I must remember.....

this isn't supposed to be a blog for you, it's for me. This is my diary and my intention is to have a record of my day to day life to look back on as I get older and to pass on to my children and grandchildren after I'm gone. Now, you may think that is pretentious rubbish but, how I wish I had a diary of this sort from my father, grandfather and so on. So, apropos to that, I am happy to report that Hazel did return home on Tuesday after a wonderful break in Cyprus and she is also happy she  is back home.

My cousins and I have been researching our family for quite a long time and with one ancestor in particular, we had a very solid brick wall. Henry was a complete mystery to us. We weren't even sure if we had his name correct. Well, I finally found him last week and we now have his date of birth and what he looked like. Sometimes, the smallest things can be magnificent. Thank you National Archives.

A worrying trend?

Probably, I'm not the only one who, regarding the upsetting situation in France at the moment, is seeing parallels between real life and some of the more plausible spy / police novels. It's almost as if a Jeffrey Deaver story has been transplanted to Toulouse. I enjoy reading that form of slightly over the top story but when it comes to the real world it's not so pleasant is it?

In a different way, the heart condition that has affected Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba has also affected large numbers of us. In my own case, I lost a friend to something similar about 30 years ago and, of course, I also suffer from a heart condition of my own.

What a pain in the............

eye.

I woke early this morning with something in my eye. At first I thought it was an eyelash turned in but it gradually dawned on me that, as it was moving around, it was probably a small half brick! By lunchtime, it was hurting so much that I took myself off to the Eye Infirmary. I had to wait until nearly three this afternoon to be seen by a nurse practitioner but then I was sorted out quickly. I had a speck of something on my eye and under my eyelid and it has also scratched the surface. I now have some goo to help the healing and a different type of artificial tears to combat the dryness. I have also discovered that I am more prone to dryness than most because of my job and my arthritis. Growing old is truly wonderful. On a more positive note, Hazel is due back in the UK today and should be home tomorrow and I, for one, can't wait.

Sorted!

A good evenings work yesterday, booked the builder, booked the boiler check and managed a brief conversation with Hazel. I also saw the first episode of 'Alcatraz' on Watch, very good. The cats went mad this morning, chasing each other around the house and then chasing themselves as well, it must be spring. The missing motor shield also arrived yesterday which was also good. In addition to all of this good stuff, I have finally begun to collect some information about my great, great, great grandfather who was lost at sea in 1856. The National Archives have opened up the Merchant Naval Seaman lists to us and I was able to see his date of birth, his registration number and description and also his voyages up to 1851 when he appears to have been the skipper of the boat. There must be more in there but it will cost me so I will tread carefully from now on. All in all, Tuesday was kewl.

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Sometimes it's worth spending £14.50

I began using the studio in a box thing today and very good it is too. I have replaced all of the pictures in the wiki with new ones taken by me of only my own components and they are amazingly good. Focus is almost perfect and all are well lit. I can heartily recommend the concept of the white fabric box.

Struck down in me prime............

again! Yet another cold has walloped me. I know why I'm so vulnerable, but why do I keep picking up the bug in the first place? The lack of any palliative options is the real killer as far as I'm concerned. If I could only have a Lemsip or Night Nurse or, really, anything at all other than Tunes and Paracetamol. rant over.
Hazel is off with Trish for a happy week in Cyprus and Sal is coming for the weekend and bringing one of her flatmates with her for a break. I might have the weekend off from the family as well but no-one has yet said anything to me.

She who must be obeyed

has shown an interest in this diary so I have sent her the link to it. Whilst, in principle, I'm all in favour of the light of my life reading this. I worry that she might demand, or worst still 'suggest', changes to already written posts. Please don't dear. As it's the first time my wife has shown any interest at all in my online presence, I feel quite honoured that she is even condescending to read this. I will report back when the reviews are in.