Breakfast at Pellicci

 

Had yet another great breakfast recently at E Pellicci in Bethnal Green with Monty Matty (former Tower Hamlets UNISON caretaker steward).

Believe it or not, since I am cutting down on carbs, and swopped the toast and hash browns for extra Sausage and bacon - this is diet food! (somewhat). 

There was some American tourists next to us who had been recommended to eat here by their taxi driver. They were talking to a young local man who was a boxer with 7 straight victories and had recently been training in Vegas. 

Check out its history Our Story : Pellicci's

Plaistow West and Canning Town East canvass 3.12.22

 

On Saturday after my surgery I joined the new Councillor team at the also new ward of Plaistow West and Canning Town East. We were joined by our Greater London Assembly member, Unmesh Desai. 

On the whole a fairly positive canvass. Lots and lots of case work (mostly housing repairs). Unmesh and I would knock on a door and ask the resident if they wanted to speak to one of their local Councillors about any issues and if they said yes, we would grab the nearest Councillor, then move on to the next door. 

Most of us were using the Labour Party mobile telephone app "Doorstep".  Names and addresses to visit are downloaded to your phone and you can input and upload any information in real time. It is much better than the old paper based system but I find it is liable to crash and freeze from time to time (but the data seems to be not lost). Probably my phone at fault.

I had a fascinating chat with one resident about the religious symbols on her front door (see top of collage next to xmas wreath - another religious symbol of course) who explained they were about bringing blessings to the local community. 

Cllr Simon Rush asked one resident what he would like to see politically and was told "get rid of this Tory government". Agreed!

I was surprised to find door numbers in one terrace street jumped from 28 to 36? While I asked the resident why this was? I was told "The Luftwaffe"( it had been bombed during the war and less homes were built to replace those destroyed).

Interestly I came across, yet again, a number of residents who had previously been identified as Conservatives or "Against Labour", who now said they would vote Labour in a future election and the only people who said they wouldn't, were those who said they don't vote in elections. We need to find ways to win these non voters over. 

After the canvass we had a quick drink at the Black Lion, then I cycled back home for a late Keto Brunch. 

Last weeks Keto (low carb diet) highlights

 

I have been on a Keto (low carb) diet since June and so far it has worked (I have lost 23 pounds with 6 more to go). I have been exercising as well and cheating massively from time to time. I know it is not great to exclude a major food group from any diet but so far this has worked for me with no apparent side effects. 

Top meal of the week was a keto full english at Pellicci's in Bethnal Green (apparently the Kray's favourite cafe). Next was Skinny Chicken, beef burgers, bacon, cheese and salad at Spoons. Pork chops, gravy & broccoli at home. Skinny Sirloin and salad at Spoons (lots of evening meetings at Stratford and East Ham Town Hall which currently have spoons nearby). Tuna, salmon & avocado mixed salad. All yum.

Exercise log since 2018 (and Roman Road Keto Brunch)

After a run yesterday I checked my watch app (currently called Zepp Life) and I found I had been for 1700 miles of walks and ran 1100 miles since 26/5/18 (also 1546 miles of Cycling). Celebrated with Keto brunch in Fiesta Café, Roman Road.
 

"A Fresh Start with Labour" 'Lab22 Conference

Labour Party annual conference starts tomorrow but I came down today to Liverpool to attend the London Labour  Evening Reception and be ready as a UNISON Labour Link delegate for our first pre conference meeting early tomorrow morning. 

At the London reception there was some great speeches by Labour Leader Keir Starmer and deputy Leader, Angela Rayner. Followed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan. 

It was really nice to meet up with delegates from all over London, some of whom I had not met for years due to Covid. Plenty of gossip as always but also lots of positive political discussion and future campaigning planning. Some of went for a (none keto) Pizza afterwards followed by a drink at the Jury Inn Hotel Bar after which I crashed out to prepare for conference and an early start tomorrow.