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.

Ruined view (Salcombe, Devon)

This view, out towards Bolt Head, has all but been RUINED by insensitive development on what was the Marine Hotel. Slowly but surely developers, keen to make a profit, are destroying Salcombe as it once was. It was a uniquely beautiful seaside town, but is rapidly becoming a smaller version of Torquay.

In 20 years at this rate it will be ruined unless locals put up a fight to save its character.

On Facebook I have been encouraging locals to get more active in local politics as this is the only way that dodgy approvals can be rejected: locals HAVE to be empowered to fight these leeches who often have no real interest in Salcombe's long-term well being. Many are only interested in selling luxury pads at inflated prices - far too much for locals - to rich wankers (sorry bankers) and professional footballers to occupy for a few weeks a year. This HAS to end.

Oh for the day when Salcombe LOCALS realise they have the power to do something about the ruin of their town by outsiders.

Stoke - update

This is an update on my stroke symptoms.

At the moment I get totally exhausted doing anything physically on my feet. This afternoon I cut the rear lawn, but it took an full hour and 4 breaks to do it. Afterwards I was well and truly "cream crackered"! I still get giddy when walking although I think this is a little better when on my feet but not moving. Turning quickly also makes me giddy. My other main symptom is a sickness feeling in my stomach and throat that is perhaps more like indigestion. I am still not sure if my medication make this any better.  My liquid feed (via stomach peg)  is now down to 200ml (over 2 hours) a day and, if my weight is maintained, down to nil the week after next.  My sense of taste is mixed up: some foods taste normal.but my taste of sweet and sour is scrambled. Yogurts,toothpaste, fromage frais, tirramasu all taste bitter, now. Tea without sugar tastes sweet! I have no idea if this will ever improve.

Overall I still feel I am getting better slowly, but I still suffer with the above symptoms and get very fatigued very easily.  I am desparate to get my health back to normal, but realise my recovery is going to take far longer than I would wish. It is getting my wife down - it is hard for her too.

One thing I have found out is who your real friends are. Some of the "showy" public Christians have been noticeble by their total lack of interest in my health and well being. Other people have been genuinely kind and helpful. I shall be forever grateful to these good folk. Don't go by outward show: the real friends stick with you for better or worse. One lady I hardly knew broke down in tears when he heard of my illness - bless her. Some people comment on how well I look. Indeed I look better than I feel inside or indeed am.

Kent train trip

Chris, Lauren and their children

Because I still cannot drive (stroke) we went to Canterbury by train to see our son, his wife Lauren, our 2 grandchildren and the Australian in-laws . Everything went very well. The trains were fine - all on time and clean - and our son and family very good hosts. My main stroke issue still is my giddiness when walking.

Australian grandparents on LHS

Malcolm

Our old neighbour Malcolm dropped in for a cup of tea today. He now lives in Canada and is over in the UK for a few weeks.  It was very good to see him.

Here he is with me outside our bungalow next to the roses. Malcolm is on the right side. The last time he called was last summer before my stroke when I was fully fit. Malcolm looked the best I've seen him in years

Malcolm lost his wife to a nasty cancer a couple of years back -  he still misses her a great deal. Somehow I think he is slowly rebuilding his life again.

Breakfast

Breakfast

This was me eating breakfast in the kitchen this morning. The photo was taken from the front garden outside and you can see the windmill reflected in the window glass.

Toy tractors

Amandine

Last Wednesday we went to La Hogue farm shop for lunch with our son Tim and granddaughter Amandine. She just loves the toy tractors and the slide there. Here she is about to pedal down the slope on one of the larger toy tractors. She is three years old next week.

Magazine junk

Some while back, we subscribed to Saga magazine as the deal was a very good one and the articles are pretty good on the whole.

I know this must be why it is not expensive but I just HATE all the junk flyers that come loose within the packaging. Usually, I shake the contents out and immediately recycle all the junk flyers, then you find there are even more loose inside the magazine itself! So darn annoying! None of this rubbish is ever read in our household.

As an example the Saga magazine has just arrived, so I'll count how many loose flyers there are inside the packaging. Seven. Personally, I'd prefer a few extra pages of ads within the magazine itself. The adverts might then get looked at!

Too late to vote now

The UK polling booths closed at 2200 UK clock time so if you did not vote by then I am afraid you've missed the opportunity to influence the result.

The next big test for the coalition government will be the general election next year. It is quite possible that people will adopt different voting patterns then. The EU election will be seen by many as a chance to protest.

I have a sneaking suspicion that UKIP will achieve less success than some have predicted. I personally hope the Green Party has a good show and wins a few more EU seats.

Privatisation of "core" esssential services

To me it is puzzling that "core" essential businesses are nationalised: that any profits go to shareholders rather than the general public. Likewise I cannot understand why the Royal Mail had to be sold off. Our postal service should be owned by us, the great British public. We should be re-investing any profits back into the Royal Mail, maybe reducing prices rather than improving dividends for the few.

I understand the arguments about "competition" but for energy services - gas, electricity, oil, coal, etc plus postal services, rail and buses surely should all be in public ownership? Yes, the power of irresponsible unions has to be curbed, but the argument for public ownership is a good one. It is wrong for services we totally depend on being in private hands.

I am totally against privatisation of "core" businesses such as energy.

Also, I have grave doubts over fracking.  Although it has the potential for low cost gas, how much better to  invest in clean renewable energy instead? Billions will be invested in fracking which is essentially trying to extend the life of fossil fuels with all the carbon released threatening climate change.

Plastic banknotes

When on holiday in Canada a couple of  years ago I was very impressed by the plastic banknotes which are very hard to wear out. I now see that a Scottish bank is introducing plastic £5 notes.   See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27517606 .

It would be a good idea if the Bank of England also introduced plastic notes. It surely must save money in the long run as notes would last much longer.

If I remember correctly, the Canadian notes had different smells for different values, helping those with poor sight to distinguish between note values.

Use your VOTE today

Whatever your political allegiance today is your chance to use your democratic right to help elect the MEP that you chose.

My wife and I chose to vote for the GREEN PARTY.   As this election is by proportional representation even votes for minor parties are not wasted.  I very much hope the GREEN PARTY does well and wins more seats. They would act as a moderating influence in Europe.  Their policies seem very sensible, unlike some others. Their catch phrase is "for the common good". These days they have moved on a lot and some forecasts expect them to out-do the Lib Dems.

In a democracy, of course, you are free to vote for whoever you choose. USE your vote.

Stroke and phone calls

Not sure quite why this is, but when friends phone why is it that several of them decide they have to speak "down" to me as if I was stupid? This happens time and time again and is very annoying. As far as I can tell my intellect is fully intact and I am very far from stupid! Maybe it is because my voice still sounds odd (a bit) and I have to speak more slowly to be understood? It must be even more of an issue for others with physical impairments much worse than mine.

If you are a friend phoning me please treat me absolutely normally. I am NOT an idiot and do NOT want to be treated as if I am.

Tides Reach Hotel (Salcombe) - good news!

The plans have now been made public and they please me! I was expecting a large hotel complex quite out of step with  the environment, but I am very pleased to say the developers have good plans that manage to blend a larger, modern hotel well with the existing surroundings.

See www.tidesreachdevelopment.com and look for the display boards from the Cliff House public exhibition held yesterday. I am well pleased this is not going to be an ugly concrete mess.

Designers - thank you, and well done!

A greener future?

In the Eastern Counties, Rupert Read has a real chance of becoming a Green Euro-MP this Thursday, not least because of proportional representation and voting, so every vote counts and minor parties have a great chance. Last time he polled 9% and he needs 10% to get a seat. Your vote could be the decider!

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm-KaOzqJw4.

Use your vote on Thursday May 22nd. A vote for the Greens is very much NOT a wasted vote!

Swifts

For the last week or more, swifts have been a common sight on the wing in the skies overhead. Swifts return from Africa around the end of April and the start of May. Usually, most have gone again by late summer, although I suspect many linger in Spain where in September they are still plentiful as are insects.

At this time of year swifts are very common, perhaps more common than many other species. There are a good number of swallows around, but, so far, I have not seen a single house martin. I may just have been unlucky but fear numbers are down yet again. The returning swifts are a real sign of summer. As the poem goes, "all's well with the world...".

Who should you vote for on Thursday?

Try this simple quiz and read, at the end, which party best matches you views.

See http://uk.votematch.eu/ .

Cambridge United promoted (back) into Football League

After several seasons in the Conference League, Cambridge United beat Gateshead at Wembley this evening to gain promotion back into the Football League Division 2. So next season they will be pitted against the like of Plymouth Argyle.

It was a tense end to their season  as they lost against Gateshead at Wembley last Sunday. The promotion is well deserved and, although (mainly) a "fireside supporter" it pleases me enormously.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27360422 .

It is a pity the BBC or ITV don't broadcast League 2 games live. MUCH less expensive than Premier League and the clubs would benefit enormously from the broadcasting rights.

Friends visit

Today we were visited for lunch by our old friends Jean and Alan who live in Letchworth in Hertfordshire. This afternoon they visited Burwell Museum and Windmill. These are friends from university days. We see each other not too often, but when we meet up it is as if we last saw each other just a few days ago. This is a measure of true friendship.

Salcombe (South Sands)

Some days ago I mentioned how my old hometown Salcombe was in danger of being ruined by out of character developments, mainly by profiteers from outside only really interested in profits and not the longer term best interests of the town.

From http://www.tidesreachdevelopment.com/plans-and-images/

Next week (May 20th, Cliff House) there is a public meeting on plans to develop the Tides Reach Hotel site at South Sands. See http://www.tidesreachdevelopment.com/plans-and-images/ . This is a chance for the general public to influence the planning decisions. In my view, apathy could take over and the whole plan get approved even  though it could ruin the area. Go on-line and get your democratic voice heard or visit the exhibition and complete feedback forms!

Maybe I am totally wrong although recent planning decisions make me think the developers have BIG ideas and they are assuming the plans will just be waived through.

Bizarre sounds this afternoon

This afternoon our ears were hit by a couple of bizarre sounds.

Firstly the sound of a bagpipe sounding a lament leaving a house in our Close to accompany the coffin of a neighbour who died having had Altziemers for many years.  Later the bagpipe could be heard as the coffin left the church.

Then the sound of a Rag and Bone man's van with the song "Any Old Iron". This I had not heard for years and years. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Any_Old_Iron_%28song%29 . At one time this was a familiar street sound, but not any more.

Chippenham

This is the OTHER Chippenham (near Newmarket) rather than the one in Wiltshire.  This Chippenham has a hall with a massively long wall than must have cost thousands when made in the 1700s. It also has delightful cottages (see above) which look like alms houses, or cottages for workers on the local estate.

Snailwell

Snailwell is a small village a few miles from here.  It is nothing special: a collection of delightful houses and cottages in the older part and a few more nondescript houses in the rest of the village.  It does have a splendid little church with a round tower. These towers are common in East Anglia but far less common locally.  This was the first church in which our grandson rang a church bell some years ago now when he was about 4.

Profound tiredness

One of the effects of my stroke is I feel profoundly tired when awake a lot of the time. This feels more like M.E. as this tiredness is like nothing I have known. Every thing I do requires immense effort.

Gradually, I hope these feelings will subside, but right now, coupled with my giddiness on my feet and a slight sick feeling all the time, life is a struggle. Some days are better than others and I tend to remember the worse days.

My pattern does feel like 3 good days forward followed by 2 bad (worse) days.

Roll on getting properly better.

Floating homes?

One possible measure to ease the problems of rising sea levels and inland flooding are homes that float. This is not a new idea: such homes have been a common site in Holland for many years. It has even been suggested that entire cities should be made that float. By the end of this century London and New York could both be regularly, or even permanently, flooded.

For ideas see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27425225 .

Why I am voting Green next week

See http://reasonstovotegreen.herokuapp.com/ .

No political party perfectly matches my wishes but the closest are the Greens and they will be getting my vote next week. I do not see this as a wasted vote at all, rather a chance to say how I feel about many matters.

UKIP may pick up some  protest votes but I want to vote for a real party with real policies. UKIP seem to be strong on getting out of Europe but very little else. The Green manifesto looks well thought out. They have changed. Make up your own mind.

Use your vote next week.

The Greens - a wise choice.

Quadcopters

At a BBQ a few years ago one of the guests had a small quadcopter controlled by wi-fi from an iPad. Equipped  with stabilisers and an in-built camera it was able to fly over the assembled guests and we could all see ourselves on the iPad from about 20-30m above ground level. Prices then were around £200 but I expect prices have dropped. Great fun with iPad control and in-built camera. Of course drones have war uses, but this was a nice benign application. The design looked robust enough to survive the occasional crash although most have algorithms to land safely if out of wi-fi range, I believe.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27403761 .

Weather and moods

It is funny how the weather influences ones mood. Today here we have started the day here with very bright sunshine and I feel much better: still giddy and still slightly sick inside, but feeling much more positive.

At the moment I am on 400ml of liquid feed via my stomach peg. Next week this reduces to 200ml, all being well.  I am eating 4 meals a day by mouth (breakfast, lunch, tea and supper) and have 2-3 drinks by mouth. I am maintaining the same weight I was when on 900ml of liquid feed, which is 11 stone.

All being well, I shall be off the peg feed (directly into my stomach) during June and that will be a real milestone on the road to full recovery. I still have to conquer the giddiness and sickness.

Sepura shares

Sepura shares have been "on the up" recently. They fell back to around 132p but have climbed back to 140p. Not too long ago they were worth about 30p.   Unfortunately shares can fluctuate widely, but recent movements suggest Sepura must be doing something right.

Lawns

Most weeks, our "London" son visits us with our granddaughter Amandine. Whilst here, he usually cuts the front and rear lawns, bless him. To save him time, my wife Lis mowed (part of) the rear lawn.

Granddaughter Amandine (nearly 3) being a butterfly today

Lis dislikes me being ill: in days gone by I would do both lawns in about 1 hour. These days it is a real struggle for me. I wish it wasn't so, but I cannot help it.  I'd love not to depend on anyone. Roll on that day, please.

3 steps forward and 2 back?

This is the pattern my stroke recovery seems to take. Some days are good and I feel things are improving, only for this to be followed by a day or more when I appear to slide backwards.

Today has been a bad day: although food and drinks have gone down OK, I feel very giddy and tire easily. I very much hope I can overcome the giddiness. This and the uncomfortable sickness feeling in my stomach and food pipe are making life very hard.

If  I am honest, only sleep is a release.  Days are long and uncomfortable and I am sure no-one (not even my long suffering wife) understands just how miserable life still is for me. I very much want to be well again and able to do all the things I used to be able to do. But almost everything I do exhausts me. A slight bit of gardening and I am zonked out

I keep going because people tell me I will get better given time. God, I hope they are right as life as it is now is unbearable for too much longer.