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!