Hi EVA123

Thanks for your reply and sorry not to get back to you sooner.

In answer to your questions - yes I am following a diet -
the Atkins plan - to the letter - and have been on induction
for 7 weeks now.

My problem seems to stem from an underactive (hypo) thyroid problem which a UK doctor refused to treat me for. I am now
awaiting tests from a doc over here and hope that I can start treament soon to address the problem.

Favourite places for shopping ? I LOVE AHein and shop there either in Sneek or Harlingen - as you say its a question of adapting to the foods that are available. Other than that I shop at the local Kooistra or Co-op. We live in a very small village near the 'Kop Aflsluitdijk'.

We have been in Friesland twice - for 1 month in Feb 2000 - we then lived in Vlissingen for a year and we have been back here
for about 8 months. Love it here - people are friendlier and we love village life compared to any town. Miss my UK newspapers but I do get once a week and thats a real treat.
Thanks for replying
Val