Nine Feet Underground

Back to work, but in Liverpool for a change.  The countdown to Q's inaugural lecture begins. Son #1 is still feeling unwell but hopefully, he'll be well enough to be scintillating on Thursday evening. Working day, usual rules apply. Managed to complete listening to 'Freak Zone' during the day which ended with Weather Report's 'Mysterious Traveller', which I've not heard in aeons, but still sounds wondrous. Today is the first day that it has really felt like winter is coming: mist/fog morning and night with noticeably colder temperatures. We're all together for an evening of food and laughs, with son #1 watching most of the England vs Wales football. Before dinner, I sent a note to one of E's carers as tomorrow her PEG feeding tube is due to be changed and her feed can't be started until the PEG is replaced.  Remote control. The evening comes to a close with the entire team escorting Q's mum across the road to the lodge she's staying i

The day has arrived.  Son #1 and I are getting packed ahead of our drive to Liverpool this morning.  Son #1 thinks he has flu or a cold or something, so ahead of going he did a COVID test, which was luckily negative. We're planning a detour to pick up son #1's bag from a friend's house, after which we head for the 'pool. We've made it: Q's still at work, but her mum is here to greet us.  We're both tired, son #1 more than me and are glad to be here.  The journey was enjoyable and a good chance for son #1 and I to have a proper talk. Once Q and her daughter arrive home, we're all gathered to have a homemade chicken and leek pie for dinner. It's been a long and enjoyable day and now it's time to head up the wooden stairs to Bedfordshire. Work tomorrow! I can't wait.  Gaz Coombes / 'Don't Say It's Over' / (Single ahead of an album) [[It's always good to have new music from Gaz! ]]

Today is going to be a busy day, primarily because I'll be heading to Liverpool on Monday for the week.  There's also a chance I'll be heading out to meet a friend for brunch, so I need to get as much done as possible. Yep! I am going to meet a friend for brunch in less than an hour, so I need to get the washing on, wash up and paint the ceiling (or parts of it) in the en-suite. Back from a great bunch with a friend. We had a good catch-up and wander around the Sunday market stalls.  It's always good to meet up with friends. As soon as I returned I remembered I had to start the slow cooker meal for tonight, and then get on with packing. The evening was soon upon me and I ate dinner with sons 1 and 2 while watching Frankie Boyle.  Bedtime by way of more packing, a conversation with Q, and reading, as usual. Gaz Coombes / 'Don't Say It's Over' / 'Against Nature' [[Late update: The title of this song comes from a remark made in the house of commons

I got plans, and they are multiplying, however, mercifully, no grease is required. PTL! First off, after the usual billhooks, a trip to the shops, for food, cash, music magz (mebbe - it's EOY music review time, but they may not be in the shops yet), and a hair and beard cut at a Turkish barbers. I'm home, the carers are here, and on my way home I've had a chat with Q. What better way to start the day? (Answers on a postcard, please..) Cutting my hair is, to be honest, relatively simple and almost impossible to screw up. The beard trim and shape was a very thorough process though, finishing with hand, arm and back massage! Where will it all end? Not too happily, I hope. Unfortunately, as mentioned previously (yesterday...all my troubles STOP!!), I have to do some actual work today, in the form of two IT training courses.  Floppy equine hybrid. It's data not data!!! It's time to make dinner now and, as I've spent something like seven hours on these two courses, so

Back to life. Back to reality. Which means work, in case you're in any doubt, and the usual knock-on consequences for this blog apply. The project I'm working on is pretty full-on as we approach year-end, such that I'm going to have to find time to do some training this weekend, otherwise I'll never finish it by the deadline. Luckily I'm not heading to Liverpool until Monday, so I should have time, if I can find the focus. Sons 1 and 2 are out tonight to watch the footie so I'll be (almost) home alone. With much kindness on show, as always, a good friend delivered E's meds, including her anti-seizure medication which she's low on, but must not stop taking.  We are so lucky at times and I am very grateful. The boys are out and I can't bring myself to watch the England game, so finish watching the documentary on the Edinburgh fringe I started yesterday.  There was some great footage of Alexei Sayle and reminds me of when I first saw him years ago.  

I'm off work today as I'm attending a family funeral in London today with my little sister. Nevertheless, I still got up just after 6 a.m. as time doesn't wait for the cleaner. Although I'm early and I'm not working, there are a lot of things to get completed before heading to the station, top of the list being which route to take to the crematorium, which is in Bermondsey. The morning evaporates and after a carer call I head for a bus to the station to meet my sister.   [Written after my return home from hereon in] Fairly easy journey into London culminating in a overground train bound for Sevenoaks followed by a ten-minute walk across part of Bermondsey to the crematorium. We arrived to be greeted by a number of cousins and my mum's one surviving sister, it was so good to see her again even though she is now very frail. Wonderful to see her. Uncle John had served in Germany in WWII and was an army man to his core, so the coffin was carried into the chapel flan

This morning it's pouring with rain and the motivation to walk is low.  Instead I'll do something much more exciting. Work!?!? Despite not having a lot to write today for the usual reason, I'm not resorting to quoting this week's poem (last resort of a scoundrel) because I'm undecided about it.  It's by William Wordsworth, who I've yet to read a poem by that I really like (though there are many I've not read to be fair to the fella), and this one, 'Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802', doesn't sit well with me, even though I do love London.  See!  You can write words on a poem without quoting it. Excellent, Smithers. Work is stupendously busy, so there hasn't been much else of note today.  Shopping was delivered whilst I was working, and that was the pinnacle of the excitement during the working hours. Ate dinner whilst watching a programme on the history of the Edinburgh Fringe, featuring many famous peeps, including the

For the first time in quite a few weeks, I started the day with a brisk walk. It was cold and dry, but it was great to be out again. Whilst walking I also had a chat with Q before she headed in to work.  Now I'm back, it's breakfast and work for a full-on day. Mid-morning I suddenly remembered I should have told the carers not to start E's PEG feed first thing as her PEG is due to be changed today. I hastily phoned the community matron and it's now rescheduled for next week. Third time lucky? Son #1 headed off to London for a visit to his gf's for a couple of days late afternoon and so the house will be a little quieter. Work is over and a catch-up with Q is overdue. It's been a long day, with too much spent sat in front of a monitor. Son #2 and I sat down and watched the 2022 compilation episode of HIGNFY, after which I tidied the kitchen and headed up, ready to do it all over again tomorrow. Liraz / 'Bishtar Behand' / 'Roya' [[This is an intrig

I'm up early today, but I'll be driving home this morning, so there won't be a lot to talk about, I suspect. [ Time Passes ] I'm home now after a journey taking in a different route (the M62 had a major accident on it), heavy rain (which washed the outpourings of an enormous and digestively-compromised bird off the car, but did require a lot of concentration), a couple of pitstops (the second only to get a coffee with milk I can actually drink), but which was fine in all other ways. The afternoon evaporated in a series of small chores, meditation, and so forth, until it became time to make dinner. We all ate dinner together, watching Frankie Boyle before the appointed hour arrived. I felt tired after dinner and headed to bed, to do it all again tomorrow, except tomorrow has work thrown into the mix. Carla Dal Forno / 'Side By Side' / 'Come Around' [[]]

A quiet and late start to the day.  Not a lot planned, more of a chilled day getting things organised for the upcoming heightened period of activity. We had a late, cooked breakfast, a pleasant way to start the day. Breakfast is over and it's time for housework.  Vacuuming and floor mopping, with an attempt to fix the patio door thrown in for good measure.  I'm not sure how things moved across to this topic, but in the afternoon I found myself investigating my DNA and updating my family tree.  This became absorbing and, having made a fair bit of progress populating the tree, it was suddenly dinner time.  I say 'suddenly', but Q had started making dinner earlier and was cooking a Korma she'd made in the slow cooker. After dinner we returned to the family tree, despite the rain and wind. A merry evening was had by all. Q's daughter is returning from Europe later and Q is due to pick her up from the airport.  Q is feeling tired so I offer to drive instead, and at a

Started the day in Liverpool with Q and her mum. It's a bright, bright, sunshine-y day and so we're off out. Q drove us to a village just outside Southport, where we had an excellent dinner.  Inexplicably, I ended up having a starter, wine and a dessert. I don't know what possessed me, but, hey, you just have to go with the flow. We decided to drive back through the city rather than using the motorways, which was a trip down memory lane for me taking in Crosby and other familiar places including the docks.  Earlier we'd toured Formby, which completed the set. We were all full when we returned home, so we had a light snack of bread, cheese and meat. In amongst eating and conversation Q and I planned a pre-Christmas break in Dublin, one of my favourite cities (I wonder why?) in Europe. We didn't watch any TV, instead, we chatted, and, some might say, unusually, I didn't do most of the talking. Le fin. Todd Rundgren / 'Real Man' / 'Initiation' [[The

After work this afternoon I'll be heading off to Liverpool, the first time I've driven there in the evening for a long time. Between work and travelling, I'll not have any chance to write here after this. Here I am, in Liverpool and it's just after 9 p.m. I had a good journey up, missing one pointless accident on the M6 and stopping once for coffee, Snickers and other necessities. After a bit of dinner (more!!) and chat, it was time for bed.  Looks like driving up on a Friday night after work is not too big a deal. Bob Vylan / 'We Live Here' / 'We Live Here' [[]]

Another busy day ahead, so you'll not hear a peep. Power has remained stable all day.  Makes you realise how much you take it for granted.  For how much longer? Drinks with the Idler returns and tonight's guest speaker is Jonathan Coe , author of novels including, 'The Rotters' Club', 'What a Carve Up! and, most recently, 'Bourneville'. He was very interesting about politics, writing and other themes.  I got to ask him a question about musical connections to his novels - 'The Rotter's Club' is named after an album by Hatfield & The North (which I'm sure you knew 😉) and music features greatly in that novel.  I came away with two music recommendations: one classical (Herbert Howells) and another, Vinny Peculiar, who isn't. After the talk, there was a chat amongst friends before we all quit and I went for dinner. Son #1 and I ate together while watching Frankie Boyle, which was full of laughs, as usual. The end is nigh, so off for a

Fun, fun, fun...but exclusively in the domain of work, so I can say no more! (nudge, nudge...) What a day! The main socket circuit breaker has been tripping more often than someone who takes a lot of trips (Granny?) As a consequence the internet has been doing the hokey cokey, often during Google Meet sessions, making me seem like the phantom flan flinger or the Scarlet Pimpernel. As I had nothing else to go on, apart from the fact that it was pouring with rain and in the past it has been suggested (by the network supplier) that the solar power could cause surges, in the end I went up in the loft and switched the inverter off (not the sun!), despite no evidence. Unfortunately it didn't solve the problem, and later on in the evening when the constant on and off had driven us all to distraction, I discovered we weren't the only house experiencing supply problems. At some point amongst all the electrical madness, whilst the rain continued to pour down, a kind friend delivered more

I've detected a pattern over the years I've been writing this blog.  I've noticed that every Tuesday I don't have much to write here, and, not only that, the lack of words written here carries on until Friday.  Why is this? I think we should be told. I'll be wrapped up in work today (a clue?) with the usual consequence. This week's poem is 'Western Wind' written by that old favourite, Anon.  Strictly, it's a lyric to be sung rather than a poem, but hey! It is believed to have been written in the early 16th century (though some think the words may date back to the 14th century) and for the fun of it I've presented it here in both medieval English and a modern translation. It is very brief, but has always struck a chord with me. Westron wynde, when wyll thow blow The smalle rayne downe can rayne? Cryst yf my love were in my armys, And I yn my bed agayne! Western wind, when will thou blow, The small rain down can rain? Christ! If my love were in my

A busy day ahead, despite it being my day off.  When the first carer of the day comes I've got to remember to tell her not to start the PEG pump as the nurses are coming to replace E's PEG tube. At some point after 8 a.m. I'm expecting someone to arrive an connect me to the smart meter network (oh what joy!), and then the nurses are due too. It's all underway.  The man is here to smart meter me and, and, in case it makes any difference I've washed and am now drying the bedding I changed today. I now have an in-home display and I'm watching the bill go up. That is progress. (Is it really?) Although the community matron arrived for E's PEG change, the Abbot nurse (not NHS, just to be clear) did not.  The PEG change is now delayed until next Tuesday.  Pig's bum! On the plus side, this means I can go and buy a card and get a few bits of shopping before the lunchtime rush. Little things. The afternoon was spent doing a variety of things, including cleaning th

I'm still suffering with lower back pain, though just to be awkward it's now on the left hand side rather than the right.  The answer is movement and (prescription/over the counter) drugs. I'm planning to  get in touch with friends and family for chats, doing the usual boring chores, hopefully going for a brief walk and reading at least some of the papers. Just before midday I managed to have a chat with my big sister (she will forever be thus-named), which was good.  It's strange that as family shrinks, you get closer to those that remain.  Over the past decade or so, I've been closer to both my sisters than ever before. We grew up almost as distant planets from one another and from our parents, to some extent, though we do have shared memories, good and bad. The sun appears to be coming out and so is my washing. After lunch I called a close family friend who is godmother to son #2 and we had a long chat about life and agreed to meet up soon. It's been a while

It's E's birthday today, and perhaps a stranger one than the many strange ones she's had over the last six or seven years (who's counting?)  It will be a multi-part celebration, starting with me and then involving our sons when they arrive / get up. In a way it's better for E like this.  It's really hard to get things for her now, and so apart from the presents I got her a large card which I wrote a few words in.  As I showed her the card and read what I'd written to her, she gave me the loveliest smile I've seen in a long time.  A view of the E that I married emerging from the fog of MS. Amidst the birthday celebrations, I did the usual Saturday chores, too boring and too well-known to mention. What's that phrase, "busy doing nothing"? I think it comes from a dimly remembered song from my childhood.  It describes quite well the passage of hours which seemed very busy (I didn't find time to read the papers), despite the fact I couldn

I'm off home today, so after breakfast and saying goodbye to Q, who's off to work, I start to pack. I have a chat with Q's mum and then return to packing. I'm planning to leave at around 10 and travel home via a nearby petrol station. Got back around 2 pm after a pit stop at Warwick.  Didn't manage to find the petrol station, but did travel home  different way which didn't involve the M62. Instead I travelled across the Mersey river crossing, which provides a completely different view of Liverpool, a much more industrial view. Late afternoon I discovered that Nik Turner has died today. Sad news. The Spirit of Hawkwind, indeed. I think 'Brainstorm' is in order, at high volume. We had a quiet evening, I ate my dinner whilst watching the excellent documentary 'Kids' TV: The Surprising Story' which is on BBC iPlayer (or see here ) which was by turns fascinating, enlightening and moving. It is a social history of the UK through the lens of Childre

Getting up this morning was a struggle, but nevertheless, get up we did. Q's off to work and I'm going to have a lazy day of this and that, mainly reading, writing, talking and listening. Foolishly I forgot to cancel the cleaner's visit this week and she arrived only to find I wasn't there and cleaning was not possible.  Distractions and jinxes.  I apologised profusely and will pay her extra next week. At times, left to my own devices, I sometimes feel like a divided person, one foot on each side of an emotional equator. Over lunch, I watched a documentary on FAC51/The Hacienda, the legendary Manchester nightclub in the 1980s and 1990s. Some great early footage of Madonna, Joy Division and The Smiths. Time for meditation! Son #2 is going for an MRI scan this afternoon, and this is on my mind, even though he'll not get the results today. Having been present in the room (with ear defenders) when E had the one that led to her MS diagnosis, I know how unpleasant MRI sca

Q got up earlier than normal as she's heading off to the airport to pick up her mum who arrives from Australia, just after 8 this morning. When they return Q will be off to work, whilst I will already be working, as usual, though for the last day this week. At around 10:30, Q and her mum arrived here from the airport, midway through a project meeting. I stole away briefly for a 'Hello hug' and then returned to work. Q's daughter also arrived late in the morning after which Q went back to work. The three of us had lunch together, chatting and getting to know each other whilst Q was at work, after which I also returned to work. Q's mum and daughter went to Manchester for the afternoon which left me to work away until Q returned after 5 pm. It's been a day of comings and goings! Q is now out again at a work conference gala dinner and I'm typing this waiting for her mum and daughter to return when we'll have dinner together. Ships! We had a fun evening of ch

We're both working today, though Q is in her office whilst I'm at home and have monopolised the dining room table with two laptops and a monitor. During my first call at 9, my project manager remarked "you have a different background", to which I responded, "I'm in Liverpool", and there that exchange rested. Usual rules apply for today, so very little to say...probably. I'm only working for two days this week, so I'm halfway there at the end of today. Q came home for lunch and we assembled the bed in the newly emptied front bedroom, ready for her mum's arrival from Australia tomorrow morning. My final work meeting of the day went on until later than expected, Q arrived home and I was still working for at least another 30 minutes. After dinner, I chatted with son #1 for a bit for an update on E and also how he is faring with his university assignment. He seemed upbeat and tells me that progress is being made and he's still on target for a

Q's off to work whilst I'm minding the fort and, most importantly, Bagheera, the cat. How do I intend to spend my day? First off, finishing and posting my blog for yesterday. Starting this post, too, both of these whilst listening to 'Freak Zone'.  I'm also planning to read the weekend papers and, if the stars align, have a call with a friend in Berlin. The world is my lobster. Apart from enjoying myself, I have also done a few chores around the house.  Nothing major, just trying to ease the load for the worker. Q comes home for lunch, which was an unexpected and equally pleasant surprise.  The advantage of working just across the road. Bagheera is unusually quiet and sleepy today, perhaps she was disturbed by last night's fireworks. I've finished the papers and 'Freak Zone', in plenty of time for a call with a friend in Berlin. After a good chat about the impending apocalypse, how life is for both of us, and how Berlin is affected by the energy and

Lazy start to the day, as much sleep was required after yesterday's festival of moving. Continuing on that theme we're heading to the neighbourhood café for a well-earned breakfast by way of a local shop so I can grab a copy of The Observer. After a very filling full-English breakfast, topped off with pancakes and maple syrup and washed down with coffee we headed to the shops, to grab a few bits and pieces.   We did a bit of exploring around Speke, whilst still managing to not quite get to the airport or even see the river. Our explorations extended into Beatles territory as we travelled via Menlove Avenue (where John Lennon grew up) and past Strawberry Fields. The penny almost dropped and we decided we'd do a Beatles tour of the city sometime over the next few months, probably when it isn't colder than an unmentionable part of a witch, allegedly. Whilst driving a warning light came up on Q's car indicating that tyre pressure was low. We parked at the university whi

Remember, remember, the 5th November... Got up early to finish packing and head for Liverpool. My back started playing up again a few days ago so as a precaution I've got a heat pad on my lower back to make the drive easier. I arrive in Liverpool just before midday, after only one stop en route to stretch my legs (and back), grab a coffee and answer the call of nature (whatever that means!) My back is stiff when I arrive but feeling pretty good, all in all.  These heat pads seem effective, so I'll use them again, at least until it gets better. After a nice lunch, it's time to do the most sensible thing for someone with a bad back.  Helping Q shift stuff and pack it before it goes into storage on Monday.  Before you suggest that I am deranged, I was cautious to only move light things and empty things.  At the first sign of any increase in pain, I took a break.  [Late Update] I almost forgot we took a trip...to the tip, and came home by way of dropping off some items Q sold j

The last day of my working week, and what a week.  It has been an exceptionally busy week, primarily, I guess, because it's end-of-year review time. I had an unexpectedly long final call of the day, which meant I didn't finish as early as I wanted to, and hence another evening without music ensued.   Son #2 started making dinner when a kind friend brought around E's latest meds on her way home from work.  Much appreciated as E is getting through liquid paracetamol fast, and for some reason, I can't seem to get the surgery to give her a month's worth. Dinner served, I sat down and started to watch another episode of 'The Saint' - don't you raise your eyebrows at me, mate - before son #2 joined me to eat dinner. We're going to watch HIGNFY live, for once, so I head up for a chat with Q as she's off to bed early.  Chat over, In returned in time to watch HIGNFY live, before getting ready for bed myself. I'm off to Liverpool tomorrow morning and a

Today is likely to be a re-run of yesterday, except even busier, which is why I plan to start work at around 7 a.m. There are a bunch of things I have to get done today, one of which is to be prepped to lead a discussion this morning that's part of a management training course I'm doing. I'm coming up for air! The session I led this morning went well, so I was pumped up by that, and overall the day went well, despite being busy. Getting tonight's dinner on before sitting and watching TV with son #1, a bit of Jools followed by the first episode of Frankie Boyle's New World Order. Much laughter. E has had a day of lots of coughing but it all seems to be at the back of her throat. If her head is tipped forward (it looks really uncomfortable to me) she can clear all the liquid from her throat.  Hopefully things will settle down tomorrow ahead of Saturday's planned road trip. I'm about to wend my way to bed and sleep via all the usual stops.  Until tomorrow! The

A very busy day of work ahead, and so I've started with a brisk walk before I'm glued to my chair. Chatted with Q whilst walking and then returned form the fresh morning air.  I really won't have much to talk about today as work will be full-on! It's 7 p.m. and I'm shutting my work laptop down. That's all anyone's getting. Dinner made and I sit and watch more Jools Holland before watching the most recent HIGNFY with son #1.  It's getting to the stage where politics in the UK is so deranged that it's hard to send up. It does that all by itself, without help.  To sleep, perchance... ACID KLAUS ft. Lieselot Elzinga / 'Nightclub Marilyn (Room 1)' / (Single) [[This has a an off-centre, slightly wonky sound. I like.]]

Work. I'm sure Tuesdays come around more frequently than Mondays? I'm planning to start early as I have a lot to do, and every day immersed in work gets me closer to the weekend, so let's plunge in at the deep end. Well, that wasn't such a good plan after all. My access is revoked. Again. For the sake of everything I hold sacred!!! (Slight exaggeration) You may be wondering why this post is headed Samhain when yesterday was Halloween. Well, it's quite simple, they are not exactly the same thing. Samhain does begin on All Hallows' Eve, but extends until the evening of the 1st November, hence the title.  Some even celebrate Samhain over three days, but I'm not getting into that here. So, mlaaahhh! Work has dominated, with all the usual comings and goings of this house, excepting that today a nurse came to give E the flu jab.  I'm keeping an eye on her to make sure there are no unusual immune responses. I've been assured it will be fine, despite what

Back to normal, though the change of the clocks seems to have disrupted my sleep.  Far too much time spent awake.  I'll have another go tonight. I'm planning a fairly easy day of reading, writing but no arithmetic.  I have some washing to do, thanks to son #2 changing his bed and a backlog of towels, but otherwise I hope to finish the papers and maybe read more of 'Dracula'. Thinking about it, I do have a lot of music to listen to, so I'll probably do a bit of that too. A very quiet day indeed.  In the end, thanks to Halloween, I didn't listen to music.  How are they related? Simple.  I had created a bit of a themed lightshow at the front door and was ready with a spider's web full of sweets and decided that the immersive (and loud, as my sons often remind me) way I tend to listen to music didn't work with regular interruptions. Hence my focus was sweets for the ghouls and boils. In the event, despite periods of torrential rain, we still had quite a few