QUICK CROSSWORD

having a free moment and vehicle availability. Regardless, I got stuck in and made sure to drink lots of fluids. Afterwards I had a shower and once more weighed myself. The discovery that I was now 5lbs lighter than when I started came as a bit of a shock; especially considering I had drunk 3 onepint tankards of water during my encounter with the contents of the garage.

A house move is taking place.

I’m currently packing the O’Hara household into boxes. Once safely and securely ensconced in cardboard cocoons it will all begin a journey. It has no need to worry for there will be no guns nor nasty creatures with pointy teeth. It will just be another house.

However, the collection of domestic paraphernalia is wrathful. As the days of packing continue, the pleasure of bedtime doesn’t come close to offsetting the shock of the morning when the wake-up alarm goes off.

Then there is the heat, and it is not the sort gun enthusiasts refer to when they talk of packing. Sticky and horrendous.

I weighed myself the morning of sorting the garage and taking stuff to the tip. The weather was sunny and extremely hot. I wouldn’t have chosen that particular day to do such work, but it was about

As a way to lose weight, house move packing is very effective, but I can’t recommend it. Nor do I reckon on the painful after effects being a positive thing. The last time I moved house the removal company engaged offered a packing service. I smiled at the time. The current removal company made the same offer and I again smiled. After only packing a small portion of the household, I’m no longer smiling. Sure, I’m getting lighter, but I now have pains and aches in places I never thought possible.

Many years in the past, had I been asked whether it is worthwhile paying professionals to pack for me ahead of a move, I’d have laughed. If asked before starting this time, I’d still have laughed, but only until the aches and weight loss…

PHIL O’HARA

Clues Across

1. Accounts for payment

7. Beautified

8. Lasso loop

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