Long time gone

Crikey, it seems ages since I last posted a blog update.

I think I left you just before Christmas with the tantalising thought of our Sainsbury oven-ready spread. Well I can report that the food was pretty good. The portion of potatoes was a "Victoria Beckham" size, so I opted to supplement it with some of my own. I used Jamie's recipe, meaning I returned to parboiling for the first time in a while. They were very splendid, and if you're reading this Jamie, thank you.

The meat was tasty, and the veg and all the trimmings were good too.

I also supplemented the meal with some roast carrots and "Aunt Bessies"

In the evening we all settled down together to watch "Inside Out" and then cheered ourselves up with the Amy Winehouse documentary.

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Boxing Day was spent at work (for Pheebs) and the afternoon at me mum's for a family buffet get together for the rest of us.

In the evening, Andy, Pheebs and I went to see the new Star Wars film. Which we all enjoyed. It was interesting to see what Pheebs thought as she'd never seen a Star Wars film before. It didn't seem to inhibit her enjoyment although she will have missed out on a few in-jokes.

She and I have subsequently watched Episode IV together which she found less exciting than VII.

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Monday saw a meeting of the clans, as members of the Murray family descended on Coventry (from Wilmslow, Stockholm, Brussels, Bedford and London) for a visit to Bridie and a meal. The whole thing went off very well. The food was fine, Bridie was in good form and the trip up and down the M6 was uneventful.

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Yesterday (Tuesday) found the weather to be clear and fine, so we went for long walk around Alderley Edge with Running Dave and Sally (hound). 5.7miles. Cracker.

Last night I went to the Belle Vue Stadium to see the greyhound racing.  I can report that I will not make my fortune as a gambler. 9 races and not a single winner. Not much has changed at Belle Vue since my last visit other than the introduction of electronic signs for the trackside bookmakers, and a slightly more officious set of security.

Having been searched on the way in, I showed them my bag with my camera in it and they had no problems as long as I didn't use flash next to the track. I told them it wasn't a problem as I didn't have a flash.

We went in, I sussed out where I might get a few pictures, and then I set about taking some. I took some of the kennel area, of the bookies, of the scoreboard. Then we went back to the kennel area hoping to see the dogs being assembled before going out on parade before the race.

As we were standing there, this security guy came up to me (and I hadn't noticed, but three more behind me to form a semi circle) and they said I wasn't to take pictures of the dogs. This isn't something that was explained as I went in, and they certainly didn't stop other people taking pictures of the dogs. But not wanting to cause trouble I agreed and we wandered off.

I carried on having a (losing) bet on each race and taking the (few) opportunities to capture pictures of the event. After having lost our money mostly to the trackside bookies, we decided to go in and throw some to the Tote. As we entered the grandstand, we were, once again, stopped by a security man and told that "some people" "had concerns" and that I was to stop taking pictures of anything other than people in my party, e.g. Martin.

At this point it had become clear that there weren't the plethora of photo opportunities I'd been expecting, so while a little miffed at the small minded approach I wasn't minded to argue the toss, and put my camera away. If I was out to take pictures for some underhand or devious purpose, then I'd have used a less conspicuous camera and MO.

Anyway, here are a few images from last night:

Belle Vue Stadium

C&T Bookmakers, Belle Vue.

Photo Finish

Replay

Behind the Glass

Scoreboard.

By the Traps

Trackside Bookmakers

Today's blog is brought to you by the numbers 1487.81 and 10.1k

Dot King was whittled from the bone of Cain

With a little drop of poison in the red red blood

She need a way to turn around the bend

She said I want to walk away and start over again

Sometimes a song comes up on the shuffle and you forget how brilliant it is. This is from a song by Tom Waits called Walk Away. 

I think I might have mentioned it in a previous blog, but Tom Waits is someone I'd sell a kidney to see. If you're reading this Tom, please tour soon.

My daddy told me, lookin' back

The best friend you'll have is a railroad track

So when I was 13 said, I'm rollin' my own,

And I'm leavin' Missouri and I'm never comin' home

"Bottom of the World".

Not sure if you can stream them or youtube them but I could list wonderful Waits songs all morning.

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Morning. Live blogging from the Oak Road Chemo Suite again. As you can see, eating healthily is important when you're having a course of chemo (ignore the lebkuchen in the background). The coffee is there to keep me awake after another shocking nights sleep.

Actually, on second thoughts the dexamethasone I had this morning ought do that quite nicely.

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Numbers

1487.81 is the number of miles I've put in on my bike this year. Although I didn't have an official target, I was vaguely looking at 1000, I think can be quite pleased with that. My app tells me that's worth 92,348 calories.....not sure accurate that can be, but I'll take it.

Remember how I told you I'd gone (a bit) internets viral? Well 10.1k views is the current count on the picture of Tommy Smith I put up. Small by comparison to proper photogs, but I'm blown away by the reception it got.

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Loyalty Card tart

I generally carry a few loyalty shopping cards with me and accept the lack of privacy as the trade off. I usually buy Tesco petrol, but other than that tend to go whatever supermarket happens to be closer or have what I want. Lidl and Aldi been getting a lot of trade this Christmas....that's the Lebkuchen for you.

Over the years we've clocked up a few Tesco points and used them up almost as soon as we get them, using their 'boost' facility where possible (£2.50 worth of points getting £10 worth of Pizza Express vouchers seems a good deal). However, I've never really found much to spend my Nectar points on....until this year. To make life simple this yuletide, we decided to "buy in" Christmas dinner rather than make it from scratch, and found that Sainsburys offer (along with all supermarkets) this facility. Turkey and gammon joint, Xmas veg, pigs in blankets, stuffing, gravy and sauces, and a snowman cake. I'll report on whether or not it was tasty in a few days time.

There was something quite nice about getting a bill of nearly £100 and actually handing over £5.60 in hard cash (it would have been 60p is Gel hadn't picked up a last minute present for a neighbour).

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I'm not a religious person at all. But I am wont to use words like "blessed" and "pray" every so often. I guess these are words that have meaning beyond faith but have been appropriated and are synonymous with faiths of various sorts. If I do use them, I do so in a secular way. Anyway, I'm sure you get that.

We should think about people who suffer or are having a hard time all year round, but there's something about Christmas - the emotional sliders (good and bad) are pushed up to 11 - that focuses my mind more than at other times.

There are two things that have happened that have focussed my mind recently. Coincidentally both are geographically linked.

The first is the news that there are some poor folks in Cumbria who have been flooded out for the second time in a month. For it to happen at all must be hard, but twice - and I hear they are being warned that a third downpour may happen over Christmas - is heartbreaking.

Here is a good article by George Monbiot about the floods.

In the same part of the country, a friend of ours, A, lost her mum two days ago. Losing a loved one is hard at any time of the year, but emotionally and logistically it is harder this time of the year. Throw in the local problems caused by the flooding and, again, it is heartbreaking.

Even though I (and those close to me) are having a difficult time, I feel very blessed. I'm looking forward to a lovely family Christmas, and am optimistic about what the new years holds.

My thoughts and prayers (secular ones remember) go out to the people of Cumbria, and to A and her family in particular, at what is meant to be a happy, family, time of year.

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Fruitbat

This is the name of a cat that used to live with Rumblestrip.

Fruitbat went missing 6 years ago, but miraculously has turned up. J got a call from a vet who had scanned this little black cat that had turned up on the scrounge at someone's house and found a microchip.

It would appear that Fruity is integrating quite nicely into her new home (J moved at least once between her missing and coming back).

A lovely story, which only because of the date, rather than context, I will call a lovely Christmas story, which has had hardened Leica photographers having a little cry.  :0)


Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you have a fine break, and thank you for reading this old tat (nearly) every day.

Roadkill

It's been a relatively busy couple of days which has meant I haven't had the opportunity to write a blog.

Saturday evening we had a very nice evening at the Jitrada in Sale with our good friends P & J. It being Christmas there were crackers provided for each table. My 'gift' was a lovely pair of plastic lips.

I have mentioned The Jitrada in a previous blog, and our food was, once again, simply delicious. The service too was exemplary. 10/10.

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Sunday was our traditional "End of Birch Avenue" get together. Not the end of Birch Avenue in that it is going to fall into a sink hole, or burn down, but that we live at the end of Birch Avenue and we invite our neighbours round (usually) on the Sunday before Christmas for a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.

Two sorts of mulled wine were provided. One with alcohol, and one for those who opted to drive, without wine.

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Monday I visited with a good friend N for a coffee and a chance to chew the fat, in Alderly Edge. We covered topics as wide as finance of the UK economy, the Sex Pistols, NCAA and NFL football, what a knob Jose Mourhino is (sorry if you're a regular reader Jose, but you gotta say it how you see it), and other stuff. A thoroughly pleasant afternoon.

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Roadkill

As I might have touched on previously, there is something in the weather that is distinctly odd. It's way too warm for the time of year and it's having an effect on the indigenous wildlife.

This time of the year it is usual that the Cheshire "Wild Potato" would be deep in its winter hibernation. This morning I went for a ride. It was warm and windy, but dry. but even so would not normally expect to see this rare creature. However there was evidence that at least one specimen had been out and about over the last couple of days, and, judging by the gouge mark in it flank, had been caught a glancing blow by a passing car.

Please, it's not too late. Turn off a light, turn the central heating down a few degrees. We need to slow the environmental changes to our planet, and save rare and beautiful creatures like these.

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Every day there have been cards and parcels arriving at our front door. Today we got a really nice parcel from Germany.

It's that there Lebkuchen from that there Germany. Big thank you to Miriam. Nom nom, and indeed nom.

Life is a moderately good play with a badly written third act

Last night we decided to catch up on Fargo (10/10) and then we discussed what to watch after that. I suggested we rewatch Philip Seymour Hoffman as (in) "Capote". Gel leapt at the idea and we sat down for the second viewing of a compelling film.

As I type this, it has just been announced that Jimmy Hill has died. I remember parking my car in the cap park at Tesco (the one where I saw David Beckham) on Sunday 31st August 1997, and seeing a woman in the car next to us weeping. This of course was in response to the death of Lady Diana Spencer.

I've never really been moved in that same way, as a consequence of the death of someone I didn't know. Actually that isn't quite true. That photograph of the body of the infant refugee being carried off a beach earlier this year was profoundly moving.

What shocked, and has subsequently given me a sense of loss, was the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Only, however, from a slightly selfish perspective. He was one of those actors, who I thought never looked like he was acting. You always felt he was being a character, and inhabited a character. I feel sorry for me, not being able to see him anymore.

The film "Capote" follows the author to Kansas to report on the murder of four members of a family in a remote farmhouse. Truman Capote is shown as interesting, witty, clever, rather narcissistic man (he bribes a porter to publicly praise his work when in the company of his friend and colleague Harper Lee). He seems to be able to empathise with people - or at least to be able to fake empathy - and use that empathy to get what he wants. He finds the story of the murders and the impact on the small community so compelling that rather than writing a magazine article, he sees the possibility of a book. He befriends the lawman in charge of the investigation, and then the killers themselves (Perry Smith in particular).

He starts the book, but realises after a while that until the killers are executed he cannot finish it. There then follows some rather unpleasant scenes where it is clear that having extracted what he needs from the killers by befriending them, finding them a decent lawyer to help with appeals, he abandons them, and seems disappointed every time they receive a stay of execution.

Hoffman takes us on a journey from the start where Capote seems like a charming and likeable character, to the end where, perhaps, his true, rather more nasty, side of his personality is revealed. It's a wonderful performance. Hoffman won an Oscar (and a Golden Globe and a BAFTA) for this role. Watching this again made me realise what a sad loss his death was.

I'm not going to sit in my car and weep, but I do mourn his loss.

The book was called "In Cold Blood" and was published in 1966, and made him (more) famous. Truman Capote died in 1984 having not been able to finish another book.

If you see a penny

Yesterday I told you about a splendid morning spent with my friend D. I also showed you what he looks like. D is from Leicestershire and so supports the (now) mighty Leicester City.

For most of the time I've known him, this has been the butt of many jokes on my part, which D takes with the resigned way that supporters of such provincial teams have learnt to. However, just at the moment, D is walking in a more jaunty manner, with his hat on the side of his head, and a smile adorning his visage. And why not. They are playing some fantastic football.

He told me that his uncle is a regular at Leicester home games but has to wear a disguise as he bears an uncanny resemblance to the Foxes current manager, Claudio Ranieri (see the link below).

He is Italian as well, which must make it more realistic.

Ranieri looky-likey

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Chorlton Sourdough

While wandering about south Manchester, Gel and I went into the Barbakan deli in Chorlton where they sell this:

The Chorlton Sourdough. What a mighty piece of bakery. Nom nom nom.

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When I was at the pay-station for the car park today, I was able to use by old saying (see previous blog) but had to amend it - "If you see £5, pick it up, and all the day you'll have good luck"

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Yesterday I made a Bouef Bourgignon (see below), and today I made Potato-au-gratin to go with our steak.

No picture available of the gratin as it is still in the oven. Smells ok though.

The "Sacked One"

You might have noticed that I tend not to discuss matters that are currently in the news, but I can't let today's news from Chelsea pass without saying "Ha ha ha, ner ner ner ner ner"

There's no doubt that Mourhino is an amazing manager (2 Portuguese league titles, 3 English league titles, 2 Serie A titles, 1 La Liga, 2 Champions League titles and a bagful of cups) and when he first arrived in this country was a lot of fun.

However, I can't be alone in becoming a little bored with his public persona - I'm sure he's a very pleasant man in private - and for me he finally lost it for me when he failed to apologise to his medical staff early in the season when they went on the pitch to attend to an injured player, having been invited on the pitch by the referee.

I can see why he might have been angry at being down to 8 outfield players, for a very short time, at the end of a game, but looking back he must have seen that it wasn't the fault of the medical staff. He should have fairly quickly discussed the situation with the press, explained why he was so vexed, and made it clear that he didn't think the medics were at fault (even if he thought they were). That would have drawn a line under the whole affair.

Picking on staff who are on daily, intimate, terms with the players, and who the players must come to trust and like, is a grave misjudgement. Things seem to have got significantly worse - they weren't great to start with - ever since this incident.

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This morning I went for one of my regular rides, and then went off for a coffee and a cake with a good buddy, D. We always seem to be able to pick and and chat where we left off last time. I won't tell you D's name, but I will embarrass him by putting his picture up.

D was very patient as I snapped him, even though he, like most of us, is uncomfortable having his picture taken.

Spotted a present for me dad

he's very difficult to buy for.

I'm glad it's just the classic movies. I'm sure he's got the "Meh" collection.

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Hands up who knows what this is:

That's right, it's a Manfrotto quick release plate. And, more to the point, without it I couldn't use the tripod I had in the back of the car as I set out this morning. I'd charged my batteries, packed my SD cards, remote release, tripod, filters, filter holders, cameras, lenses.....no quick release plate.

On the back of forgetting almost everything on our trip to Coventry the other week, I'm getting a reputation. Thankfully my route took me past a good friends house who I knew had a Manfrotto head for his tripod, so I rang him on the off chance he was in.

He was, and didn't tease me too much as he passed me the plate through the car window.

It meant I could actually take the pics I'd set out to try.

Llandudno Pier

Mooring Posts, Rhos-on-Sea.

More, er, further mooring posts. Rhos-on-Sea

"Moon on a stick"

"Bum steer"

"Crack addict"

These are some of the potential titles for "Missed Photo Opportunity No 564".

Gel and I had a splendid quick lunch at the Barbakan Deli in Chorlton, and as we walked back towards the throbbing centre of downtown Chorlton, I noticed a man sitting outside the Sedge Lynn with the most amazing builders crack. As soon as I saw it I thought "PICTURE" but I chickened out.

Then having walked about 10 yards past I had a change of mind and circled back, but by this time he had stirred, was standing up, and pulling his kecks up and the moment was gone.

Damn!

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Hair

I have discussed my tonsorial situation on a couple of occasions on the blog, but thought you needed an update. Although my hair hasn't entirely gone. what remains is a bit thin and wispy and looks a bit pants, so today I went and had it seen to.

I took a "before" and "after" pic, but in doing so took two of the worst examples of portraiture known to man.

Before

After

Completely burnt out highlights on the first, not to mention a large selection of chins on offer. The second isn't quire as bad, but still needed some thought about the exposure.

And to think I consider myself a photographer.....I should turn my credentials in.

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In Chorlton today.

I quite liked the was his legs matched the shape of the sign.

Setting the World to Rights II

No, I've no idea either.

Can you spot the hidden Christmas message in this photo?

Jonah

Once again, I lashed out £6.99 to watch Man U live on NOW TV. I think the time before this I did that we were 2-0 down to Arsenal before I even switched the TV on.

I might offer my services to Louis van Gaal an offer not to watch the games live in future. We need something to improve matters.

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Pheebs has got a Saturday job working in the cafe of our local department store, Hoopers. The restaurant is called Zest and today she was pulling her second shift of the weekend, so we dropped in to say hello....and have a coffee.

I didn't get a shot with Pheebs in as I didn't want to embarrass her. The restaurant underwent a facelift over the summer and they made a pretty good job of it. It would be handy to have a "before" shot for comparison, but it never occurred to me that I might need one in the future.

Apparently Santa was in this morning and and his 'rider' was a bacon buttie. Good man Santa.

Watch

I don't know about you, but I'm of an age where I don't feel dressed without a watch on my wrist. It's a part of my daily routine. So the other day I felt very vulnerable when I pulled back my sleeve only to expose a few inches of naked arm, where my Mondaine usually sits.

#livingthedream

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On my ride yesterday I trundled past a photo opportunity I can't work out why I haven't shared with you before.

It was put in the field to advertise a nearby coffee shop/ Restaurant. That's that the frame between the two 'humans' showed. I wonder if the recent weather blew the sign away, or it was just time to remove the advert?

Felt ok on the ride. Several nights of decent sleep, and to aid it I've ordered a load more sleeping pills from Mr Internets.

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Thos morning we broke the back of wrapping our Xmas presents. How satisfying does that feel? I still feel I need a couple of stocking fillers for Gel, but I have a two weeks to sort that.... :0)

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Last night we had out Film Club Xmas Social. We watched a few short films on the internet (links below) and then had a few drinks and nibbles.

Junkyard

The Umbrella

In God We Trust

Monkey Symphony


Enjoy

What do you do when your wife gives you lemons.....and limes?

Ok, ok, ok. I've hacked that saying around something rotten.

It's one of those inspirational quotes which really has taken off. And I don't dislike it (Mark Kermode reference here).

It's interesting how these ear-worm sayings can stick. I have two that I remember my Grandad telling me when I was VERY young:

- Procrastination is the thief of time
- If you see a penny pick it up, and all the day you'll have good luck.

I don't really use the first, but I'm constantly picking up coins on the street and muttering the second under my breath. Of course, if it's 5p or £1 then I amend the saying accordingly. Otherwise it would be silly.

So the original saying goes "What do you do if life gives you lemons? .... Make lemonade". I guess it's the equivalent of "Get busy living, or get busy dying" which is where this blog (re)started. Make the best of things.

Well this morning Gel indicated we have a bucket full of Costco lemons and limes (remember how I saw Bryan Robson lurking near them?) and wondered how we should best utilise them.

What do you do when your wife gives you lemons (and limes)?

Make a lemon (and lime) drizzle cake. That's what.

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Lebkuchen.

Bless you.

What?

You sneezed.

I didn't. It's the name of a German delicacy.



Last night was the Christmas Social event of the year. The Photo Society quiz and hotpot supper. When we first started doing these, we had fish and chips, but the last two have been hotpot. And very nice too.

For the first time in a while I wasn't involved in running the event, which was a pleasant change. It meant I could compete in a team, rather than bellowing the questions and answers all night. Very pleased to say we won the quiz....Y-E-E-E-S-S-S- Get in......

Competitive? moi?

Anyway, that's by the by. It was at one of these christmas events that I was first introduced to Lebkuchen. One of our members, and I think I'm right in saying it was Gary S, brought them in. If you haven't tried them then you're missing out. There seem to be many variations, but basically it's a ginger cake/biscuit slathered in chocolate. I've just had one now in Costa (I sneaked it in with me) to give me some inspiration for creating todays literary masterpiece. Nom nom and indeed, nom.

Just to mention that if anyone involved in running last night's social is reading this. Well done! It was great fun. Thank you.

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Time Lapse of the Day

Seems like I'm bombarding you with them. But this is probably the last from Liverpool. None seem to be as good as the first I posted, and I'm surprised this one even worked. Phil and I were being battered by a gusty wind as we set up by the entrance to Albert Dock. I thought the camera would be moving about too much. I didn't have a proper tripod, using my Gorillapod on a post.

I think I have too much foreground and not enough sky. All these time lapses are pretty short and I probably need to try a few longer ones. Although as Phil notes, I can use the software for free as long as I don't have more than 400 frames per clip......Phil's right though. It is addictive.

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I feel full of beans. That's because I've had a few good nights sleep on the bounce. Not sure exactly why, but I'm on a regimen of Sage Leaf extract, which is designed to lessen the hot flushes, and herbal sleeping pills. Not sure if either, or any, of them are working but now I've had a decent nights sleep on the trot, I'm not going to stop.

Yesterday's bike ride was tough. It was the first after my chemo last week, and that always seems to be hard. I felt like it was tough at the beginning and easier towards the end. I'm not sure if that was because I rallied, or because the first third was into the wind, and the final third with the wind. Find out tomorrow I guess.

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Before signing off, I'd just like to wish anyone who is flying across the Atlantic in the next few days, God Speed. Have a good time.

I saw Bryan Robson in Costco yesterday

Gel and I went to Costco yesterday thinking it would be out last before Christmas. Stocking up on bog roll, bagels, and a large jar of marmalade (and a few other necessities). While I pushed my trolley down towards the nets of lemons and limes, I happened to notice that another middle-aged gentleman had beaten me to it. Former Manchester United and England captain, Bryan Robson. I should have been more alert and had a good look in his basket, but was so surprised I failed to do so.

My friend Simon and I have a little game, which involves us texting the name of a famous person, should we spot one 'out of context'. If I saw David Beckham playing for United then that wouldn't count. If he was in Tesco with Mrs Beckham, then it would. Had we been undertaking this game at the time when I saw Posh and Becks in Tesco at Handforth, then a text would have been sent.

In the last two weeks I've sent him Bryan Robson (Costco), Badly Drawn Boy (Manchester Arndale), Chris Ecclestone (coming out of the Royal Exchange), and Gary Neville (walking down Deansgate).

In reply I've he's sent me Sean Lock and Jonathan Davies. Being in London, Simon always gets a much wider range of famous people.

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When the internets first started, it never really occurred to me that I might need to retain some of my anonymity. I used to rail against spam emails by replying to them I didn't respect them, or what they stood for.... really helpful. All it did was alert them that it was a 'live' eMail address they'd hit.

After a short while, I decided that I'd implement a modicum of deception would be helpful, so I started to use swiftybilko as my online presence. This is a name that is anonymous, except to some people who know me. My nickname at school was Griff, but when I started working and hanging out with grown ups in pubs, I found that I'd been dubbed Swifty after an episode of the Phil Silvers show.
Dick van Dyke appeared as Ernie Bilko's hapless young cousin and I was tagged as Swifty Bilko.

After that I have adopted a couple of other nom de guerre, including Lola Granola, which is a character from Berkeley Breathed's truly magnificent cartoon strip Bloom County (Opus, the penguin, was engaged for a long time to vegetarian artist Lola before abandoning the idea marriage when he was concussed while kissing her and dreaming of their future).

One of the "little things" that gives me pleasure, is when I see any of my online presences in the real world.

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Time Lapse

Here's another from Monday with Phil. Not nearly as successful as the one I posted last time. It's the Mersey Ferry coming in to dock at the Pier Head.

John, Paul, George, Ringo and Swift

I did nothing yesterday, and couldn't summon up enough energy to tell you.

Today, however, I have spent a thoroughly lovely day with my friend Phil. He showed me around his home city of Liverpool.

We took some pictures, and I had my first go at capturing time lapse images.

This is the building next to the Port of Liverpool building and is called Mann Island. I thought the geometric shape would reflect the clouds as they scudded by.

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Here are a few pics from our day out

A bloke walked up and demanded to know which one was Ken Dodd.

I didn't think it was that bad in Liverpool, and I'm a Manc.

The Port of Liverpool building. One of the Three Graces.

The columns of St George's Hall.

Poppies on display outside St George's Hall.

Down at the docks.

Rain and wind

Quiet day today.

Went to see Caitlin and Andy's house with a builder to assess how much it's going to cos to make it good. Really nice to hear that it isn't going to fall down. I think it will be a beautiful home for them both.....and that bruiser of a black cat that visited the house with us.

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Watched Utd v West Ham on a dodgy internets stream this afternoon. 90 minutes of my life I aren't going to get back again......<yawn>.

Duh

57.2 mpg and 60.9mpg.

Mileage on the way to, and back from, Coventry today for the first real "longish" run for the new vehicle. Very easy trip on the way down as the roadworks just north of Brum have now gone.

Traffic going north was light as an accident further south down the M6.

More importantly we got to see Bridie. She was in good form. Happy, healthy and her appetite regained. We left her in the lounge scoffing a banana. Apparently the Sally Army were in last night, and she was in good voice. Really nice to see her restored after a recent bout of illness that had us all a bit worried. "Not bad for someone that's nearly 90" she said. Very true.

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As you know, I am a bit, and I mean just a little bit, obsessive about taking a camera out with me whenever I leave the house. So as we left this morning, I went in the office and grabbed my camera and stuffed it into my rucksack........without a SD card in it......without a battery in it......and without the entire bottom plate (you need to remove the bottom of the camera to get access to the battery and SD card).

Don't touch that dial

Ding, ding. Seconds out. Round 4.

Here I am, once again blogging live from the treatment centre on Oak Road.

Rubbish nights sleep thanks to the dexamethasone and hormone treatments, but slightly better than the cycle before. I've been advised that getting a Sage Leaf supplement is good to counteract the hot flushes. If this turns out to be true, it should be a huge improvement. Fingers crossed.

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I don't know if you've all been following it, but last night was the concluding episode of Murder Detectives on C4. It is a fly-on-the-wall documentary and followed the police and families in the aftermath of the murder of a young man in Bristol.

If you haven't seen it I'd recommend it. It's very tense as the police pursue various suspects and assess the huge amounts of evidence that comes in. It also shows really well the value that the beat bobbies have. The guy who walks the streets of Bristol that was the home to the young lad is able gather 'intel' about the atmosphere in the area, as well as provide great background about the suspects and their families.

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Off to Coventry tomorrow to see Bridie (my mother in law). FIngers crossed that the weather and traffic are kind.

Walnut Cob

Today is bloods day, so I was off to the hospital again.

Me, waiting for the extraction.

"A pint? That's nearly an armful!"

As I've mentioned in this blog before, the NHS staff I've encountered during my treatment have been wonderful. This is Danny from Huddersfield who took my blood today. After a bit of cajoling he agreed to have his picture taken, but he asked me to make the picture mono. :0) 

I would heartily recommend Danny of you ever need your blood extracting, he was great. He is holding his snazzy tourniquet, my blood, and my wee pot, which I was yet to fill.

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I think I mentioned previously that we were looking for an alternative to a tree for Christmas. We were concerned that we'd have two cute kittens up it at every opportunity. So a week or so ago we had a morning collecting fallen branches. We left them to dry for a while, found a ball of twine, and created a wall mounted "tree".

We'll be taking orders for next Christmas.....

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I'm not a boxing fan, but if ever someone was destined to be a fighter, surely it was Tyson Fury. Nominative determinism is the idea that peoples names may have an influence in determining key aspects of job, profession or even character.

Examples from the wiki page:

A book called "Pole Positions — The Polar Regions and the Future of the Planet", by Daniel Snowman.

Jen Hunt of the University of Manchester stated in the October issue of The Psychologist: "Authors gravitate to the area of research which fits their surname." Hunt's example is an article on incontinence in the British Journal of Urology by A. J. Splatt and D. Weedon.

It doesn't always work. Watford have a striker by the name of Troy Deeney, which to my mind sounds more like a magician than a footballer.

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Snap club tonight - I'm doing a turn about Billy Bragg. And then - if I'm unlucky - another sleepless as I'm under the influence of dexamethasone........ugh. Tomorrow, chemo number 4.

Radio Silence

Wow. That's two whole days without a blog. Not sure who's worse off, you or me.

I led the last blog entry with a piece about a picture of mine that had gone (in my terms) viral on teh internets. The latest figures show that it has now been viewed a little over 9000 times, and has been favourited 258 times, so things have moved on a touch.

Each Monday the photographic retailer Wex run a small comp on twitter, where people submit their best image from the previous 7 days. I've entered quite a few times now and not had a sniff. I submitted the picture of Tommy Smith yesterday, and today found out I have won this weeks comp! So traffic might pick up again for a while.

I also got an eMail back from Tommy saying he'd be happy to sign a print for me.

And to think I almost didn't take my camera with me.....

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So, where have I been? The start of the month saw me celebrate a birthday and one of my presents was an overnight stay at a hotel called Abode in Chester. This is a hotel with a restaurant run by Michael Caine - no, not that one, the chef - and the deal included evening meal, bed and breakfast.

I would have taken pictures of the meal, but the lighting was so low I couldn't. I can report that it was very tasty, as one might hope, and our room was very comfortable. I would have given the stay 10/10 had their not been a couple of admin snafus over what was, and wasn't, included in our 'package'.

The kittens were watched over by Pheebs and Caitlin, while I was watched over by Debby Harry.

I can live with that. The second concert I ever went to see was Blondie at the Manchester Free Trade hall on their 1978 Parallel Lines World Tour. The first concert was at the same venue and was Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers.

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The weather was dreadful on Sunday and Monday, so any "outdoorsy" activities were out of bounds, so Gel and I broke the back of our Christmas shopping. That always feels virtuous having done that.

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The Costco advent calendar has been recovered from the attic and our hone made Christmas Tree is nearly done (pictures of both to follow).

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Last night we went out to celebrate my dad's birthday.

As you can see, he was a bit surprised at the candle on his cake. We ate at the Eastern Revive, and Indian restaurant in Wilmslow. The food was really nice, the portions generous, and the service excellent. Recommended.