RIP Uncle Billy

Franks for a haircut where deaf peter treats me to a crumpet. He does the deed and back home get ready, cant find black tie borrow one from John next door. Off to springwood crem and give the flowers to the wrong undertaker- oops. He confirmed the name so I am guessing blame is shared.
Bit of a delay as Auntie Pat needs a bog stop. Into the chapel, kinda know the preacher worked with his sis who was Marys mate. Mary sat next to him at school. He did a kind of more religious gig than I expected. Nice service.
My personal reflection on Billy Connolly - favourite uncle - always generous and pleasant. Liked a pint or more, a bet, and footy. Loved his grandkids. Worked in the abbatoir - always giving me mum and dad meat when I was young. He and Auntie Pat could do a mean jive too. Steven his only son was more like a big brother to me when we grew up - I felt for him today. three pints and nice buffet. Back home and chills ville. Mum couldnt go hope its not the flu she is getting.

28th and 29th

Not much to report a meal on Wednesday night at a Liverpools first gastropub. Dissapointing but good atmosphere due to company. I had king prawns and pheasant with wild berry stuffing. Good night in all, bitterly cold trying to cab it out of town.
29th memorable as me dads birthday he died 8 years ago. Mum coming down with a cold.

27th was meant to be a jama day

Usually around christmas one day is designated a "jama day" we dont sit round reading this esteemed rag but we usually do shag all. Trying not to cross the threshold or get dressed. Difficult as the rabbit needs looking after and I have to mess in the garden snapping the rabbit. Results to post later. Feel a bit guilty about my mum being on her own for two days so Ally and I take her out to albert dock its bitterly cold but she enjoys it.Home and chill.

Boxing Day

quiet in the am. tea out at Ruth and Pauls much jollity in the mens discussion in the front room. Subjects from everton thro to prostates and a discussion of Colins suspected helico stuff. Last year I managed to inflict regular bowel actions on him by the power of suggestion. Backhome and chill.

The girls crying at alfies return in easties. George and a bit of the busy John

 
 

Dave and Maria going on to a better doo

 
 

Nanna and Ally get sociable Sue looks on

 
 

Christmas is all for the kids

 
 

Its serious stuff

 
 

The girl is a winner

 
 

Sister Mary states her views

 
 

Wake up boy Christmas is done

Where did it go its a blur.
Balancing two mothers and a three families 1 celebration and and an occaisional look in at a website the festives are done.
Christmas Eve
Mother in law (Bea) is established in Ward 2x at the Royal. Main problem seems to be a whopping infection in left leg. She is happier than in Garston - we think for 2 reasons - a) its a proper hospital and b)they are keeping her off her feet and preventing the R word. Jean thinks that once the infrction is treated and the poor sods there have to rehab her we will back to square 1.
Christmas eve is running round tidying and prepping food. Its established that we are down to 11 for lunch. I decide microwave needs replacing and buy a shiny new number from tesco. In the process I escape with a DVD in the security case which was hiding down under the box. The alarm does not sound on the the way out or on the way back in. I explain to the security guard that I want to pay both he and the queue at the service desk look at me quizically. It is a 3in1 war fest for Alan - Tora Tora Tora, The longest day and Patton. The woman clearly thinks I am bonkers but honest. Off home and peeling commences. I skip carols from Kings - bit same old same old. Wrapping pressies a job I hate. Think I got enough for Jean. We certainly have too much for Ally.Cook pork and turkey.
Bed and drag Ally out at 7.30 much to her protest.
Pressies galore Allys main being a dvd telly combi and a surprise pink thing she is moved by the gift. My main pressie is the delicious canon eos 350 d. It is a beaut and I am taken back to my youthful play with the

my first slr

which I and many others consider a timeless classic. This does everything that didnt and more. TTL flash monitoring is a dream. I play merrily when I get the chance. Which on Christmas day isnt often. Jean gets a posh watch (she picked).
Alan arrives on time, Colin next he and the girls do pressies in the dining room. Then Ruth and Paul and full pressies are exchanged. Lunch - the turkey in my view is pants. I may well join my brother in law in the turkey is an abomination club. I cock the peas up through a lack of familiarity with the microwave I set fire to my ovenglove three times - deep joy. And suffer a full thiickness burn to right hand - which by my reaction you would think needed treatment at a supra regional plastics unit. First casualty of chrimbo is my bowels. My routine is thrown out of kilter and I dont pooh at the usual point in my morning procedings (no time). Oh deep joy gut ache all day and an abortive attempt for a discrete post prandial dump (yeah like thats likely). Didnt eat much as a result - no harm there then.
Lunch goes down well, though less than a bottle of wine is consumed as most folk are driving. The shock joke announcement is that colin and alan are off to South Africa in the new year and they are getting hitched. We often rib colin about his moustachioed single lifestyle. His brother Alan is is the same. Colin plays to the audience and camps it big time to the hilarity of the throng - what makes it even funnier is Alans clear discomfort with talk of sexuality at the lunch table double entendres everywhere. Ohhow we larfed. I forget to serve the ham but there is too much food anyway. If a troop of gurkhas had turned up we could have fed them too. We were 10 for lunch eleanor a late drop out due to diarrhoea
After lunch its off to the hospital to see Bea then to Culcheth to see siter Mary and mum John ann and george. Much fun to be had playing cards.

Gadgets » The Top 10 weirdest case mods

Gadgets » The Top 10 weirdest case mods Thanks to Jane who recommends the number two (no pun intended model.

friday a weeks gone

Bit of a mad one.Jeans been running round sorting her mum out, I am trying to sort Christmas, Ally is making us proud with great mock results. We had a fairly good weekend, Jean had a mad day at work heating broke relocate patients and all staff by 5pm. Asbestosfound in boiler room nice, then its Monday night and off to the cathedral. It was Allys carol service. Not many singers but a an impressive site. I got quite tearful at one point realising that this was the first one I had been two. At first it was coxz i was too big, then post surgical, then depressed. Sort of makes me feel like I have come a long way - which intself makes me feel tearful. Get home and relax with a bevy. Bed woken by the news that Uncle Billy has been rushed to A&E. Mums distraught. Doesnt sound good about an hour later news comes through hes dead. RIP Billy.
Billy was always my favourite uncle aled up, with a cigar, pink shirt with a ruffled front sort of a rocker hair style. He would encourage me to have a beer from about the age of 6. He always gave me a few bob and was always good humoured. I shall be raising a glass to him on the 30th a fine man. He and Pat could still turn a fairly mean jive too. He had a pacemaker fitted a few years ago and has had TIA's so I guess it was coming - I feel sorry for Pat and the kids that it came at such a bad time of the year.
So round to Mums Tuesday after liason with sis. Change hours to be worked across three days. In to work late, Louise is cool, home and Jeans off to her mums to shower her with Ruth. I discuss mum with Mary - seems to have gone well at Pats- much initial wailing and gnashing but then the three sisters settle. They are pleased to be joined by Ann (their sister in law) who is terminally ill and Ronnie the brother. Other Brother not present. It amazes me how old people just get on with it, we would have counselling, 3 months off and all sorts. These just are all fairly chipper the next day. My dad (one of 14 of whom only 7 made 21) once told me death wasso much more common and families dealt with it together. I remember when I was little all the sisters lived within 23 streets of me nan. That we went up in the world and moved out to Garston - or Allerton if you are my mum.
Jean comes home distraught her mum isnt good ona variety of levels.
Tescos maintain their vendetta against me.
ie refused payment on my card sunday despite dosh in bank
rang bank & tesco monday am both deny all blame and blame the other.
Monday afternoon refused at checkout escorted to service desk phoned thro its ok.
Tuesday night - home shopping man fones card referred. Looks like I may have to drive to Swan to pay me getting angry now. Phones back its been authorised. Jolly nice chap delivers it (a good honest artisan) he gets a tip - (and it was sort ya fecking IT out).
Jean announces we are stressed - oh good its official - we are running essential services only. First casualty Christmas cards. People we know know we having a crappy time.
Wednesday repeat cycle mums work etc. Jean comes in stressed and knakkered send her to bed. Ruth rings we discuss options as it seems unlikely that Bea will be able to leave house for Christmas day. All sorts is discussed two lunches, I am afraid I cant do lunch for 14 ina strange kitchen- apols if I am unreasonable.Ruth and Paul off to a wedding - who in their right mind arranges something like a wedding the wednesday before christmas. Yeah Elton John.
Thursday repeat wednesday add in a trip with Ally to the doc, festives at Sefton suite. Got my first pay cheque for what my job broker describes as good honest work, it is permitted work so it doesnt effect my benefit. Drop off script take mum to asda purchase turkey pork and other sundries. Home Colin comes round Jean remembers we have to invite the old lady Eleanor next door for Sunday. Happy days, serve three separate meals head up bum. Jean calls from Beas change of plan we take all our food from here to Ruth and Pauls they cook there. I do not adapt well to things changing on the fly so I have to work through every permutation of what can and cant go wrong. I lapse into catatrophising mode and flip. hey ho. After about an hour I sort of get back down on level ground. Start planning - it actually means less graft/stress for us. Just need to deal with the self esteem issues here. So start working it out go for a walk with Ally. Getting there.
Woken with a call from Alan at something to 8am Bea been taken by ambulance to the Royal "gone of her feet" send Jean ack to bed and tidy kichen, mumble at rabbit and start shitting that dinner may be here now.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.
PS Janet Evans from the matchworks said me blog getting boring. You should be working.

NHS Blog Doctor

thanks Jim for this cracker of a blog.

Thursday working alone.

Kinda quiet without Louise. But I cunningly retune her wireless from seventies stuff and inane "easy listening". She'll flip when she hears eddies dulcet tones and the archers theme tune. Anyway I get my stuff sorted andscoot off home. Jeans up for her christmas night out at the holiday inn so Ally and I dine at tyhe madhari. I nip out later to get me ma from the sacrex heart pensioners club.

Wednesday - talking to patients and surgeons.

The admin corridor is pervaded by the smell of a cooked breakfast. Put on as a treat for the surgeons attending the level two bariatric surgery course. I get involved with a couple of meaty jobs for Louise and I start to realise how much I enjoy working here. Just then Louise announces my replacement has been appointed. Pleased for them. Hey ho. Some of the Tyco people and the staff are off to 60 Hope Street, me I am off to the christmas quiz chinese meal. In the end I do neither and stop in. I was asked to give a patients perspective to the surgeons. Two interested looking blokes and miserable gas passer and a v. Interested bunch of women who I suspect are theatre nurses. I wind my home for a visit from the delightful Sandra Bagnall and the lovely Orlaith her and Mikes 4 month old sprogette. Jean goes clearly gaga. Babies do that don't they.

Jumped the tube and then home

Got to Euston with the mimimum of fuss. In to the first class lounge at Euston. Then on to the 7.18 to lime street. Apalling service and I am sat opposite two boring people who don't look like a couiple. Turns out in the taxi rank that they aren't least they don't live together. Separate cabs. Tempted by a refreshing beer in the head of steam but in good boy mode I am away home. Job well done in London.

I didnt understand but it looked impressive

 
 

So I followed them

 
 

While walking along the Mall

 
 

Home from the house

Start the day with a meander in search of a paper and a bag somehow end up in covent garden. End up taking a number 1 breakfast in. Pontis then back to the hotel. Struggle with the tap in the bathroom and my third poo of the day. Don't know how much is big match nerves and how much prawn related action. Then I decide to go to watch the changing of the guard. Well its the tourist in us all. Arrive as the horseguards are trotting out the mall. Walk down to Buck House from the flag flying liz is in. Shame its a cold day as the soldiers have greatcoats on but I see two guys wandering round with the colours. most interesting I then wander up birdcage walk and add my insoles my feet hurt. Two plasters too. Then sort of get lost but come out at st annes gate at the side of the home office. Wander long and take a coffee at the westminster abbey coffee club pray for words of wisdom and some courage. Get to saint stevens entrance and am searched and scanned in to the main entrance and!
left to the great hall oldeat bit of westminster parts dating to 1066 impressive. I introduce myself and meet peter baker david haslam and howard stoate mp. They are the other speakers. I am bricking it. The room is called the jubilee room its up the stairs at the back. Posh ceiling and green chairs with a portcullis. I am cacking difficult audience with a couple of stern faces as usual I play for laffs and lock on the one really friendly face. She turns out to be atrustee of the mens health forum and publisher. I talk to her later dead sound woman. I think it goes down ok I play ball and stick to the brief but wlsinfo gets a mention. It goes well good questions and some good feedback. I enjoy two butties and three glasses of wine though I am drunk on the atmosphere. Even the toilets have a sense of history and occaision. I leave via the HOC gift shop and sanffle some goods. One tube stop and off at embankment. In to starbucks and chill with a well earned coffee. Then !
back to the hotel pick up bag and into the tourist stuffed sherlock ho
lmes theme pub stuff. Talk to some Americans and engage in polite small talk. Food is pooh and I make a poor choice. Train is at 7.18 so some surfing for me.

From covent garden

Had an interesting choice of hotel the citadines apart hotel odd concept but the only thing left. ( V. Short notice). It ok once I realise the sofa doubles as a bed and the pillows are hidden in a cupboard there is a cupboard hoover and a kitchen complete with dishwasher. I hoof it off to waterstones for a coffee and during a discussion with nell it appears I have once again cocked up. I had assumed the meet started at 8 but its 6.30 at the naval club in hilll street mayfair. It being a nice night I opt to hoof it. Its cold but a brisk walk and I am sorted. Find the place at 6.25 and go in small but nice meet run by the inspirational lara. Danny a post opper black diamond and a new 6 week bandster and a preopper with her partner. It goes very quick then the majority of us walk to green park and I get off at leicester square. I then wander round china town and look for food all the good ones seem full of works christmas nights so I find sad bastard central where three guys ar!
e eating alone. Its really called the Yee Tung. My concerns grow when two of these guys are staff who clearly don't speak to each other. I order steamed pork dumplings (unfried wor tip). Butterly prawns and seafood hand pulled pan fried noodles. Big mistake not much sea food but plenty of butterfly prawns. Wander back to the apart and chill.

Pulling in to Euston

Mr Branson getting us in on time. Camp conductor gets over familiar, treats me as a special regular traveller he is but he knows it makes me nervous. Pass the huge plume of smoke from the hemel hempstead nlaze and it is shocking for sure.

Sunday/Monday.

Down down to SAJ were all is far from well. Jean is very upset by the whole thing. Difficult situation when ones parents need putting straight. I try to take some of the brunt but feel I fall sjhort. Still its a lousy mess where no one feels good. Of to bar reva for brunch then round for a conflab with Ruth and Paul, realise that family outsiders only see a veneer and that things can look good and be crap. Back to ours and work sorting the telly dvd media pc etc we get a working solution and Ally and I watch the fellowship of the ring while jean has a kip. Colin comes round in the pm for some present buying advice.
Monday morning is busy and I take mum to franks he does sterling work and prescribes a calcium channel blocker. I have a catch up and drop in to Craig and Erics with the script. Then it home back to mums pick up some stuff I forgot then off to Lime Street and then on to 13.15 platform seven pendolino to euston. By the way my mate Andrew is courting that's good news. Food on train ciabatta and waldorf salad two glasses of red and 4 copies. Purpose of trip speaking ata reception of all party parliamentary group on mens health in houses of parliament tomorrow. Excited big time btw. The theme this year is obesity and the conference was all about that. I have to speak for 5 minutes to. A standing lunchtime reception. 2 hours in there tops. Tad nervous truth be told.

Heathcotes review

Impressive venue, by the no longer working fountain on Beetham Plaza. Warm welcome, straight efficient service. Straight to table winter menu available as per website. Some specials including a turkey dinner.
So Starters
Salad of Ham Hock blackpudding and poached egg with mustard. Ken and Paul.
Pumpkin soup with sage oil ruth
sweet pickled orkney herrings for jean.

Mains
steak for ruth
pan fried hake on baby spinach with spiced puy lentils for me
smoked haddock mussels and creamed curry sauce paul
goosnargh duck breast braised red cabbage fondant spud jean
side of veg and chips

puds
paul had posh cheeses
ruth banoffee sundae
me and jean the posh ice cream with a carmellised sherry lobbed over it.
I at pauls recommendation lobbed an espresso over mine too. It was boss.
One top meal round of aperitifs 1 bottle of red and and a bottle of white a bargain at 168. Excellent food and great night. We got messed about a bit and asked to leave the table but no request had been agreed at a time of booking so we got 4 complimentary glasses of v. nice LBV Taylors port.
Splendid night and off to home.
Wake up in the morning and a storm is brewing down at Sir Alfred Jones Memorial Hospital, in the shape of Jeans mum.

Saturday

Iam neglecting my blog - its poo and I am ashamed to admit it. But its the second casualty of a busy life. First is gym. So reviewing the week tells of a media pc telly set up that looks good but dont work right. trip to richer sounds which I heartily recommends provides speakers good advice and top quality service. Work as ever is top. I had to change my days to facilitate delivery. So we now have suite, lamps, living room in ship shape apart from audio visuals. 32" lcd telly, elonex artisan media pc, cable box, and denon amp and reciever. Its all on a posh stand. We have a 5.1 speaker sytem. Just need to get the thing wired and moved back and we'll be funky. Jeans a bit miffed that there are more boxes than I promised and that watching telly will be a pain. Me and Ally are plain in to it.Surfing the web on a 32" LCD is cool.
In the midst of all this Jeans mum is causing mayhem at SAJMH, spiked a temp and is slightly toxic and isnt keen to stay. Result is Jean is stressed out plus plus. I prescribe retail therapy on friday night and fresh sprouts her fave veg. So today off to tip (for the fourth time this week)got to go see Frank the barber go to charity shop - cats welfare probably and then a man is coming to enable us to get freeview. Which reminds me I'll need to nip to maplins get a DVI cable and some sound cables speaker leads etc. Then in the PM its off to Simply Heathcotes with Ruth and Paul bit worried that it will be Christmas menu only. The wine doctor is less than kind. So I am off to find another review - my liverpool says better.

I have become Alan Partridge

Or more precisely an "Argos/world of leather man." Least thats how it looks in the pictures. I do increasingly find myself developing in to the worst of homer/meldrew/brent/partidge. Not pleasant - still the lack of work means less Brentisms. I did feel a moment or two coming on during my leaving speech but managed to steer away. Good to see Clarkey won a much deserved gong at the NW dada fest, though the sod did have a shameless appeal for votes. I voted of course. Jean admitted to voting in the sports personality of the year -HELP - next thing you know it will be strictly come dancing.
The room downstairs looks great with the downside is it makes the rest of the house look pants. Discuss dining room upgrade.
Jeans mum admitted to Royal then on to SAJMH with fractures in L4 and L5.
Telly arrives and is unpacked - it looks good.
Media PC set up but its a pig to configure to be honest. Still hours of fun to be had.
Allys surprise chrimbo pressie arrives - shes in so there goes the surprise.
I have been for my three year follow up.
I shall extract a post from WLSinfo
Went to Walton for my three year follow up appointment today. As ever in the NHS a wait for quality care but thats the penalty for a lengthy consultation in which you don't feel rushed. As at every stage of my care I felt blessed to have fallen on my feet again. I saw the new Consultant on the team Mr Macadam and was impressed.
I had gained but not within unmannageable paramaters (less than I dreaded). We talked about why and an action plan. (will post stats later).
We talked about my compliance with vits and minerals - 100% forceval, 40% zinc and calcium citrate /d3.
Discussed plastics - no thanks.
Discussed my mental health, social and psychological effects.
Bloods ordered Renal bone and Liver screen. Full Blood count, Vit D parathyroid Hormone, Trace elements,B12 and folate.
Offered dietitian consultation if required.
Met Physio from weight management clinic - Kate.
See in 1 year.
Once again excellent service from the team at Univeristy Hospitals Aintree.

Done well - weight up to 19st 12lb but he was happy - I am less happy but at least psychologically I didnt have the burden of breaking the 20st barrier.
Sure more has happened but detail is hard. Christmas looms and we need to get ship shape. Working today and I need to sort with Louise my days for the next couple of weeks.

More cushions than we need

 
 

New floor

 
 

A really good idea

Whilst browsing for some mens health fodder I found this gem amongst the muscular bodies and lingerie buying advice.Is it me or am I too old for the general target audience for mens health advice. The byeline - Tuesdays daily dose - Work your entire body with the Turkish get up, inspire her to dress sexier and learn techniques to cut cravings. Plus make  broccoli and beef stir fry on this typical laddish site did nothing for me. Though I must confess to feeling something aimed at chilblain advice for my alter ego might be appropriate. Typical public service broadcaster the quiz isnt working but from my reaction, I think I score v.v. high in the meldrew stakes

Helluva queue at the post office.

Week was a blur. Decorating continues some parcels arrive. Media pc dvd rw for ally. Buy curtains work monday and wednesday. Plenty to do and social side is good. See peter kinderMan and have a top session thursday in the am. Reflect that my mental health is better than any time in last 4 years and things are getting there this brings a strange calm and I don't take a drink Thursday night I had failed to complete his positive affirmation stuff but he works with me anyway.