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Friday 6 June 2014

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.


Thursday 5 June 2014

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.