MacMillan bloggers, I thank you

I like the idea of the cheese eating assassins. It will be a sad day when you can’t face eating cheese. I well remember my first chemotherapy appointment, when they gave me a list of all the things they didn’t want me to eat, and it contained most of the things I really love. I decided to ignore it, because amongst other things, a life with chemo and without blue cheese was going to be pretty miserable. 

You have most certainly gone through this with dignity appropriate to your user name. I am sad this ‘journey’ is proving shorter than those of some of the fellow sufferers you list. Ultimately we are all moving through at our own pace and we learn a lot from the experiences and musings of others. I hope the radiotherapy brings a bit of pain relief and that you can continue to enjoy a little of the outdoor world that you clearly enjoy so much. 

I've been meaning to message you, having read all of your blog posts now (thoroughly enjoying them, although saddened by later developments). Your writing about nature reminded me of Robert MacFarlane and I wondered if you have read his books? 

I live by the South Downs and really don't get out walking in nature as much as I'd like, but your writing has inspired me to try to change that. I hope you get some nature time too. 

Thanks for your words of inspiration. 

It's really good to read you today. 

So wonderful that you are offering of yourself still, in all that you're dealing with. I want to be just like you, when I eventually grow up...

I hope that the radiotherapy alleviates your pain. 

Thank you for the shout out. I always knew I was destined for fame! 

Until next time,  peace

Thank you so much Coddfish. I am so fatigued for much of the time but I am getting out a bit We do have a small suburban garden, backing onto a school playing field and then views up and into the edge of Exmoor National Park. And the bird life that we attract is just brilliant, well over 20 species. It is just brilliant, although quite expensive in bird food! Please can I share my top wildlife and nature tip with you? I appreciate that you are a nature buff too and don't want to state the 'b obvious'. The dawn chorus and the date that we change the clocks to Summer time, 30th March this year. The first week of BST is great for the dawn chorus, many birds are already in full song AND we have put their singing back by an hour! I hope to be around for this for one more time, to be able to sit quietly in my modest, mildly unkempt garden at 'not so silly o'clock' and listen to a the amazing sound of nature.

Thank you. I have found the interaction with other people in this community to be so supportive. I really wanted to say thank you and that was the prompt for yesterdays post (it did get moderated as I inadvertently broke the rules and put my actual name at the very end!)

Robert MacFarlane. Wow, I am overwhelmed that you have seen a parallel between him and me. I have read some of his work. I started on his book about underground places, 'Underland' and found this very hard to read, it was as if he needed to use 20 long and unusual words when 6 would have done. So I gave up, and I may even have said some unkind words (sorry Robert!) And then last year, a friend recommended and lent to me 'The Old Ways'. My friend and I have explored a number of old hollow ways and drove roads locally on our mountain bikes and my friend is just brilliant at this. he lent me the book and I really enjoyed it and have recommended this to others and said lots of lovely things about it, It feels more personal, more genuine and the history of how people have created routes through and into the landscape (and seascape) was truly absorbing. 

Is there one of his books that you would particularly recommend?

Do get out in nature if you can. My last job with the National Trust was to help change the National Trust 'culture' re outdoors and nature and I recognise in myself how much this has added to my life and how lucky we are, even in overcrowded England (although we are quite rural this way!) to have urban parks, canal sides and odd overgrown corners. Nature can find it's way into our lives in so many ways, sometimes we just need to sit quietly and look and listen. For me, now, my small moderately unkempt garden is a true haven and very busy with winter birds. 

Here is my top wildlife tip. On 30th March, we change the clocks, 'spring forward'. The week after is great for the dawn chorus, it will already be good and for a week or so, it is not at silly o'clock in the early hours. If you don't already do so, feed your garden birds, if you do, thank you!

And last but not least, how are you doing?