Spoon Restaurant : 103 - 105 Allerton Road Liverpool L18 2DD

Spoon Restaurant : 103 - 105 Allerton Road Liverpool L18 2DD For Birthday Tea.
I was a bit worried when i rang at 6.20 and they had a table for 2 at 7. But I neednt have been. Nice place candlelit, bit cool temp wise but nice bench with cushions thing going on.
Limited menu hink it was 5 starters and mains. I went for monkfish cheeks and baby scallops with a buttery greamy garlic sauce going on. I wasnt sure that a monkish had more than a tail which was edible but they werent butt cheeks. 9/10. The sauce needed moppping by hand with the home made bread. Preceded by a glass of unoaked chilean chardonnay. Jean was sort of acked into a spaghetti number (dont eat spaghetti out or unless naked.It was a clam crab and tomato looked good tasted good and was a winner. Both seved on hot plates.
Mains stuck with a chilean thing and went merlot - Jean did a steak and slowroast tomato dish I scored a free mushroom, hers was served with most symmetrical and delicious fat chips.
Mine a panfried druck brest served with asiatic greens and a warm salad with sesame dressing. Very good we added honeyroast parsnips and steamed broccoli with garlic.
Top banana

Location

Location Going here on the 13th Feb for www.patient?
- Using the Internet to Support and Inform Health Consumers

Its my birthday

45 today, the girls wake me at something past 7. Tea and croissant - bonza. Then its pressie time. Shower gel, lens and skylight filter boxed set of murder one top 90's Bocho classic. All sorts of goodies - I am lucky. The girls scoot and I play pc stuff then I build a makeshift hide in the garden and experiment with my telephoto. Sad but true I am afraid. Ally asks me to book a table for tea for her and hannah at the other place. Don't know where we are going.

26 Jan

Got up lateish and arsed about. Plenty of computer self indulgence (not charidee related). Had an appt with the Prof spoke to Lynn a auxiliary who I once made very happy by upgrading her. And then Phil from cell. Then its in to see the prof. Bit of a sad time really he is leaving.
Hes done the hard work though he has got me to accept my diagnosis and comply with meds which I nver thought I would - tis astounding. We reflect on my journey thus far. BAD is the mental equivalent of diabetes with the added bonus that even if you do do everything right maintainance wise you can still flop. Happy days. Anyway chin up boy and think positive, we got thro a crap month generally the worst of my time and I feel OK.
Result.

January 2006 Update Rollup for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

January 2006 Update Rollup for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005Delighted to find this, this am. Thinking it would cure my woes instead its scuppered em - the media pc is donalded, the website is donalded and I have to do the rabbit clean out tonight. Happy days.

Clarence Court

Clarence CourtHad to off these boys for breakfast. Nice

Who would be a webmaster

Not me ever again.
Account Temporarily Disabled

This account has been temporarily disabled. If you are the owner of this account and have questions about its status, please contact your provider's technical support staff.

Thank you for your understanding.
Says the WLSinfo home page nice.

The site 5 email says
Hello,

This account was using an excessive amount of resources that could have crached the server. Please let me know what scripts you are running, it appears one of them is going to need to be removed or fixed.

Same scripts we been running for the past few months ok more users but hey - deeply mot impressed.
I react by scooting to cell. Great to see the boys and we remember two members not present with big probs. Frank likes cameras he is a sad man too. Good to connect with the boys. Nowt on telly so we watch nighty night.
Hope the boys here are happy I aint.
So Wednesday today Sefton Suite, Phone calls, and then who knows.

Kinda miffed but welcome new blog watcher

Sefton Suite day, and they even pay me cool or what. Sefton Suite does remind me of a 70's club though it'll probably be in Kirby or a function room in Maghull Town Hall. Anyway I was obergruppenfurher community care in Mag hull and it no town. Look at the map it dont even have a horse - its a parish with attitude. Home to Park Lane Mosside renamed Asworth in a sellafield type image change. Its pants up there.
Apols to the few decent folk I know who live there - Its like the Wirral full of scousers who think they bettered themselves. Yeah right bettered yourself by having to negotiate Switch island or the mersey tunnnel every day.
Work was up and down alone for the first bit then lunched and a theatre nurse Jackie fesses up to finding the blog. Up comes the whats a blog from the assembled throng, sad peeps. If you are here you know so thats ok. Yet again I need to watch what I am saying about a significant group of my colleagues.
I aint sussed out what goes on in Abbey sefton theatres. Not sure I want to, last time I went they cut me up. The staff seem to get a lot of boxes delivered and store them in the room opposite where I sit, they then process up and down and get boxes I magine its gloves and sutures and long things. Anyway welcome Jackie and if you (like other blog watchers )think I eat too much dont tell me. Home medicate the rabbit and do a bit of web work.

A frosty day

 
 

Black Sheep

Black Sheep: "

Listen to Arsenal lose at Goodison, not good news, the SHA will be lively Tuesday. Glad I didn't drag Cal along to the game, maybe next year though.

"
I experiment with my new toy. Onfoliothink I may have used it before but this seems slicker. Tempted to buy it.

Monday morning sat outside franks

Docs not barbers, he was ill last week so me and mum hjave adjacent appts. So last blogged about apes and enery. Incidentally kieran I think Henery 8 was a bad un still an impressive pic. After the culutre I swooped to tj s for a butty then to uni for a bipolar steering group meeting. So there's me and fiona nice SpRcaroline a secretary, a lady who didn't introduce herself, prof morris, prof kinderman and judith (carer rep) sat looking at a table talking to the prof in manc who chairs it, stats man who lives inm the kingdom of boredom, and a doc in Newcastle. Wow teleconferencing its crap. Sure its a great timesaver but its crap for a lip reader anmd someone who relies on nuance like me. Its not muchj for me tosay. Just when I have a stunning point prof morris pips me at the post. They are saying 90% compliance is required and will be achieved both prof M and I

Face To Face: Photography by James Mollison (Chim)

Face To Face: Photography by James Mollison (Chim)Am I a culture vulture or what - and I bought the book.

'And when did you last see your father', WF Yeames, 1878

'And when did you last see your father', WF Yeames, 1878Saw that as well, remember it from the prefects room at school when I got lines for eating iced sponge in my hand. This, boy is not a back street cafe said Head boy Gary Mason

Henry VIII Revealed

Henry VIII RevealedSaw him today last saw it as a kid, I remember a Blue Peter album where noakesy dressed up as him

Wednesday mornin

Eat out last night. I drank too much. So much for the two days of control I had managed. Good meal, mussels and salmon en croute u which was filo wrapped. Went to yates afterewards. Then this mornin its up to see peter kinderman. Then a stroll into town. Pick up the post then on to the museum. Caught up with the must see exhibition face to face. 30 close cropped portraits of apes. Taken from tjhe book james and other apes. Impressive. Coffe in the museum coffee shop. Have to say its been rebranded the world museum and is a goods trip. Especially not in the summer, in the words of arnie "I,ll be back. Next its hit the shop then on to the walker get me some hot hans holbien action.

On me lunch

Wednesday sefton suite. Louise at a meeting me a bit tired after a late night last night. Jeans ma still not rosie family meet didn't quite come off. Don't suspect she reads the blog so ok to post. Realise what a mess the Nhs is in when I ring health start about the corporate cup to be told that dates can't be finalised cos pcts can't get their act together
jeans mums care is pants an all. All made worse by being insiders. Going to a support group last night made things better, real good to see thing growing. Had a good telephone meet with Louise Diss from TOAST arranging a two day meet. Soon.
Lunch is boring the canteens chicken chassuer over priced and overly cooked aint brill. I have a couple of things to do. Pick up veg and bread on way home. Top banana.

Holiday cottage in Brittany France

Holiday cottage in Brittany France: "
Bathroom - Toilet"

Saturday Night

Jeans watching casualty and I am blogging. I am a bit flakey, dont know why but deffo restless. Going to see Frank on Monday anyway. Finding concentration difficult and the stress of Jeans mums situation and pressure of work. Definitely finding less to be positive about.
Anyway get speakers sorted in 5.1 mode and I have bought the wire and two speakers to enable the gear change to 7.1. Sad or what.
I have a confession to make, in Borders I made a purchase of a top shelf magaxzine in Borders. Not FHM or nuts but This sexy number, mind you I am more embarrassed than if I had bought a shady bloke book. Work Tuesday and Wednesday next week again. Peter Kinderman on Thursday and Prof Morriss coming up. Want to get me camera sorted out.
Did lunch with kim on Friday good time was had at the Tai pan. Good lunch and a great catch up. Made up she seems so content and happy. Cooking lunch tomorrow. Saw Veronica Bellis in Great Wall she looks well.

New year new starbucks

Here I am sat in the new bucks opposite the royal. Seems strangely quietto me oy been open a week and is more popular with internationals then locals. Heard 4 languages in additon and saw my eye doc too. So been pretty mad since festives. Billys funeral came and went avoided new year as the sham of a festival it is. All andi stewart and drunk neighnbours making me kiss them memories for me. Still the image of port and lemon filled grannys fills me with horror. First drink I ever tated Btw.
There was a prog called dying to be thin on the tv tother night. It set out to illustrate the negative effects off bariatric surgery, it went for a v. Dramatic way. It scared some people and educated others. Caused ranting here and then I watched it again and felt well. The pictures were dramtic sure for many they will be the images recallled. It seemed more positive after actually watching it and noting the key messages. Bottom line for me it clumsily got many key messsages across.
Jeans mum in the royal still. Jean and ruth seeing dr fook today. Poor sod wild name. Me I brought ma to Bingo. I see from the our community that it is actually active aging. No wonder they get grants etc to go out. PCT no doubt ticking big boxes. I must do a FOi enquiry about the report of what goes on there and compare it with mums skewed reality. They did dree up in period costume once so probably getting arts council grant as well. In fact the bucks prob gets a grant by claiming to be in Kensington regeneration area and the bish (who looks like peter sutcliffe) is selling on fair trade. (Win win).
Worked two dAys last week. We are off to balmaha at half term ) deep joy right off to pick ma up after active aging.

NHS Photo Library - Login

NHS Photo Library - LoginKieran are you a member is it any good.

 
 

Shakespeare -the thinker

 
 

FOLIO

FOLIO Dont know if its interesting or not.

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.

Friday and the weekend

To tell the truth I had been dreading it apologies had ben flowing in and a rather touching array of emails wishing me bon voyage. It was unclear who was organising it though plenty of people denied it. Could have been dissapointed with some notable no shows but the most important people without good excuses where there. Val Vernon delivered an excellent see ya speech including a touching piece from gary glitter lookalike Bob Steele. He couldn't be there so had sent an email. Good to see faces from mickey browne through to ann deane delia catilidge and sam howlin. Career summed up in four people. Nice gift of pc world vouchers some champers and some wine. Some nice cards and warm words. Went to pub afterwards Gordon Jones turned up got drunk went home much to Jeans surprise very early.
Woke up in good shape Saturday and made spoon for a pleasant lunch. Do some shopping and chill in our spartan living room.
Sunday up late rush breakfast cause indigestion miss church light lunch and hit patio for their price fixee. I go halves with scallops and white bait with Colin. Main course is fillet of sea bass on a pillow of prawns scampi and scallops. I halve a cinder toffe cheesecake with al. Top stuff.

Leaving do done

Went well vals speech good mine passable and within acceptable limits. OF to the atrium which is too loud.

Thursday

So its Thursday JK comes and does a few bits while I get ready. Then its off to the Swan and draw out a few bob to pay for the motor. Off to manc land and pick it up. Well pleased with my 1.9diesel scenic dynamique. Drive back home. Off to see Prof Morris at the Moss house. Speak to Suzanne who seems to be some sort of uber admin type.
Phil from cell is there waiting for his appt , have a quick natter before he goes in. I pass my time with the mersey care mag and the manuals for the new motor. It seems to have too many buttons and cubby holes. Still I feel certain I will get to find my way round in a year or too.
Prof and I pleased with progress and I am convinced that my sessions with peter kinderman are helping immensely. Continue with meds think about prozac reduction in spring. Need valproate levels doing and liver function and full blood count. Home via speke retall pick up fan heater and victuals from M+S. We have pork and veg selection. Ally has the most delicious oven chips and a steak slice. I know because I tried 4. We chill watch thing about lifeguards and little britain. We decide that it past its best and try to find something else. Thinking about speech and not short of ideas worried that I will shout Arse! At the top of my voice. Jean gives me a lengthy list of topics to avoid.

Wednesday work and a job broker.

Wor goes well but glad I am done, getting really nervous about Fridays doo. Kim says my nothing to lose speech is eagerly anticipated I have several themes running through my mind but will firm them up Friday AM.
Off to the job centre plus to see Vicki my job broker from the Shaw Trust. Sound woman and I enjoy the session think she says me as different to her bread and butter client but is willing to help none the less. Get home and the lack of furniture in the front rom is getting on the girls pip. I kinda dig the minimalist squat decor. Few beer tins and chip papers I would be well in.

Tuesday work and support group

First day at work and it flys. Louise and some others from the Sefton suite have scooted to Leeds for a course. I immerse myself in simple tasks. The hone doesnt stop and I quickly realise how hard Louise works. Lunch in the staff canteen was plop. 4.20's worth. Chicken and veg - butty tomorrow for sure. Back in the afternoon then off to St Pauls to get my eyes checked wait an hour and a half get seen by a thorough guy pupils dilated and Jean has to come and get me. Saw Dave and Maria. Jean Drops me off at Greenbank were a few members are already eating. Some great changes and some new faces. Felt v. positive. Home in cab and bed.

Monday bought a car scary.

Went to the 206 centre to buy a 406 they had sold already ended up with a renault scenic dynamique. Funky car and I am well pleased. Pick it up later in the week. Two sun rooves (roofs) and a 6 cd - see how car savvy I am.
Good natter with JK then run mum up to bank and to Tesco. Home and then nipped roundto Jacks with airwalkers for uruguay trip. Then home blooming cold. jean full of cold and didnt go to work.

FW: Ken Clare's Leaving Do

Sending you this for one of several reasons - Maybe
a) I happened across you in my now ended NHS career and wanted you to help
celebrate my early retirement
b) I thought you should know I no longer am in full time employment and I am
a hot property
c) I wanted to let you know I was lucky enough to escape early
d) I was worried you had not been invited through the formal invitation
system that has been established
e) Maybe you are adjacent to someone who meets one of these criteria in my
address book and I pressed the wrong button.

Anyway even though I have left the day job please keep in touch
If you can come on Friday that would be great
Ken Clare
-----Original Message-----
From: McNaught Kim [mailto:Kim.McNaught@southliverpoolpct.nhs.uk]
Sent: 21 November 2005 17:22
To: Ken Clare (E-mail); Ken Clare (E-mail)
Subject: FW: Ken Clare's Leaving Do
Importance: High

See below for my latest info bulletin.

Can you put something on your blog as well in case people don' t get my
message, please??

> Dear All,
> As you know Ken's presentation will be at 3.30 in Room 24 in Hamilton
House on friday 25th November. He is going to the Atrium Bar on Tithebarn
Street afterwards if anyone fancies a drink and/or if you can't make it to
the formal event. He's asked me to let everyone know but I suspect I am
failing badly in this role so please pass this on to anyone who might be
interested - I will, no doubt, have forgotten about people (early onset of
Alzheimer's and all that...).
>
> I've got a collection and card if anyone wants to contribute or sign the
card - if you haven't already done so.
>
> Many thanks!
> Kim
>
>
> Kim McNaught
> Assistant Director of Finance
>

Sunday come home Jean

Chill in the am pleasant breakfast with the papers. Clear out the rabbit with Ally. Then its off to get Bea and off to Ruth and Pauls for pleasant beef dinner. Back home after seeing Mum. Mooch round and sort Allys pc. Got washing sorted for Mr Mo the ironing man. Plenty to do before setting off to machester airport to pick Jean up. Frank rang he's got a busy week teaching at the university and I have an anxious moment with my formal retirement doo coming up. Don't like the idea of a party being thrown for me, and me having no control of the invites or

Saturday - good day

I whip Ally down to Neighbourhood for brunch. Tasty if pricey.Then its drop her in town and then off to the tip for me. Then pop into see Nanna she wants taking to Asda for a new pan - not a "shite one" presumably not Le Creuset though. She spends 13 notes which is a lot for her. I drop her at home and then the speke branch of PC world. To be onest I am dissapointed, poor selection though media pcs look an interesting concept. Then its off to M&S No Mercy branch. Could claim Kieran named that but Gordon penned the name for the North Mersey Community Trust.
Then home and out to buy hay for the boy. Then a domin pizza for tea, it was pants.

Its at this moment I realise I need a digital SLR

 
 

Friday the weekend starts here

Take mum out for a bit find plenty to do around the house mooching kind of day. New kit arrives Laptop for me, one for jean and a desktop for ally. Throw in a 19" Laptop for me and I am happy. Double specced the m,emry on the laptops.
The Vaio is a cute beast and the 3 year warranty was a clincher. Laptops.co.uk beat Dells sales line anyday of the week and the two 3g cards was worth a lot to me. Off to Beas in the evening.

Catford Support Grop Sunday 19th Nov

 
 

The Central London Group

 
 

Wednesday off to discuss a four letter word.

A meeting at 10 at Abbey Sefton to discuss work potential, and difficulties/options/solutions sounds workable. Very low level low committment stuff. Also concerned about how it affects me pension, earnings benfits etc and have a meeting at the jobcentre plus to discuss this on Thursday. Get home tired and feeling like its a go. JK has started decorating project.
Me on insurance for Jeans new car and its off to Manc airport for a flight to glasgow she is off for 2 2 day courses.

I cant believe its that long since I blogged type post

Journey home on Tuesday was an experience a combination of fear and prayer prayer won coz I got through it. The Walton to Waterloo was cool.
Then under Rebeccas careful instructions I had to go south on the the northern line then a via bank train to Moorgate. We met and had coffee and a brekfast buttie great to see her.Back on the less crowded thereful less frightening tube. the its Virgin 12.18 first class to Lime Street - crackin stuff great journey good wine good food. Home with presents necklace for Jean and lipstick notebooks and mobile phone for Ally.
Then its chill stuff.Do photos etc.

Most expensive car I been in for a while - Andrews courtesy car

 
 

Thursday

Well I thought I had posted this earlier so a bit cheesed off it disaapeared may well show later. Again up at Abbey discussing work but its a moot point till I see the jobcentre adviser - Eddie. He's a bit late and the atmossphere in Belle Valle jobbie is far from PLUS as the government would have me believe. One poor psychotic sod in front of me says he is considering MI5 as a career he has been inspired by spooks on the box.
Eddile gets me name wrong (de facto procedure for the Department Work Pensions). He is quite perplexed that I have made an appointment within one month of finishing work. Seems its a bit unusual he is also surprised at my willingness to do something. So he explains the rules of permitted work. It seems its 20hours and 81 quid a week. Seems cool to me all without affecting my incapacity benefit.
I enquire about the new deal for disabled people and he arranges an appointment with Vicki my job broker from the shaw trust. Meeting her next week at Belle Vale. Thursday night its home and a bit of browsing in Tesco Old Swan.

Pressed send instead of save.

Easily done so I continue.
Hit Portsmouth andrew cleverly avoids the pirate parking and we hit an Ncp run muti storey. Into the historic dockyards and we sign up for a 2 year season ticket each. I wasn't buying him flowers so I figure its a good gift. We hit the mary rose museum which was good and then a guided tour of HMS victory with a n old salt who reminded me of the chairman of a local trust. His delivery was initially poor but warmed up. The thing itself was stunning and it was difficult to imagine 850 men living aboard. Then we chugged along for our harbour tour which we both enjoyed saw plenty of naval ships which I was well into. I aint sure about boats but I managed ok. We had to rush for food and the selection for food was pants got two pies for 4.50. Eat them on the boat. The skipper was quite amusing and drop his mate a Quid tip on the the way out. Impressed by the spinnaker tower and landed at the shopping centre as the tide was low. Walked back to the museum and went in to see the Mary!
Rose my word it was impressive. I was dead impressed. Then we walked back to the shopping centre found a coffee shop then I went on the hunt for a pressie for Jean. Mission accomplished we went upstairs to the santa fe restaurant. A sort of tex mex gaff I opted for two starters shrimp fritter things and crab cakes the guy told me to add in some new spuds. They was good it was a bit hot. Then wander back along the coast to shoreham by Sea. Real nice pub and the group meets in the back room. Deeply moved by the warmth of welcome. Good for me in terms of feeling positive. Ann and Rick run a great group and full credit to them. I won't list people but its moving the changes to their lives that WLS has made. I won't single names out cos I am bound to miss people but met a reallife blogwatcher allison. I said I would mention you. She pointed out how much the blog focusses on food. I recall what a foodie I am at heart. Great meet rounded off by two pints of Greene King IPA. Then!
hours drive to andrew diverting to a 24 hour Tesco near where Jane li
ves. Get a few things then back home. Too late a night given the planned early start.

Monday Portsmouth and stuff.

So we left Andrews later than we planned and followed the sat nav to Portsmouth. Seemed a long journey but broken by a delightful stop at The Devils Punchbowl cafe. I must look it up but it seemed like a funky place. National Trust run caff gaff run by really nice people who clearly loved their job. The FEB was great and the locally sourced sausage was too delicious for words.

Sunday in London

We get up and hit the A3 for London we stop to take on gas and fuel for us ibhit a breakfast turnover. A strange piece of pastry with some sausage beans and a pice of bacon as well as something that was once an egg. How odd. Then into the ca again and hit London traffic we eventuyally park in somewhere near centrepoint. Walked a bit then found the cafe nero at 7 dials. Met suzannah, bobrob,trish, verity, and the londoner. A great bunch. Then its in to the merc for a sat nav journey across London to Catford to the support group. Good lively bunch led by Gill. I will throw a picture up here later. Touched by the appreciation of people for the site and what I have achieved, I leave with a warm feeling. Then its back to Andrews where we chill before eating in Si. A pleasant eatery where I do calamari and a prawn pasta thing. Back home.

Good Thai and chill

Enjoyed the food the George seemed loud and it boasts several national front members. Good pint of spitfire.Very pleasant evening just chilling and dinking wine. Feet are sore.

Good day in the smoke

Got the train in from Walton after a good breakfast. In to Waterloo then Jubilee line to Baker Street and we 3e off tio find a music shop for a reed for Andrew sax. Then into selfridges get Allys pessie then walk along and then jump a bus to a place near British Museum for lunch. Then into museum we book ito a 90 minute highlights tour with a delightful old lady. We see the rosetta stone some call stuff from assyria and the elgin marbles. There was loads to see a real wow place. I kept seeing things off the telly waht blew me away was the last room of the tour the sutton hoo finds top stuff. Backk home on the trains and I am blogging in the George wich is busy and serves a range of shepherd neame stuff so I started on a spitfire and may have a bishops finger or a master brew next. We have ordered a thai take away from the gaff next door andrew is doing his sax practice.

Walton

Andrew picks me up in his rented Mercedes SLK 350 which has a 3.5 litre engine and goes like the wind. He takes me to the thames which is 2 minutes from his really nice house. His living room is cool with more gadgets than is decent in one house. Big plasma screen and wireless media streaming. All sorts of stuff. We chill then its off to Oatlands hotel a very posh gaff indeed. Had a bar snack and a great old conversation.
Back to Andrews in the fast car then its natter watch have I got news for you and drink wine for too long. London is calling.

Didn't get any more refreshments

Still it was deffo worth the upgrade. Sat opposite two welsh speakers. Off the train at Euston northern line charing cross branch southbound to waterloo. Coolio. Up to the main concourse and 3.50 ticket to Walton on Thames. Speak to nice lady with own business who helps people set up their own business over the internet. Then its the 14.42 stopping train to basingstoke delayed due to a small fire at the side of the track. Leaves 3 minutes late. In touch with Andrew via Blackberry PIN messenger.

Didn't get any more refreshments

Still it was deffo worth the upgrade. Sat opposite two welsh speakers. Off the train at Euston northern line charing cross branch southbound to waterloo. Coolio. Up to the main concourse and 3.50 ticket to Walton on Thames. Speak to nice lady with own business who helps people set up their own business over the internet. Then its the 14.42 stopping train to basingstoke delayed due to a small fire at the side of the track. Leaves 3 minutes late. In touch with Andrew via Blackberry PIN messenger.

London bound

I forgot to mention that have been invited to address the all party parliamentary group on mens health in December cool I have always wanted to go the houses of p. Bit terrified and tjhe gig is only five minutes to standing members. (Sorry couldn't resist). As usual in a panic about getting out and probably have forgotten my meds or something. Don't think so.
Get confirmation of my pension and lump sum and its officially happy days believe me I am blessed.
Will be pleased to get car sorted out now looking at 406 estate to facilitate transport of our kid.
Christmas looks better all of a sudden. Deciding which gadget to empower myself with in Londinium. Choosing is two thirds of the fun.
Taxi to Lime street and hit Boots and WHSmith. Pick up a poppy of a royal marine and stare at it in contemplation during the poorly observed 2 minute silence.
On to the 11.15 to Euston Pendolino 1st class coach G 13A. Coffee almost straight away and then wine and water and lunch served by crewe.
A copy of the Times and free headphones. Lunch was cheddar, camembert, carrot salad and pate brown roll tangerine and shortbread. Plenty of tea and coffee one more alcohol round and still an hour to go. Well worth the 17 noted do far (and 4 seats to me self). Happy days.

Thursday doctors jack and aintree

Up with the lark and out to pick up the script. Bit of a hiccough means it aint available for about 10 minutes. Coolio I sit and blog. Then up to craigs pharmacy drop in the script and wait in hampers where I partake of breakfast. Back then pick up script see jack for an houir and a half. Top man Jack. Then pick up JK to go see sarah and elaine in the sefton suite. Most pleasant then back via the furniture outlet villlage. In the pm jk comes round to size up the decorating and stays for a brew. Discuss details with Andrew after JK goes.

This appeared on an Informatics mailing list to which I subscribe and was taken from a Doctors mailing list I think

Made me smile in a David Brent type way. Its headed Nice Lady Doctors

 

1) To save time, please remove knickers before entering the consulting room. No more than one layer of loose fitting clothing should be worn.

Breast lumps should be clearly marked. Before you ask, the reason your stomach is swollen is that you are fat.

(2) Nice Lady Doctors (NLD) are trained to completely ignore inflammatory terms such as " constant projectile vomiting", "hair falling out in handfuls" and "I feel like a ninety year old". So don't bother using them.

(3) Please consider bringing the NLD a gift of some extra strength air freshener or pot pourri. It really pisses us off that we have to buy our own. It isn't us who stink.

(4) Nice Lady Doctors have no additional training in period problems. We have our own periods, of course, but consider periods to be a strictly private matter of absolutely no interest whatsoever to anyone else, and we wouldn't dream of boring you with the details.

(5) Don't consult the NLD to discuss your concerns about the health and habits of your beer-swilling, couch-potato, half-witted husband. We can assure you that you are the only female on this planet concerned with his welfare

(6) The NLD may appear tired, frazzled or even suicidal to you. This is because she may have problems of her own. If you wish to see a doctor who can devote their entire attention to your numerous worries, make an appointment with a male doctor.

(7) Do not make the mistake of believing we know just what you are talking about. Our lives are not like yours. For example, we do not have time to consult our GP.

(8) It may astonish you to learn that no cures exist for feeling tired all the time, farting noisily, or a pain in your right ear which occurs once every 200 years. Nice Lady Doctors do not, in actual fact, have a magic wand in their desk. Weak kittens should be treated by a vet.

(9) NLDs greatly appreciate your expensive gifts and public expressions of gratitude However, offering to loan the doctor your size 22 purple chiffon Marquee style evening dress will result in your removal from our list

(10) Men should not consult Nice Lady Doctors. We will think you are a wimp or a pervert. We will laugh hilariously at your inadequate physique when we meet up with other NLDs

(11) Only use approved laboratory containers for urine specimens. Using a Bacardi miniature can put us off our favourite tipple for life.

(12) Lists should be legibly written on clean paper. Please show the doctor the entire list to increase our amusement. Expect to have at least half of what you have written ignored. We haven't got all day.

(13) Nice Lady Doctors are not born with a special slimness gene. If your NLD is a size 10 it is because she does not gorge herself on fish and chips whilst watching Australian soaps all day, and nor should you. If the NLD is generously proportioned, she probably has a medical problem with her glands

(14) Nice Lady Doctors are not clairvoyants. We do not know exactly when your baby will be born, nor do we know when your menopause will be. We do not know how long you will continue to suffer terribly, or when they will finally invent a cure for your red cheeks or sweaty feet.

(15) Nice Lady Doctors do not know for certain why your husband doesn't listen to you, or why he ran off with a neighbour, or why he never remembers your Wedding Anniversary. We can, however, hazard a reasonable guess

(16) Nice Lady Doctors will often have children of their own. Such children, will, of course, never be bed-wetters, fussy eaters, drug addicts or obese slobs because we are the founts of all knowledge, blessed with perfect lives.

 

On the road again.

After town slugged around the bed room sorting a few things. Mary rang good discussion about mum. Sorted out Christmas day I think. Then its off to new mersey retail looking for food - pizza hut and then a 3 piece suite. Our desire for a 3 and 2 chairs sets us apart and its a no joy. Blast need to go to a place on Long Lane tomorrow.

Job offers and stuff

Well I always planned to return to some form of employment but I didn't have next week in mind. The speed is scary, but as Nell said be careful what you pray for. You just might get it. Spend sometime trying to understand New Deal for the Disabled, which is more than the guy on the New Deal help Line had done. He hadn't even read the one page pdf on all you need to know about NDD. Basically uncle tone doesn't want us sickly scroungers hanging about when we could be out selling matches or summat. He will help us regain our self esteem by getting a job broker to help us polish our cv's. We will be helped to identify our marketable skills and helped on the road to recovery. Whilst conveniently reducing his numbers happy days. Ah well my first day of retirement seems to have coincided with the launch of a shop a scrounger initiative. In true self form I contemplate shopping my self. Call from caroline about the formal egg and cress retirement which it would appear will be on fri!
day 25th November and we plan a more informal celebration on 2nd december venue tbc. Pick. Mum up off to postie and then to tjs for lunch and I am in to see prof k. Good stuff. He is based ine old royal excellent use of buildings.

After Frank

I wouldn't be my mums GP for a gold clock, she is a classic "poor historian" and her bizarre communication makes it bloody hard for the lad. But he does a champion job as ever. Upshot is shes got probable anaemia and angina both contributing to her continued breathless. Also bunged up and wicked cramps. Take her to the bank, drop her script into the ghood man craig who delivers it later and call in to Tesco for a rest and a cup of tea.Get a fone call at 4.30 the pills are cocked up so i'll go and sort em tommorrow. Happy days. Will combine with a trip to the post offie and TJ's (I need a suitcase) before dropping her off at sacred heart bingo and heading for Peter Kinderman at 1pm. I go to take mince out the freezer for tea and discover that there isnt any there. So in the blue torture machine (fiesta) to Somerfield at the Clock. Decide to drop the car and scoot down to Frank. It is fearsome wet but hey who minds the rain.
peter does the deed and its back to the shops via look round wavertree car centre it scares me the man looks so nice. But he would, 5-600 for the torture car and a discount for cash know what I mean. Minded of Alexei Sayle Ello John got a new motor. I liked him, hell I even looked like at times.I have never bought me a car, always had lease things, no risk. Jeans fiesta (said torture vehicle) Was a freakin rip off from Rice Lane Motors. All classic 2nd hand car cons were pulled. Go on boys try suing me.
When I flog it Rumsfeld wants it for Guantanemo bay - it demoralises from the first glance. Let me annotate some of its design features.
It has an intermittent locking faul on the drivers door. Sometimes if its dry and sunny it opens first time. If its lashing it down it refuses to open and wont let the key out until you are wet through. You then have to round the car open the passenger door return to the drivers side remember it aint central lock and return to the passenger side. Contort way down andd lean through to the drivers door exposing yer bum crackto the rain. By now you aint in the best mood.
The you get in sit on the moist Guardian which is soaking up the latest sunroof leak Insert the key wait three days for the diesel pre warming routine malarkey to work hear three pathetic atttempts to start, just when it seems certain today it kicks in you need to rev it like mad. The cacophany of noise sounds like the deaths head hussars panzer division all starting up in a dutch town square. Then you stall and repeat.
When you get going it progresses nervously at 27 miles an hour you are rewarded with a bone shaking vibration.
It shouls be a site of special scientific interest it has its own micro climate. The inherent dampness means as soon as you start it becomes like a Amazonian rain forest. Showers occur internally. There is a piece of NHS blue roll hanging from the interior light (soaking up another leak).The heating system is the top hat - the controls are nothing to do with it. When its hot outside the heater works top whack, when its cold, yes it refuses to work. Reversing lights work intermittently.
So When I got home after cell last night with a numb damp bum wet scalp and irritable the final indignation I parked next to Jeans new C3 which towers above like a huge 4X4 - and thats a noddy car. Not happy with my motoring experience.

When we were young 

The Yes Album - Nice 

Doh!

I retired from work on ill health grounds yesterday. Everyone says I look younger/healthier  than ever, well the thought of escaping one grind is liberating. Here I am at my desk when I happen across this from the management blog. That cheered me up - not. The Management issues blog is a place I have bookmarked. Todays entry made me smile - moaning at work is a sackable offence.
I knew something was going to go wrong today after four successive interactions with customer services helplines - it was too good to be true. Which brings to mind an old favourite of mine call centre confidential sadly now defunct but still there if you need a chuckle.

Mum to docs.

Tuesday take mum to see Frank. She needs to get results of her blood tests and get something for her reflux. Her breathlessness has improved but she is still worried about her cramps in her hands.

I'm free

26 years in the NHS and they are letting me out. Ill health reitrement and my last day "in service." A weird day and I decide to grasp the nettle by calling in the matchworks for my effects. Sarah the trainered receptionist had boxed them up and she was the only soul I knew in the lifeless place. It was kinda like picking up a dead mans kit, I have emptied plenty of lockers of dead men in my time and managed to lose porn, and other shady stuff which I thought widows best not see. Sort of boring reflection that my only incriminating stuff is a collection of staples hey ho.
Then its off to Aintree for a meeting with Louise of the Sefton suite we catch well and she needs to talk. A meeting with David Kerrigan who nips down in between cases for effect. Good jangle about the charity and future prospects. Drive home and feel a sense of relief after 5.
then its off to Woolies on the bus and get some frippery. Ally and Jean get two CDs wach I get trivial pursuit and a star wars book. Then off to the ark for a mondqay night special. I do prawns and lamb steak, jean veggie filo and pork, ally mussels and seafood linguine. 15.95 two courses and a bottle of house - each - way too much wine. Oh dear and we didnt drink it all.

Weekend

Did lunch Saturday at Neighbourhood, I had a delightful if weird sounding salad. Tuna, mixed bean , macadamia and coriander may not be a classic combination but it was a textural delight.
Had a bit of a wobbly in the pm to be truthful the enormity of Monday began to hit and Shakespeare and I are frightened of the firework noises. We also witnessed a two pump incident at the back of the halfway, the area was awash with community support officers. Off to Tesco at night and picked up some bargains in hardware chuckout corner. Ally went to Sefton park to see the fireworks.
Sunday was busy making lunch did a fine job as usual varied it this week by doing a mixture of conventional and jacketed roast spuds. Par boiled maris pip[er and lobbed in small desiree for the record.
Freezer stuff made up the rest and a strawberry and rhubarb M&S cheesecake went down well. popped round to see me ma while Jean kipped.
Quiet evening.

Goodbye Zafira Goodbye sobriety

Spent most of the morning working on the PC lots to do. Useful time filled waiting for the man from Appleyards. Nice geezer wanted a chat but no tea hes a type two diabetic and had a bypass last year get his medical history in a minute. Sad to see the big blue bus go. Jean comes home, Ally gets home. Tea off to Beas Friday night. Colin comes round bearing wine oh dear, still I didnt need much persuasion. Bad lad.

Home Tired and Sober

Have decided to stay dry for November a kind of I can do it if I really want to type feeling. Feels hard but truth is alcohol cost money is unused calories and makes my moods more unreliable. I like it though - too much so a months abstinence is planned. I find abstinence easier than control - something else about my binary personality. I pick 1st November for several reasons - a) its not a Monday and b)Tuesday is a cell night easy to avoid the devils buttermilk and c) Wednesday is a winwick quiz night. As ever I feel strangely more hungover but definitely by Friday morning the smug satisfaction is creeping in. There are two tins of stella in the fridge and I open the door to laff at them. I do lunch Thursday at short notice with Kim as enjoyable as ever. She has had a 15 day stint recently so thwacking her performance is my first target. I feel more organised and able to achieve more of an evening mid afternoons finds me well goosed though wonder what that's about.
Jeans new car arrives Thursday PM. Citroen C3 Desire in Iron Grey she's made up and it is pleasing. Friday morning nice Yorkshire man takes Zafira home and I am Mr Fiesta till me money comes through. Not looking forward to buying a car.

Girls outside Mussel Inn

 
Scene of two great meals. 

Museum of Modern Art

 
Cool Gaff 

Pedestrian Glasgae

 
One spends a long time staring at the little red man here. 

Email catch up

Inbox is lookin fearsome. I make heavy inroads and deal with some stuff that's been in there so long its festered. Relieved to heard that the magical AW8 which triggers my pension has arrived and will be processed by 8th November. Ring the social about my p45 and given duff gen sort it at the customs and excise website. How anyone without internet access can sort this out is beyond. Wake Tuesday and discuss with some jerk from telewest upgrading my package. At 8.15 I ask you. Git.

Monday - slow start

Sluggish start exercise the boy shakespeare who seems to have gained some pounds. Stick out some washing and whip Ally the docs. Bit unsure what to do re shopping and menu planning. Going to try to contact pension mission control at Fleetwood a ring see what's going down there. Need to let the social no I am finishing work as well. The form looked complicated with a series of scenarios. None of which fit me. On the way home from the Docs we see a struggling old lady who turns out to be nanna. We bundle her in the car and its off to tesco then bingo at Kensington fields.

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Ally check this from kieran.