Awake and up all night

Well you've learnt something today my friend, and about your siblings, that's just rotten what they did, though you now have a brother with a heart. XX

Ah well, at least you've met Bruce now. Ooh, Seven Oaks sounds great for a trip in the future, the garden of England, no less. I'd start dropping broad hints, soon after winter's finished its work.

My dad was a gunner in the Royal Artillery all through WW2. A drill sergeant at 19, he was on the rescue mission at Dunkirk, the North African campaign and then landing at Salerno before the battle at Monte Cassino. For as far back as I can remember, he was obsessed with Italy, spoke the lingo well and read everything about the place. For a long time my mam and older sister had their suspicions about his fixation, as he always wanted to return but by himself. Hmmm. Who knows, I could have a half sibling living around the Med as I very much doubt warfare was the only 'action' my devilishly handsome dad saw in the war. 

I might start delving into family history too, as it's fascinating what might turn up. You've been lucky with Bruce as he sounds like a good bloke xxx

Hi Eddie. Hope the hospitals tour went well

I can only say I'm appalled at those treacherous hounds and you do right, seeking solace with Sarah. When they return from their extended holiday, I'd hold back on the treats until they appreciate who takes them for their late night walks. Just kidding, give them a pat from me when you see them next xxx

Gill, and you wondered about your fascination with  Pizzas!!! 

Love the bit about 

Gill H said:

I very much doubt warfare was the only 'action' my devilishly handsome dad saw in the war. 

Getting hold of his 'service record' could open doors!  Did you ever wonder about your middle names 'Sophia' and 'Gina'??

You definitely could write a book!

I will, my friend, I was fascinated to read your dad fought at Monte Casino, as my dad did too, with the Polish 11 corps, Feb to May 1944, he got out of Poland just before the war started and signed up with the 1st Independent Polish parachute brigade initially, I said to Steve Stevecam , I  envied him finding a brother, as when I  search for my Polish family, of the 36 in dad's family, prior to hostilities only dad survived the war. Sorry to bring the mood down, your dads escapades reminded me of an episode of Only fools and horses when the brothers went to France to a WW2 remembrance day for Grandad who had just passed, and everyone had had a beard just like granddads. XX

Alas Steve, I was never bestowed with a middle name but Sophia would have been superb!

I did try to get hold of his service record a few years ago, but a subscription was involved and money was in short supply then. Things are different now, so I might have another crack at it. Funny you mentioned pizzas as I made us some last week, from scratch. xxx

Wow Eddie. You've got a fascinating family past to relate too, and you haven't brought the mood down as it's so interesting to hear about these things.

So we're both half and halfs. Well I'm more liquorice all-sorts with Austrian, Hungarian, Rumanian and a dash of Polish from mam's side, but just English from dad, as far as I know. I can report that neither of my granddads sported beards.

Have the aunties gone back home now? It's a massive trek if they have, almost the full length of the country. Hugs xxx

Hi gill 

Long story short, busphosphinate how are you coping with that I might have to get it shortly I fractured my L5 , I got diagnosed in September '23 with AML leukemia, I'm now 52 . Sheas 

Hi Sheas, and a warm welcome to the forum, I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, and I'm sure Gilly won't mind me replying to your question, as I think she's on nursing duties. 

I have just come off bisphosphonates, Alendronic Acid-a pill variant, having been on it over a year for bone thinning and micro fractures, after my latest scan showed very good results. It did cause a few problems with my Gastro intestinal tract, which if I'd taken Lansoprazole when starting treatment, would likely have been reduced. Best wishes.

Eddie xx 

Well Gilly, my dad and his family were a mix of German and Polish, leaning heavily towards the German side, my mums side of the family are all from a small town in Scotland on Loch Fyne, going back generations.

And my aunties are still at the Scilly's, until Wednesday, and will be stopping at our place on the way home till early January, PS, Sheila's off to Australia on Saturday. XX