Awake and up all night

Now that's a coincidence, just after I married my current wife in 1978 we were living in London (I'm from Yorkshire and live there now) we went to see Elkie Brooks at the Dominian on Tottenham Court Road. My wife was a fan but I wasn't.

Ellie was fantastic l've and I've seen her a few times after. I think live music is sometimes better than recorded.

Hi again. I enjoy live performances, mainly classical, played by proper musicians who know what their instruments are about. In my teens I liked Northern Soul, Tamla, etc. but not pop music really, and I never went along with the Osmond and Cassidy lovers just to fit in. I put music channels on at night just for background Muzak whilst scrolling for ghost stories to lull me off. I'm a bit of an odd bod tbh

Hi Steve. I know about the ID cards and why they want to introduce them - I also know about CBDC which will come as a shock to many if/when they get their way with that too.

Anyroad, thanks for your comments about Leeds and I for one don't want Farke ousted. Hey, you must be pleased with the big German guy? Great signing I reckon xxx

Hello Gill, I'm not an Elton fan either but do like his '60 years on' track when I'm feeling a bit old. Its melancholy complements my reflective mood. I prefer the Kate Bush cover of Rocket Man.

I've been following Eddiel's travels with interest. My radius of adventure rarely exceeds 40 miles these days. I like to be within an hour or two from home so that I can drive back and more easily deal with catheter blockages which occur frequently. I used to drive all over the UK, Scotland and Mull being favourites. I visited Stornaway with my late wife many years ago. I was surprised by its size compared with Portree on Skye which seemed like a small quiet village back then. I have also enjoyed the PS Waverley on its 'Round the IOW' cruises. They took all day (Swanage to Swanage). Very soothing with the beat of the paddle wheels and sighing of the steam engine. Well done Eddiel for keeping so active and cheerful. Ray xx

Hi Ray, and I agree with you that Eddie does us a favour with tales of his travels and his cheery demeanour. Well you've been around too and lived in Germany for a fair while. Is Scotland your favourite of all, the isles and such? I've never been further up than Lossiemouth, well a bit further up but I've forgotten the names, but the beaches are really lovely. This was over 25 years ago so things will have changed I expect.

I've not heard of EJ's 60 years on track...or that KB covered Rocket Man, but if that's your bag then good for you Ray. Hope you're doing as well as possible, fella xxx

Elkie Brooks has such a great voice.

I loved Pearl 's a Singer.

Hi Gilly, I slept well thank you, and had a busy, enjoyable day, and absolutely you put your foot down and demand a  PSA test, if LOH has a blood test coming up, ask the nurse to add the test to the others he has.

And wow, a big well done to your daughter for not letting the disappointment of not being able to go to Uni, hold her back, and I'm sure she's inherited many wonderful traits from her mum, I was at Durham in 83, but dropped out when I was offered my dream job.

Yep, honesty boxes raise more money than fixed price admission, even people who sell newspapers or fruit and veg, make more money trusting people to pay by good will, I wasn't surprised, as I don't watch the news or read the papers, which give such a bad picture of people.

I know nothing about Stephen King, which is how I like it, but Elton's ok, theirs nothing wrong with being weird.

If I was you, I'd be  contacting my hospital, asking them to contact your GP, and ask them what the problem is with doing the PSA test.

love Eddie and family xx 

Well it would seem I'm in the minority, I would welcome a digital currency, it would stop all that government corruption, PS how do you pronounce Farke?, xx

Hi Ray, I've been to Portree, but not Stornoway, or indeed the outer Hebrides, but a good friend is moving to Lewis, and has invited Sheila and I to pop over and stay a while, when they've settled in, so maybe one day. I do need to carry my emergency rucksack with me when I'm away, as my nuked bladder, doesn't respond to exercises anymore, and my rectal bleeding which lulls me into believing it's improving catches me out at the worst of times, but mostly I  keep on top of them, and their not going to stop me from going on holiday. XX

A very early morning to you Eddie, and I hope you've got notifications turned off so I don't wake you  I've had a good few hours but wide awake now.

About our GP: ever since LOH had his stroke, I've had endless problems obtaining sick notes, meds and proper appointments. He hasn't seen his assigned GP for almost three years, instead, a series of locums and another GP in the practice who's totally out of his depth with a laryngectomee, so not great. I have complained to several doctors, and his CNS, at the hospitals we attend about our surgery's slackness and the way they ignore letters they're copied into. During his recent hospital stay, all LOH's bloods returned clear but I requested the PSA when his prostate was mentioned, hence all the correspondence to our surgery. When I rang yesterday I wasn't snappy, although fuming, and asked why nothing had been done so far, but was met by bluster, as per usual. The upshot is I got a call in the afternoon offering an appointment for the 20th. It's highly frustrating and annoying dealing with these guys, and the reason why I always bypass them and get LOH straight off to A&E when my instincts tell me to. The Hippocratic Oath should be reworded - First do your job!

Well now that's off my chest, Farke is pronounced Faarker. Lol! Have a lovely day and enjoy the family xxx