What a Surprise!

What a wonderful surprise I had yesterday afternoon when I answered the door about 1530. There stood Richard, Ashleigh, James, George and Kira-Joy!

Richard, I did try to catch him whilst not talking, failed!

Totally unexpected, I would have half expected to see them if I had had the operation and was still in hospital but I thought all chance of seeing anyone before Christmas unless I went to them was gone?

Not only that but they came bearing gifts in the form of a cake made by Sharon, and oh so lush it was too!

George, James, Kira-Joy and Ashleigh.

Well then it was off to The Callywith in Bodmin for dinner which I was not allowed to even contribute towards, So thank you again Son!

Time alas went oh too quickly and they were heading back to their hotel in Plymouth as Kira-Joy was knackered but it was wonderful spending time with you, short though it was.
I love you all dearly and it is always a joy spending time with my family!
As a post script it came as a bit of a shock to Ashleigh to hear while we were waiting for her food that her ex boyfriend  had died in a crash and that understandably left her thinking about him and his family. Sorry Ash. xx

What a fiasco! Admission to hospital. 03/12/2019

Due to be booked into hospital (Fal Ward) at 1615 - 1630, duly arrived on time thanks to Stella for the lift.
Got booked into Clearbrook ward and we were met by the surgeon Mr S Asopa who informed us that they are looking at the possibility of having to do a valve as well as it looks like one of them is getting quite badly furred up. Wow a double bypass and a valve! Beat that one Phil.....
I then had tea (mushroom soup, ham sandwich, jelly and ice cream) and to find a bed.
Got to bed D3 at about 1930 to settle in for the night and slept fitfully.
Saw someone come just after midnight and remove my water jug as I was nil-by-mouth from then.
They came to do obs at 0600 and to wake us but I went back to sleep for a short time stirring again at 0730 when my bladder decided I should rise.
They came to make my bed at 0900 and asked me to shower and put on a gown ready to go down for the op. They also made my bed with strict instructions that I should not "mess it up by getting on it" as it was ready to go with me to the operating theatre.
Spent the morning with occasional visits from the nursing staff but most of the time I spent praying and reading my bible.
At around 1130 the anaesthetist came to talk and we were looking at about 1300-1330 going ahead which meant about 1230ish departure from the ward so I was given latex protection for my elbow and bum to protect it from body fluids etc that they would be in prolonged contact with.
Time marched on and I was beginning to get anxious by 1330 especially as at 1245 the staff nurse had rang and they said a few minutes.
Well to cut a long story short at 1410 a man in green came and told me that due to problems with the previous patient it was now too late to start mine and offered me another date, the 19th of December which I duly declined as it meant I would be in hospital over Christmas which is not fair on relatives and friends that are committed to getting Sue back and forth from the hospital for visits.

This was my nosh after 14 hours of nil-by-mouth.

As a reward they gave me 2 mugs of stewed tea, a chicken sandwich, fruit and yoghurt, cheese and crackers as I had been nil-by-mouth for so long and "must be hungry"! No I was ruddy ravenous....

They did offer to get me home but could not say how long it would be, the average wait was about 4 hours so Sue got neighbour Andy to bring her as Stella was at Truro college not expecting anything to happen today.

It looks like now we are looking at a date in January. hopefully early? I will post on here when I know........

I now have a new date being 19th January 2020..

Pre-admission Appointment. 07/11/19 at Derriford.

Left home before 1100 as have to get lunch before the appointment at 1310 on Erme Ward and any excuse for a KFC!

Follow up to this.

Got there in plenty of time as we found a parking space straight away so arrived on the ward at 1245.

The appointment consisted of firstly having weight, hight, blood pressure and ECG. 

Then two blood tests. I am still mystified as they actually took them separately, one from each arm! Why? The first one finished taking hers and then said go and sit in the green chair and she will take more blood? Mystifying or what?

Then back to the waiting area to see the nurse, Esther by name, a lovely friendly girl who certainly knew her stuff and explained to Sue and myself the ins and outs of what was to happen both on admission and during the operation. 

I think it was at this point that Sue began to realise just what a major procedure the operation is? When Esther said it was expected to take at least 4 hours and that the the tubes they use are taken from my leg and they usually cut from ankle to above the knee to get the length they need, the look on Susan's face was a picture to behold! We were then told that I needed a chest x-ray as I had not had one for some considerable time and certainly not since we had moved south.

Esther then took us with my notes up to the 6the floor for my 1500 appointment to see the surgeon a Mr Sanjay Asopa who turned out to be a very nice man. There we were further given instruction about medication and when to stop those that need stopping. I also signed the consent for for the op at this point. 

Then Ester took me to a side room for a check on my vital's as she called them. 

Esther then released us and it was off to get a chest x-ray which I expected to take some time but was pleasantly surprised to be done almost immediately.

By this time it was about 1530 so back to the car and home.

Airs, Graces & One-upmanship!

I had a visit from my daughter Elizabeth and I am left feeling angry, frustrated and annoyed!
From the moment that she walked in the door it started by more or less saying she was not going to take her shoes off. Although she could see with the light carpets it was obvious that that was what everyone else does!
I told her how I liked her shoes only to be told "well they are doc martens" and she never wears anything but! I neglected to mention that I have them but not exclusively as I felt I would be looked down on even more!
Who the bloody hell does she think she is, coming in here and treating the place as her "domain" while stressing that Brendan is sat in the car! I suppose he considers us too below him to grace us with his presence!!!
What did my dear old mum call those with airs and grace and thought themselves too far above their station and I quote, "Lord & Lady Muck of the shithouse". 
Well at least she had lowered herself to come here for the first time ever! I think that is only because after the fiasco of her 50th when my family (who I think she has forgotten she is part of) were pointedly treated as the lowest of the low and totally different to "their friends and Brendans family" I point blank refuse to wait on their whims any longer and go there. Oh and the small thing that I am going into hospital for a bypass op?
Not that that made any difference really as she never stopped talking about her illness and how bad she is all the time she was here, oh and that after she said about her daughter Alice being selfish as she had not visited her in hospital. Take the log out of your own eye first is all I have to say!!!!

OK RANT OVER!

addendum 30/12/2019

Some thoughts on the above visit.

I have had plenty of time to dwell and think of the comments that I made above and I think with things that have happened since it only goes to confirm what I said!

On reflection also we (Sue and I) have talked about it and come to the conclusion that not only was this place treated like she owned it but both Sue and I were talked to & treated just like we were her servants.

This has been growing worse over the past 10 to 15 years and it has now got to the point where I get a knot in my stomach every time the phone rings and I see that it is Liz and I am ashamed to say it has also got to the point where I do not know her as remotely resembling the child that I brought up?

Well Susan is her father's daughter after all?

Sue needed to go to Stella's flat to feed her 2 hamsters this morning as she is on holiday in Scotland.

Having got up and had breakfast, showered and dressed I was ready to go. 

Sue also needed to go to the bank to change the machines we use for logging into online banking so I dropped her in the square and came back home.

At about 1210 I get a phone call to say could I pick her up?

So off I trots and when we get home it transpires that Sue was unable to find her keys'. So then it was a case of "hunt the keys" which reminded me so much of the late Ronald Dowdle, Sue's father. He always had a problem with losing his keys'. He would have been a hundred years old this year, bless him.

Anyway to continue the saga she went through all her drawers, everywhere she could think of as they had not been seen, it appears since before we went on holiday to Scotland, blimey that was mid September and Sue had put them in a "safe place" while we went away as she would not need them and this on top of mislaying the spare car keys before we went away?

In the end it occurred to me that I had not seen her look in the light handbag that I remember her using before we went away, you know the one that you left at Danny's! Lol.

Well needless to say that was where they were when we cleared all the DVDs out from in front of the old wardrobe there it was.

It is still a total mystery to me as to why Sue did not check she had the keys before she left here? 

So another trip out tomorrow it seems to feed the hamsters? Better luck this time hopefully?

Thoughts and fears about the impending operation?

Whilst we were on holiday I missed an appointment for an echocardiogram. That has been rearranged for the 28th of October and was I think perhaps arranged to see if any damage was done during the episode or event before we went away when I ended up in A&E.
I think what has brought it home more and brought forth these apprehensions and fears also arriving while we were away was a Cardiac Pre-admission Appointment for the 7th November. That usually means that the operation is planned within 2 or 3 weeks from then?
In answer to the above it seems I am to be admitted on 3rd December and the operation is planned for the 4th? This is as long as no emergencies come up in the meantime that will delay it.
Strange as it seems I am not particularly worried about the operation, I think that is because I have complete trust in God and the path He has chosen for me! Yes there will always be little niggles but I put that down to Satan trying to put fears and unfounded concerns into my mind.
Funny thing is I know nothing as yet as to whether it is just a bypass, double triple or more and to be honest it is totally in God's hands and I am sure it will be revealed to me in good time?

New corner suite

Well today it arrived. After much procrastination.
It is quite comfy but I am sure it will get more so over time and use.

Why we could not stay at Rose Cottage!

Why it was no longer possible for us to stay at Rose Cottage!
There were a great many issues within the property that Sue in particular did not feel comfortable or safe with and they were:-

The en-suite, step and basin.

Shower over bath, no handrails.

1a) Both showers were very difficult for us to access, the en-suite was difficult to use due to 2 steep steps and also had a loose basin you could not hold onto, 1b)the one over the bath was impossible due to lack of aids (grab handles/handrails)

Step from lounge to kitchen.

2) The step down from the lounge to the kitchen was onto a polished tile floor that was slippery and quite steep.
3) Accessing the garden was nigh on impossible because of the gravel and uneven surfaces which became slippery when wet.
4) The off road parking was a joke as it took so long to manoeuvre the car to a position where it was possible to access the doors, so it was only really convenient to park on the road at the front. Also see 3.

Sofa with packing.

5) The sofa in the lounge had collapsed springs and it was almost impossible to rise easily from without packing it with cushions to raise you up.
6) The spare room was hazardous to get into the bed one side due to a mantle that blocked one side of the bed. (We did not use this room so was not an issue for us) but felt it needed noting.
7) There were notes here there and everywhere with house rules on them which were mainly common sense but made it feel like you were children not to be trusted!
So that is 9 reasons in all and here are a few photos to back them up.

S.R.T. Day 23. Thurs 10/10. The Trip Back Home to Cornwall.

Ah it seems the Satnav surprises us again!

What a pleasant surprise it was as well. I had in my head that I was in for a boring ole trip home via the A1, A1M, M18, M1, A42, M42, M5 & A30, how wrong could I be? The Satnav being programmed for the fastest route had other ideas!

We set off from Rose Cottage at 0640 toward Berwick-upon-Tweed along the B6470 for about 1 and a half  miles and it turned us down a lane for about a mile or so and right onto the A698.
We followed this (A698) via Kelso and by now it was starting to get light and we could see a lovely sunrise behind us. This road carried us on via Selkirk where we picked up the A7 going via Hawick (Hoik), Langholm and Longtown following the Scottish Borders Route to Carlisle, finally picking up the M6 at jcn44.
This was a beautiful road that we had followed in parts before whilst staying and touring about from Jan Murray's at Glencaple.
By now it was time for breakfast so we stopped for a bacon roll before the long drag down the M6 and M5 as far as Michael Wood services for a lunchtime KFC, stopping only the once in between to do my blood sugar and urinate.
Then it was a non-stop run on home via the M5 & A30 arriving at around 1620.
480 miles in 9 hours 40 minutes with stops! Not bad for an old 'un? Lol.

Scottish Road Trip. Day 22. Weds 09/10. Prep day.

Well today is the penultimate day of our time away on holiday!
Sue is getting the cases packed and I am getting the car fuelled up and oil & water checked then to try to put it into what is described as "large parking area" in the rear of the cottage which I more describe as a postage stamp sized, seeing as the car has to be put in at an angle even to get the doors open and the gates closed!
I will then get it mostly packed for the trip back tomorrow.

Liz is in the BRI.

Had a call from Liz on Saturday to say that she has a DVT. I am sure that I am the only person who does not know what the hell she was talking about? Anyway to cut a long story short I had a message today to say that she had a trip in an ambulance at 0500 this morning to the BRI as it has moved and is causing her pain.

S.R.T. Day 21. Tues 08/10. Lindisfarne & Bamburgh Castle.

We were up by 7am and had a shower nearly falling yet again so had a discussion about it over breakfast and we finally decided that enough is enough and with all the issues concerning the property in which we are staying (link to rose cottage). We have had enough of living with the possibility of falling from the shower and from the step down from the lounge to the kitchen. We have decided that we are going to return home on Thursday, Sue was ready and quite willing to go on Monday but I have persuaded her to stay until Thursday! I will go more into this when we are home and in another post?

Well we were out by 1000 and heading for Holy Island aka Lindisfarne and going over the causeway noticed how near the water was to covering it and reaching the other side decided we possibly did not want to be stuck there for 5 to 6 hours so returned to go down the coast to Bamburgh and following that to Alnwick to visit the castle there.

Bamburgh Castle from the town.

Needless to say this as it normally does changed by the minute and seeing such a beautiful castle at Bamburgh decided we would have a look not realising that it was not English Heritage. £11.25 each later and the cheeky sods even charge £3.00 on top of that for parking!

Saddleback pig and British Shorthorn Bull.

I will admit though that it was worth every penny that Sue spent. I bought lunch there and Sue got some lovely bone china tea mugs with animals on for my silver wedding anniversary present.
Three and a half hours later and very tired we limped back to the car and had to admit that it was worth every penny.

Sue's mug from Bamburgh.

We are going to have to return to the area to revisit Holy Island when perhaps I have had my operation and am more able to tackle the hill up to the monastery.
Photos to follow when home.
Returned to Rose Cottage for tea and nap!

S.R.T. Day 20. Monday 07/10. Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Rain forecast for the day so planned a ride out stopping at a wayside pub for lunch.
The precipitation failed to materialise so went for a short ride and ended up in Berwick-upon-Tweed about 1200 and decided lunch here would be nice then a wander after. Found a very helpful fellow who recommended a pub called The Brewers Arms saying it was reasonably priced and the food was good, he even told us where to park near it.
Had lunch, gammon and pineapple for me and the same but with egg for Sue! Turned out he was right and we are going to trip advisor it when I get home it was so good and unfortunately they do not have a web site.
Back to the cottage for tea and a nap!
Goodnight all.

S.R.T. Day 19. Sunday 06/10. Yet Another Recovery Day.

I tend to call them lazy days but I have come to realise especially after long drives that I do definitely need recovery time. I am so pleased that we took 4 days doing 3 stages to get up to Thurso for the start of our holiday.
I must admit that the closer we get to the final day travelling the 479 miles to get from here to Cornwall, the more I look at it with trepidation and wonder how long it is going to take me to recover from this one?

S.R.T. Day 18. Sat 05/10 Banff to Norham (Berwick-upon-Tweed).

Up and car packed before breakfast which we had at Ocean View as there were no suitable paces we knew of on the way!
Away at 0930 ish deciding to call at a viewpoint overlooking the three bridges over the Forth so put that postcode in the sat-nav expecting it to take us via Aberdeen?
Obviously and I am so pleased to say that there being a major hold up in the Aberdeen area the sat-nav had other plans for us!
Firstly I was mystified as to why it turned us onto the A97 Huntley road so we had a conflab and decided there must be a reason for this so followed instructions and went via Huntley and Lumsden (sorry Timothy for those old enough) Then it turned us onto the A944 via Bellabeg and into the Grampian Mountains, from here on the scenery just got better and better!
We followed the A944 until we were turned onto the very lovely B976 which is a single track road with passing places.
Imagine our surprise and delight on coming to the end of this road at seeing a RED SQUIRREL cross the road in front of us and paused for us to get a good look before vanishing up a tree.
We then turned onto the A93 following this all the way to Perth via Braemar, Spittal of Glenshee which is big skiing country seeing another Red Squirrel crossing the road on the way to which I remarked to Sue, "If that had been a grey I would have put my foot down to hit it" and I meant it!

Shortly after this we stopped for a cuppa and cake lunch at Cray pottery tea rooms called "Wee House of Glenshee" where they had the strangest sign in the toilet and I quote, "Please do not flush anything except toilet paper down the toilet. Please use the bin provided. Thank you"!! Of course with my literal mind I imagined the bin to become pretty full very quickly as it was very small! Ha Ha Ha!

Following continually on the A93 until we reached Perth, skirting the outside to get onto the M90 and her it gets boring as it then started to rain quite heavily.

Just about all we got to see of the Forth Rail Bridge!

Alas this meant we would not be stopping for photos so on we went around Dunfermline and over the Queensferry Bridge for the first time as I had been over the Forth Road Bridge when up here in 2004 and picking up the A720 Edinburgh ring road, crawling, until we came off on the A68 at Oxton then the A697/B6456 to Duns/B6460 zigzagging on different roads until we reached our home for the next week in West St. Norham.
Unpacked and off to Tesco for supplies.
Sue came out with a face like thunder as they did not have a cooked chicken that she had planned for meals for the next couple of days. In fact she was so cross that several other things we required were forgotten!LOL.
Back for curry and rice for tea and a quiet evening watching strictly.

S.R.T. Day 17. Friday 04/10. Fish and chips yummy.

View from window of Ocean View.

We rose reasonably and were supposed to go to Duff House and Gardens locally but decided instead to enjoy this lovely property for one more day and have a fish and chip lunch before packing to hit the road again tomorrow.
So we sat on a lovely day and enjoyed the sea out of the window, I think if Sue could rent this place from today on a permanent basis I would have been sent home to pack and arrange removals!

The last sunset at Ocean View.

Just to cheer us (not) there was the most beautiful sunset since we had been here.

Scottish Road Trip. Day 16. Thurs 03/10. Elgin and Lossiemouth.

Penultimate day here so went along the coast road to Elgin stopping at Christies Garden Centre at Fochabers for coffee which was atrocious.
Looked for a cup there as my reminder of the trip but alas nothing in bone china let alone the size I want!
Had a lovely KFC in Elgin and filled up with fuel at 129.9ppl. Nice price  so filled to the brim.

Back to Banff via Lossiemouth (video)and a couple of jets took off while we were there, noisy or what! Took some pics, bought a cake (mint shortbread) each which I had not seen before, very sweet but very nice.
Got back to Victoria Gardens at about 1600 in time to watch Antiques road trip which is in Scotland this week!

S.R.T. Day 15. Weds 02/10. Stormy Night, Lazy Day!

After a very stormy and windy night we slept until 0700! Yes that was 7 I said!
We decided looking out of the window that the visit to Huntley Castle and museum was a non-starter.
Off we went when it died down a bit to get milk at the Coop and listened to a book and music then watched the athletics world championships.
Doc Martin at 2100 to round off the day!
OH WHAT AN EXCITING LIFE WE LEAD! LOL!

S.R.T. Day 14. Tuesday 01/10. Coast Road to Pennan and Fraserburgh.

I was up about 0635 but Sue never rose until just before 0800 after a very bad night of not being able to get comfortable.

The quiet beauty that is Pennan.

Decided on a ride along the coast to Fraserburgh via the B and unclassified roads. Found a very beautiful place called Pennan. Down a 17% hill (that is 1:6 in old money) for half a mile but the cove and harbour at the bottom were worth the struggle. Sue found the house that was in the position of her dreams but needs bigger windows!!!

Sue's dream house "but needs bigger windows"!

After a few more detours to lovely places we then arrived at Fraserburgh in time for lunch. Parked in the centre of town outside as it turns out a Wetherspoons! Ordered 2 steaks and 2 drinks = £16.10p, now thats' more like it except we had to send both steaks back as both were well overcooked. When the replacements came mine was perfect but alas Sue's was a little undercooked.

Fish sculpture in Fraserburgh.

Had a wander around the town looking at the architecture and the docks before a steady drive back to the cottage for a relaxing evening.

S.R.T. Day 13. Monday 30/09. Our Silver Wedding Anniversary.

A lie in until 0700 then up and wishing each other HAPPY ANNIVERSARY and a long lazy preparation before going out to see Fyvie Castle.
Set off about 1030 as they do not open until 1100. National Trust for Scotland only open fully for 3 months of the year. The 1st of July until the 30th September, then it seems that due to lack of tourists outside of that time they only open Fri to Mon which seems strange as 2 of those days are change over days!
Arrived about 1115 due to confusion in signing missing the first guided tour which is really the only one that it is practical to take for us, mainly due to my illnesses. The other problems it causes is that we are slow as we are not as young as we were being 70 & 69. It is very awkward when everyone seems to be waiting for you? Also then of course your time in each room is curtailed due to arriving late from the last one!
We decided to give the house a miss and go to see the shop and get a drink. Usual stuff in the shop and an antique dealer had a cabinet there which had a lovely present for Christmas for someone.
It then started raining and that cut our visit even shorter.
While we were in the shop we asked the ladies about a nice place to eat?They recommended the Fife Arms in Turriff! Oh why do we listen to others when it comes to getting food. Folk for some reason seem to think that we are made of money as this turned out to be one of the most expensive burgers we have ever seen! Steaks varied between £29 and £38 for 8oz sirloin and fillet respectively.
By this time I had no choice but to eat or go hypo, beginning to wish I had chosen hypo as by the time we had finished we had run up a bill for over £43 for 2 drinks, 2 burgers and 2 coffees! Well I suppose it is our anniversary and Sue is worth it but we both felt we were like fish out of water!
Ah well back to earth, shopping at Tesco and back home.
Another day tomorrow.

Scottish Road Trip. Day 12. Sunday 29/09. Lazy Day.

Up about 0530 and a lazy day after all the tiring travel yesterday.
Had a visit from the owner of the cottage who presented us with a bottle of sparkling prosecco to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary tomorrow and to apologise for not leaving the welcome pack yesterday as she was unable to get here due to the horrendous weather.
Mmmm I think we remember! Lol.

S.R.T. Day 11. Saturday 28/09. Nightmare Journey to Banff!

Up at 0630 and packed raring to go. Had car Packed by 0845 so off we went to Wick Tesco for fuel and breakfast.
Set off from there at about 1000 to go to Banff. Had a great run all the way down to Inverness and decided to stop in Sainsbury's in Nairn for a sandwich and have a take away for our main meal at Banff in the evening.
So much for planning!
Went through Elgin and all was good, we passed an AA box and a while later we turned off the A96 onto the A98 and things started to change?

Within a couple of miles it started raining and by the time we got to Cullen it was coming down quite steadily. The roads were getting worse and worse until we got to Portsoy. Boy was that bad, the A98 was closed as they had problems with a bridge and we had to turn around and head back through the village past the Coop and along some lanes, over a bridge and the other side of the bridge was more like a river than a road! We managed to get through that and I have a lasting memory of pulling up to the junction and the water was coming over it like a wier and flowing toward the flood we had just come through. I feared that had we been a few minutes later we would have not got through it.
We then rejoined the main road and caught up with a bus following it for some miles until we got almost to the turning for Banff and we were diverted off the main road again by floods in excess of 2 feet deep. This diversion sent us through a village called Whitehills, at this point we were wondering if we were ever going to reach Banff so imagine out relief when we got back on the road and could see the sign BANFF! WOOHOO, 5 minutes later and we were outside our holiday home for the next week.
I think I have managed to save some of the trip on the dash cam so will edit it when I get home and put it on here via YouTube.
Well we still had our take away and lovely it was!

S.R.T. Day 10. Friday 27/09. Ride through the West Highlands of Scotland.

Woke to a lovely bright day and went off as planned heading for the west highlands.
Went through Thurso on the A9, then headed onto the A836 on the coast road. At Bighouse we headed south on the A897 which due to lack of use is a single carriageway road with passing places!

Sue with the blue (working) phone box.

Went past places with wonderful names like Achiemore, Craigtown, Dalhalvaig and Trantlemore stopping at Forsinard Station where the RSPB have a nature reserve also there is a blue phone box that is still in use!. We went on along this road to the B871 where the surface of the road was the only difference between the A & B road, oh and less passing places.
It was often very very remote and we often went for miles  not passing or even seeing another car or even at times farms or people.
We continued on to Syre where we turned onto an even more remote B road, the B873! This is a truly beautiful area along the side of Loch Naver to Altnaharra.
By now it was 1230ish and the stomach was beginning to think my throat had been cut and woohoo we saw a sign for The Altnaharra Hotel so we headed for there. On turning in we could see that it was a sporting, hunting and fishing hotel as the bar was called  "Gillies" for those of us in the know? Oh and very posh! Sue's face said it all and the "do you really think we can afford to eat here" said the rest!
Well you know my attitude to that, yes I said it "WELL IT'S ONLY MONEY" which made Sue wince, and in we went!
We were immediately aware that we were fish out of water but what the hell I was hungry so ordered the Menus and a pot of tea for one. The menu brought forth more wonderful expressions from Sue and I ordered a BLT open sandwich. After much umming and ahhing Sue ordered the same but with mayo as mine was without.
Out came the food and it was superb and even Sue had to admit that it was worth every penny of the cost. The pot of tea for one I also got 4 cups from so again was good value for money.

Unfortunately the weather deteriorated at this time so instead of going along the unclassified road that I had planned to go along past Ben Hope and alongside Loch Hope it was head for home time!
So up the A386 to Tongue and stay on it all the way to Castletown and our home for the week.

S.R.T. Day 9. Thurs 26/09. Lunch with Dave and June Perkins.

A nice lazy day as we rose to rain and it was forecast to be set in for the day.

Sue and June.

No matter as we had already planned lunch with two of the nicest people we have met via the internet.
Noon saw us setting off to meet Dave and June at The Weigh Inn which is the other side of Thurso  on the Scrabster road.
They arrived just before us and in we went. A very warm greeting on both sides and we lost ourselves in catching up.
It was 2011 the last time we had met in Morcombe it turns out when Michael was with us. June initially thought it was only 3 years ago.

Glyn and Dave.

3 haddock and one scampi later and 2 drinks each and 1430 was here and they were throwing us out as they closed at that time.
I must add that the company and food was lovely but the service was absolutely crap! Coffee when we eventually got it was cold, time waiting while they brought 2 dishes and the other 2 was at least 5 minutes, Sue asked for tartare sauce and it had to be asked for a further twice before she actually got it. I think the most surprising thing was that NO APOLOGY WAS OFFERED AT ALL. Well if that is the norm you can be assured that We certainly will not be darkening their doorsteps again and I have a feeling that the same will be for Dave and June?
If I could have remembered my log in details for trip adviser It would have been done by now but it will have to wait until we get home alas!
We stood outside talking for a good while and for the first time since we have been here the mist had cleared enough for us to see the Orkney Isles.
We then bid fond farewells and had a leisurely drive back to the cottage for a quiet evening and bed.

S.R.T. Day 8. Weds 25/09 Castle and Gardens of Mey.

Had a lie in and never got up until 0640, wow.

First I must give you a bit of history, I will take you back 8 years to when we were staying at Fearn near Inverness with my brother Michael. We set out early one morning for the long drive to John o' Groats and to visit the Castle of Mey, only to find out that they closed for the season on 30th September every year. We were just 4 days late as we arrived on October the 4th!

So back to today. 

Castle of Mey on a foggy day.

Dressed, breakfasted and showered ready to leave at 0930 to go just 8 miles along the road towards John o' Groats to visit "The Castle and Gardens of Mey". This being the home of the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
We  went on the first Guided tour of the day at 1020 although 1040 was our booked time, we were early so they sneaked us on.
Very interesting tour and they put many personal bits about the Queen Mother that really personalised her and showed the sort of person she really was. Fascinating.

Walled Garden

 By the time we got out of the house the rain had stopped so I went for a walk around the grounds and walled garden while Sue sat in the car.
We then stayed for lunch and a cuppa for me and coffee for Sue.
Altogether a fascinating and enjoyable visit. Walking around the gift shop I saw a lovely mug, so thin but with a lovely big handle that I misread the price of, I thought it read £2.50 but I must have had something in my eye as it turned out to be £11.50. Do you know I walked away and am now regretting it! If we go past again I might just pop in and get one?
Overall review on the visit.
Two thing I will be quite honest I was not too happy about.
[1] There did not seem any valid reason why no photography was allowed in the house but I feel it is probably tied up with the second in some way?
[2] The very obvious lack of trust among the staff in their attitude towards the people visiting the house, we were watched (very obviously) like hawks. We were escorted everywhere and even when we were, through infirmity unable to make the stairs escorted, chaperoned and obviously watched every second of the time!
I came away feeling like a naughty schoolboy that could not be trusted!

On the way back we went up to Dunnet Head again to see if we could see the Orkneys, alas still sea fog obscuring them! We may have to console ourselves that we saw them in 2011 when we were up here with Mike.

Scottish Road Trip. Day 7. Tues 24/09. John o' Groats

Early rise at 0545 and the usual 2 cups of tea and 0730 before opening the shutters even to look outside. Alas the same as yesterday mizzle as we call it in Cornwall. No hurry to shower and dress as it is tomorrow we are out early!
Eventually we got out of the door as we had to go find something to eat for lunch as the local hotel, like most things around here seems to only open when it feels like it, evenings for food, oh and Sunday lunch.
We set off for John o' Groats hoping for it to get brighter as we go, no chance, got foggier.
I spotted a cafe advertised on the roadside in Gill's Bay harbour but it only did snacks so continued on.

Got to John o' Groats about 1230 and I popped into the tourist information to find the best place to eat and she told me to get back in the car and go back the way we had come to the Seaview Hotel about a quarter of a mile away, she suggested that the places actually around the harbour were a rip off for tourists.
Well it seems she was right, I had Haddock, chips and veg, Sue had burger, chips and salad. Plenty on our plates, in fact too much for both of us and highly recommended.
After we went back to the harbour and hell was it cold but took a few pictures and back home by 1500.
Early night tonight as up and out by 0930 tomorrow for one of the main reasons for travelling so far?

S.R.T. Day 6. Mon 23/09. Wick and Dunnet Head.

Rose about 0630 to a very misty morning, about 0800ish it then started to rain, oh joy!
Hoorah, about 1000 it stopped raining but was still misty but decided to go out anyway and Sue chose to go and see Wick, but to go one way and return via another route past a loch, so off we went!
Quite a misty murky drive but made reasonably good time. On arrival at Wick we decided to drive through the town to see what it was like and found it, how shall I put it? I think depressing would be a apt word for it. Dark dank and miserable being 3 of the adjectives used as we went. Not even being able to park anywhere near the centre of the town we mosied on out and came across a Tesco with a cafe and decided coffee was the order of the day and, of course, a little shopping!
On conclusion of that the fog had still not cleared so headed for home for lunch!Ah that will be the stir fry that was planned for yesterday!
After lunch the mist had cleared so we set off for Dunnet Head the most northerly point of mainland UK. Well the mist may have cleared at the cottage but certainly had not there so we saw what we could and headed back looking for a little cove we spotted on the way.

 
Brough Bay by name was peaceful, rocky and very very pretty. So as no mist we stayed 30 minutes or so taking some pictures before heading for home getting back about 1630.

S.R.T. Day 5. Sun 22/09. A Restful Sunday?

Or so I thought!
Due to an oversight we had to make a trip back to Tesco as Sue got all the ingredients for a stir fry on Saturday forgetting the chicken to go in it! Ah but that is not the best bit, having gone back for the chicken for stir fry we ended up having a roast. Why?Because Sue saw the roast chickens and they looked so appetising that she was unable to resist, so roast it was!
Apart from that hiccup the rest was a sleepy day as yes I sat dozing most of the afternoon then when Sue went to bed at 2200 I was still wide awake and retired about 45 minutes later.
Goodnight all.

S.R.T. Day 4. Sat 21/09. Perth to Castletown.

Lovely sleep for me on a comfy bed but alas Sue was unwell with the trots! Up by 0600 though and raring to go on the last leg of the journey.
I had a spectacularly nice scottish breakfast without black pudding or egg, this was following apple juice, crunchy nut cornflakes with strawberries and blueberry. Coffee was also good.
Thank you Rowanlea guest house for a reasonable stay, you just need to update the room and entertainment. Reasons being that the tv must have come over with Noah on the ark, sound only working on some channels, the broadband was so slow and weak that we were unable to connect on some things and the download speeds made St. Giles look speedy!
So suitably refreshed it was off about 0930 for the 223 mile drive to Castletown, Thurso expecting to arrive about 1530 with stops. Turned out it was such a trouble free journey that we were there by 1450. Found Gladstone Cottage and moved our considerable belongings in.
After a short rest and cuppa it was back to Thurso for shopping, admittedly for Sue that was as I sat in the car and made some phone calls letting all know that we had arrived safely. Back to the cottage then chill out and relax until Monday?
Totally gob smacking fuel figures, it has now gone up to 70.9mpg. Well it will not stay there as we are just local for 7 days but none the less, still amazing for a fully laden car!
Curry for tea for me and Sue had sweet and sour chicken.

S.R.T Day 3. Fri 20/09. Darley Dale to Perth.

Up at 0630 and ready for the day ahead.
Tea and toast for breakfast and we set off about 0930 for the 304 miles to the Rowanlea Guest House in Perth.
We had 1 hiccup being the A6 was closed due to an accident but the detour was a very pretty route along B roads to Salford taking us back onto our original route. Then the long haul along the M60, M6, M74, M80 and finally the M9 before the A9 to Perth arriving at the B&B at 1630.
Booked in and then off to Morrisons for fuel for the car and us! On that note the onboard computer was telling me that I had averaged 69.35mpg on the trip so far which takes some believing! Out came the calculator and that said 67.2mpg but that also included the trip to Derriford as well so guessing it had to be right.
Got back to the guest house about 1830 after eating and going straight to our room as knackered and ready for a good nights rest!

S.R.T Day 2. Thurs 19/09. A day at Darley Dale.

Michael, Dea and Sue at the National Stone Centre.

A day at Denise's to see her and rest before the trip to Perth.
Well that was the plan, but went to the National Stone Centre for breakfast and to meet up with Michael, then on to Chatsworth garden centre to get bird food, coffee and cake. Well Dea and I had cake, Sue had a pavlova mountain with enough cream to put on 5lb's. I do so wish I had taken a photo of her face when she uncovered the cream!! We then went to try to get Dea some boots and Sue came away with a pair of shoes and one of slippers! Eventually getting back to Dea's around 2.
I then helped her with a bird feeder stand, then at last a rest.
Had a lovely dinner of roast beef and seeing Emma and Amy, also meeting Charlie (Emma's hubby) for the first time.
A nice evening and bed about 10 as a long day tomorrow.

Scottish Road Trip. Day 1. Weds 18/09. HOME TO DARLEY DALE.

Well after a very eventful roadtrip eve that saw me at A&E in Derriford hospital for 6 or 7 hours due to heart problems, we eventually got away after packing about 1230.
After the normal crawl on the M42 and roadworks coming out of Derby we arrived at Denises' at Darley dale about 1830. So not too bad in the end

Scottish Road Trip 18-09 to 12-10-2019.

Well tomorrow it starts!
Day 1. 18-09 Travel to Darley Dale for 2 nights with Denise.
Day 3. 20-09 Stop for 1 night in Perth with B&B.
Day 4. 21-09 Travel to 1st weeks accomodation at Castletown near Thurso.
Day 11. 28-09 Onward to 2nd weeks stay at Banff.
Day 18. 05-10 On to the last weeks stay at Norham near Berwick-on-Tweed.
Day 25. 12-10 Travel back home to Cornwall?
Question mark is because if the weather is bad or the oracle (Sue) thinks I am flagging she will get me to travel part way on the Friday to perhaps Danny's in Holt or leave Thursday and spend a night with Dea in between. All options open on this?

I will keep you updated on here as we go. But then as no-one ever seems to read this now I could be wasting my time! But what the heck I enjoy doing it and I can look back on it and enjoy the memories as I often do with past posts!!!

Mind you having mentioned this to Sue I am not so sure as I have a feeling it may be a criminal offence to consider leaving and possibly losing up to 2 days of what she (we) have paid for? As I paid half I think it might have to come out of that! Lol!

Last Night of the Proms @ Sterts. Saturday 07/09/2019

Set out at 1845 with pillows, blankets and hot drinks for Sterts open air theatre.
Myself with Sue and neighbour Andy in tow.
Performers were all brilliant bar one and that was the soloist, Kate Walker who was very lacklustre and even sang out of tune on several occasions during the evening!

The rest of the cast were absolutely brilliant, and they were,
Roche Brass 
Sterts Singers
Proms Youth Ensemble
With the Master of Ceremonies David Johnson.
Here is a short video clip and photo of the Finale.

Altogether a very enjoyable evenings entertainment!

Follow up to Derriford.

As a follow up to the treatment recently at the Heart Clinic I received this today.

Thought you folk would like to know as I hope to last long enough to enjoy our holiday in Scotland and I am sure from what was said that I will! Lol.
Then it is time to look forward to the bypass.

Happy Days!

Church hog roast & barn dance

This was Bridge Church's Hog Roast and Barn Dance.
Here is a video of the event via YouTube. This says it all.

Comedy of the millenium!

Came across this with the caption "MP's returning to work after the summer break" and with the shenanigans that is known as BREXIT I can well go along with that!

OK what do I do now to stay awake?

The last puzzle for now.

Now that is the question!
The reason being I cannot start any more jigsaw puzzles until after we come back off holiday.
Why is that? You may well ask.
Two reasons really, one is that I need all of the space on the table for Sunday when I am having to get 8 weeks tablets ready for going on holiday on the 18th of September.
Two, and the main reason is we have a corner unit due to be delivered any time. We were initially quoted 16 weeks but have been informed by Tom at Fairway Furniture Tavistock that it could be anywhere up to 5 weeks early!
It is the Liberty range but not in brown with a power recliner each end. We are still wondering if we can get it in hence having to virtually completely clear the corner of the room and the floor. Sue wants it to go with the corner bit sticking out into the room with my desk and chair behind it. I have a very open mind about it as I think it will be too imposing and there will be no way that the rug will fit. There as I leave all the furniture arranging etc. to her I must go along with whatever is decided as usual!
I will still have the problem of how to stay awake though! C'est la vie, what will be will be as they say!

Guilt ridden days!

Click on picture to enlarge

Yep you got it. This is where I am supposed to be today but due to a number of things (mainly health) we are not going to make it.
We were supposed to make a start on Thursday by going up to stay with Danny and Angela for the weekend with Antonia and Paul's wedding as part of the itinerary but due to a terrible night angina wise and a wife who err's on the side of safety we had to cancel the trip and provisional plans were drawn up to go early Saturday morning?
Well here we are at 0732 and after yet another bad night it seems it is a weekend at home feeling guilty for I know that I am letting people down who are expecting me to be there. I can only apologise to any of them that are reading this, and assure you I did try!
Now is the next problem! Do I ring or message someone or do I just not turn up? I think just not turning up is perhaps the easiest way to go as then I do not have nagging from others who will try to send me on a much bigger guilt trip than I am already on! PERHAPS I WILL GO INTO HIBERNATION FOR THE WEEKEND!
Oh and I do love a wedding, yes even one that is not in a church as it is still doing as the bible says, making that commitment.
I had been waiting for tablets to come through from the specialist to ease the angina, opening the arteries and lessening the need for so many sprays? At last I have started them yesterday and hopefully that is going to ease things until such time as I have the bypass operation. Only time will tell as hopefully the full effect will kick in in a few days (they say 7 - 14)?
Updates to follow no doubt?

When Jesus Takes Glyn Home?

Health issues lately have made me look afresh not so much at my will but at the form of service that I want, and what I would like said when I am not here any longer on this earth!
After all it is a captive audience and I can have said all that I have been trying to get over to them in life!
Here is extracts of a letter that is attached to my will:

When Jesus calls Glyn home!

To Whom It May Concern?

This is what I would like to happen at the time when I am no longer here to tell you?

Firstly I would prefer it if people were told that “Jesus has taken Glyn/Dad home” because I can assure you that I KNOW where I am going!

Instructions For Glyn’s Funeral.

I do not want any black mourning clothes at my funeral (coloured ties please gents) as it is to be a celebration of my life and as far as possible, I want the service to reflect this fact and to be Glorifying to God! All songs are to be in Praise to God and making a joyful noise unto The Lord!

To God Be The Glory, now this is a must please, as it has always been my favourite hymn! Oh for a thousand tongues to sing is another great hymn! I would love also Morte Christie if LMV Choir are there and also Speed Your Journey being hummed by them as my mortal remains are being taken from the church! (if they are there even?)

Psalm 23 is banned as it is a prayer for the living!

A good speaker with balls is needed to be found who is not afraid to teach Biblical TRUTH, not the watered down version that you get from most churches today! Suggest Acts 2:36 to 39 as a jumping off point. (Sam or Ken)

It must be made very plain to those attending that there IS A HEAVEN AND A HELL and that it is the consequence of their sins that is where they are bound if they do not turn their lives over to Jesus! There must be Repentance etc. to follow me to where I am bound! Either that or I will only be seeing them when they are judged and sent to their final resting place?

There are of course other things that are not for the public domain such as post it notes, how to pay for it and the wake etc.

Also I do not want to put folk through it twice so "NO CREMATORIUM SERVICE", I am happy to be delivered to the back door either before or after a service at Bridge Church in celebration of my life! After all am I going to worry about it? Lol.

Hoping it is not needed for a considerable time but with the impending bypass op etc. who knows?

Family Bar-B-Que. 26/08/19

Had it lunch time with Sue, myself, Lindy, Stella, Karis, Joshua, Lainie and finally Andy our lovely neighbour from flat 4 who we jokingly call Sue's boyfriend. He is a lovely man and very easy to get on with.
Sue did a wonderful job of the cooking, she does tend to do a better job than me because she can keep an eye on it all at once whereas I can only keep an eye on one thing at a time being a man? Lol.
Plenty to eat then played some games and by then my early warning system was telling me it was getting nippy! Stella went and got one of the blankets from the floor and put on my head with this result? It was warmer though and saved me going in to get my hat?
By then it was getting on towards tea time and they all sat and nattered indoors and departed around 1830. All in all a very relaxing yet tiring day.
As an afterthought I was quietly thrilled with Karis and Joshua, both their loving kindness, politeness and help. So a special thank you to them.

Ps. I took no pictures today as a kindness to Lindy who was very much still suffering from the effects of her kiss with the pavement! (see previous post).

Lindy's pavement kiss?

Had a phone call last evening from Lindy who was in St. Richards A&E in Chichester!
Well apparently she came out of work and tripped on the pavement causing her to kiss it and none too gently by the look of her face. It seems her nose came off worse which she has broken.
After being dealt with arriving home at 2330.
She now has to be back at Chichester hospital MFU (Maxillofacial Unit) for 0930 this morning to see what the next move is.

I understand that many people tried to help her and a person she works with was cycling past, went home and got her car and took Lindy to the hospital and then went to get Nick from home, which was very nice of her and I trust a bunch of flowers will be on the way to her in the not too distant future?

Perhaps it was providential that Karis and Joshua are here in Cornwall staying with Auntie Stella.

Birmingham Symphony Hall Concert 2020

I am preparing for a male voice choir concert at Birmingham Symphony Hall in October 2020 with other choirs in the Cornish federation which will number some 380 choristers.
This consists of a practice every month at Liskeard and learning a whole range of new songs for which we have been provided with a CD with our individual parts that I was charged to make copies for our individual choir members.
These are the pieces that we are to be singing, some we know and some we don't and not in this order obviously.

1.     Angels

2.     Anthem from chess

3.     An American trilogy

4.     Camborne hill

5.     Deep river

6.     Do you hear the people sing

7.     Home home from the sea

8.     How great thou art

9.     Jesus shall reign

10.Llanfair

11.Love could I only tell thee

12.Rachie

13.Rock Island Line

14.The Lord’s Prayer

15.We rise again

16.With a voice of singing

Launceston Male Voice Choir are arranging to make a weekend of it with a couple more concerts on the way and on the way home. Should be a good time?