of the woodwork when I went AWOL - even if they just popped in for doggy piccies lol!

You sound so contented just now, you've obviously come a long way and must be so proud of what you've achieved. You should be. 🙂

Afternoon diary.

Well we did it not one complaint and 122 main courses sent in the 6 hrs of service, well actually my number 2 said his feet hurt lol.

Today in honour of the tour I am rain or hail( the sun has officially retired or blondie has pinched it lol) I will be cycling to work I need the exercise and will save most importantly 1 hr a day by not using the bus!!! this hour will be used snuggling Sarah or Hovis lol and will be simply much better used,today I sat in fratton park at silly o'clock and watched my Son perform some of his poetry as part of the olympic torch relay and have to say he has a real talent and nerves of steel,no notes a poem from memory, well for me from the heart, moments like this make me ask the eternal question, Why fella???? why waste it all,I dont think i want to dwell on it. I really have no inclination to have a punt,i really am happy with my lot, I will constantly seek change,but never luck,never a quick fix. I can see it there for the taking and I will keep stepping toward it never back. Life outside gambling wins,thats what it does hands down 24/7.

thanks Rach,shiny,Blondie

Today for very different reasons you all made me smile and realise further how truly happy I am and life can be.

Duncs compulsive gambler NO Bet today.

Its a fair cop Govner.. (said in a cockny accent).. I stole the sunshine and im trying to spread it around as best I can.

What a great idea saving one hour by getting on your bike and keeping fit and also getting extra snuggle time with sarah and hovis, I love your thinking duncs i really do.

How proud must you of been of your son, another memory that money cant buy that you add to the happy bank.

Keep striding forward duncs, we are all right behind you cheering and cheering you on.

Sunshine ordered and winging its way to you and yours.

Blondie x

hiya duncs ...stepping in to say so true...corners have definately been turned...buses ,wheeliebins and boats have also been driven...lol...am now joining you and Sarah on the love boat...as I officially come as a matching pair.!!

Had a mid lifecrisis i think in las year but now i can see beyond the next day which i have'nt really been able to do for a long time...i may even brave having a plan soon! whoo hoooo

Life outside gambling wins....how great is that?...absolutely hands down....its a life not a hostage situation now for you Duncs....

Contentment with what we have is where its at.. and we all have gratitude for the little things that money cant buy...the moments ...priceless..

Being present for others is the greatest gift you can give to someone....as is being "known".

We are all witnessess to each others lives on here...and I know for you Sarah is involved too...but for some I imagine ...we on here know each other more than the people we live with.

That was so true for me last year.

pawhugs to Hovis from Dotty xx

Rach and doo xxx

Hey Duncs......

Shiny will be the one with lots of bags full of new clothes....lol

Have a good day today..our lass in Pomy...and the sun will shine as she gets closer.

Just had a mad thought.....imagine if we all virtually came to your restaurant for lunch.....then we could all put a top review on virtual TripAdvisor ...lol x

Have a good one Cap'n.

R and D xxxx

ps...sending Shiny some not so subliminal messages..she will be the one wearing sparkly earrings ...xxx

Afternoon diary.

No sign of the shiny one but folks strangely the sun manifested itself this morning and has been a smiling ever since now I wonder what is a foot here????? tomorrow when it pours I will have the answer no doubt.!!!!! LOL.

Well today 25 weeks to the day since I had a punt and well lets just say I do feel GREAT!!! had a suppperrrr snuggle this morning!! walked the hound a couple of miles in the dry for a change and squeezed in doing the shopping for food and some gardening(whilst the dog tried to eat more plants!!!!LOL) all this before lunch time service which I made it in for and strange the weather appears to bring about a smile to everyones face,found myself thinking what my fellow gamcarers would order and the laughter from the table would be well priceless!!! Shiny,rach,blondie,flagg,lucy,charlotte,ian,tomso,wilsy,castle,nt,gazza,ade and of course smiler at the top and dotty and hovis underneath!!! oh I know that day I would cook my socks off!!!!

Still that i guess i will never know but one and all you do along with countless other gamcarers have a huge place in my heart.Thankyou.

And to boot dry cycling is much better the joints dont creek so much and seems no need to race!

So in all good times keep coming and I know this is simply because I do have a choice and intend on making the right one.This today is payday to and the money is in the bank our bank mine and Sarahs were it will stay for our future not the bookies!!! Today just for today NO BET, tomorrow will reap the benefits.

Duncs stepping forward never back,very proud.

Good Evening Sir,

Need I say anything really! 25 weeks bet free, smile on your face, and finally the weather is picking up! Sometimes even I the man of too many words has little to say.

You continue to inspire me and many others.

If only I could come sample some food!

Flagg

25 weeks today and some sunshine as well how amazing ! Im afraid I cant promise sunshine tomorrow but then we cant promise anything for tomorrow because it never comes, We take each day in our stride and look how far we have all come.

I am reserving a place on that table duncs, some amazing food surrounded by inspiring people who have never met but have shared such a personal journey with each other.

Onwards and forever upwards.

Blondie 🙂