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)





Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Work Hard Play Hard

I know a few friends are concerned that I'm working too hard - but honestly I'm fine. Yes I do a stressful job but I actually wouldn't have it any other way - I have a low boredom threshold. And it is really great to just feel healthy again!

I am away for a two days tomorrow - but then ( touch wood) I'm home for about 10 days.

But the week hasn't all been work. On Monday night my friend C and I went to see The Alabama Three in Newcastle. A brilliant gig - they are so good live!

And on Friday I went down to J's ( looked at another house - and one on Saturday too - still nothing to really beat the one we saw last week though) and had a really nice meal with her daughter B and B's boyfriend S. B was here to pick up my old car from me - which she did on Saturday. I was sorry to see it go - but I know it's in good hands - and I do have the new one...

And today the sun is shining! Am going to pay a few bills online and then take Alfie out for a long walk.

The First Day of Autumn

Or so my calendar tells me. It's beginning to feel like it too - a gloomy will-it won't-it rain sort of Sunday morning here - and a few leaves are falling. Even put my central heating on last night...

Updates - health. Good - am about to start back at the gym this afternoon ( another indoor pursuit for the autumn). I thought I'd poppped my hernia again on Tuesday this week, reaching down to pick up something off the floor of the train, but it just ached for a few hours and all was well. Phew!

House buying/selling: OK. One couple round to look at mine last week - hard to tell if they were interested really. But that's part of the game isn't it? J and I looked at a lovely house in Darlington on Friday night - and I'm very tempted - but I know I need to look at more than the two I've looked at so far!

Work: Feeling inexorable at the moment. It's symptomatic that I am really excited to discover that in mid-October I may have a whole week when I don't have to be away! Alfie will be pleased.

Pirate

Pirate Day
Originally uploaded by Menage a Moi Arr!

My guess is that this was taken in the mid-eighties - me aged 26? But I'm open to guesses cos I certainly don't remember! The Parrot looks friendly - if deflated...

(And its owner -ed)

London Boys

We had a great time! The gig was brilliant and it was really nice to spend some time with O.

You can see the photos here and the vidclips here. For now, I've got the ironing to do and the house to tidy - my first house-viewer is coming round tomorrow!

Getting It On

The long work days continue - but my health stays remarkably good.

Apart from that, I'm going to look at a house in Darlington on Friday and on Saturday my brother O and I are meeting up in London to reminisce. Strangely we can't get anyone else to come with us...

Another Sunday Morning Posting

...and where has the last week gone?! An absolutely exhausting first week back at work and I don't think that the next one will be much better - it starts in Birmingham on Monday morning. One bright spot of Monday is that J is working down in Birmingham too so we'll get to meet up in the evening.

I've been so busy that I've hardly had any time to go out in the new car at all. And the house is now up for sale so I suppose I'd better start looking for a new one eh?

Still feeling remarkable healthy - it must be all that Lake District and Cornwall air!

Back to work....

....and I began the third of three very long days two hours ago. It's going to be like this for the rest of the week - and maybe into the weekend. I knew I was going to be coming back to a whole lot of stuff but I sorta forgot ( the rose-coloured specs of impending holiday..) how much. Ah well - at least I'm working at home today and for the rest of the week. London yesterday was stressful to say the least.

I've got the estate agent coming round later. I've decided to put my house on the market. I feel it's time for a move. Not sure where yet. Durham City or Darlington probably.

Oh - and because someway this blog is supposed to be about my health - don't worry, I'm eating well, drinking no alcohol and sleeping like a log. Even my tummy is behaving ityself!

Time and Tide

This is the video that was too big to post while I was away. Taken from the flat in Cornwall. ( You need to watch it to the end - ed).

Dedicated to my friend D who was watching the same moon eclipse from Kentucky. Not sure if hers was a Blue one...

Sunday Morning Coming Down

Ah well - holidays over for a while. But I had a great time. And so did Alfie.

I'm just spending Sunday quietly - I'll just take Alfie out for a walk later. Working from home tomorrow so will try to ease myself in. And I'm picking up the new car in the evening!

Chilling

After a really nice day out to Fowey yesterday Alfie and I are taking it easy today - the last full day of our Cornwall holiday. Earlier we walked over to Kingsand for a Cornish Cream Tea ( the coffee kind...) and this evening I'm booked in at the local restaurant where I had such a great meal last year.

I feel really relaxed after this holiday - and a lot fitter - in spite of all the eating!