What are you all up to
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Again sorry @DavidKlyne re your news from DVLA.
Just been looking up what we can get here no free bus passes here and our nearest bus stop is 3 miles away but we can get a SNCF Senior card for 49 euros a year and you can get 30% off rail fares also there a lot of offers for rail travel through the year even peak holidays times as long you purchase tickets when offers are advertised and availability, so we we may try sometime as I would like to go on the TGV and also hope to find another steam train trip later in the year as have seen one in the Cevennes area which appeals and there is one around the Pyrenees area also looks interesting, have done the local one in the north of the LOT at Martel not very long but summer weather needed as open carriages only.
Had a great sunny and warmer day today after the rain so washing done and dried and then a few chores outside deadheading the violas and OH done a few chores whilst dry with his car tyre pressure etc ready for CT on Friday, his blood test results were good and improvement on his sugar HPA1c so doctor will be pleased and started his 3 day blood pressure check morning and night time and that all goes onto his phone and computer so he takes the results with him next Monday and the doctor takes a copy with her phone.
Just had a look at the weather on local forecast and hmm rain for the next 10 days so no gardening for awhile, there have been floods further south and a lot of damage done.
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Sorry to hear about DVLA's decision @DavidKlyne - but, as you say, for the best. Fingers crossed that your eyesight improves sufficiently in the next year for them to be able to reconsider.
Had my GP appointment this morning to get the results of the tests I had done after my little 'wobble' before Christmas. I have to say I wasn't looking forward to it because I had a good idea what was coming. The good news was that all the blood tests came back normal but the ECG and X-ray confirmed that my heart isn't pumping as it should and it's under stress causing an irregular beat on top of the AF I have had for some years. We had a long discussion about courses of action and the Doctor was leaning towards a drug used primarily to treat diabetes (which I don't have!) but which also increases my slow heart rate without increasing blood pressure too much. There are some potential side-effects though, and he suggested I go away and have a think and let him know what I wanted to do but I think I'm going to go along with his suggestion.
I'm just itching to get away in the van again, although having seen the latest forecast, I think we'll hang on for a week or so!🤔
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@DavidKlyne sorry to hear your DVLA news. Very sensible to dispose of your car, maybe temporarily, and to explore other means of travel. Plenty of food for thought from folks on here.
@DSB glad to read you're home - hopefully taking it easy and taking note of the messages your body and medical staff are telling you 😉
@richardandros reasonably good result from your GP appointment. Out if curiosity's the diabetic med you've been offered Dapagaliflozin? OH was put on it, as part of a trial, 6 or 7 years ago. No ill effects 🤞. He isn't diabetic- yet 🫣,but no signs when he went on it.
Very wet, grey and chilly day here again. Not complaining too much as reading and watching NZ news, big flood issues Northland and Coromandel - kayaking on roads,on a level with destination road signs 😲🫣. Our daughter says its crazy but there OK flood-wise so far 🤞🤞
Worken progressing and as usual the house offering resistance 🫣. By tonight all skirtingboards and architraves should be back on - that means I'll have to do something tomorrow! Electrician tomorrow and that means being in the way of kitchen flooring going down. Our builder is great, they're all good, clean chaps and good company for cuppas 🤣. Highly likely all finished by the decorating by Wednesday next week....
ThThis was last evening.
Otherwise little to report here......
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I haven’t been on a train for about 40 years, well soon after we moved here. Apart from a very short train journey years ago from our Sons house to get the tube. The tube in London was a journey I’d rather not be doing again, although I used to use it and trains a lot in my youth when we lived near London, OHs parents owned a pub in Richmond so I travelled there by train and sometimes travelling to work as well, but things have changed there so much, I wouldn’t want to do it on my own now. To get anywhere by train from here we first have to drive to Barnstaple to get the train to Exeter, a pleasant but slow trip before changing for anywhere else. The other option is an hours drive to Tiverton station. Therefore we always drive. I’m a little envious to hear of getting trains easily. When we can no longer drive I think it might be coach holidays or to stay in Devon. Our Son is looking to move back here and our granddaughter was horrified that the nearest city is 90 minutes drive away or a poor train service. She is used to just jumping on a train. With our 3 granddaughters here and the three grandkids in Watford it’s like Beatrice Potters Jonny town mouse and Timmy Willie country mouse, neither is keen on the others environment. I think one of the boys may settle here but I don’t think our Watford granddaughter will be happy moved to the country. She has no idea of country life and makes us laugh with her lack of countryside knowledge. We do have things to make up for our lack of transport options though, we live in a village and the beach is 2 miles away.
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@richardandros I assume the AF you mention is Atrial fibrillation? I had that some years ago and had a Cardio Version (shock treatment) to get back in the correct rhythm or so I thought. Sadly I had very little follow up afterwards otherwise things could have been different? I have been taking a small dose of Nebivolol ( a beta blocker )ever since. Trouble is the hospital Consultate thinks it was the AF that caused my stroke. I was never particularly aware of any symptoms although was also told I had Ventricular ectopics which is an extra heart beat which, as I understand it not particularly dangerous? I am now on blood thinners, Apixaban. Previously I was on a small dose of Aspirin which clearly didn't do too much to protect me! I say this not to make you uneasy but perhaps to encourage you to discuss it further with your doctor as he is the one in the best position to advise you.
David
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Train wise we are quite lucky we live on the coast but the train station is only a 10 minute walk away from us and from there we can get the train direct to Glasgow which takes around 40 minutes to Glasgow central and from there you can get the train all over the Uk. We have got the train to London a few times and York too.
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AF was my diagnosis as a result of being in hospital this week @richardandros and @DavidKlyne. I was also on Asprin but they've now given me Apixaban, and they've kept me on Bisoprolol (betablocker). Fortunately mine went back to normal without further intervention, but I've been told they will follow it up in clinic.
David
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@DEBSC would you like to swop? Devon would suit me fine, it’s OH that needs a helicopter landing pad. Pluses and minuses to everywhere I suppose. Spanish trains sound very dodgy at the moment though😱
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You were fortunate they found your AF @DSB before it became a big problem. MiL was a very fit 91 year old, often walking a couple of miles each day before her Stroke, which was attributed to her undiagnosed Atrial Fibrillation. She too is on Apixaban now. She's not been the same since.
Can you thank your OH for me @Bakers2 please. As a result of his partaking in the trial of Dapagliflozin the trial found out that it slowed down the deterioration rate of the kidney function and was subsequently offered to kidney patients such as myself. We were at the time preparing for Dialysis as my function registered just above that level. I've been taking it for a year and whilst it has fallen slightly it still remains just above the cut off line. So, I have had at least an extra year, probably as a result of the Dapa medication. With regard to the side effects @richardandros I can only tell you that apart from the hairy palms of the hands and the extra finger there have been none.🤣 That is if this the medication proposed for you.
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Another dismal day, weather wise up here. Worse than yesterday. So, more clearing out and reorganising. We had a quiet afternoon as MiL was out dining with some friends.
Not much else going on except we too are desperate to get out and about again in the van with no name.
Bloods again tomorrow.
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Thankfully I feel the odd one out, as I have to look up many of the conditions experienced, and the medications mentioned on the posts above, with neither of us having suffered from any major illness requiring hospitalization, and long may that continue. I hope that the decision you make @richardandros leads to an improvement and you don't have another "turn".
It has been a rather dull cold day again, so we have not done very much, just the usual walks. I did get a call in the middle the night, from Swift, warning of a low charge on the caravan's battery. I have recently installed a new one, so am wondering if there is something draining it. I have had it on chargeback all day so will see what happens overnight. It may mean a visit to the dealer for them to sort out the issue.
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@Bakers2 - yes I think that is the drug he mentioned, although he did mention others as an alternative course of treatment, and I was a bit overwhelmed by all the detail! @DavidKlyne , @DSB , @Wherenext - I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation about 13 years ago - just after we moved into this house and was put on Apixaban and I had also been taking Bisoprolol for years before that - along with a cocktail of other meds to control my hypertension. I'm surprised that you are all still taking it because I received a message from NHS England a few years ago saying everyone was being switched over to Edoxaban - to save money! Apparently, AF is very common as you get older.
@Bakers2 - your photo brought back memories of when we moved into this house. We bought it primarily for the view of open fields at the back of the house and, although the house was only 17 years old at the time, it hadn't had a penny spent on it and we viewed it very much as a 'project'. It was owned by a retired headmistress and senior lecturer at Hull Uni - so they weren't exactly short of cash - but nothing had gone on the house. We virtually re-built the house - new kitchen - sitting room, 4 bathrooms - replaced the microbore central heating with copper and re-plastered all the previous Artexed ceilings and had the builders in (up to 12 of them on one particular day!) for seven weeks (we had to buy a new kettle after they'd left🤣). Here are the results of the kitchen………
Before……….
Yes - I know it's untidy - but we were literally 'camping out' until the builders arrived!
After……..
I designed the kitchen on my computer before we moved in and was quite pleased / relieved that it actually worked in practice - although I have to give credit to our wonderful builders who made everything fit and came up with some lovely extra ideas as the re-build went along.
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@richardandros I am pleased to hear that you are being well looked after and you seem to be on the right meds. Personally I feel a bit miffed, not only with myself but also with my doctors in that the original diagnosis, which was some years ago, wasn't followed up, clearly AF does not go away. Hopefully blood thinners will give a degree of protection but even they can cause issues. Best to leave the rose pruning to someone else!
David
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@DavidKlyne - never a truer word, re rose pruning. I can't get anywhere near pruning back our holly bushes without bleeding. Doesn't matter how much protection I put on it always finds a way to infiltrate it.
Talking of blood, an early start to get my blood sample taken this morning. I got there 10 minutes early and was told by the Phlebotomist that my appointment had been cancelled as the other member of staff was off ill. We usually get a text message but I'm still waiting for it. However, as there was no-one waiting she took the samples, saving me having to rebook. OH was due in tomorrow morning with the ill member but I've cancelled that and managed to secure the only available one fairly local for early afternoon.
Went onto to Tesco after hospital, which was very quiet, presumably because it was chucking down. Still is.
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@DavidKlyne - I had to chuckle - I reckon I keep Elastoplast in business! Thin skin and the slightest scratch results in a blood bath! The back of my hands are permanently black where I've scratched them on something and I've bled under the skin. The climbing rose at the front of the garden is particularly vicious and manages to penetrate my thickest gardening gloves - so I always get the plasters out before I start😀.
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Ooo... never thought of rose bushes and the like.... @richardandros & @DavidKlyne .... a great opportunity (excuse) to get someone in to do mine... 🤣🤣
Good wishes to all...
David
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Thankfully, I don’t have problems with bleeding, so rose pruning isn’t a major issue, but I am grateful for the gauntlets my sister bought me for Christmas. Some roses have very vicious thorns, my Alberic Barbiere is like this, in fact it’s almost razor wire as if it does snag you, you simply daren't move without help. Gauntlets, long secateurs required. But it’s there for a purpose, climbing beautifully through a wrought iron fence atop a wall. Thieves beware. You can get thornless roses, the most famous being Zepherine Drouhine. The plot of an Agatha Christie mystery revolved around this. A lovely rose, but slow growing.
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It's been an expensive week. Opticians - new glasses needed. Then dentist today for my new crown and bridge to be fitted (the old one fell out and couldn't be refitted again as dentist had already refitted it twice). Although I belong to Denplan I had to pay the dental technicians fee £££. In between I had a chiropodist appointment and a hair appointment. I dread to think what my credit card bill will be! Perhaps this is why we can't afford a new kitchen?! Yours looks lovely @richardandros I hope you get your medication sorted out satisfactorily.
So sorry to hear about your disappointing news from the DVLA @DavidKlyne I do hope you get better news sometime in the future. Our daughter was unable to drive for a week or so because of trouble with one of her eyes and when one of us was unavailable to give her a lift she used Uber for the first time and said they were very quick arriving and also very efficient and reasonably priced. It might be something for you to think about.
I love the post box topper @Wherenext
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Tried to post earlier and it appeared really strange once posted, so deleted it. Had to go for my shingles jab in the meantime, so now trying again on OH's laptop. Had real problems with the @ and names as well, so now editing my earlier post.
@DavidKlyne I'm really sorry to hear about the DVLA decision, although you were half expecting it, it's still a disappointment. Selling the car was a good idea, and should things change, you can still buy another car. Great jigsaw! I have been loaned one, which has 2 sides to it; not started it yet, so we'll see.
@DSB Sorry to read of your hospital admission and subsequent diagnosis. Hopefully the medication is helping and at least you're home now, all the best.
@richardandros Sorry to read about your new diagnosis too, but hopefully the medication will help and you'll be able to go away in the caravan before long. Great looking kitchen!
We've been away for a few days last week in Llandudno, in a hotel, to meet up with friends. Surprisingly the weather was dry while we were there so we were able to have a few nice walks. Saw quite a few daffodils too, along the prom. On the way out going home on Thursday called in at Regatta in Llandudno and OH got a new coat; he's very pleased with it, especially as it was £20 less than the price ticket once we got to the till!
Leaving it at this as editing time is nearly up!
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Had a phone call at 8.00 am - from the log man to say he would be with us in 10 minutes! I knew he was coming today - but not when. Mad panic - even though up at 0500 - still not dressed - threw on some clothes and moved the car off the drive to make room for the logs. Was a bit concerned about the impending heavy rain which had been forecast so got stuck in putting them away in the store straight after breakfast whilst Ros took Meg out locally. Inevitably, it took me a long time - even though helped by Ros when she returned and I wasn't finished until nearly 12.00.
Suffering a bit now as a result of all the bending and lifting - but at least it's done and they're out of the weather - should keep us going for a while.
The rain??? - Pouring down in Beverley all day, apparently - but not seen any here - yet🤔
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I've been watching and reading NZ weather for the last 48 hours. It made BBC 2nd item on headlines radio 4 and the TV lunchtime news.
We've stayed at that campground and climbed The Mount many times. Granddaughters took part in a big athletics competition couple of weeks ago in Tauranga, they combined it with a holiday at Papamoa. So glad they're not there now. All very very sad, and not the only area of the North Island to be hit or have deaths....
Another cyclone due in next 36 hours 🫣😢
FFurniture back in the garden room, until the decorators come in.
Went to put paintings back up in the hall,new architrave slightly wider, so doesn't fit by mum's. I assume new is metric old imperial. I will be complaining tomorrow 🤣🤣. There'll be a deduction from labour for new artwork..... I'll return hall furniture when I've got my energy restored.
Electrician in today exciting. Hopefully flooring in kitchen down tomorrow.
Appointment at 1615 so must get amove on. I'll read posts later
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Tragic what has happened in NZ, awful for those involved.
That’s a magnificent log store, OH has been doing a bit of log cutting today for us, only trimming some stuff too long to fit in stove, nothing major. Poured it down here all day today as well.
Wool night cancelled☹️Our little pub has had a burst pipe and they are still mopping up. I shall have to play nicely at home instead, at least until Traitors comes on.
@InaD nice to get a bargain, I dropped on with a good Craghoppers coat whilst we were in Barnard Castle last month.
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@nelliethehooker - How's Flyte doing? Are the meds working? Give him a gentle pat from me.
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Terrible for those caught up in the NZ landslide, your family were fortunate not to be staying there when it happened @Bakers2 Will you ever get the house finished to your satisfaction?
Your kitchen area looks super @richardandros and that is a grand log store. I hope you are soon recovered from all your hard graft.
That has certainly been a few expensive days for you @milliehull I too am having a tooth cap fitted but thankfully I do not need a new dental plate so just the cap to pay, for as we are also with Denplan.
That's a fine looking post box topper @Wherenext one of the most novel that has been posted on here.
I see that there has been a third rail crash in Spain this week, but thankfully no one died in the latest one, although there were some injured.
It has rained for much of the day, so full wet weather gear when out with Flyte, although I did manage a short dry walk before dinner in the late afternoon.
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@richardandros fabulous lig store and supply.
@milliehull oh gosh what an expensive time 🫣 hopefully you'll have a few months where you can built up your reserves again....
@Wherenext lovely postbox topper. Ours is currently bare. Hopefully a new one before too long 🤞
Good to read others news
@nelliethehooker this is the last project. We should now be ready for our old age , although I think several would say we're already there! I have to say I'm glad we've tackled it all now, I certainly wouldn't want to be 5 years or so older undertaking this task. It would have come to that. It's amazing how much can be 'hidden' when viewing and moving. We thought the only major task was to replace the old floor standing gas boiler.... But sadly lacked tlc and I can't understand why as richardandros commented with their previous owners.
Sadly 2 found deceased at the campground in NZ, I fear several more, and not just there, to come 😢
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@Bakers2 , still waiting to hear from a friend of mine who lives in that part of New Zealand. I’ve written to ask that all is ok with her, no reply just yet. I’m hoping it’s because of some internet connection issues. Glad to hear your family are all ok.
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Just got home after being in A&E for seven hours with granddaughter who we took in this morning. They connected her up to fluid and medicinal drip while sitting in there, two hours ago Dr said her bloods were back and they will admit her as soon as a bed. Her stepdad just came to relieve me when he finished work. As I left I said that we would visit her tomorrow and a nurse heard me and said, ‘she will probably still be sitting here, and the way things are I’m not joking’ Granddaughter is under no illusions but is hoping for a bed by one or two am. I know there has been a lot in the news about corridor care but to be treated sitting in a chair for so long is worse, being so unwell she just wanted to lay down. Although we know we are fortunate to have the NHS. Drs and nurses passing stopped to speak to her by name as they know her so well. Usually she is rushed in and straight to resus, which is horrible, but she does then get a bed.
Selfishly I’m glad to be home with a cuppa now.
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Oh @DEBSC I feel sorry for you and your Granddaughter.
Corridor care is an abomination and shameful for the UK and NHS. Whenever I've had the unfortunate experience of being a resident in a ward I've always been struck by how many bed occupiers should really be in Care homes/Nursing homes. Until a Government of any persuasion takes the bull by the horns and sorts out care for the elderly then the situation won't improve.
Good luck to your GD and her family. I hope she gets a bed tonight.
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