The Fighter.

Not such a cryptic title today. Its been nearly a week since I last wrote and that's been down to three things I feel. 1) No inspiration to write (even though as I sit her writing I'm actually slowing myself down from writing complete drivel) 2) Re-discovering my love of books. On "holiday" in Weymouth I read 4 books in 6 days. And I didn't even spend all day every day reading, I was just quick and couldn't put the interesting good books down (for those who care they were Friday Night Lights and the last three Harry Potters). 3) Being busy spending time with my girlfriend and her family, which was really fun and a nice change. So yeah my week in short? Sun,relaxing,walking,reading,food, quality time with Lucy.

The fighter is a great film. I have watched it twice now, having gone to the cinema to watch it originally. It is a brilliant true story of the boxer Micky Ward that beat adversity to finally showcase his talents, come out of his brother's shadow and become a world champion. The film tells the story of his rise from perennial bum and stepping stone to his first world championship fight that he wins as the fight ends. Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale put in brilliant performances. Bale was rewarded by his Oscar and it was thoroughly deserved, he shed a lot of weight to really look like the junkie ex-boxer he was playing. He was superb in the performance, capturing the hopelessness of a smack addict whilst still being funny and showing potential to recover. Wahlberg is solid as ever, and gets into brilliant shape for the boxing scenes. They are ably supported by the surprisingly hot Amy Adams as well as Jack McGee who puts a comical spin on the female dominated George Ward.

I implore you to watch this film, boxing fans will love it but it is so well done anyone can enjoy it. Make your women watch this film! If your any kind of boxing fan you will have seen wards 3 fights with Arturo Gatti that are mentioned in the end of the film. These fights were wars, and some of the best I have ever seen. Something else to add to what the film did, if like me you were captivated by the story surrounding Micky Ward, watch the three fights with Gatti and whether it's the first time in a long time or first time ever you will not be disappointed.

The last part of my blog is dedicated to a little recipe I've been using for years. It is the best flapjack recipe I have ever seen, I came across it 5 years ago in comprehensive school cooking lessons. After having lost it 3 years ago, I always searched for it, and finally found it when in Weymouth when absentmindedly reading one of Lucy's sisters Cadbury recipe books.

Makes 24. 15 minutes Prep (yeah right) 25-30 minutes cooking.

Ingredients:
255g/7.5 oz unsalted butter.
255g/7.5 oz light muscovado sugar.
175g/6 oz golden syrup.
300g/10 oz Cadburys Chocolate
400g/13 oz porridge oats.

1. Grease a 28x20 cm/ 11x8 inch shallow baking tin. Melt the butter with sugar, golden syrup and 75g chocolate and leave to cool completely.

2. Mix together the rest of the chocolate and the porridge oats in a mixing bowl. Add the syrup mixture and stir until evenly combined. Place the mixture into the tin and level out.

3. Bake in a preheated oven 180 C/ Gas Mark 4 for 20-25 minutes until just beginning to colour around the edges. Leave in the tin until almost cold, transfer to chopping board and cut.

Best flapjacks ever and my tip is: If your going to fuck up the timings or your oven is dodgy, undercooking is better than overcooking!