Messing about on the river

Today our "Kent" grandchildren enjoyed going on a local river in a friend's boat. They appear to have had a great time. Our grandchildren are the two in front wearing lifejackets. Today it has been 32.5 deg C -very hot indeed. An ideal day for messing about on the river.

Grandchildren on the river (front two)

MH370 disappearance

I am still puzzled by the disappearance of this aircraft. Surely the USA with all its spy satellites must know where it is. As far as I know, not a single item from the plane has been washed up - anywhere. Sorry to be suspicious, but was the USA in some way complicit in the plane's disappearance?  Surely, if the USA is innocent they would have volunteered data by now?  I smell a rat.  Perhaps I am wrong? Could the plane still be intact somewhere?

The latest Malaysian plane crash in E.Ukraine at least should have retrievable black boxes. I am told that the IR traces of missiles should also be detectable, so someone will be able to tell who fired the missile that downed the plane, if indeed this is what happened.

Spam comments - will be immediately deleted!

In the last 24 hours on both my blogs I have had SPAM comments from someone in India extolling the virtues of yoga and meditation. Nothing wrong in the right context, but the comments are totally out of context and therefore SPAM. Both have been deleted as soon as noticed.

A word of warning to potential SPAMMERS: similar irrelevant and totally off topic comments will always be treated as SPAM and deleted.Go away or expect such comments to be immediately deleted.

Clean car and a haircut

This morning my younger son Chris has kindly waxed and cleaned our car - it looks great. Yesterday he cut my hair -  now looks tidy, and later he is trimming the hedge. It has been good having Chris and grandson Edward (5).

La Hogue lunch surprise

Lunch at La Hogue today

Today our son Chris and grandson Edward are staying overnight. As a complete surprise, we went to the La Hogue farm shop/cafe and met our other son Tim and granddaughter Amandine. We had lunch together and the little ones enjoyed the slides,swings and toy tractors. It was delightful. We then all returned to Burwell.

Evening stroll

Every morning and every evening, usually, I do a walk "around the block" of around 400m, without any walking aids and alone.  This is to help me with core strength and to improve my balance. My physio sessions in Newmarket gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays also help with stamina and balance.

When I first did this walk, months ago, I used a walking frame and my wife used to come with me in case I fell. Since I have been home from hospital (January) I have not fallen once.

So, my walking must be much better than it was. Trouble is I find it hard to remember how I was back then.

The walk is around our Close and back past Burwell Windmill. These days, my wife says I look "normal" when walking, with no "old man" stoop. I long for the day when I do this walk and feel properly fit again.

Stroke "progress"

I am still very frustrated by my slow recovery: although I can eat many foods now - all by mouth - drinks are still a problem by mouth. I still feel slightly sick in the stomach all the time when awake and am still giddy, as if drunk, when walking. I just hope these issues will all improve given time. I am hopeful that I'll be able to drive again in a few months.

Tomorrow, all being well Nutricia will be collecting all my unused liquid feeds and the pump to put them into me via my stomach Peg.  All I now use is a syringe to put water and some medicines into my stomach. When I can get all my medicines and liquids in by mouth, the stomach Peg can be removed.  I am looking forward to that day.

Ken Clarke

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28291281 .

So Ken Clarke is leaving high office. He was a smoker and supported the smoking lobby (if I remember rightly) , but overall I though he was fair and was a good representative for the Conservatives. He came over as "the common man" and not a toff. I wish him well on the back benches. He is probably the best Conservative Prime Minister we never had.

Real kindness

This morning, I was reminded yet again just how kind people are.

Already, I have had three kind and generous offers to build and test my Ultimate-3 beacon kit, an  amateur radio project  which is currently beyond my building skills because of my brain injury. I still hope to build this myself, but may wait a few more months until I'm less wobbly and clumsy.

This is not the first time I have been touched by the genuine kindness of others. It restores one's faith in humankind: there are some truly kind people around. These people seek no reward, no money - they are offering because they are genuinely kind and caring.  Thank you all.

Sometimes we hear about all the bad things in this world. Believe me, the world has very many kind and caring people in it. This last week I have be so touched by the love of caring people.

I have come to the conclusion that there are far more kind and good people than evil, cruel people. It is up to us all to share this love with others.

Museum Fete

Yesterday,  our local Burwell Museum held its annual grand fete to help raise money. This shot shows the restored windmill with the WW2 Nissan hut and the blacksmith's forge on the right. There were quite a few stalls out of shot.  Unfortunately, weather was mixed.

I keep recommending the museum, because it is so very good. Believe me, there is so much to see you are very unlikely to be disappointed. Many hours could be spent here seeing the many exhibits.

Our grandchildren love going.

Rear Lawn

Our rear lawn is about twice as big as the front lawn. I cut the front lawn a few days ago. Although I started on the rear lawn, I've had to take a break as it is still much too wet in places. Another hour or so and I should be fine.

Rear lawn

The last time I cut the rear lawn it I needed 4 breaks, but think my stamina is a bit better now, so fewer breaks were needed. Although not perfect, it is much better for being cut.

World Cup football

Germany has just scored in extra time, and unless Argentina produces a miracle goal now, Germany will win the World Cup. They certainly deserve to win after their trouncing of Brazil the other night. Should the Argentinians level and then win on penalties it would be a cruel end.

Germany have won. Thankfully there was not a need for a penalty shoot-out.

Profound tiredness

One of the hardest aspects of my brain bleed after-effects is the profound tiredness I feel most of the time. People say I look well, but most of the time I am very, very tired. The smallest physical job: hoovering, having breakfast, any gardening etc leaves me so exhausted.

I guess the nearest analogy is M.E.  Some days are a bit better, but most of the time I just want to rest. My physical stamina is improving slowly, but I am looking forward to the day when "usual" physical activity leaves me with energy still.

Seaweed and better seaweed

Call me a real cynic but the BBC weather (based on the Met Office data) said for Burwell "dry" all morning and "showers" after lunch. At breakfast time (around 0800z) it was raining heavily! The Met Office recently upgraded their computers. I think they should buy better seaweed instead!

Why are their forecasts so bad, even on the same day? I am sure they could do better. When there is a big "high", forecasts are easy. Surely they could do a better job in more mixed weather. Usually the best forecast is to see what it says a few days out and assume the opposite. This is crazy with all this investment.

Israel and Gaza

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28275414 .

Surely Israel wants to be treated fairly and so do the Palestinians. It is in BOTH sides best interest to negotiate a fair and lasting peace. The war that basically started the current mess was fought in 1967 when  I was doing my A-levels and now I have retired! Surely it is not beyond both sides to jaw, jaw not make war, war?

There are precedents for warring parties to make peace - South Africa, Northern Ireland for example. The endless cycle of violence does no good at all and just makes hate stronger. Make true and lasting peace and let's have mutual respect. Both sides are different: accept these and make a lasting settlement. It both frustrates and puzzles me why the cycle of violence goes on and on.  No-one wins.

Cutting the lawns

Both our sons (and one grandchild each) are due up on Wednesday. In the meantime, if the weather dries, I hope to cut both lawns, front and back. The lawns here are larger than at our old home. It takes all my strength to cut them these days, whereas in the past it would have been effortless.

Front lawn with windmill back right. Laurels trimmed yesterday.

I managed the front lawn today. 0.75hrs rather than 1hr the last time I cut it. It is 2 weeks since it was last cut. It left me "cream crackered" but I managed it. The back lawn is larger. That is probably a job for Monday or Tuesday, if the weather is dry.

Assisted dying law

So the old Archbishop of Canterbury, George Cary, has changed his mind on this subject and now will support a bill on it going though the House of Lords. I hope I never need this.

Dying in great pain and suffering must be truly dreadful. I guess it is a fear/hope of an afterlife that worries us most? If dying was just going into nothingness then there can be little argument against assisted dying to make ones end peaceful. If there is some form of life after death,who knows?

I wonder what the old archbishop believes happens when we die? I just don't know.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28274531 .

Younger son and family in France

See http://www.la-croix-du-vieux-pont.com/Plaquette_La_Croix_du_Vieux_Pont_final.pdf .

Our younger son and family are in northern France on a camping break. The weather has been poor until yesterday. I think they are having a good time despite the weather. I think they have a caravan rather than a tent, which is just as well.

Not H.Pylori

One of the surgery doctors rang to tell me the lab results are back and I do not have an H.Pylori stomach infection. In a way this is bad news as if I had been, it would explain the symptoms and antibiotics should have cleared it. Now I have no idea what is causing my stomach discomfort or bad breath. More tests, more unknowns, more waiting.

Laurel hedge

Last summer, a few days before my brain bleed that changed my life, at least for now, I planted a row of laurel bushes to help define our front boundary. We don't intend the hedge to grow too high, but we do want it to thicken out.

Sorry about my reflection in the window glass!

Today I trimmed the tops so they are all roughly the same size and I hope this will encourage them to grow thicker with time. I don't intend to trim them again before next spring but they could probably do with a further bone meal feed. This certainly helped in the spring.

Missing South Devon

Usually, we go back to South Devon at least twice a year and stay with my brother who still lives in the South Hams. This is where I was brought up as a child (Salcombe and Kingsbridge). This year we have not been back because of my stroke sadly.

I get very emotional these days (stroke) and thinking of "home" - my dad (who died in 1987) used to call it "the promised land" - makes me fill with tears. I shall get back there again before too long, I very much hope. Strange how thinking of the South Hams makes me tearful, but it does.

Health (stroke) update

Lots of people ask how I am doing with my stroke recovery, so here is a summary. I look (externally) much better than I feel inside. Some people who see me think I am back to normal, but external appearances can be deceptive:

• I am still suffering from balance (giddiness) issues. This an issue when on my feet and moving. When seated it is not an issue. It feels like everything sways and I've had too much alcohol,but I have not touched alcohol since before my stroke last September!
• I can eat most foods by mouth OK. Some foods are easier than others, preferably softer foods are easiest to eat. Ginsters pasties and Mediterranean vegetables are my current favourites. All my food is now solid and by mouth. No liquid foods taken any more. This is a big improvement.
• Each day I manage 3-4 drinks (tea or coffee) by mouth. Drinks are still not easy. I take 2 to 2.2 litres of water by my stomach tube each day as well.
• Stomach discomfort is my biggest issue at present. Currently I am being tested to see if I have an H.Pylori infection. My stomach is "uncomfortable" all my waking hours and this is getting me down. I have the feeling this, and the accompanying bad breath, are not related directly to the stroke. If it is H.Pylori then it should be treatable and I should feel so much better.
• Although not allowed to drive (although no-one has actually said I can't officially), I now feel able to drive. When seated in the car, I am not giddy and feel in control. This is much better than even a few months ago.
• Walking is now without any walking aids. Distance is not the issue - it is the giddiness.
• I am registered disabled (a blue badge holder) and this has been useful.

Overall, improvements have slowed. There are still improvements to be made but I feel these are going to take longer than I expected. I have another MRI brain scan and video fluoroscopy at the end of this month and an ENT (ear, nose, throat) examination near the end of August.

UPDATE 11.7.14 1800z:   For tea this evening I had pork tenderlon, marrow and roast potatoes - perfect! It tasted great and went down well.

Golf - McIlroy's amazing drive

See http://www.pga.com/news/golf-buzz/rory-mcilroy-crushes-436-yard-drive-scottish-open .

The length of drives in modern golf amazes me. No doubt clubs are better now than when I was a keen golfer in my youth. My best handicap was 16.  If I could hit a ball reasonably straight 200 yards I was pleased, but McIlroy managed to hit his drive a stonking 436 yards in the Scottish Open this week. That is roughly 4 soccer pitches! How do these people do it? Clubs help, but it must come down to swing, timing and raw power.

Cruising?

My brother-in-laws and their wives enjoy cruises. My wife and I do not like the idea. Maybe it is an age thing? At least you only have to unpack the suitcases once and the "hotel" takes you to each destination. I hate the idea of having to dress up for dinner. This whole idea fills me with horror! I prefer to go really casual on holidays but all I hear about cruises makes me believe that dressing up for dinners is "par for the course". If so, cruising will not be in my plans anytime soon.

By pure coincidence, our Australian friends, Pat and Ced, are on the same cruise to Iceland, the Faroes and Norway  as my brother-in-law and his wife. I understand they have met up for drinks.

Plane safe, just - amazing video (fake)

Just seen this video. The pilot remains cool and collected and manages to land the plane,less a wing, safely. This is quite remarkable flying. The pilot is safe and no fire. Quite unbelievable.

Indeed - quite unbelievable. This video is a viral FAKE. See http://www.snopes.com/photos/airplane/onewing.asp
If you look carefully you can see how the fake was made.Very convincing.

Jean and Alan

As you may recall, my brain bleed last September means I am not allowed to drive for a while. I am still awaiting a decision from the DVLA as to when I can resume driving. Whereas a few months ago the thought of driving would have been stupid, I now know I could safely drive again.

In the meantime my wife is doing all the driving and I am extremely grateful that she can do so.

Today we ventured to Letchworth in Hertfordshire to see old friends Jean and Alan.

We have done this journey, with me driving, dozens and dozens of times. Why is it that my wife does not know the way? :-)  What is it about women drivers that makes them, apparently, such hopeless navigators?  Also, I anticipate trouble coming up ahead and slow down and change down. My wife seem clueless of such dangers. At the moment I have no choice but to be a passenger.

 I shall be very glad when I can drive again.

Kindness

Last night, we were sent a copy of our oldest grandson's school report. He is 6.5 years old and lives in London. He is getting on really well, but the thing that pleased us most was that the school think of him as a kind little boy who is faithful to his best friend.

One thing my recent illness has taught me is you find out who your real friends are. Some people that I had expected to be overflowing with kindness and genuine love just don't want to get involved: they have avoided finding out how I am really feeling and this shows and hurts.   Others have gone out of their way to be genuinely kind and caring, bless them. Most times I try to manage but it is good to have genuinely caring friends and relatives. Genuine love shines brightly.

As an example, one of my hobbies is amateur radio and I normally enjoy building and experimenting. This week, two people, one a total stranger, have offered to build a kit I've had for some months. The kit has been left unbuilt as my hands are too clumsy. Such genuine kindness. I was overwhelmed by their offers.

I am so pleased that my grandson is kind and caring. We love him to bits and this is how we find him. I hope he grows up to be kind and loving.

Strangford Loch

This afternoon Jackie (of Jackie and Bill) called in for a chat and cup of tea. Their two sons work in the Far East, in Shanghai and Hong Kong.  Jackie is hoping they will move back to N.Ireland to a house not too far from her sister. 

N.Ireland is a very beautiful part of the British Isles, unknown to most in Britain. Recent political unrest did N.Ireland (Ulster) no favours. The distrust goes back centuries and make no sense in the modern world. 

Strangford Loch http://www.strangfordyachtcharter.com/images/stlview.jpg

Jackie and Bill hope to move to a place near the top of Strangford Loch, one of the best places in the Province.

See http://www.strangfordlough.org/ .

Polish code breakers - the unknown story

Until reading the article on the BBC website I had no knowledge of the part played by Polish codebreakers in decyphering the German Enigma code. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28167071 .

There is little doubt that the work of the Bletchley codebreakers helped to shorten the war. I had no idea that Polish codebreakers were so important too.

Tour de France 2014

This year, "Le Tour" started in Yorkshire and tomorrow it comes to Cambridge en route to London. The crowds lining the route in Yorkshire were amazing - millions at a guess.

Some years ago (2010), when in Burgundy, we ran into the Tour de France quite by accident: Our route was barred off and we had to stop until the Tour had passed through. In all, it took 2 hours!

This short video was taken as we waited. All the cars leading the Tour were throwing gifts to the crowds. We got a frizby for our grandchildren. Others got teeeshirts, balls, drinks and sweets. It was quite an occasion.

Ely Consort Concert

This evening we went to a concert given by the excellent Ely Consort in Burwell St Mary's Church. The Ely Consort must be one of the best choirs in the county.

See http://www.elyconsort.org.uk/ .

The concert this evening was a very varied program with Madrigals, Folk Songs and arrangements of more modern popular pieces. Altogether excellent music.  The Ely Consort is about to do a tour of Germany.

The sung works were interspersed with music by Chinese, but Cambridge born, Hannah Brock (aged 15) playing Chinese music on the zither. Beautiful.

Cambridgeshire is blessed with many fine choirs. The Ely Consort is up with the very best.

Sadly, my health has not been good today. Both my stomach and giddiness were bad. However, I managed to walk to the church and thoroughly enjoyed the concert.

Ukraine

For the life of me, I find it hard to make sense of the crisis in the Ukraine.  The western media seems to put all blame on Russia, but I have my doubts.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28174104

This crisis seems to be about Russia being against the western leaning Ukrainian government and Russia wishing still to have a "sphere of influence" in the old communist states that once formed part of the USSR. The fact that Russia exports a lot of its gas to Europe complicates things.  I don't know much about Ukraine's history but know Crimea was gifted to Ukraine by Russia in the old USSR days. Maybe this part should again be Russian?

Whatever, I hope differences can be fixed and a peaceful solution found. It would be terribly sad if Ukraine fell into civil war. Surely peace is worth so much more? Maybe the answer is more autonomy for the Russian speaking parts?

Rolf Harris jail term

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28163593 .

It saddens me to see our childhood heroes jailed for sex crimes.  In many cases these took place years ago, but justice has been done by judge and jury. This is good English law.

Personally, I think ALL sides in such cases should remain anonymous until a "guilty" verdict is reached. This is to protect all parties if the person on trial is found "not guilty".  Sadly mud sticks and those found "not guilty" remain tainted for the rest of their lives.

Also today we hear of Andy Coulson, sentenced to 1.5 years in the phone hacking trial.

Personally I feel sorry for their victims and for the families of the accused who have to live with the shame and ignominy for years to come. In most cases, partners and children have stood faithfully by throughout the trials.

With good behaviour, these folks are likely to be released much earlier under licence. Of course. if they face further charges the sentences could be longer.

NHS inefficiency

Let me say from the outset that I believe in the NHS (National Health Service) - that clinical care should not be a privilege of those who can afford it - everyone has the right to good care when they are ill. Creating the NHS was a highlight of the post-WW2 Labour government. The idea too that essential public services should be in public ownership is also fundamentally "right".  BTW, I am unlikely to vote for Labour in the next General Election in 2015. Still looking at issues and policies.

What I do have an issue with are the gross inefficiencies in the NHS,  especially when it comes to communications, both in hospital and when people are discharged. I have been involved in a heated Facebook debate over this.

It is my contention that the NHS could save billions each year and give patients a better, more caring service, if they "smartened up their act" on communications. I have countless examples I could give based on my own experiences and those of close friends. You may recall I was in a major UK hospital for 3.5 months last year.

Time and again I get cross when I see gross incompetence.  In the private sector such idiots (if working for me) would have been sacked. There are no excuses - it is not a shortage of staff or overwork - in most cases it is sheer sloppy behaviour and unbelievably bad communications. The NHS needs to sort its communications out and fast. Personally, I think people need to be accountable in a "private sector" way. The NHS needs to get a grip.

Recently it took letters to the NHS bosses and my MP to get action. It worked for me, but it should not have been necessary: poor communication is the single biggest cause of waste in the NHS in my view. It needs sorting.

As an ex-manager in private industry, the NHS is crying out for reform. It has to happen, no excuses.

I could give numerous examples where poor communication was evident. In some cases it was individuals and poor training, in other cases the systems were letting the NHS down.

It pains me to see public services letting themselves down. The NHS could be so much better, and at effectively no cost - just smarten up the systems to avoid waste. Tell me, if the NHS was your business wouldn't you be crying out for reform?  Because it is very large, not bothered about profits and publically owned it lacks efficiency and accountability.