LIABILITY BROWN - Dig It

LIABILITY BROWN

Hibernation

28/11/2023

Paul often says that I am "solar powered" - and that certainly seems to be the case lately! Now that it has become distinctly chillier and is getting dark by 4pm, the prospect of hunkering down is very attractive. So, did you know....

Hibernation is the condition or period of an animal [or plant] spending the winter in a dormant state. Some animals enter a state of almost total inactivity during the winter months by slowing the heart rate (by 10x slower) and lowering the body temperature. The animal sleeps deeply in protective quarters but their bodies have also adapted to wake them up from their dormant hibernating state if they are in danger of freezing due to drastic temperature drops!

The only mammals that truly hibernate in the UK are hedgehogs, dormice and bats.

Hedgehogs eat as much as possible during October and November to prepare for hibernation, as they need to weigh between 500-700 grams in order to have the best chance of survival. Once they have reached the appropriate weight, and the average temperature has dropped to around 5°C, hedgehogs will be on the hunt for the perfect hibernation spot. They may hibernate under compost heaps or under garden sheds or decking, and sometimes they will collect leaves and twigs to create the perfect hibernation spot.

Dormice begin to hibernate in tiny woven nests between October and November, and do not emerge until April. Nesting takes place under logs, moss or amongst dead leaves at the base of hedges; dormice will choose a moist place to hibernate so that they don’t become dehydrated (water vapor is lost as they breathe) and so their fat reserves will last longer.

During November, bats will hunt for appropriate hibernation spots, known as roosts. They will often choose underground caves, but can also roost in hollow trees, roofs and bat boxes, as long as the roosts are cool and remain at a constant temperature. Bats are particularly well adapted to hibernation. They are able to slow their breathing to only five breaths a minute in order to reserve energy.

Other species, such as badgers, do not hibernate but enter a period of lower inactivity which is known as a state of torpor. Badgers will retreat into their setts during cycles of torpor that only last for around 29 hours and survive there without food when the weather is too harsh to venture outside. Other species that go into torpor include squirrels and amphibians.

And here is a term I've never come across before - Brumation: a state of winter dormancy entered into by some cold-blooded animals as part of their normal annual rhythm.

Forever Flying

27/11/2023

Yesterday I attended an event organised by the Great Western Air Ambulance charity (GWAAC). It is something that they must have done for a while but it was only via email correspondence over the past month that I first heard of it. As many of you know, the Air Ambulance attended my sister in March 2020 and since then I have raised some small funds for them by either selling seedlings and plants outside the cottage, and by promoting their work or campaigns in some way.

The "Celebration of Life" event was sensitively organised, without wall-papering over the cracks or skirting the issue of death. It was gentle and respectful and empathetic.

Below is a scan of the whys and wherefores which were printed on the back of the programme. I think it explains the Sycamore / Forever Flying symbolism very well.

Off - generally

22/11/2023

Calvin and Hobbes hits the nail on the head every time!

This may explain away the last few weeks as I have been off work - with permission of my Doctor and a' fit to work' note. Or not , as the case may be.

Actually I have been signed-off for a further three weeks but it would be probably be less stressful to do a 'phased return' – because all I do is worry about it anyway. Also, some of the feedback I have received from HR linked are not exactly helpful. - which is not necessarily ideal is someone is already feeling unwell. Naturally it is understood that businesses and organisations have to continue running but contingencies are not the responsibility of the individual.

Having said that, I am my own worst enemy and can't switch off, can't sleep and worry too much.

Don't you think it is interesting that what the majority of us would refer to as a 'sicknote' from the doctor is actually called a "Statement of Fitness for Work". I have done a little research and this all changed in April 2010 and it has rather positive intentions, According to the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) in advice to employers:

"Under the sick note system, doctors could only advise their patient on whether their health condition meant that they should or should not work. As a result many people who could benefit from support whilst in work, would be advised that they could not work. Their employers would not have had the opportunity to consider how they could help them achieve an earlier return to work. To help more people get the support they need to get back to work the new fit note system will mean that doctors can advise that your employee is either:

unfit for work; or •
may be fit for work.

A doctor will give a ‘may be fit for work’ Statement if they think that their patient’s health condition may allow them to work if they get suitable support from their employer. If an employee is too ill to work the doctor will advise this just like with the sick note. The changes are not about trying to get people back to work before they are ready, but about removing the challenges to them returning. This is about you and your employee working together and being open and honest. In general, work is good for health and the vast majority of employees place a far greater value on it than just their pay. By working together to find an arrangement that suits both of you, you can provide real benefits to both your employee and your business"

Makes sense.
So, now you know!

Pumpkins!

30/10/2023

So, here's a pumpkin I prepared [grew] earlier!

But why do we have carved out pumpkins at Halloween?

Halloween is based on a Celtic festival called Samhain. It is linked with the ending of the summer and the belief that during Samhain the souls of those who had died that year travelled to the otherworld and that other souls would return to visit their homes. In the 8th century the Roman Catholic Church decided that All Saints Day should fall on the 1st November so that meant All Hallows’ Eve (that is, All Saints Day, or Halloween) fell on October 31st.

Add, then, the combination of pagan and religious beliefs and interpretations into the mix and, surprise, surprise, even more convolution! So, a tradition developed whereby demonic faces were carved out of vegetables – originally turnips – called jack-o’-lanterns. This practise originated from an Irish myth about Stingy Jack, who tricked the Devil for his own monetary gain. The myth elaborated that when Jack died, God would not allow him into heaven, and the Devil wouldn’t allow him into hell, so Jack was sentenced to roam the earth for eternity. It was believed that the carved demonic faces would frighten away Jack’s wandering soul. Therefore, when Irish immigrants moved America, they began carving jack-o’-lanterns from pumpkins, as these were native to the region.

So, now you know!

Pottering, Planting and Imbibing!

22/10/2023

Above: Lots of peppers are still ripening in the greenhouse. I grew these from seed and they are deemed to be 'sweet' but some have quite a kick to them too!

Mid-October! ALREADY?! What's going on? It must be getting older... time seems to be whizzing past far too quickly. Either that or the mad world of global warming is just making everything so topsy-turvy (let's not mention the wars and unrest and politics).

I have been 'home alone' over the weekend. Paul received a number of phone calls and texts on Thursday evening to see if he was available to provide cover at some gig / event because the techie meaning to do it had double-booked himself! DOH!! So, after a lot of to-ing and fro-ing and sorting logistics for travel and accommodation, he has spent the past few days in Maidstone, Kent. For the benefit of my friends overseas, this is about 3 hours away – the other side of London, traversing the dreaded M25.

So, it has been a fairly low-key couple of days - and much needed. Although I had a fairly sociable Saturday; after doing a boring 'big shop’ at the supermarket I then caught-up with my Mum and nieces, seeing the ‘new’ house and the recent building work (kitchen and wet room), and then visiting a friend. By time I got home I was ready for just ‘pottering’ about – lovely. Our immediate neighbour then invited me round for drinks and nibbles - that was at 6pm and I left at 9pm, after we put the world to rights whilst also imbibing a few Vodka Martinis! Highly tasty but also highly dangerous; thankfully it is only about ten yards from the neighbours' backdoor to our [only] outside door!! I did actually stagger into the house….!

I did feel a bit fuzzy at various stupid-o’clocks throughout the night but drank a lot of water and have been fine (so far) today. The cloud and early mist cleared to be beautiful sunny day and I was able to enjoy more pottering in the garden and even planted a load of [bought] wall-flowers, sown some sweet-pea seeds as well as gathering up fallen leaves and dead-heading or ‘pruning’ some plants. I like to think that I look like I now what I am doing whilst wielding the secateurs!

SIGH!

10/10/2023

I'll fill you in on the significance of this choice of Calvin and Hobbes cartoon at another time, when I can be bothered (!).

Ancestry

7/10/2023

Thomas Collins was one of the most important men of Victorian Tewkesbury – and he was one of our ancestors! A full biography can be found at Thomas Collins (tewkesburyhistory.org)
He was baptised in Tewkesbury Abbey on 14th October 1818 and so began a lifelong association with the Abbey, as well as, in adulthood, becoming a significant ‘mover and shaker’ within both the local and wider community. He finished an apprenticeship as a stonemason in 1841 and by 1851 “the census returns describe him as a stonemason employing four men” and by 1861 Collins described himself in the census as a "Builder, employing 64 men and 6 boys" .

At this time one focus for Collins was the restoration of the medieval buildings within the town. ‘In an attempt to make old properties look more modem, many of the timber and brick frontages had been covered with plaster or rough cast facades. Collins recognised the craftsmanship which had gone into the original structures, and he decided to return them to their former glory whenever an opportunity arose’.

This included revealing the Elizabethan framing of his own home, Cross House on the comer of Church Street and Tolsey Lane.

It is therefore coincidental or fitting that my nieces and Mum have recently moved to Cross House and are starting their own restoration project!

It is a Grade II listed building with English Heritage who describe it as “Early C16, but a third storey added in C17, and all extensively restored c1865 by Thomas Collins, the builder/restorer, who used it as his own residence”.

Extensive historic details about the building can be seen at:
CROSS HOUSE, Tewkesbury - 1201228 | Historic England

Historic England also state: “Thomas Collins, the one-time owner and working stone-mason, has been referred to as "... the first important conservator..." in Tewkesbury (VCH), and was engaged in many important works in the town from 1860 onwards - before the major turmoil raised by the 1870's proposals to restore the Abbey. There is no doubt that he saved many important structures from loss through decay or demolition. His work at Cross House was substantial, and it is difficult to see what the original layout may have been; as much as possible of the early work was clearly retained, but it is not clear whether, for instance, the detail of the main lobby is as originally located or not. Collins is commemorated in a prominent memorial in the south transept of the Abbey”.

I think it is safe to say that the current project has a lot to live up to!

Digging in the Dirt

24/9/2023

Above: A squash or possibly a pumpkin!
These cucurbit seem to morph into each other. Cucurbits include courgettes, melons and cucumbers. I've never grown these before, nor cooked any but welcomed the seedling originally proffered by a neighbour.

It has been a horrible three weeks. I have been incredibly stressed and generally wound-up and unhappy. This is predominantly because of my main job. I shan’t write any details because it would not be professional or diplomatic, but needless to say, and with an eye on keeping my sanity as much as my general health in the mid-term, I have even approached people about citing them as referees if I should come across any vacancies that I feel might be sufferable…(!). BUT, that’s the thing, I don’t seem to be particularly enamoured with anything! Or is it a case of I really can’t be bothered? Perhaps this is the problem? It is somewhat a vicious circle (grrr…) feeling unhappy and disillusioned creates an apathy, which in turn creates dissatisfaction and lack of enthusiasm, which in turn…. Ad finitum.

It makes me smile when I hear people say that they would be bored if they had to retire; I have PLENTY to keep me occupied and cannot wait to finish work so I can get on to do the things that enjoy. Whilst my job is certainly not dull or very demanding, working absolutely gets in the way of those things that are preferable!

Actually, I haven’t heard many people say they don’t want to retire, it’s more that to afford to do so would be unviable and then one couldn’t do a number of those things we dream about anyway. Hey ho. So, it’s down to balancing it all out, isn’t it?

On a practical and logistic note, there have also been a catalogue of irritations – and mainly expensive ones recently too. First off there has been the cracked-tooth-looks-like-a-witch scenario- which is now fixed (as of Thursday) at the cost of just under £1000 . Gulp! On top of that, both of our cars had MOTs… and the extra ‘bits’ like windscreen-wipers, tyre treads, balancing-whatchamacallits and a standard service (on my car) costing an additional £500 or thereabouts. And on top of that, last weekend whilst at the supermarket, a car backed into mine…. and then drove off!! Initially it seemed to be a small bump but on getting home and opening the boot it transpired that the latch has been damaged and subsequently doesn’t do its job (i.e. latch). Because the car is quite old the garage cannot source a new lock mechanism and that means we will have to see if there is anything available via ebay or second-hand websites. It’s not a difficult job – says Paul because he will do it, not me! (ha! can you imagine!?) – but it is an irritation. Also, it’s so disappointing that the person just drove off and couldn’t ‘own up’. This is half of the problem with work to be honest, in the past year or so I just don’t want to deal much with ‘other people’…. and that’s not really a very good outlook on life, is it?

Oh – and on top of that, I had a puncture yesterday too…. in a different car-park! You couldn’t make it up could you?

It's a good thing, therefore, after an expensive few weeks that this little household doesn’t particularly focus on having ‘stuff’ (there’s nowhere to put it anyway!) and as we usually lurch from one month to another, we are not overly panicked. It’ll all come out in the wash, as they say.

Who are ‘they’ though?

Also, where have all these references to “back in the day” come from? It appears to be “phrase du jour” - repeated on the radio, TV, social media, general conversations…

Maybe people always said these phrases - or is it that I am only hearing them now that I’m officially middle-aged? It’s all very disconcerting.

So having waffled on far too much already, you’ll be pleased to hear that as often as possible, it has been a case of “When the going gets tough, the tough go to the garden”[anon] and it is there that I have sought therapeutic solace!

It’s been a weird month or so though, hasn’t it? Three weeks ago it was 30+ degrees, followed by torrential rain and wind and then, over the past few days, autumn is bedding in. I’m generally confused, and so are my plants!

I continue to have success with produce from the veg patch and in greenhouse No2, but some plants just couldn’t cope with the cold snap in the Spring and then the very hot period in June. Blossom was devastated on the apple trees, for example, as we have had hardly any fruit this year. The peas were disappointing (and I love fresh peas from the pod) and even some of the herbs (parsley, coriander, basil) have either bolted or have been somewhat ‘reticent’. Whilst I also sowed carrots and various green-leaf vegetables, the weird up-and-down weather wasn’t helpful and very few seedlings survived.
However, let’s focus on the abundance that has been harvested…. Here goes:

Tomatoes: fabulous – two varieties and akin to picking sweets off a vine,
Cucumbers: two or three varieties, with some cucumbers so well hidden behind their wide, rough and scratchy leaves, that they grew to be rather large as well as prolific – but good for gazpacho and smoothies),
French beans: these were incredibly prolific and very crunchy, perfect in stir-fries or raw in salads, but done and dusted by mid-July,
Beetroot: pretty good roasted, pickled, souped…. Lots about!
Runner beans: still growing, still tender and still particularly tasty,
Sweetcorn: as above. Even better when picked and cooked within half-an-hour because (apparently) the sugars have not yet had chance to turn into starch,
Peppers: as above, and for the first time ever, there are plenty on each plant and some of them are even ripening to red!

Remember:
"You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt.” (Anon)

Bill Bailey and Winston's Wish

13/9/2023

Of course, we haven't been anywhere or done anything for weeks and then the last ten days have been full-on! So, on Wednesday Paul and I saw the comedian [and musician] Bill Bailey at The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse. It was a charity gig for Winston'ss Wish which is based in Cheltenham:"Winston’s Wish is a charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down by grief".

We have seen BB live twice before (in Oz) and he is excellent - very funny and very clever!

This is from the charity's website:

We are delighted that beloved British comedian, actor, writer and Strictly icon Bill Bailey will be performing exclusively for Winston’s Wish.

Bringing his musical virtuosity, surreal tangents and trademark intelligence, Bill will perform at The Centaur, Cheltenham on Wednesday 13th September with the aim of raising funds to help us ensure no child or young person has to face the devastation of grief alone.

Paul Moore, Director of Fundraising & Marketing for Winston’s Wish said: “We are delighted that Bill has chosen to continue his support in such an incredible way, not only raising vital funds but also helping us to raise awareness of our work so that we have an even greater chance of reaching the thousands of grieving children and young people who are still sadly unaware of the support available to them from Winston’s Wish.

Mr Moore added “Thanks to Bill’s generosity, we have an opportunity to raise awareness while he brings laughter and joy to his audience. So many young grieving people feel like they’re never going to smile, let alone laugh again. This is an important reminder that even in the darkest of moments, there is hope and we’re incredibly grateful to get to work alongside him and his team on this special event.”

Very Local Cotswold Attractions

10/9/2023

See:

www.northcotswoldsteamshow.co.uk/

This morning, we enjoyed a couple of hours wandering around The North Cotswold Steam and Vintage Show at the Notgrove estate on the way to Bourton-on-the-Water. A perfection landscape for such an event.

Paul reminisced about the annual shows he used to attend with his Dad in Hampshire in the '70s... and we treated ourselves to freshly cooked ring-donuts too. Very retro.

What's not to like?!

Cycling - Tour of Britain

10/9/2023

Yesterday the Tour of Britain passed through Winchcombe as part of stage seven, Tewkesbury - Gloucester (see: Race of Britain ). It was incredibly hot and the majority of us were struggling with heat of 30+ degrees and high humidity.... surely not suitable weather for lycra-clad men on bikes - but hey!? Still the occasion did register and I staggered down from the shade in the garden to take a couple of photos as they whizzed past.... it was over and done with in seconds - literally!

Mum was able to get a bird's eye view from her new home as the cyclists started from Church Street and The Cross (photo left) in Tewkesbury.

Leaving Winchcombe the cyclists rode up what the BBC and other websites called Winchcombe Hill but is an actual fact called Sudeley Hill (get it right!) and this is a Category 2 climb.

There are five grades of category climbs in cycling, but there are no hard and fast rules defining them. The easiest category is 5 and gets tougher until reaching number one. Apparently, races like the Tour de France have King of the Mountain points linked to different category grades. As you can tell, I’m not particularly bothered about the nuts and bolts of it all! However, having said that, Sudeley Hill is Category 2 and according to an cycling enthusiast’s website:

“Category 2 climbs will get you seriously out of puff. They’re usually among the biggest climbs outside of the mountainous terrain of the Alps of the Pyrenees – though you’ll find plenty of Category 2 climbs there as well. A short Category 2 climb could be 5 km at 8%, while a longer one could average 4% for 15 km or more”.

OR “A category 2 hill in cycling is a climb that is usually longer than 5 km and has a gradient of around 5% to 7%”.

Yep… a good indication that Winchcombe is definitely nestled in a valley within the Cotswold Hills!!

See the BBC link for an excellent picture of Winchcombe's Gloucester Street:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-66764741

The view from the steps of the cottage.

The leaders after cycling down Cleeve Hill and entering Winchcombe.

Pizza Night

10/9/2023

It might have been 30 degrees and humid but that wasn't as hot as a neighbour's new pizza-oven that we christened yesterday!

Fun and games as three of us took instruction from a YouTube video on how to prepare the dough ball into a thin pizza base - following four stages entitled: Finger Press, The DJ Deck, The Steering Wheel and The Parachute.
See: Top 10 Tips for the Perfect Pizza Launch Into Your Pizza Oven - Bing video

Lots of toppings - homegrown tomato paste, artichoke hearts, spring onion, bacon, ham, mozzarella, truffle and artichoke condiment-oil (whatever - posh though!), peppers, mushrooms, parmesan,...and more that I cannot recall!

We struggled with getting a very thin and crispy base and were uncertain of the temperature of the oven itself - but for a first attempt the five pizzas created were absolutely YUMMY!!

Hectic!

8/9/2023

Maureen and I by the river in Stratford-upon-Avon (see down the page for details)

Well, it has been a bit manic over the past fortnight and, in actual fact, I'll need another holiday to recover after the upcoming week too!
These are some of the activities that have been going on:

House(s) Move
School Move – new building for classrooms and Office (ongoing)
Start of new academic year (nightmare)
Emergency / aka expensive, dental treatment(s)

But some nice stuff too….

Wedding attendance
Meeting up with friends – local and international

It’s that adage, isn’t it? Everything happens at once and ‘ask a busy person’….!

So, it’s all very complicated and I can’t remember who I have told but, suffice to say, my Mum has sold her house and she and my nieces have moved into another place in Tewkesbury. It is only about 500 yards down the road, and it is VERY old – parts of it are grade 1 listed and I think the whole house is grade 2 listed. The house is listed on the web and is fairly significant in the history of Tewkesbury and a number of local movers-and-shakers – including a chap called Thomas Collins, who was one of our distant relatives and was also mayor of Tewkesbury at some point – but I need to check about putting more details on this Blog because there is a consideration of a certain amount of personal privacy.

Anyway, it is absolutely ancient and enormously enormous.... I call it Hogwarts!

It has that many staircases and I think there are five floors – including the attic. I’m not sure, but there could be nine potential bedrooms and various ‘lounges’. GULP! The purchase was more complicated than usual insofar as the ground floor and cellar were purchased by A N OTHER as they are retail premises – so some of the legal paperwork had to be amended from commercial to domestic usage and vice versa.

The move had been happening over a few weeks but the final push was a fairly intensive two days, and then I was involved in a unexpected move at work as well! The new school building was [mainly] finished ahead of time and it was agreed that to get the two new classrooms set up for start of term on Tuesday 5th September – much more beneficial for the new starters in Reception class and the other young year groups (1,2 and 3). So all staff (and family members and friends) turned up over the days prior to the first week of term and moved in and set-up as much as possible. It is an ongoing project (and has been, as you know, since December 2022). My new office is also in the new building and I found out a day or so ago that the electricity will be cut off to my shed this week, so I have to move too! Short notice, naturally, and of course the IT guys are not available for at least another week. I also have to purchase a new desk and various items of furniture… or nothing will be happening! Hmm… not that it isn’t busy and stressful enough at the moment with the hysteria of a new academic year…. But hey!|?

I am trying to convince and remind myself at regular intervals that there is only so much I can do and ultimately, I have limited authority and am employed on a part-time (30 hours per week) contract, and paid accordingly.

The next point: The beginning of the academic year…. well, that is so horrendous that I shan’t say anymore! And the emergency dental treatment involves cast and caps and a couple of appointments over the next month and is costing £900 – but that is much better that the potential £2-3K that was originally mooted. Oh well, it’s only money.

Lou and I glammed up for our old school friend's wedding

Helping with the flowers!

However, on the nice side of busyness….
I helped (using the term loosely) in the preparation of table flowers vases and flowers ‘swags’ for a friend’s wedding, and obviously attended too. It was a beautiful occasion and not a bad location too! (see photos).

I also met up with an Australian friend from Adelaide. In actual fact, Maureen was the HR manager at an not-for-profit organisation in the city and she gave me my first job in Australia! It was lovely to catch up with her, her partner and {British] cousin and his son. We met in Stratford-upon-Avon as they were doing a combination of Cotswolds towns and sights, and really enjoyed seeing each other and catching-up with all the news and events of the past few years!

It has also been nice to meet up with local friends too…. I don’t understand why it takes weeks and weeks sometimes when we only live within a few miles of each other! This evening a few of immediate neighbours are meeting to try out a neighbour/friend’s new outside pizza oven. Should be interesting - and hopefully tasty too!
On another plus side Waitrose has had a really brilliant offer on whereby when buying six bottles of wine there is a 25% discount - what a bonus! So, we naturally purchased a few of our favourite wines – from Australia – including two varieties from Tempus Two. Check it out – it is lovely wine and has certainly helped over recent weeks!

The Fleece Inn (a National Trust property) - and wedding venue.

The Barn - at The Fleece.

Wonky Toms

19/8/2023

According to the RHS website “Tomato blight is a disease that attacks the foliage and fruit of tomatoes, causing rotting. It is most common in warm, wet weather, causing collapse and decay”.

I think that some of my tomato plants have suffered with blight. I have three different varieties in GH2 and it is “the wonky ones” that have been affected thus far. The other varieties (Gardener's Delight and A N OTHER) are healthy and ripening in abundance – and taste marvellously sweet and succulently earthy.

Summer?

14/8/2023

So, what has happened to the summer?

Obviously being fortunate enough to visit Greece we were lulled into a sense of false security. Therefore, I have not been impressed with having to put on woolly socks a couple of evenings recently… and then the next day it is 25 degrees. The whole world is going mad and out-of-control.

Actually, whilst away, although I did look at the news headline and the weather reports, it was noticeable how the incessant updates create – for me – a real feeling of doom-and-gloom. Whilst it is probably best to have some idea of what is going on in the world, I think I am going to avoid it as much as possible!

On the day we returned from Kefalonia I attended an online ‘counselling’ session run by the NHS. My doctor directed me to the service because the last few months, as you know, have proven to be rather “challenging”. There are various easy-to-use, standard questionnaires / assessments that can be used as a springboard for treatment:

Patient Health Questionnaires PHQ-9 measures response to treatment and the severity of DEPRESSION [result = moderately severe symptoms]
Generalised Anxiety Disorders GAD-7 measures levels of ANXIETY. [result = severe symptoms]

I also did a WSAS assessment – which is a Work and Social Adjustment Scale which indicated “significant functional impairment but less severe clinical symptomatology”. Basically, implying that work has been making me feel rather unwell!

The weekly sessions that I am attending are via Let's Talk 2gether. (click on the link) but funnily enough - there is no talking from the patients whatsoever! The professionals present different topics and practices as well as exercises and homework, and then all other communication is via the bubble-chat [type] options. I just think that it's quite funny to call it 'Let's Talk'.

Hmmm… but food for thought nevertheless!

Gnawing

13/8/2023

It all happens at once, doesn’t it?

So twice this week I ended up having emergency visits to a local dentist – made more complicated because my regular surgery is currently closed because of bureaucratic issues with registration but thankfully emergency rates had been negotiated for visiting patients!

Phew.

Anyway, the big tooth at the front on the left (central anterior / incisor) basically started wobbling after I bit into a bread roll! I could feel it crack or 'shear' and, after panicking, immediately made an appointment. It was enough to make me very concerned especially as just two days later I was going to a wedding and really didn't want to look like the Wicked Witch off the West!

So, the dentist

Inspected tooth,
Removed the sheared off tooth (it was the whole square bit!) - which also had come away from the gum, and talked about the buccle and occlusal elements…
Suggested that it had been a hairline crack.
Took an x-ray.
Cemented the tooth back on as a temporary measure - but emphasised it might only last days or weeks - or if lucky - a month or so.

It was suggested that I might have to have:

an implant and crown, or
a bridge, or
a false tooth

Hmm - none of which is going to cheap – quotes online range from £1400 to £3600. I am with a private practice anyway (as are most of us nowadays in the UK) but fortunately they are realistic as to financial restraints!

Update (24/08/23): I have a THIRD 'rescue' appointment tomorrow... and it seems that any proper or permanent treatment cannot even commence until mid-October. This is interesting, is it not, when this is a private i.e. paid for service, and there is still a long waiting game. And there is such hoo-ha about any NHS waiting times?

Good grief!!

Retrospectively

12/8/2023

I tried to update the website whilst on holiday but it proved to be far too frustrating with slow WiFi, using Apps and my general impatience and incompetence. As it was, there wasn't much to report as we literally didn't do anything! It was very hot and therefore even venturing out was to be avoided at certain times of the day - we only made it "up the hill" to the village shop once! So it was a true holiday for reading, dozing, eating and drinking.

Whilst away we realised that it was our twenty-year anniversary of being together as a couple (29th July) and we therefore treated ourselves to a night out at "the posh restaurant" and even to a good bottle of local wine. Fabulous!

Have a look at the website: Kefalonia Restaurants | Lorraines Magic Hill Lourdas Restaurant Kefalonia (lorrainesrestaurant.gr)

Kefalonia - July 23rd, 2023

26/7/2023

Now that I've worked out (vaguely) how to edit via an App on the Kindle, I thought a brief retrospective look at the past few months might explain recent reticence!

Since the last proper update most of June and into July was quite a trial. To say that work / school was particularly busy and stressful is to be generous and on more than a couple of occasions I seriously considered alternative plans. However, I'm not going to dredge all of that up because it's been and gone, and I can't be bothered.

Moreover, most of June I felt absolutely dreadful, health wise. If you remember, we enjoyed a good run of decent weather and the temperatures did get high (for the UK)?

Paul always says that I'm 'solar powered' and certainly I do enjoy the summer. However, the quick change in the mercury readings had an enormous impact on me insofar as all my blood sugar readings were out of control and I experienced a number of hypos. This was a new experience - and not a good one! I learned that the 'alarm' BGL reading for diabetics is 4 and that's when it's time to immediately eat sugars and / or carbohydrates. Unfortunately I experienced a few readings of 2.8 (!) and there abouts and felt really unwell. It was actually very scary.... especially the first time as I'd never experienced it before. It is not a pleasant sensation that's for sure.

Subsequently, I had numerous medica! appointments with both my doctor and Diabetic nurse; both face-to-face and phone slots. Actually, the week that I'm back from holiday I think there are two more appointments already set up. However, I will be able report a steady and controlled set of readings - due to the fact that I have to reduce the daily insulin injection to counter balance, main!y, against any increase in the heat and risk of dehydration. It all seems to be a bit random, in truth, but must be working (by lowering the insulin dosages by between 10 and 12 units over the past month or so) as things appear to be levelled out and I've not suffered that terrible BGL drop since.

I know realise how important it is to ensure at least a small portion of carbohydrates at regular intervals as well as having emergency glucose to hand. Who'd 've thought 'eh?!

Colours of Kefalonia

24/7/2023

We are sitting in the shade of the apartment terrace listening to noisy cicadas, the humming of air conditioning units and the gentle lap of the waves in the distance. It's all terribly hard work when it's already 33 degrees at 10.30am! As the temperatures are very high and I've already read two books in as many days I've given in and fired up the Kindle and this Weebly site (for editing). It's not the best or most intuitive App so I'm not holding my breath. Bear with....

Various Colours of Hollyhocks

2/7/2023

Colours!

17/6/2023

Portrait Feature

11/6/2023

Some may think that I am sadly inept with the various features of my phone (whereas I don't want my life ruled by it) but recently I was suitably impressed to stumble across a 'portrait' feature in the camera which automatically created some nicely differently focussed images. I am sure I will have a better 'play' over the next few weeks. What's not to like?!

Anniversary - 18th

4/6/2023

Showing Off! Lupin-tastic!!

4/6/2023

Below - for comparison - this was what we came home to in 2017:

Did you know....

Anthophilous derives from the Greek word anthos, which means “flower” and as an adjective refers to “feeding upon or living among flowers”. Thus, a lover of flowers is called an Anthophile.

To repeat myself, I wander ‘the grounds’ several times a day exclaiming at the vision of particular plants and congratulating vegetables on their progress! The problem is as soon as I plant it in the ground I always forget what they are! I do label them and make notes but nothing sticks!

It is looking particularly fabulous at the moment –and here are a few images of all my hard work!

Showborough House & Garden Sculpture Exhibition

1/6/2023

“Showborough House has hosted an Affordable Garden Art Exhibition since 2008. It is a non-profit venture that aims to make garden sculpture as accessible and affordable as possible to visitors, and to offer an opportunity to exhibit to artists of all backgrounds.”

See: Showborough House

Sculptural works are in a range of media, including stone, wood, metal, glass, bronze, resin, ceramic and reclaimed materials. The pieces are exhibited within a 1½ acre garden of a traditional English style, on a domestic scale with ‘interconnecting rooms’.