To Hop-on or Hop-off is the question?

Post 413: Crafty Pints in Crafty Bars and Mighty Hikers.

2026-06-06T06:23:27Z

Post 413: Crafty Pints in Crafty Bars and Mighty Hikers Getting up to the sound of showers and the smell of bacon cooking in the kitchen is a welcoming start to the day. It seems like everyone is chattering and laughing, but every now and then ther...(read more)

Post 412: The Big Cumbrian Surprise.

2026-06-05T04:36:54Z

Post 412: The Big Cumbrian Surprise We stopped at that farm shop services 15 miles south of Carlisle, and I was on the phone again. For the fourth time this week. I should have been getting ready to surprise my boy, but no, I was in tears again, th...(read more)

Post 411: Why Is It So Wintery Today?

2026-06-04T03:23:15Z

Post 411: Why Is It So Wintery Today? Yesterday was indeed a red-letter day, and no mistake. Every waking hour since, my mind has had a baby in it. Not what it looks like, nor the sex of the little thing, but how it will affect the family. It has ...(read more)

Post 410: Red Letter Day +

2026-06-03T06:05:04Z

Post 410: Red Letter Day + There are a few days in your life that would require a sledgehammer to remove them from your memory; some good and some bad, but few are as memorable as today. It’s my Darling and my anniversary. Thirty-six years si...(read more)

Post 409: Pinch punch the first of the month.

2026-06-02T07:18:34Z

Post 409: Pinch punch the first of the month. Where’s the year going? June is here with summer in tow, and it would be nice to have a long hot summer. But already the water companies are sending out information of how to save water and with t...(read more)

Post 408: What’s the Story, Rory?

2026-06-01T06:09:34Z

Post 408: What’s the Story, Rory? Who’s Rory anyway? I certainly don’t know. Perhaps he’s the guy who counts the words on a page. I started the day well and this writing lark is getting better, although the pen will give out...(read more)

Post 407: The Storm has mostly blown over us…

2026-05-31T06:51:58Z

Post 407: The Storm has mostly blown over us… My Darling blew the biggest storm forever over the Easter eggs for our eldest and his wife yesterday. A proper storm in an egg cup; and in front of my dear Big Sis. Today, I’ll keep my answ...(read more)

Post 406: The Pen, the Car and the E-mail.

2026-05-30T04:55:12Z

Post 406: The Pen, the Car and the E-mail Is it time to admit that I’m liking the pen-and-paper book expedition? It’s a pretty wild time considering the facts about my past experience — or lack of experience — in writing or r...(read more)

Post 405: “I love you no doubt”

2026-05-29T06:35:02Z

Post 405: “I love you no doubt” Inside my head I’m nowhere near dead Yes I’m okay let go out to play Stop treating me as if I’m already a stiff I’m really okay let’s sail to Bombay I know I’ve been b...(read more)

Post 404: A bid, finally with one day to go.

2026-05-28T05:31:46Z

Post 404: A bid, finally with one day to go. No, I’m not bothered. It’s a whole day and 17 hours before it’s done. So what if it doesn’t sell I’m not going to cry or anything. It’s only a car. What ever. This mor...(read more)

Post 403: My bum’s sore from keeping in the shade.

2026-05-27T05:03:02Z

Post 403: My bum’s sore from keeping in the shade. If there’s one thing that my Darling can’t stand it’s the heat. Born in the frozen tundra an hour west of Dublin, her 40 years living in the temperate zone down South you&rsq...(read more)

Post 402: Trailer Takes Trash Away.

2026-05-26T06:24:24Z

Post 402: Trailer Takes Trash Away The phone tells me it was 31°C (87°F) and, after walking, pushing, pulling or doing anything really, I am sweating from every pore — and I’m not prone to sweating at all. It’s flipping ho...(read more)

Post 401: Putting something off is not going to stop it from happening.

2026-05-25T03:37:10Z

Post 401: Putting Something Off Is Not Going to Stop It from Happening It’s the Sunday after the 400th post and, as per usual, something happens to hurt me right down to my toes. And I’ve been putting it off for nearly four years. The m...(read more)

Post 400: Da-dada-da-da Da-da.

2026-05-24T08:05:09Z

Post 400: Da-dada-da-da Da-da Four hundred posts. Wow! I just can’t believe it. I started this blog as somewhere to get rid of my worst thoughts of either pain or depression during the approach to the chemotherapy (Carboplatin). I was pro...(read more)

Post 399: Second Doctor’s Appointment This Week — Surely Lightning Doesn’t Strike Twice

2026-05-23T08:50:18Z

Post 399: Second Doctor’s Appointment This Week — Surely Lightning Doesn’t Strike Twice Today is just another Friday which starts with a kiss and ends with a beer, but has an altogether better feel than terrible Tuesday I get read...(read more)