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Monday, 13 June 2005. A new
page for my new start on the Isle of Arran. Arrived last Friday, and by
Sunday night had got pretty well sorted. Then the strain hit me. The
endorphins went ….. the adrenalin went …. I ached all over! As I always say, “Never mind.” I know
that I do not have a religion, but someone up there has been looking after
me for the past three weeks. I’m looking forward to having a couple of ‘do
nothing’ days.
Later, I will do a write-up of the journey and some of the ‘Murphy’s Law’
events!
In
two days time, it will be a year since I was verbally mugged by Eileen
Holland, the co-ordinator, (warden), of Felmore
Court. This is the last time that
I will refer to it, then I’ll place it in my forgettery. See
here.
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Tuesday, 14 June 2005.
Yesterday I forgot to update the home page – now done.
I felt so done in last night, that I took a sleeping pill and had an early
night. Felt brilliant this morning. Trick is not to take them too often.
I had a little tour of the locality this morning. Had to go to Brodick and
do the final signing for the flat. Then on to Whiting Bay to County Carpets, www.countycarpetsarran.co.uk to pay for the bed and bits. While there
I bought a posh computer work station, and a coffee table to set up the VCR
and DVD recorder. At the last place I put up a shelf ….. and very proud of
it I was! See
here.
There was £22.40 on the clock for the hire of just under the hour …..
not bad …. so I gave him a decent
tip. Nice fella. He’ll be taking me to and from the local hostelries when
it’s raining, (or I’m too drunk … doubt it though!) Talking to the taxi
driver, he was saying about the number of ‘in-comers’ who are just holiday
residents and week-enders. It’s the same all over the UK. Too
many people with too much spare cash! The house prices here are
unbelievable. They seem to start at £250,000! The island has become a bit
more up-market since I was here 21 years ago.
About 10 years ago, I used to have a recurring dream of sitting on a bench
to the left of the clock tower on the front looking out to the Holy Isle.
The taxi driver pointed it out to me. Strange how the memory plays tricks
…. I remember it as being nearer to the main road.
The weather today is a bit dreach, (wet to all you Sassenachs!), so I
emptied the last bags and boxes. When I did this last time, at Pitsea, I
found some old
letters from Chloe. When I mentioned it in the chat room
on www.seniority.co.uk
I got slagged off by a woman, Rosemary. A similar thing happened today. I
found some old letter & cards that I had placed out of the way. I read
them, and was surprised at how they affected me. Time and memory are
strange things.
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Thursday, 16 June 2005. Yes ….
My dream memory was playing tricks about the clock tower. The real thing is
completely different. The clock tower is made of stone – my dream one was
of a white timber clad one. Also there is not a path to the left of the
tower, just the grounds of a house. I did sit on a seat to the left of the
tower; it belonged to the pub, ‘The Drift Inn’. Couldn’t sit there for long
as the midges paid their visit an hour early, or so the barmaid said. It
was here that I drank the most expensive whisky yet …. £1.80. All of the
pubs do the 35 ml measures, which is 1 1/3 of the English measure.
I
then toddled off to the PHT, (the Pier Head Tavern). There I met a gent who
moved in here the same day as me. Though he only came from Whiting Bay! Not far
to move. The PHT served the cheapest whisky yet …. £1.10 a nip! Be going
there again!
My
finishing watering hole was the ‘Alderside’. I was there last Saturday –
they charge £1.20.
Went
to the medical centre today to register with a doctor, and had to fill in a
form. One question was whether I wished to donate all my organs. I told the
young lassie, “In no way am I going to donate my big console organ!” Found
the PO, & chemist, so that’s
me munny ‘n’ drugs sorted! Came home and did my laundry. While waiting for
it I had a go on the ol’ ‘Joe Anna’ in the lounge – long time since I
played a real one. Quite enjoyed it!
Right,
that’s me been here a week, and settled well in. I feel so much at home,
it’s almost unbelievable. And, to think that I did all that moving without
any help. I think that my guardian angel was on my shoulder!
It
has been raining all the week! The holiday makers are right chocker. I see
that the forecast for the weekend down south is to be in the mid 80s. Glad
I’m here!
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Sunday, 19 June 2005. Well …
that was a surprise! Saw a grouse in the garden. Seems that they are bred a
little way from here for the game shooting, and they can fly a distance.
I have started the video of here. It should be ready in a week. Won’t be
able to put it on here until I get broadband again (end of July?). In the
meantime, I’ll put some stills of the video on here. I’ll send a copy down
to Marj, my old next door neighbour, to let her see what it is like here.
Great place this! I went to the post office to get a form for a travel
pass, and it was all done on the spot. The fella even took the passport photo
in the shop, (I am looking old now!), and I collected the pass the next
day. Now, how’s that for service?
Last night, had my first ‘social’ evening for about five years. The last
week has made me realise how distorted my life has been for the past five
years, and especially the past year. It will be interesting to see how
things develop. In the PHT I had a chat to a few people, and as usual
blasted off the ol’ gob! It made me accept that in no way do I want to
‘work’ anymore. We were talking about my accountancy system at http://www.ciaccounts.com/
I may put all the source code up and let the world have some fun with it.
It needs someone with Visual Basic skills to update it for the modern lazy
user.
Today, I am having my first ‘do nothing’ day in my jimjams. The poor ol’
legs are still aching!
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Saturday, 25 June 2005. Jackie was on
the island camping last week. We had lunch, and had a chat for about
half-an-hour. Made me remember the pain of five years ago. Still, that’s
what life is all about ….. learning how to deal with life! I would not change
one minute of mine, even if I had the chance to!
I was let down on the delivery of the computer work station, so I had a go
at a new layout, and it is OK. See the picture. Saved me about £250, but
would rather have the unit.
I keep talking about the most remarkable coincidences that have happened
over the past four weeks. And ….. here is another! A web site for Arran has just
been set up. It is well designed, and for the early days has great promise.
You can see it, and my postings on the forums, at www.arranonline.com
‘The Arran Banner’ did a good bit of publicity for it, sadly they forgot to
put the web addy in it!
Got enrolled with the doctor. But, seems that we have problems getting
dentists to practice on the island. I may have to go private via an
insurance scheme, ‘Den-Plan’. It will cost between £10 & £20 a month
depending on an assessment of your condition. (But, I don’t pay for water
here, and that saves £12/month). Must say that the cost of living here is
more than Basildon. Some
things are twice the price!!! Most items are 20% to 30% higher. Only thing
cheaper is the whisky!
I joined my neighbours for tea yesterday, while my washing was being done.
Had a tinkle on the ivories, and got a big hand ….. no not on my butt …..!
They seem to be a good bunch.
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Saturday, 02 July 2005. I have
now settled down here very well. I had my first ‘holiday’ day yesterday.
Went for a stroll along the front, and had my lunch in the Pier Head Café.
(Better than the Pier head Tavern!)
Been having probs with the Windows Update system. It’s been bad for quite a
time. I had the opinion that the system was not coping with some of the
popular progs that are used. I may be right, because after a couple of
emails to/from MS it downloaded another version of Update, and it now seems
fine. I do have to compliment MS on their prompt replies. It is the first
time that I have emailed them. But …. How are all the ppl who have Windows
Media Centre going to cope with similar probs?
Got sorted out with the dentist in Brodick. Going to cost me £15.80/month
with ‘Den-Plan’ to go private. I thought that the money that I saved on the
water rates would pay for it, but got a letter today saying that I have to
pay water rates! Ho, hum! My budget will have to be sorted out soon.
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Tuesday,
05 July 2005. Lesley died 22 years ago today.
……………
…. “You whore! You whore!”
Was what I heard.
When all that I wanted
Was a comforting word ……..
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Saturday,
09 July 2005. That’s me been here
for four weeks. Settled well …. Seems like four years! Weather not been too
good though.
Looking at the situation in London on Thursday, made me remember that I was going into Euston station
just the four weeks before on that day and at that time.
I’m going to have to get round to shopping for some clothes. Should have
done it before I came, but did not like shopping. Been told of places to
get men’s clothes. On the matter of groceries etc, I have had the idea of
getting together the Co-op and a delivery agent so that I can get something
like the service I had with Tesco. I have been told that The Good Food Shop
has stopped delivery because there was not the demand for it. Most people
have a car.
I have finally got a shot of the bird that visits. I thought that it was a
grouse, but it is a
pheasant. I tried to pull out a feather, so that I could say
that I am a pheasant plucker!
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Saturday,
16 July 2005. At last, I did my shopping.
I hate it! Got some jammies, shoes, socks and jacket.
Over the past two weeks, because I have eaten out, I have missed taking
Metformin for my diabetes. I was surprised to see that when I did a blood
test that my glucose was acceptable. So, to test it, I did not take
Metformin for a couple of days, and all was OK. By coincidence, I was due
for a diabetic check-up at the medical centre. Although it was not my
intention, we agreed that I should do a week’s trial without Metformin, and
see how it went. I have to do tests two/four times/day. The last two days
have been encouraging. (Maybe I will be adding a story about ‘His’ helping
hand here!
Perhaps, He has been watching over me again, and healing me?)
It is Gala Week, and I have just got back from watching the parade. The
gala is held in the school playing fields at the side of where I live. Not
many stalls etc there. 21 years ago, when Princess Ann opened the Gala Week
there was a good five times as many stalls etc. Shows what royal patronage
can do!
Beautiful sight yesterday. There was a rainbow, and the Holy Isle was set
right in the centre. Sod it! I did not have a camera ready!
Thursday, I was a naughty boy …….. I had a good drink in the Aldersyde and
did not leave till 12.45 …… (licensed till 1am!) …. and I wasn’t too bad on Friday. Getting out of my hermit
phase?
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Friday,
22 July 2005. It seems that my
diabetes has improved. After a week of no Metformin, my average glucose
level was 5.6. See
here. I will now see how I do without the Glipizide. I think
that my change in diet, making my own bread and being more relaxed here,
has helped. We’ll see what the diabetic clinic makes of it. I have a
feeling that they will highlight the triglyceride levels.
I got some info from Google, and it seems that statins cause muscle/liver
problems in 1:100 cases ……. Very worrying. When I was taking Atavostatin
the calf pains occurred after I had walked only 20/50 yards. I was then put
on Pravastatin. Two weeks ago, I reduced my dose of Pravastatin from
40mg/day to 20mg/day and the pain in my calves reduced. I then did not take
any, and the pain has almost gone. But, they will say that my triglyceride
levels will increase. Bloody Hobson’s choice!!
Been getting out more, to the beach, shopping
and to the pub. I’m beginning to feel more like a human being again. The
weather has not been good for the gala week, but we are promised better for
the next few days. Not that the weather bothers me! I can go to the pub,
have four 35mls of whisky, bag of nuts, and get change from a fiver …. Not
bad! (The groceries are a lot dearer though!)
I’m getting brave. At our tea get together
today, I was invited out for a walk by my neighbours, Josie & Eva. I
thought that it would be a quick walk round the block, but we were walking
for an hour, and did about three miles. (And no pain in my calves!) Out
into the country, and round to the mustard factory. It was a great
experience! When I think of the walks that I have done, and how I was so
‘enthralled’ about our little walk, I am again surprised at how my life has
been distorted over the past five years. Especially the last year. (But I
won’t dwell on it this time!)
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Saturday,
23 July 2005. I said above, that
“I won’t dwell on it at this time”. Today I had a chat to someone at Felmore Court. This is where I last lived, in sheltered housing. Before I left I
was told that Eileen Holland, warden (co-ordinator), was going to be ‘given
the push’ last April. I was surprised that she was not. It may have been
that they knew that I was moving and delayed it. I was told that Eileen
Holland has been ‘pushed out’ under the pretext of retirement through ill
health. As I said in my report to her managers, She was
planning to manipulate the system so that she could do just that! So, she
seems to have got what she wanted because of my complaint! Ironic or what?
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Friday,
29 July 2005. Happy birthday,
Ted! It was my 72nd birthday yesterday. Got two cards, one with
a fiver in it! Thanks Liz! Went for a drink, and I had to wear my raincoat
– cold, wet & blustery.
Had a little walk with Eva, and I also went along the shore for a walk, and
took my little web cam. I took fifty pics, and made them into a DVD, with a
commentary, and background music. It was tedious, as I had to process all
the pics, as they were all dark with little contrast. Nevertheless, the
resultant DVD is one that I am proud of. It is ready for uploading when I
get broadband on 8th August.
I have really settled here and at last I am relaxed. For the past week I
have not taken any diabetic medication and my average has been 8.5. There
have been two readings of over 10.0, but that was after foods that I know
put the sugar up. Let’s see what happens next week. Had a call from the
diabetic clinic, and the blood test showed low ‘long term’ sugar. The
cholesterol was a bit high at 7.1. It was 4.0 about four months ago.
Puzzling!?
Got the solicitor coming tomorrow to sort out my will & living will. I
will need someone here to administer my wishes. As I am going to be
cremated, my last trip will be on the ferry!
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Friday,
05 August 2005. Been a quiet week.
Letting ‘Mother Nature’ lead me! I enjoy my evenings at the pub, but I fear
that I may give GBH to a few reluctant ears! Weather’s been a bit dreach!
Diabetes seems to be OK. Readings are still averaging 8.5, with a couple at 10.0 & 11.0, but I
am taking no medication. See how it goes.
Got the broadband modem from BT yesterday. I should go live on Monday. I’ll
put the video of my Lamlash walk up to test it.
To keep my brain active, I am having a go at writing a prog to solve Sudoku puzzles.
(Acknowledgements to Radio Times – solution here). Done the easy bit of getting the
input logic, but I am not optimistic about completing the prog. The big
bind is that there are two solutions to each vacant square & this gives
a lot of iterations. See how it pans out. There must be a prog available
already. Will have to have a look round.
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Monday,
08 August 2005. Looked at the info
that came with the BT broadband order, and it said activation day was last
Friday. So, I have been trying to get it to work. Sent three emails to BT,
and got a few bits of advice. In each of the emails, I asked if my line had
been activated. Each time the question was ignored. After trying
everything, I went on the BT phone advice line safari, and ended up on
0800800060, where I was told that Lamlash was not activated yet. The date
being changed to Wednesday! Oh, well, that’s life! So I will try to upload my
Lamlash video on Wednesday to test it.
Basildon
Council is doing well. After asking me for the CT for the
period AFTER I had left, and me having a go at them, they have revised it
as no payment due. In the same post I got a cheque for the refund of my
overpayment of heating and insurance. Give them an Oscar!
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Friday,
12 August 2005. Not done any more
on the Sudoku prob, but here
is the solution to the prob above.
BT now says that my BB will not be activated until 19th August!
I have met some interesting people in the PHT recently, and given them my
card, hoping that they will visit here. For those of you who have done so,
welcome, and thank you for the stimulating evening.
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Monday,
15 August 2005. My broadband is now
activated, and I have put my ‘Walk in Lamlash’ slide/video up. See
here.
I’m hoping to have a go of the pipe organ in Lamlash church on Wednesday. Let
you know how I get on.
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Wednesday,
17 August 2005. See
here for my BB speed test. Excellent – got about 1.8gig
speed in one test. Supposed to be 0.5gig. Have not got my activation email
yet. Seems that they have started the system and testing it before they
charge us,
I went to the church this morning and joined them for tea. And, ‘had a go’
at the organ. See
here.
On the way to the PHT on Monday, for a ‘drinky poo’ I got talking to a
fella who was looking for agates on the beach. Very interesting man. It
made me realise that for a long time I have suffered from ‘intellectual
starvation’. I may assuage my ‘hunger’ in my talks with the members of the
church. All are welcoming, and understanding.
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Friday,
26 August 2005. Just had a
reassuring appointment with my GP. It seems certain that my calf pains are
not due to the Pravastatin. My liver & kidney tests are good. She has
prescribed me Quinine (could I get enough with gin & tonic …… he he!).
Quinine not only deals with malaria, but is also a muscle relaxant. Should
see a difference in the calf pain within a week. I am going back to
40mg/day of Pravastatin to get the cholesterol down. Last test showed 6.1.
Can’t think how. It was 4.0 just a couple of months ago. (false test?) I am
kicking myself for not getting advice sooner …. not good being a bit of a
‘know it all’. Though with the decisions I made about the bypass op 15
years ago, and the heart medication six years ago, I tend to make the right
decisions. Also made the right decision about my diabetes medication. It is
under control without medication and with a good diet. The past week has seen an average of 10.0
two hours after my main meal. This is acceptable, but I was getting
readings of 4.0 & 5.0 with the medication. (too low?) Let’s hope that
all keeps well for my last two/four years!!
I have started another web site exercise as
something to keep my brain ticking over, & as a social activity. I’ll let
you know as it progresses.
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Tuesday, 30 August 2005. Had an interesting time with the Lamlash Improvements Committee
last night. All seems OK. The web site that I have been working on is www.lamlash.info
Let me know what you think of it. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I
don’t have the debacle that I had with www.northlandspark.org
!
After the meeting, I went to the Aldersyde, and
had the most to drink that I have had since I’ve been here ….. 7.8 units!
Phew! Strange but this morning I was up early (9:30!) and down to the shops with my wheelie. Then did a few hours
setting up the Lamlash site into its new home. My try it again.
My calf muscles are still playing up. The
Quinine does not seem to be doing any good. See how it goes for the week.
Still …. My diabetes is still OK with no medication.
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Sunday,
04 September 2005. The www.lamlash.info
site is making a slow start. I have found a snag. Working on that site – I
forget what I was doing on this site! Me ol’ brain finds it hard to cope!
Never mind.
The medics are still OK. The quinine gave me a
bit of tinnitus, and seemed to fog up my brain, but the pain in my calves
has been reduced to about 30%, so it may be worthwhile.
Weather here very hot. I have got my air
conditioning on!
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Friday 09 September 2005. Had the air conditioning on again on Tuesday! Phew, as they would
say in the ‘Daily Mirror’.
I see that on the news they are saying that
smokers are twice as likely to go blind as non-smokers. That’s because they
get the problem that I have of the carotid arteries getting blocked, and
getting a TIA (small blood clot) in the blood vessels leading to the eye.
It also said that there is nothing they can do to help. They had a fella on
who described what I had happen. Blindness in one eye for a few minutes. He
then said that he woke up one morning with a blinding headache, and he had
gone completely blind. Terrifying thought! And I have never smoked .. at
least, only ten fags when I was 15yo.
Yesterday, I handed in my diabetes medication
back to the chemist. Let’s hope I don’t need to go back on it.
The web site for the local community, www.lamlash.info
went live today with an advert in ‘The Arran Banner’. I am
quite proud of how it has developed. It will be interesting to see if it
takes off. I won’t manage it for more that about six months – or maybe a
year. I hope to hand it over to a local group. There are a few ‘dog in the
manger’ people who are hoping that I’ll ‘just go away!’ Not much chance of
that happening!!
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Saturday,
17 September 2005. Thought that
I would have nothing to say except that www.lamlash.info is dead in the
water. The silence has been deafening!
Then ….. at 9:15 this morning, I had a call from my good friends, when I was in
Sanquhar, Liz and Hugh. It was great seeing them. Prob was that it p*s*e*
down all the time they were here. The worst day for three months! As soon
as I saw them off on the bus, it stopped raining! See our pic here.
That old man in the centre is NOT me!!!!
All in all, the last three months has been
a turning point for me. I have placed the probs of the past five years
behind me. Let’s hope that it continues.
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Friday,
23 September 2005. I was a
naughty boy last Monday. I had a fue too many, but I enjoyed it. Had
Cointreu and Guinness! Been quiet otherwise. Weather been dreach.
The http://www.lamlash.info/ site has as good as ‘bitten the
dust’. Have a look at the latest editorial on there and you can see the
details. I have also, just for fun, set up an abridged copy of that site
without the original counter, forum, chat room & horoscope, but with a
copy of the Improvements Assoc. site. You can see it at http://lamlashinfo.topcities.com It is a free
hosting site (but with those damn adverts!). Also tried the Topcities’
message board, guest book & forwarding form. Not too impressed. Can’t
find out how to properly access the Guest Book & message board. Ho,
hum!
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