Vicar's Homepage

Captain Corelli Rides Again!

Just three treatments to go! I am now feeling mild side effects, but nothing that has caused concern. I will still be grateful to reach an ending (for now!) and kick back for a while. I have a consultants meeting later this week to discuss how we will monitor the outcome. I imagine we will be closely reviewing for at least a couple of years, and we will then be able to gauge the outcome.

 

On a lighter note I am considering mandolin lessons after having contacted a teacher via the internet, it will be a new direction for me after guitar lessons fell by the wayside due to cost and the inability to convert to Dobro playing as I could not find anyone to take that direction forward. I will give it a try and see what happens now I have some spare time.

 

Our office had their staff do this week. Based loosely on the Oscars ceremony, annual awards are handed out and nominations given. (I actually got a nomination last year, but was unable to go, Yes our department was the only one working that night!) It is a very well planned do, and it does make us feel special. The Champagne flowed and as this was the first time I had seen some of my colleagues for a couple of months we were able to catch up. Some surprises though, some of my more regular colleagues seemed to shy away, not quite knowing what to say, whilst others whom I hardly know made a real fuss.

 

I had to leave at midnight as I get very tired late into the evenings and am sure I missed a lot of the fun. Maybe we should have awards for some of the schangens that usually take place later if the first event was anything to go by.

 

Onwards and upwards, despite better judgement I found my way to Swansea the next day to watch the Albion go down 2-1 at their impressive new ground. I was able to meet up with a Welsh friend who is also a devoted Albion fan. (Oddly Ros met him and his charming wife on her recent African expedition. Thus proving poor Ros cannot get away from the Albion even in the middle of the Serengeti.) It did also mean I had to give up the Welsh chants during the game. Actually we seem to have a lot of fans in Wales, having assisted Wrexham with their problems.

 

A rather drunken trip home, (though sadly not for me!) Ably assisted by some Swindon Town fans, who having been greeted immediately by a chorus of “There’s only one Tommy Mooney” (An old Swindon Town centre forward) were led to a chant of “Hit the Post, Hit the Post, Hit the Post” Which we were chanting at him during his vital penalty shot against us three years ago in the play offs. He duly did just that and sent us on our way to the final!

 

Back into London in time to just miss last orders in the Curry house I had been aiming for, leaving me at the mercy of Weathspoons late night menu. I was at that point fit to curl up for the night, and the last two hours home were shall we say excessive.

Poetry site has begun!

I have now started adding work to my poetry site. Not from me you will relieved to know. I am trying to persuade Ros to start writing again. There is a work in progress. Some of her oldies will be up shortly. Go to my pages to view.

From the Falconry

Although unable to work at the moment I have been back to the Falconry, camera in hand to capture some rather nice new images. 

  See some more: Follow Photos/Birdlife/16 July 06 (at the bottom) for more.

Happy Easter Bunnies!

Happy Easter Bunnies to you all! Ros and I are still sleeping on the floor but we are nearly at the end of our bedroom redecoration and much looking forward to normality soon. Or at least what passes for normality in this household. We are also installing a Summerhouse in the garden in the space that used to be the lean too. Guests - We may even allow you to smoke in there. Maybe!

 

The treatment has finally caught up with me and I haven’t felt well for the last few days. The hot flushes are stronger, and tiredness more prolific. Sometimes I just want to curl up and sleep. Only three weeks to go, how time flies.

 

On the positive side I had a visitor from London this week, and was able to introduce her to the Roaster and then to Kitty (pub dog at the Welly in Shoreham) and thus take her for walkies. (The dog that is.) Not without adventure though first, we broke down in Kemptown. My friend was left to play the role of helpless girlee and beg some jump leads whilst I watched from a distance (knowing nothing about cars) to make sure she was OK. Lots of help and we were soon on the road.

 

I am having some nice offers for my recuperation period, and may go away for a while post treatment to chill out.

 

It is also of course half term so Ros and I have been shopping a la North Laine and Owen has been introduced to Falconry and made a fine start dropping Gandalph the Owl headfirst. It could not have happened to a finer bird and almost knocked some sense into him. Not supposed to laugh but well…….

  Owen and friend

The Nanny State

Are we drowning in enough red tape yet? A few stories to share, and most of course involve drinking, surprise, surprise!!

 

In Barnham, Daphne, the landlady of the Murrell Arms, has been told she has failed her pub licensing test despite having been landlady for 43 years. She is thus demoted to barmaid in her own pub. The Murrell is one of Sussex’s prize and most treasured pubs. The landlord died recently at age 90, and this is the thanks she gets.

The lovely Murrell

 

 

In Lewes the much beloved Lewes Arms, another true classic has been taken over by Greene King, who are refusing to serve the local ale on its premises. Thus there is a boycott by the town’s fair citizans, and a few unfair ones to boot, and this fine establishment is now deserted.

 

At home and wearing my Landlord hat, I am now advised that taking deposits from tenants is now illegal, doubtless leaving landlords high and dry with unpaid rent will soon become a government sponsored scheme. The upshot is now tenancies must effectively be vetted and insured against loss, ruling out 95% of applicants, who will be left on the street. AAArgh!   

 

Itchy Bitchy Scratchy

Officially halfway through the therapy. I am itchy, bruised and bloated but otherwise still on my feet. Just over three weeks left. The house is in chaos as we have builders and decorators in and no bedroom. Consequently we are sleeping on the floor, but hopefully the bedroom will be finished end of next week and I can kick back and enjoy it..

 

My quest for new music took a very different turn last night, on a whim I went to see Faithless, who although were excellent and clearly on top of their game, are not my kind of thing. I was still glad I went and it was a good evening all round.

 

The photography is drawing some attention, on doing a random photo shoot around the Red Roaster Café, (see previous) I had a number of people challenge me. Surprisingly they were all encouraging and I am sending off copies of ‘my work’ as requested.

Always a smile at the Roaster

 

My Hero!

A legend of his time. we salute you!!!

 

The cricket is throwing up some stories, Freddie Flintoff, what a star, a man of his time, we love you. Being hauled paralytic from a pedalo at 4am during the World Cup won't do his advertising career any harm. Preston must be so proud. Then Ireland beat Pakistan, what a shame it wasn't Bangladesh, that would have made St Paddies night something in the local curry house.  

I am now in week three of treatment and starting to feel some effects slightly, but with the considerable reduction in alcohol, better diet, and no work concerns I am in in good spirits. I am having to limit my boozing as I have found my natural limit on the consumption front after Hove Beer Festival, when I was a little unwell the next day.

Specialist to me: I told you to drink moderately, how many did you have?

Self: Five pints.

Specialist: That's not moderate.

Self: It is where I come from.

The most disturbing feature of treatment was being left on the table for treatment with James Blunt playing in the background. Issue now resolved as they say. 

Current life has an unusual timetable. I am first on the list each day for treatment ( 9.00am) which means I am up at 6am, but have the rest of the day to myself. Thus I get to wander the streets of Kemptown, or the North Laine. A late breakfast in a coffee shop and I am set up for the day. Spending a fortune. I did manage to link with a friend for a game of Subbuteo, remember that? What a game. Lost 2-0 but would like some more practice, may even buy my own set up!

There is a quote from the 1930s' "Brighton's streets are full of actors and fantasists, drunkards and writers, chancers and manaics. Nothing has changed in Kemptown then."

 

Poland Photos

May now be viewed, click on photos on blue bar above and on Poland.

Radiotherapy: Week One

Well treatment has started and other than a slight blip on Friday no ill effects so far. The weather here has been fine and sunny all week, so it has been a pleasure to wander home post treatment through Kemptown and the Laines, stop for a coffee (or a herbal tea, honest doc!) or spend some quality time in Resident records. I qualify for a weekly massage courtesy of the NHS, bliss!! I am eating far more healthy and clearly I am now limited on my alcohol consumption, though I did still manage an appearance at Hove Beer Festival on Thursday night. 

With a major refurb of the bedroom due to begin next week, I had a quiet weekend and began preparations for the work. Hopefully by the time any side effects do kick in the project will be complete and I will have a nice space to recoup in.  

Everything is Illuminated

Back home drinking Cracovian Vodka (with Cranberry and Lime) with Adam watching Elijah Wood chasing rings again in a film called 'Everything is Illuminated'. It seems a good way to finish the adventure. A wonderful film blending tragedy and comedy around a Ukranian road trip.

The trip to Oswiecim (Auschwitz) was done on an organsied tour, which was a pity as it turned into a huge rush around the site without time to either contemplate where you really were, or pay any respects. I wish I had made my own way there. (Feasible by rail and local bus.)

 

Actually I got far more feeling in Kamimierz, especially on the the last morning, whilst visiting the old synagogue which had a visual display focusing on the evacuation of that area to the local ghetto. Here was a real feeling of the past. I also had a long chat with the very informative sales girl in the bookshop who had a strong knowledge of the area. Thus I left behind the memorable friendly Hotel Eden and the charming area of Kameritz.