Brother's visit

Tomorrow, my brother and his wife are driving up from Devon to stay a few days. They are good company and it is always good to have them come to stay.

It gives my wife a chance to have a glass of wine with company. I have not been allowed alcohol of any kind since my stroke last September. Can't say I've missed it. but I wish I was fully fit again.

UK weather

Today has been an odd day weather-wise. This morning we had thunder storms and torrential rain, whereas now we have bright, June evening sunshine, the sort of evening that makes you glad to be alive. I am about to go for my evening walk "around the block" about 400m. I do this twice a day to help my stroke recovery.

This afternoon I also managed to go to/from the Post Office and Chemist. which is further. In days gone by these walks would have been trivial. Not at present!

I have some new medicines for my sickness but it is too early to tell if this is more effective.

Remembering the Germans too on D-Day

At our old house we saw "Herman the German" walking his little dog past our house most days. Herman came to the UK after the war as a PoW. This reminds me that many German soldiers were just like us and were more interested in their homes and families than Hitler.

We must not harbour hatred of any men or women whatever their colour or creed - inside they are the same as us - and we would do well to remember this, especially today on the anniversary of D-Day. Hitler was mad and bad but most of his countrymen were, and are, the same as us. Many "good" Germans died in fear on D-Day.

Now is the time for peace and reconciliation. Let such wars never happen again.

Fed up

It was Jan 3rd 2014 that I was discharged from hospital and I have now been home for longer than I was in hospital. To be honest I am getting fed up with not getting better sooner. I must be improving. My feeding is better. But I am frustrated that I still feel sick every waking moment and wobbly whenever moving. Drinking drinks seems no better than when first discharged and in recent months progress has been extremely slow. I just want to be better.

Doctor and stroke

I mentioned all my current stroke symptoms to my doctor today and he seems convinced my giddiness/balance issues will go with time. He has prescribed some new medicine for my sickness feelings. We'll see. I have another MRI scan booked June 30th.at Addenbrookes in Cambridge.

Typos and errors

Whenever I write my blogs or emails, I find I have to make corrections to what I type. I am wondering if this is my keyboard skills (or lack of them) or an artifact of my stroke: am I more prone to making errors than before? Also, it takes me a while to even notice the errors, such as two full stops or key words missing.

Please accept my apologies for any uncorrected errors.

D-day celebrations

The TV is full of D-Day anniversary celebrations from the Normandy beaches It is 70 years since it happened.  It must have been a day filled with unbelievable fear, on a level I cannot begin to imagine, with the fear of being shot at any moment.

My stroke has left me more emotional than before: the thought of these brave men moved me to tears, as did thinking of my dear dad flying Lancasters in Bomber Command. In his lifetime I never once told him how brave he was, one of my greatest regrets.  I do so hope their efforts were not in vane. We have had 70 years of peace in Europe, just about, with a few exceptions.

I do not have bad feelings towards the German people. Mankind has a nasty side and it could so easily been the other way around. We have all to work towards peace and reconciliation.  The EC has a good side by helping to keep the peace.

I must stop bursting into tears.

Off Peg feed today

Today is a significant day in my stroke recovery. As my weight was unchanged from last week today I reduced my liquid (Peg) feed down to nothing, so all my food now comes through my mouth. I've still a way to go to regain my full health, but this is a step on the way. I have to increase the quantity of food through my mouth so I maintain my weight.

Last November I was told I might never be able to eat ever again via my mouth and that I might be dependent on Peg (stomach tube) for ever and ever. That day nearly broke my heart and that of many of my family and my friends. Quite a change!

Quiet evening

My wife has gone out to her CCS (choir) committee meeting so I am home alone until she gets back around 21.45 BST. A chance to catch up with FB and the blogs.

See http://www.cambschoral.org.uk/ for details of the choir.

Our Garden

Front lawn

"Our" windmill next door

Because of my recent stroke I have been unable to do much in the garden this year, so far.  Cutting the grass exhausts me.

Most of the flower beds have been seen to by my wife and they are looking good considering everything. Our sons have been good and cut the front and rear grass lawns most weeks.

I am hoping that my sickness, dizziness and profound tiredness will soon be better so I can do my fair share again. It is not nice to be beholden to others to do jobs I'd have willingly done in the past.

Someone wants to buy our bungalow!

Last night we had a printed note in our mailbox. It was from someone called Julie whom lives in the village and wants to move. She obviously has walked past our bungalow, likes it, and was seeing if we want to move. We don't. The bungalow suits us perfectly and we have no plans to move any time soon. Still, it was rather flattering.

Interest rates at 0.5% in UK

Here in the UK, interest rates have been pegged at 0.5% of 5 years now. This has allowed low cost mortgage repayments and some credit card debts to be cleared. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27715042 .

At some point, interest rates will start to rise a a new generation will again start to fall into debt with higher repayment costs. The last few years have been exceptional.

It will, of course, help savers who have had a raw deal now for years with savings falling in real terms for most.

Debt costs generally will rise (costs to borrow money from other nations to live as we in the UK are accustomed) and this will be painful.  Also, we face rising energy costs. The UK has been living beyond its means (spending more than we earn) for a long time now.  This has to change.

Life will get tough for many in the coming years.

UPDATE 1730z:   I see that the EU Central Bank has lowered interest rates in the Eurozone in an attempt to prevent deflation.  The Euro crisis has not ended yet.

Catholic Church - evil?

In the last few days I have been made aware of deaths in Ireland of babies in a home for unmarried mothers This was in the Washington Post first and has only today appeared in the UK press (Guardian). See  http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/04/claim-of-800-childrens-bodies-buried-at-irish-home-for-unwed-mothers .

Last year I saw the film Mea Maxima Culpa about how the Catholic Church deliberately covered up child abuse in the priesthood, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mea_Maxima_Culpa:_Silence_in_the_House_of_God . Right up to the Pope the  cover-up went on. Dreadful!

Other religions and religious groups may be as bad, but what is becoming public knowledge about the Catholic Church is nothing short of a scandal.  Why? It is totally un-Christian. I am sure, not that many years ago, other Christian Churches acted in similar ways. What I find despicable is that publically they pretend to be so "holy". It is a sham.

Quiet day

Our son and granddaughter were unable to visit today, so we have had a quiet day. As long as my weight is not falling, today is the very last day on my liquid (Peg) feed. This is a significant milestone on my road to full recovery. The Peg remains for liquids and medicines. Eventually, th-e Peg will be removed at the point I can eat, drink and take all medicines orally.

At the moment giddiness, a feeling like indigestion and swallow are my main stroke related issues.

Physio today

After my wife returns from her hair appointment and my 2 hours of Peg (stomach) liquid feed ends, we are off to Newmarket for my twice weekly physio session that should be 30 minutes long.  Of late, it has taken longer for various reasons (late starting, non availability of staff, etc.).  I hope the physio sessions help balance as this is my greatest issue from my stroke.

Cake

My little granddaughter was recently 3 years old. This was her cake at her recent party in her local park. She wanted a red cake with butterflies!

Birthday party and cake

Stroke update

You may (or may not!) remember that Sept 2013 I was very ill and needed an operation on my brain for a cerebellar bleed. I was discharged from hospital Jan 3rd 2014 and have been recovering at home ever since, albeit too slowly for my liking.

Today I had to attend a neurology clinic at Addenbrookes Hospital as an out-patient. They seem very pleased with my recovery, which is good news.  I may be driving again in the next few months. They have to write to the DVLA.

They are doing a further MRI scan June 30th to see if my remaining giddiness when walking/turning can be helped. In all, it was a good outcome - nothing dramatic to report. Giddiness should continue to improve given time - just be patient - as the brain learns to cope and rewires itself. I guess I was expecting to get instantly better whereas brain injuries go at their own pace! I am impatient to fully recover.

I am luckier than many. Apart from giddiness when walking/turning and profound tiredness a lot of the time (like M.E.) I have few other problems. Some are left with permanent limb paralysis or worse.  As far as I am aware my intellect is pretty intact and I have all my faculties intact. I really hope to avoid any further invasive surgery.

Qatar - World Cup 2022

If there is any hint of corruption in getting chosen, the FIFA vote should be re-run. No brainer. Corruption has no place in football or any other sport.

I have no evidence that corruption took place and hope it did not.

House quiet

The "London" grandchildren returned home yesterday evening, so the house is very quiet again without them . Yesterday morning (early) we found them both (3 and 6.5yrs old)  quietly sitting at the foot of our bed on the carpet. They have been as good as gold, although they had to sleep apart Friday night as the little one was too excited and kept waking up here elder brother!

Yesterday we learnt that Edward (5) who lives near Canterbury, is able to ride his 2-wheeled bike without stabilisers. This is a big step for him.

Cambridgeshire Choral Society - concert tonight

Rutter's Magnificat, Parnell's Dew of Heaven and an organ piece played by Jonathan Lilley at St John's College chapel tonight (Sat May 31st) at 8.00pm. Tickets on the door.

In over 30 years I have only missed a couple of concerts due to ill health. They are usually good value, and of course St John College is in the middle of Cambridge.  Go if you can. You will not be disappointed.

See https://sites.google.com/site/cambschoral/ .

If you enjoy singing, next autumn why not join the choir? Details on the website,above. Please mention this blog.

West Stow - reconstructed Anglo-Saxon settlement

It was amazing how fascinated our 3 and 6.5 year old grandchidren were in this reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village. at West Stow.  They both enjoyed exploring the reconstructed thatched cottages and the 6.5 year old sat mesmorised hearing all about the odd medicines and potions of 1000 years or more ago.

Grandchildren (front left) at West Stow today

We had no idea this was going to be so successful. The Heritage tickets last 1 year so I expect we'll go again and also to Moysey's Hall in Bury-St-Edmunds.

Sleeping together

The two grandchildren started last night in separate beds but the 3 year old decided she wanted to sleep with her 6.5 year old brother in "mum and dad's" bed i.e the double bed used by mum and dad when they stay. Once asleep they were as good as gold not waking until about 0700 and creeping into our bed. We love them.

This morning it was off to Waitrose and Moon's toy shop in Newmarket.

Tomorrow,weather permitting, we are off to West Stow to the reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village so they can see what houses were like 1000 or so years ago. Tickets I understand are valid for a year and include Moysey's Hall in Bury-St-Edmunds.

Grandchildren for a couple of nights

Busy eating birthday cake

On the wagon

Our " London" grandchildren are staying for a couple of nights. This afternoon, we all went to our local Burwell Museum which the kids just love as there is so much to see and do.  Amandine is three this week so we had birthday cake.

Young archaeologists at the museum

Lucien with Grampy

Calais camps

Watching some of the refugees at the camps at Calais being dismantled by French police, I am saddened to hear some of their stories. Some are trying to escape wars in their homelands.  Surely we should invite some of these people into the UK as genuine refugees.

Others who are only there opportunistically as economic migrants should be turned away from the UK unless we have a real need of their skills. I wonder what the numbers of genuine political refugees coming into the UK would be? Not that many I suspect. If all EU countries also "took in" genuine refugees the numbers would be small and wholly manageable. I think we have to put ourselves in their position and try to think how we would feel.

The UK should be able to decide who comes to settle here, not the EC. I voted Green, but feel strongly the EC has moved too far now. The UK ultimately is the UK, not Brussels.

Stroke - even more

It is now 3 days without my morning (sickness) medicines and, so far, the sickness is definitely no worse and may be getting better.

Someone wondered whether the reduction in sick feeling is linked to the reduction in liquid (Peg) feeds?  Next Thursday the liquid feed should be ended completely. I hope it is.

At the moment my main issue are giddiness when moving and turning on my feet and general levels of fatigue.

Stroke - a further update

Having gone 2 days now without my "morning" pills - 30mg Fastabs, and Domperidone -  I think my sickness feelings are NOT helped by the medication at all. So, I propose to tell my doctor and stop taking them altogether leaving my statins and pregavelin at night.

My sickness has not been too bad lately and I think it may be improving. Giddiness I am less sure about. Walking is generally easier, but I still get giddy on my feet.

Today food and drinks have both gone down well. Dry toast is easier to eat than toast with butter on. I ate a suet pudding and veg at lunch, and chicken and leek soup, toast plus half a Ginsters pasty (soft pastry) for tea. For supper I had a Weetabix and half a banana in milk.

Background music on TV programmes

Am I alone in HATING programmes on TV with background music that is too loud and too intrusive?

Just been watching a documentary called "The world's weirdest weather" on Channel 4. It was a good and interesting programme nearly ruined by music so loud you could barely hear the man speak.

Do programme makers assume all that watch these programmes are brain-dead and HAVE to have loud music all the time?  Personally I'd prefer no music at all. This loud "epsilon semi-moron" rubbish music really annoys me. Some programmes, usually continental ones, are much better and get the levels right.

Goree Island

It is funny how some places just never appear on ones horizon. I always thought I knew a fair amount about small obscure islands but I'd never heard of Goree Island until reading about it in the BBC History magazine this month. It is off Dakar, Senegal, West Africa and was a staging post on long sea voyages hundreds of years ago. Only a few slaves were sent to America from here.

It sounded like a miserable place for a stop-over filled with nasty bugs and little fresh water. You live and learn.

Battle of Blackpool Sands, near Dartmouth, Devon

This is a little history I had no idea about: an attempted raid on Dartmouth by the French in 1404.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Blackpool_Sands . Well worth a read if you know, or have an interest in, the area. These days Blackpool Sands is a private beach famous for its clean sands.  It is located not too far from Stoke Fleming near Dartmouth.

Family history

Some years ago, my brother and I did some research on my father's side of the family. Using transcribed parish records, Mormon fiches (the Mormons have very good records) and local library searches we managed a direct line back to the 1500s in the South Hams of Devon and found one reference to land ownership in South Huish, S.Devon in 1428. With more effort we could probably get back further still. Lapthorn was Loppedethorn.

We are related (1700s link)  to the Gosport sail-makers Ratsey and Lapthorn who made the sails for HMS Victory.

As far as I can tell, we were "ordinary" folk: mariners, millwights, etc. I have not found links to nobility or royalty!

This represents 13 generations back to the 1500s. My research has been corroborated by fellow genealogist Norman Ford.

As yet,  I have not checked out other branches. For each generation back there are 2 trees, so go back 13 generations and there are a vast number of possible ancestoral lines! I am still humbled to think that ALL these ancestors had to have lived and breathed for me to be here today, right back ti the beginning of time. Life is indeed precious.