I've quit smoking, but I still enjoy the waft from a cigar

Wave 105 radio presenter
Rick says swop ciggies for carrot batonsRick says swop ciggies for carrot batons
Rick says swop ciggies for carrot batons

Both my wife Sarah and I smoked on and off. I was more of a social smoker, meaning I would smoke other people’s and rarely have my own!

We decided to quit when we started trying for a family. This is when you think more about eating and drink all the right things to put yourself in the best possible position to conceive.

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It’s probably a load of old nonsense as you see people of all shapes and sizes falling pregnant, some still smoking.

But the fact is that quitting bad habits feels like you’re doing your bit to help Mother Nature.

I’ll be honest, both of us really enjoyed smoking.

After a meal out, an espresso followed by a Marlboro Light was bliss, especially on holiday.

There’s something about it that makes you feel very continental.

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There are plenty of excuses why some put off quitting – 31 per cent say they worry quitting will make them fat.

Well let’s just say being overweight is far less likely to kill you than smoking.

People who do quit then fall off the wagon, blaming weight gain.

Yes you may put on weight as you need to find something to do with your hands. But trust me, just buy carrot batons.

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You might put on a stone, but your slight weight gain won’t repulse people as much as how you smell.

We both went ‘cold turkey’ after our last cigarettes on New Year’s Eve 2012.

I can’t say it was too much of a struggle either.

Both times I’ve quit have been this way. In my mind, weaning off with patches doesn’t work. Either I do something or I don’t.

It was the best thing we did, although I do still enjoy the waft from a pipe or a cigar from time to time.

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If you have quit, remember this – each day off the fags adds five minutes to your life.

I’ve got the equivalent of a round-the-world cruise back now!

MESSAGES THAT SHOW FIL IS MORE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL THAN ME

I knew something wasn’t quite right about my FIL (father-in-law) when he and the MIL (mother-in-law) came over for a visit last weekend.

He looked sheepish and was rather quiet.

Most unusual.

Then the truth came out, demonstrating that my FIL is far more ‘rock n roll’ than me these days!

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He’d been out on the town to celebrate his retirement with colleagues.

MIL was due to pick him up around 11pm, but weird texts that made no sense got her concerned.

Suffice to say, FIL was rather poorly when they eventually got home.

Well there is definitely life in the old goat yet, even if he wasn’t looking particularly lively last Saturday afternoon!

WHY DON’T YOU COME AND RIDE ON MY LOVELY DOUBLE-DECKER?

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I’m rather excited. As you may know, I own a double-decker bus and this Sunday sees her first outing of the year.

It’s a ‘Beer & Buses’ day in Winchester. You take a free vintage bus on routes that take in country pubs.

Have a jar, then catch another vintage bus to another pub.

Genius!

Come and have a ride. Mine is the yellow and blue Solent Blue Line bus.

She has just passed her MOT and after a service is ready to go.

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The day after the event, she’s off to Hants & Dorset Trim in Eastleigh for a full body restoration and respray.

It means Sarah won’t be able to buy herself any new shoes for a couple of years, but I promise it will be worth it!

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