Sorting

I'm just back after an overnight trip down to Hereford to help my brothers and G sort some of my mum's stuff . It's something that none of us were looking forward to but we knew it had to be done.

O & A and I had a nice night in the pub on Saturday talking a bit about the future and mum's house ( which we now own) and a lot about the past - but all in a very relaxed way. It was a good night.

The clearing today was hard ( mostly clothes and papers) but we kept each other going and by mid afternoon we'd done enough to be satisfied. We also turned up some fascinating family stuff - like my great uncle's First War call up papers - and SO many photographs that O's new scanner may burn out!

( Go on - tell them that as a result of all the family tree investigations everyone's pretty sure you were the first member of your whole family to ever go to university - ed)

My tummy is still very sore - the tablets that the doc gave me have just upset it without really helping with the discomfort. Not sure what to do about that. It won't stop me travelling away with work this week but it won't make it easy.

Oh - and the shortlist of two possible houses for me has halved as a result of J and I having another look on Friday evening. But more on that in due course...

Doctor

I went to see my GP this morning about my stomach pains. He checked everything and said that it all seemed OK to him - and, as far as he could tell, the hernia repair was still fine. He puts it down to things still settling down after the last op. I'm not sure what that means really but I think I'm reassured.

Finbar...

...is my former father-in-law's nickname. Mainly because his musical hero is Finbar Furey. Last night I took Finbar to see er.. Finbar in Newcastle. We had a great night.

Healthwise I thought I had another bout of flu coming on on Friday night but a long sleep seemed to sort it. I also have quite a lot of soreness in my tummy at the moment - like I've pulled a muscle or something? But it's not the hernia as such. Am going to try to take it easy this week - I don't need to be away.

( So far - ed)

Unlucky for some...

Unlucky for some...
Originally uploaded by Menage a Moi

Well - in spite of being allocated this hotel room in Birmingham, I lived to tell the tale....

A Relaxing Weekend ...

...but I may be playing World of Warcraft too much...

(Courtesy of South Park )

Do Ya Wanna Touch...

iTouch
Originally uploaded by Menage a Moi

I've just finished a week working at home and to be honest, it'll be nice to be back on the road next week! I was actually quite bored by Friday - and I think Alfie was as well. I've just spent too many years travelling and it's just part of my lifestyle now.

But the week had a number of highlights, not least of all, a briliant gig by Mary Gauthier on Tuesday - but also my first full session at the gym in eighteeen months. I was a bit sore afterwards, but all manageable.

And then of course there's my new toy...


(Of course, when you get your new house, all this will have to stop - ed)

Kith and Kin

Well I suppose it's fairly obvious in psychological terms I suppose. Mother dies and sons, one by one, catch the Family Tree bug. The great thing is that my brother O has made contact with various branches of the family who have all done work on this and there's a story that already goes back to 1700.

This picture is from about 1910 and the youg woman in the back row far left is my grandmother Dorothy.

Meanwhile back in the present - I've just about recovered from my flu now and am settling down to a quiet Sunday at home. It's been gloriously sunny the last few days - today it's misty and dull.

Up Too Late On A Thursday Night

Too Late On A Thursday Night
Originally uploaded by Menage a Moi

I should be in bed....

Skitch!

In a gloriously Web 2.0 self-referential moment I get to show off Skitch. What a great application!

( Feeling better then..? - ed)

Early to bed and...

..early to rise. If you're away from home and you suddenly come down with flu that is.



I felt fine when I got up on Monday morning but by the time I got to my first meeting in Coventry I felt grim. I tried sleeping it off last night but even 10 hours of solid sleep didn't sort it. So this morning I've got the train home and will call it quits for the day. They can manage without me.



(Of course you don't actually believe that - ed)





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