Weekend boating we can't wait!!!

Over the weekend we popped to Braunston and Great Haywood to measure up for curtains and bits and bobs and to have another look at the moorings. This is the marina with the main building being a lounge and office for the site.

As usual click on the photo's to see a larger version

Just off from Great Heywood is a little village called Milford which made me smile. I have taken a photo, I think Matt would have approved as its very beautiful.

As you can see from the photo's the Marina looks a quiet and sleepy place which will be perfect as a getaway starting point.



The photo's below are from on the as yet to be named boat!!!

Friday

Another week is winding down...

This week has been quite good, I have had a couple of jobs from London in. I have been to Church to help out with the Computers. This week also saw a specialist come and install a new speaker system. Paul the deacon has been looking after it, so I kept my nose out. I popped in yesterday once it was finished and gave the new system a blast. I am very impressed. Mike and Paul gave it a run last night at music group practise and said it sounded amazing, I came down just after and had a chat with Paul and Mike and had a listen to the radio mike and see what they thought. All in all everyone is very happy. When I got home Mrs EB said all from music group were so happy they could hear things!!!

Both Mrs EB and I are very excited about the Boat, I have been working on designs for the artwork and the name for the Boat and Mrs EB has been looking at route planners for narrow boats. So now we know how to get to Great Haywood!!!!

Thursday

Well talk about plonkers!!!! Yesterday I had a small job for London to finish off, then pop out round the corner to the shops for something for tea. Which I did, and completely forgot to pick up my keys off the key hanger, I realised a split second after I had closed the door. This was about 3pm Mrs EB wasn't due back until 6:30, so I walked down to the shops and got the food had a chat with a friend then went to the pub with a news paper. During this time London called and asked for another change to the job, I explained I could do after 6:30pm. Mrs EB and I had tea in the pub and came home.

Not the most productive of days really.

Wednesday

Crikey nearly a week since I last blogged!!!! My health over all is a little better, though today I don’t feel so good. I am now on tablets twice a day after meals (metformin 500mg) and I keep forgetting to take my tablet after breakfast.

We went out last night to Brum city centre to show some friends what it's like around Symphony Hall. We had a really nice time, and boy was it full of Narrow Boats round there.... The School holidays have started and it seems everyone has headed to the waterways of Birmingham.

We are in the middle period of buying our Narrow Boat, it was surveyed last week and a number of issues were raised and these all need to be put right, then we have another inspection...this will not be for another two weeks really so we are just sitting and waiting. We have not decided on the name yet, we have a few we like, we also need to find an artist to do the artwork...not sure where to actually find one that we can trust...but I am sure the internet will answer us.

I am trying to decorate...and I am making a hash of it, I am not a decorator I am far to clumsy with a paint brush. We are going to tidy up the house and sell it and buy a smaller place and use the boat as a getaway home. The logistics are still being sorted as I need to work from somewhere!!!

I have spent a few hours at church... The offices have moved out of the main building and into port-a-cabins as the renovation started Monday and I set up the PC's in the offices and then got the network working again on the various PC's. It should have just be a matter plugging into the hubs...but it wasn't!!! some would work, others wouldn't.

Mrs EB has a nasty cold that has nearly taken her voice away .... and she lead worship on Sunday sounding quite husky...but needed to come home from work on Monday feeling quite ill. My PC has something wrong with it so I am doing all I can to fix it without having to reformat the HD. Thats about it really....

My sort of 5 favourite Albums

Summerset Bob has challenged me to list and explain why I love my 5 favourite Albums, it was supposed to be songs but I just couldn't do it, I tried that earlier this year, so I changed it slightly to albums... I could easily list 1005 albums, it is nearly impossible to list only 5 but it would take all day to do anymore.....

Tubular Bells...Mike Oldfield

This is the first album I ever bought, and still my favourite piece of music of all time. It has passion and energy and is technically just brilliant, Mike rerecorded this album in 2003 as an homage to his early work. The rerecording is mechanically, technically and musically better as there are fewer mistakes (I have found one technical mistake..producers ears!!) I think I prefer the original for the shear brilliance of its time, also Mike being only 19 at the time. Tubular Bells is a piece of music I listen to all of the time. I love all of the versions of Tubular Bells, Tubular Bells 2, 2003 and Tubular Bells 3, (I used Tubular Bells 3 on the Las Vegas Helicopter Video). I listen to all of these at various times; when I am sad to help with the blues in me, when I am happy to make me smile and all times in between, I even have Tubular Bells tattooed on my right upper arm!!!

The Beatles...Love

I was born a Bealtles fan, they were number 1 when I was born, the films were on TV during the school holidays, my sisters had the albums and would be playing them as I grew up. I sort of lived The Beatles as a child and I just love them. Sgt Pepper's is an all time favourite album and a shear masterpiece of concept music. But Love is the album that has being missing, it is what was needed, and had to be done, and Sir George Martin and his son Giles are the only people who could have done it. They have brought The Beatles into the 21st Century and to new ears. The transitions between tracks are mind blowing the displacement and replacement of instruments around the tracks is total genius. I hear new stuff all of the time in the tracks and this album is always being played on my IPod. If you get a chance to go Las Vegas the show will leave you speechless!!! By far the greatest Beatles album ever. The first time I listened to this album on Christmas day I had leaky eyes!!!

Genesis...A Trick of the Tail

An album that reminds of my teens and some great parties, lost girlfriends, mates that have long vanished and some amazing times of chewing the fat and smoking some funny fags. This is an album that I have played to death. This is the first album after Peter Gabriel left and to me is the best of Genisis’s work. It sort of has a rock opera feel to each track as every song tells a story in its own right. This is an album that I was unable to listen too for a few years as it was a late release on CD and my record deck was totally screwed, but it is now a favourite on my IPod.

Marillion...Clutching at Straws

The last album by fish with Marillon. I just love the feel of this album it so sad and reflective and has beautiful melodies and some amazing lyrics. Fish is a poet second to none and an amazing musician. The feel of this album is a little softer than most of the other Marillion stuff. I do love Misplaced Childhood, Script for a Jesters Tears, Fugazzi, Reel to Reel and all of the B' Sides, the live albums etc. But I think this album wins with the lyrics. Most of the early (Fish) Marillion music is in a style similar to early Genesis which is why I like them I guess, though the Marillion lyrics are 100x more powerful.

Bat out of Hell .. Meatloaf

This is the album that was the anthem of my youth, I don’t think a week went by when I didn’t sing along to the songs on this masterpiece. Jim Steinman is a hero of mine, I love his song writing style, Pandora’s Box his first concept album is where it all started and is amazing as is Bad for Good, but Meatloaf ads his amazing voice and here we get near perfection. The strings on For Crying Out Loud still sends shivers down my spine as does the piano on the title track. Between Jim Steinman, Meatloaf and Mike Oldfield my life has been set music and I love them all.

There are a stack of albums I could add to this like:-

Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys
Abba - Gold
Elvis Presley's - Greatest hits,
The Divine Comedy - A Secret History
Les Mis - Original Cast
Tom Jones - Reload
Amy Grant - The Collection
The News Boys - Shine
Rem - Automatic for the People
Styx - Caught in the Act
Simon and Garfunkle - The Concert in Central Park
Jimmy Nail - Crocodile Shoes
Pink Floyd - Dark side of the Moon
Michael Jackson - Dangerous
Jack Johnson - In between Dreams
U2 - Joshua Tree
Swing out sister - Kalaeidoscope World,
Led Zeplin - Led Zeplin IV
Lemon Jelly - KY
Lynard Skynyrd - One more for the Road
Queen - Queens Greatest Hits
Neil Diamond - Tap Root Manuscript
Baka Beyond - Spirit of the Forrest
Gary Moore - Still got the Blues
Robbie Williams - Swing When You're Winning
Vince Guaraldi Trio- Vince Guaraldi Trio
Jeff Wayne - War of the Worlds
The Who - Live from Leeds
Chris Eaton - Wonderful World
The Carpenters - Yesterday Once More

Of Course this list is just what I am thinking about at the moment and I could keep adding albums.....but I need to be doing other things.

I am told I need to tag 5 people to carry this on, they have to link back to me, if I have got it right?

so over to:-

Baddog http://www.baddogsblog.blogspot.com/

Timelord http://talesofatimelord.blogspot.com/

Teapot http://teapotdiaries.blogspot.com/

Amy and Amiability http://webgirly.blogspot.com/

Scubasis http://www.scubasis.blogspot.com/

A few busy days

I have had a couple of busy days, I have been at Amy's school helping her with her school musical play...helping is a little bit over an over statement really. I have supplied a few mics and a small PA and sat and watched the show whilst firing the CD and turning on the mics. I have really enjoyed myself, her year 6 class are wonderful and very funny. Also Amy paid me with a scrummy meal of roast half Duck at the Hedgehog, very tasty, they also had some wonderful sounding puddings...but they are now off my menu :-(

Mrs EB and I also went and booked a mooring in Great Heywood in a new marina, we met Geoff one of the owners who talked to us about the marina and what else they are doing there...he was very funny and could really talk!!!! Jenny who works and lives there with her Grey Hound on a boat was really nice. I think we will be very happy there. The mooring we have booked is really nice with great views of the area. All we need now is a boat!

My friend Summerset Bob has posted some wonderful pictures of sand sculpture in Western and I said I would try and dig out some we saw in Florida 12years ago!!! blinking heck that makes me feel old.

Monday again.

Well that was a great weekend. Well an interesting one...it started off at 8:30am Saturday with Mac a chippie coming over to do some woodwork around English Blogger Towers. Now he is a great chippie but he does like to chat...so I stayed in my studio most of the day editing videos, coming out to make coffee and bacon sandwiches. When Mac finished at about 5:30 I rushed to get a Bus...(I know me on a bus) to meet Mrs EB in Brum, we met up and went to Jimmy Spicer’s all paid for by someone else..the best sort of food. Mrs EB had been a very busy bunnie all day examining Dr's!!! Afterwards we popped to Jens for a 21st Birthday party which was wonderful and we saw some great friends including Timelord and Teapot.

Sunday was our 18th wedding anniversary....I know but I was 7 when we got married ;-)

Anyhoo we went out for the day Sunday looking at various sites for a mooring for a boat…oh? I hear you say. Well Mrs EB and I are thinking of buying a narrow boat. We are thinking of selling up English Blogger Towers and getting a flat around our locale and then having a boat to retreat to as and when. I am guessing this is something I will blog about later when things are signed and sealed!!!! I know but I can’t say too much at the moment. We did have a really nice day out and saw some nice places though. Also I am guessing friends will like to visit and go for a trip up the cut.

Feelings

Anyhooo how do I really feel about all of this then? well I am feeling many things...I feel relieved that I now have a diagnosis, I feel depressed I have a lifelong condition that will get worse as I get older, I am very tired as my BS is high, I am cheesed off I can't get my BS to lower no matter what I eat. I am angry with myself for not putting 2 + 2 together and asking about diabetes a few years ago. I am usually very quick to work out ailments and things in medical programmes on TV , but I couldn't see it in myself. Plus a load of other emotions are running around in my head.

Having read loads about diabetes on the internet and friends like Summerset Bob sending me articles to read I feel I am pretty up on the condition. Two and a half weeks ago I knew diabetes = no sugar ever unless you went hypoglycaemic , or hypo.

I have told my friends and family about the diabetes and the usual reaction is ...really...then, it's; what can't you eat now? so I say sweets and sugar at the moment but once my blood sugar is under control I can eat anything really as long as I don't overdo things.

I have read it is best to avoid sugar as it will spike my blood, but I can have say, an after dinner mint or two after a meal, they will not kill me, as some people tend to think. Most people with diabetes avoid sugar as it tends to send the blood hyperglycaemic or hyper, so I will do the same 99% of the time. Alcohol is another thing, people are saying "No more alcohol" with authority...not at all, that was one of the first questions I asked, and I was told my consumption of alcohol was fine. I usually have a couple of pints on a Sunday and maybe a glass of wine with a meal in the week. Alcohol lowers the blood sugar and can bring on a hypo (a hypo can look like drunkenness, it has some similar symptoms, slurred speech, loss of coordination, and can bring on sleep, which can quickly lead to a coma, so it is always good to have someone with you who can spot the symptoms. Having a mars bar or a biscuit or two can quickly bring you round or so my book says)

It is all about having a balanced diet not too much of anything really. I cannot eat sugar at all at the moment as my BS level is very high, but I can have Splanda (a sugar substitute) so I can eat my porridge in the mornings. I have been told to lower my calorie intake, which I am doing and I do need to do a little more exercise (well some would be good) So I have a little walk into Boldmere and things like that.

I am not being beaten by a big stick about what I can and cannot have, but I am now being careful and it is very hard at times. I was saying too Team Leader yesterday after a funeral, evenings are the hardest, sitting down and relaxing watching a TV programme I just fancy a bar of something...so now I have a peach or an apple. It is like smoking and breaking the habit I guess and using will power, so far I have been able to do that and hopefully like breaking the smoking habit I soon wont crave chocolate as much.

I have some more Ronnie Jokes and stuff

TOMMY COOPERISMS

This lorry full of tortoises collided with a van full of terrapins. It was a turtle disaster.

I told my girlfriend I had a job in a bowling alley. She said "Tenpin?" I said, "No, permanent."

I went in to a pet shop. I said, "Can I buy a goldfish?" The guy said, "Do you want an aquarium?" I said, "I don't care what star sign it is."

Batman came up to me and he hit me over the head with a vase and he went T'PAU! I said "Don't you mean KAPOW?? He said "No, I've got china in my hand."

I bought some Armageddon cheese today, and it said on the packet. 'Best Before End'

I went to buy a watch, and the man in the shop said "Analogue." I said "No, ju st a watch."

I went into a shop and I said, "Can someone sell me a kettle." The bloke said "Kenwood?" I said, "Where is he then?"

I was reading this book today, The History Of Glue. I couldn't put it down.

I phoned the local ramblers club today, but the bloke who answered just went on and on.

The recruitment consultant asked me "What do you think of voluntary work?? I said "I wouldn't do it if you paid me."

This policeman came up to me with a pencil and a piece of very thin paper. He said, "I want you to trace someone for me."

I phoned the local builders today, I said to them "Can I have a skip outside my house?" He said, "I'm not stopping you!"

I was driving up the motorway and my boss phoned me and he told me I'd been promoted. I was so shocked I swerved the car. He phoned me again to say I'd been promoted even higher and I swerved again. He then made me managing director and I went right off into a tree. The police came and asked me what had happened. I said "I careered off the road"

I visited the offices of the RSPCA today. It's tiny: you couldn't swing a cat in there.

I was stealing things in the supermarket today while balanced on the shoulders of a couple of vampires. I was charged with shoplifting on two counts.

I bought a train ticket to France and the ticket seller said "Eurostar" I said "Well I've been on telly but I'm no Dean Martin."

I phoned the local gym and I asked if they could teach me how to do the splits. He said, "How flexible are you?" I said, "I can't make Tuesdays or Thursdays."

a breath of fresh air

Around 12 years ago I gave up smoking after being addicted to smoking for well over 20 years. I woke up with the flu and just couldn’t smoke as I felt so sick, the next day I was feeling a little better and wanted a cigarette but thought, if I had managed 1 day without, how long could I go today without one? and that has been my challenge ever since, some days I still want one even after 12 years...I guess it is not dissimilar to an alcoholic with booze.

I am amazed at the kids today I see smoking? When I started in the 1970’s smoking was bad for your health, you shouldn’t really smoke. Today everywhere it is known that smoking kills!!!! Yet still they start. My one wish for this government is for a law on selling cigarettes to anyone under 21 and to put a super tax on all tobacco products so they are just too expensive for kids to get hold of them.

I know it is possible for people to stop smoking if they so wish, because my mother who started smoking in the 1950’s stopped at 70 year old just like I did a couple years ago.

I heard someone in my local high street moaning that they could no longer smoke in one of the local Indian restaurants anymore.....what a shame you can't ruin someone else’s meal with your smoke... and I have to say it was so nice to sit in a pub on Sunday and not have to even think about where to sit. I know I have friends and family who enjoy a cigarette but sorry guys it is now our turn to enjoy the freedom to breathe relatively clean air now. I really hope that the smoking ban will be the catalyst for many smokers to stop smoking, I know most health services are offing free patches, gum and other aids for anyone who wants to stop.

Tuesday

I read a few blogs most days, I like to feel a few bloggers have become blog friends over the years as we have exchanged views and thoughts.

One Blog friend is pondering quitting or changing to a new identity because he doesn't want potential employers reading his blog...When I started to blog I decided I didn't actually want to blog under my own name as I liked the idea of a pen name, I also didn't want nutters stalking me. I like to blog as I have said before it is a cathartic way of getting things off your mind and chest, I have a lot there at the moment, many emotions all trying to take over.

I am slowly coming to terms with my Diabetes, there was really nothing I could have done as it is genetic, (well maybe not eaten as many sweets) or so I was told yesterday, I also had to ask my mum to get in touch with my siblings and get them to go to the docs and get screened for diabetes, I am hoping and praying that each of them is OK. I am sure that I once my BS and my liver are a little better I will feel much better as well. I was told yesterday my liver has a form of genetic hepatitis as well, so it is no wonder I have been feeling pants for such a long time.

My new medication is interesting "Metformin", I took the first dose after tea last night, after 40 minutes or so I was feeling very strange; in a way I haven't felt since I last took waccy baccy in the 80's before giving my life to God. Metformin is to try to bring down my BS then it will help to regulate the BS.

Monday a new week and a new start

Yesterday at Church was amazing:-

Team Leader preached on the values of Christianity and forgiveness in the morning and used the last Dr Who episode to illustrate the sermon. I think it was one of the best sermons I have heard in ages. It was funny and so to the point, I am sure everyone there heard the message and it will stick.

Sunday evening was a sermon the Team Leader didn’t really want to talk on, but it was done so well. Hell !!! was the subject and do people live in hell or do they just die? I won’t go into the in and outs here, but I will say what was said was true and very hard to hear.

I saw the consultant this morning...and basically my life will never be the same again...I have medication to take daily (metformin), and I have a liver problem that may never clear up... and a metabolic syndrome? (basically a lot of problems in my blood) This was also hard to hear. I am so glad that Mrs EB came with me to the hospital because I am sure I have forgotten most of what Dr R said. The new medication is going to be in stages as the old liver is an issue, after a week I double the dose then in 6 weeks I have to see Dr R again and I will get another medication to take....Dr R was a really nice and sweet person, who is doing a very tough job, his clinics are so full he is now starting them at 7:30am!!! which is the time I will be seeing him next time.

Anyhoo it looks like I am being a good boy and looking after myself since I heard the news, he was quite pleased with some of my blood test results. especially my liver enzymes so keeping on the sugar free diet, eating porridge and having smaller portions seems to be the order of the day for a long time to come.

Friday

Another week has gone by and I don't feel that I have really achived a great deal.

My health is still naff, though my blood sugar does seem a little more stable around the 11 mark. I am being quite careful with my diet. Porridge for breakfast, a light lunch and then a nice balanced tea of chicken, potatoes and veg. I made a soup yesterday with the chicken and stuff which was OK, a little to much sweed and carrot as it tasted a little sweet, oh well trial and error. I am also eating uncooked peanuts as a snack, these are also a wonderful food for diabetics, so I hear from my font of infomation Somerset Bob. I don't have the cooked salted ones as they are very fatty and covered in salt.

The tablets I am taking for my other ailments are having a very sleepy effect on me, I am sleeping later than usual and I am quite tired when I wake up and feel I need another hour or so in bed. I am not doing that as I try to be ready should any work come in at 9am...not happened yet but you never know do you?

I was listening to the World Service news the other night, around 1 million die in Africa from Diabetes every year, it is the 2nd biggest killer after Aids related illnes's. This is a poverty issue and is criminal. a related link sent by Somerset Bob

I haven't had any work through this week, which is a blow, I felt I was making headway. I really do wish I was better at marketing.

I have eventually sorted my online banking for business account which means I can now pay my clients online which is a good thing and will bring down a small costing on my banking.

I am doing the sound at 2 funerals next week at church, I don't mind doing the sound at the thanksgiving services even though they are very sad. I do miss Chris at those times, I used to do the sound at the services he took. Chris was just wonderful at those times with the families and did amazing euolgies.

I had to pop to the Doc's this morning and give some blood for Monday, I checked my blood this morning it isn't too bad 11.7 mmol. I sort of wish it had been a little higher as it is most of the time?

I have to take the cats for their MOT today I have registered them with a new vet yesterday, this vet is just across the road from my house. I have used the same VET for years and years and thought I would stay with him. During the summer last year when Mrs EB as in Brazil with the Church I found a lost blind cat in my back garden. I took him over there as I didn't know what else to do. The Nurse there was just wonderful and really caring so I thought, lets go there.

(UPDATE)

Well the cats are fine and dandy and healthy. I had them microchiped as well today so they can now be traced if they do ever get out.

Another day

Today is July 4^th, American independence day...and it is one of those days that Matt and I would have been having a laugh at our cousins across the pond.

I really miss both Matt and Chris, I dreamt about Chris last night, a strange and surreal dream, but it was just wonderful to see and hear him again. I woke up feeling sad and happy together, grief is a strange master of the emotions.

It is at times like this, when I miss my two friends so much that I actually have to stop and give thanks that I knew them and that they shared their short and very fruitful lives me.

Dear Lord and Father of Mankind,
I offer up my gratitude to you for Matt and Chris;
They were Men after knowing your pure heart and they had a passion to spread your Good News.
Please send your comfort to those of us who miss their passing for here to you;
We shed a tear for ourselves and not for them as they are in your Glory sharing the fathers feast.
I ask this simple pray in your Name.

Amen

Date changes

I am now seeing a Dr R at the local hospital on Monday instead of Friday, but it is bright and early!!! at 8am...phewwwwww 8am....oh well.

On the whole I am feeling quite naff, but now I don't know why my blood sugar levels remain very high even after eating my oats? they are staying up in the late teens and popping up to the twenties on occasion. It has been quite fascinating to do the blood checks and actually see how I feel compared to the BS levels.

I was speaking to friend of mine the other night and he said it explains how I could down a pint of Sunkist after a dive in a few seconds!!!! It does make me wonder as well. My BS seems to be on a rollercoaster ride, either very high or middle ground high, the other day they actually came down to what most people are, around 6, but that was like a small blip!!! Hopefully once I see Dr R I can get them down and steady with drugs or whatever.

I can honestly say after reading the booklet I received, I understand a little more about my Diabetes and the ins and outs of what I can do and what I can eat. I am still a little confused about Carbs and Oats? both are slow release; one sends my BS sky high the other just sends it slightly high. I need to ask Dr R about diving and the do’s and donts I do want to continue with diving. I know you can dive with diabetes as long as you are in full control of it. But always best to ask rather than assume. (crikey I am becoming an adult!!!)

Work wise it is very quiet again, I wish I was better at marketing myself I really need a few clients ....

Another day

With thanks to my friend Somerset Bob, I am now eating Porridge with Spenda for my breakfast...well it tastes great and it reminds me of damp school mornings and running for the train (yes I do have a very good long term memory).... I also believe it is doing me the power of good. My blood sugar (BS) is coming down slightly which is a wonderful thing.

I should be seeing the diabetes consultant this week and I am sure diet will come up :-s I am working on that myself with a nice diet of fresh fruit, (juicing it) fresh vegetables and chicken. I am also aiming to do a small walk most days. This should help with the blood sugar and with a little medication I should be able to bring my BS levels down to a steady level.

I still feel bloody awful and yesterday I felt like I was going to be sick most of the time and my headache was just so intense I couldn't stand it. I missed Mrs EB leading worship at church and even a beer afterwards!!! lets hope that once the BS is level I will start to feel much better

No Smoking

Hurrah

From 6am today it is now illegal to smoke in a pub, work area or any enclosed public area...oh the joy. Since giving up the weed over 10 years ago..I think it is more like 12 years now, I cannot stand the smell of 2nd hand cigarette smoke. It makes me smell and makes me very wheezy.

I don't go to many pubs...but now I can visit anyone I like without being poisoned by smokers!!!