November 2014

No sun – no moon!
No morn – no noon –
No dawn – no dusk – no proper time of day.
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member –
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! –
November!
Thomas Hood

Have to empathise with this seasonal poem.
Had plenty of (dead) leaves, though.
Thought I should catch up, as Bratislava beckons this Saturday and I should hope to write a separate,little travelogue about it.
So, this seems like it is going to be a retrospective Diary, but like walks, you may have a route in mind,but unexpected thoughts, people and other paths usually present irresistible diversions.

Had a flu jab on my birthday and an excellent dinner at LaGrill in Maney,handily situated, opposite the Horse and Jockey Pub.
Hannah was busy making two amazing cakes for the two celebrations.
The ensuing weekend saw the family here for a celebratory meal and a drinks party on the Sunday.
Not before I had persuaded Tom and Dan to clear the garden pond…and their heads.We managed to sever the lead to the pump, but I was able to fix that a couple of days later.
They made a good job and after I had disposed of the overgrown reeds etc. It looked as good as new.

On the subject of leaf clearing,I wore myself out with a major clearance in the garden.
;”And limitless are leaves stiff or drooping in the fields,
And brown ants in the little wells beneath them,
And mossy scabs of the worm fence, heap’d stones, elder, mullein and poke-weed. ” Walt Whitman
“Limitless”- My description at the time would not have been quite so poetic!

The following Monday I had recovered enough to make my first visit to the gym, since before my Chemo treatment in the Spring – defeating a tendency to procrastination in this matter – Really good, light session, followed by the steam room and jacuzzi.
I must mention the cultural highlight of the month, so far.
The cinema to see ” MR Turner”.
For me, the combination of Mike Leigh and Timothy Spall is unbeatable.
Brilliantly shot and acted.

Medical matters included a lengthy session with my GP, to go through DVLA ‘ s questionnaire to him, informing their decision to renew my licence..
( since the Fall, two years ago, this has become an annual bind)
A CT Scan , the results of which I await and the regular Warfarin check up.

There was a very pleasant World Development Group fund raiding dinner on 22 nd , at which I caught up with an ex- colleague and other acquaintances, with usual suggestions about catching up,etc,

Relieved to have gone a month without any infections and to have enjoyed a number of walks,locally, ranging from 4 to 6 miles.
Still some way to go, literally, if I am to enjoy the re planned Caminho, next year.
The first stretch of the Via de la Plata, from Seville to Caceres; most probably the Monday after Easter week, in April.
Mac has promised to come and we would welcome any more Pilgrims, should you be tempted!

Bratislava, here I come….na zdravie.