Live Below The Line Challenge

Day 2.........

Today was tougher than day one. I felt lethargic, had half-a-headache and my concentration was poor. It had nothing to do with the restricted diet, but all to do with my body's need for caffeine. Caffeine withdrawal wasn’t something I had even considered beforehand.

On the plus side I had to attend a conference as part of my work. I managed to resist the temptation of the ‘free’ lunch and this provided the opportunity to talk to other people as they tucked into theirs, about the 1.4 billion people who live ‘below the line’.

It was interesting that many people wrongly assumed our action was associated with a church group or Christian charity. There seems to be a common misconception that an atheist isn’t interested in giving and cares little for other people, when in truth I have just as much empathy as anyone else.

Food wise I ate well, though probably not as well as on day one. Porridge for breakfast, rice with onion and mushroom and garden herbs with a handful of home-grown rocket for lunch, and a mashed-up over-ripe banana, which was being thrown away, for supper.

In the evening I went to the pub, where my companion thoughtfully ordered a glass of water and a gin and tonic for himself, rather than the pint of beer he would undoubtedly have preferred. This meant that our glasses did at least look similar, and in the convivial surroundings and delicious smells of a ‘gastropub’ I soon forget about the ‘Timothy Taylors Landlord’ I would otherwise have enjoyed.

Hopefully the caffeine withdrawal symptoms will improve tomorrow and I can focus on wondering about when the next meal will arrive.