A place to have a chat.

Welcome.🙂

This is a place where anyone can join in and discuss anything they wish. If you just fancy a natter or to discuss life in general, tag along.

Hi folks.

I'm relatively new here, a young whippersnapper.

I adore the site, however, I thought it might be nice to have a place where people could just pop in for a chat.

Perhaps a place like that already exists, or may be it's been tried and failed.

It seems to me if you want to ask a poster how they are doing, for instance. It can only be done by PM or on their journey tread, if they've got one. If we had a place to meet, a bit like a cafe or pub, we could talk like 'normal people' without having to be in a conversation about specific prostate cancer issues. Invariably, cancer would still be the main discussion point, but it would be much less formal.

I put in a feedback request asking for the introduction of such a place, and it seemed to be viewed favourably, but I've not heard anymore.

I quite like the pub idea, perhaps we could call it The Prostate (h)Arms. A place where you could click into and relax. Of course, all the forums guidelines, regarding content and expected behaviour, would still have to be complied with.

It would only take up a miniscule amount of site space, but I think it could be beneficial to many.

Any views

Edited by member 27 Apr 2024 at 10:41  | Reason: Not specified

Well I agree with fate being amazing.

The girl upstairs

Cast your mind back to 1978 for those of you who are as old as me >>>>> 💭. Thats supposed to be a dream!

I had met my future wife briefly  before we were together as we had mutual friends. I had no idea that she was moving in to the flat above mine and was surprised when I came back from work quite late one night ( I worked shifts in a childrens home then ) and heard her call out ' would you like to come up for a cup of tea'. Well I NEVER drink tea and had just been to the pub to get a couple of beers to have and relax with some music before going to bed.  As I did not want to be  rude I went upstairs and told her that I didn't like tea but would she like to share a beer with me. To my surprise she immediately said yes and rushed to get some glasses out. TBH I was a bit p****d off as I thought I was now going to be a bit short of beer😆.  I was, as she had at least half of it  😅. I actually thought it was great that she drank beer and we had a great evening together .So much so that within 2 weeks we were sharing my flat downstairs as it was much bigger than hers . We married in 82 and have been together ever since. Had some rough times mind you but who doesn't.

Come on you lot  there must be more stories worth sharing.

Jackson AKA Martin . There is a story behind that as well!! I will leave you in suspense!

Adrian, I think it’s a good idea. Sometimes you need to chat about normal life, like your hols or something. As you say like being down the Pub. (Hopefully not collapsing in one as I did last week 🤣) .

I do tend to ramble on in my posts about other stuff so I suppose I’m doing that a bit already. 

Decho, Maggies sounds really great but none anywhere near me. I might look up McMillan opportunities as my counselling took place in their offices and they were so friendly. I went to a hospital arranged meet up which was good but it turned out 90% of the guys were way older than me and were not G9s and their PCa was mostly under control so I didn’t feel like I was really part of it 🤷‍♂️. 

Cheers

Phil

That's exactly what I've been trying to explain. Thank you putting it much more clearly than I've done. 👍🙂

Hello lads!

My weekend was largely spent getting stuff done in the garden. Gave the lawn its first cut of the year, and planted two new trees. Always fancied a Peach Tree so we now have one in prime position in the middle of the lawn. After that lot, and a couple of hours clearing out the horses stable, my back is buggered today 😂

The rugby was promising for the first 10 minutes, then went downhill rapidly........

Life is pretty good at the minute, although I expect to start getting twitchy again over the next couple of weeks, as my next PSA test looms on March 19th.

I think I probably met you! 😂

Regarding the retirement chat: I was 62 when is was diagnosed and was in a bad place for a while and probable not 100% on it at work although everyone was great and they allowed me to leave early for my RT everyday. I have worked as a consultant/agency since 1978 and always thought i’d created enough little ‘secret ways’ that I was indispensable. Ha ha , what a laugh. Our boss came over from Germany and told us all we were safe and then 1 day later my English boss called me in and gave me 10 days notice. I was the oldest and with the cancer he thought i’d be the first to go anyway. Bit of a blow as I wasn’t ready, mentally or financially. We had a big house (too big after the kids left) and a rental property but I couldn’t really sustain the big house without a reasonable income. So we decided to sell up and move to the rental , which was only a 100m away anyway. Been here a couple of years and wished we’d done it earlier. The new house is much newer and smaller and so easy to live in. We bought a new place to rent out for an income as being Ltd company all my working life my pension wasn’t up to much. 

In retrospect I’m happy with how its worked out , although my wife went back to her old job part time as they conveniently asked her back. I don’t know how I did stuff whilst working full time.

With careful planning we can still have nice holidays and days out etc.  We do consider ourselves lucky in that regard. But I still worry about when I’m gone and my wife has to mange on her own without my state pension etc. So its a juggling act really between enjoying life now and making sure I leave enough behind.

So, if you are in any position to retire I would do it. I did love my job and miss the chaps and the coffee ! …. But its like a new stage of life being retired and I do still catch up with some of the guys. And as we all find out there’s only so many days in a life and we need to use them as best we can.

So got some jobs to do now. Shame the suns not out , bit miserable here, but at least its not raining.

Take care guys, ( AV 0 Spurs 4 😜)

Phil

Edited by member 11 Mar 2024 at 18:53  | Reason: Not specified

This thread is becoming, the Adrian, Phil, Ian, kev and Jackson show. They'll nickname us the Jackson Five.🤣

I hope more people join in. 

Hi Adrian,

On this site, under ' Topic Areas', there is an area called 'General Discussion'  ("including anything 'off topic'"). 

I'm not sure if this is the sort of thing you had in mind?

However, it doesn't seem to be well-used, so keeping a conversation thread 'alive' might be difficult - but it might be worth a try.

Best wishes,

JedSee.

Hi Adrian. When I first posted on here I was very, very reticence about sharing personal stuff. But I saw a thread by a guy who just wanted to vent to relieve his anger and I think it helped him to write it down and for someone to listen. He had been abused as a child, like myself and without him telling us we couldn’t have known him so well and understood his feelings. So don’t be afraid to speak your mind or share your feelings on here. 

So I bit the bullet and didn’t hide it anymore or the fact I was fostered . That awakening happened in my personal life at the same time.

I know it upsets some people and some just don’t want to hear. That’s ok , I get that , but it’s who I am. I am not ashamed or embarrassed anymore by it. That came about by meeting the lovely people on here and at the same time starting counselling. I’m so grateful to everyone. 

I find it amazingly uplifting to be able to talk about ANYTHING on here. No judgement, everyone is so understanding. 
So, let’s have a Pub Thread or threads where we can ramble on about ‘normal’ life  🤣🤣

Take care 

Phil

Adrian, For 9 months I said Maggies was not for me and then my wife cajoled me into going along…and I’ve never looked back. I would say 80% of the men in our group would say the same. I agree though that it’s not for everyone and some men don’t come back.
I think though I maybe misunderstood your post…I think you were talking about an ePub or eCafe not a physical pub which would be difficult to organise I think. This forum is a wonderful but there’s nothing better than real face to face contact and a hug from a fellow sufferer.🤗
Last year I made very good friends with another member on here and we even met up on holiday…it was so uplifting for both us and we talk regularly on WhatsApp, not just about cancer and treatment, but about our families and everything and anything😊

Derek

Still not sleeping then eh pal?

A 5 minute telephone call with a locum is a bit disappointing, especially when they haven't even bothered to get your notes in front of them.

When you said you'd been spreading rock salt, I thought you were getting ready for the big snowfall the BBC keep banging on about. As it was 17 Deg here yesterday, I am inclined to think they may have got it wrong again 😂

Only if people don't use it; hopefully they will...

Edited by member 21 Feb 2024 at 19:32  | Reason: Not specified

I shall be watching the rugby, armed with a few cold ones! Not too sure how the Calcutta Cup is going to go this year mind.....

I could do with giving the garden some attention, but with all this bloody rain it is way too waterlogged to get out there really. Other than that I will be shovelling some s**t at the stables, which seems to have become my job at weekends when I am available. Add in a couple of dog walks and that is about it!

That's about as exciting as my weekends get these days 😂

Hi,

Nothing too thrilling for me this weekend. Glad to report that my issues with having the "trots" immediately following the end of my RT appear to have subsided (for now). I'm now back out walking the dogs up and down the hill. I'll be driving down to Lincoln tomorrow to pick up son no 1 from Uni, he's coming home for his "reading week". Then in the afternoon, I'll be keeping tabs on the mighty Bantams who are playing away at Barrow, hoping for a rare win. Then it'll be my Saturday night curry with some beers whilst watching the Saturday evening footy on telly. Unfortunately, I find rugby a hard watch, I really want to England to win but I expect Scotland will (England more likely to win if I don't watch than if I do). The scoring in rugby does my head in with seemingly easy 3 points being given for the slightest of errors (errors that non-players don't understand), for me rugby would be better if there was more emphasis on scoring tries. 

I really envy you having a grandson playing footy, I would absolutely love that. Unfortunately, I couldn't get either of my two boys interested in football, playing or watching. Instead, they became swimmers and I lost countless hours of my life at swimming pools for their training and racing, including early mornings - nightmare! (advice for any new dads or grandads, be careful when you take the kids for swim, get them to swim yes, but too much and you might end up living there). 

All the ground saturated and boggy around here too. It'll be a couple of weeks before I dust off the old lawn moor and loppers.

Have a good weekend

Spongebob.

Awww that's lovely Phil. Have a great time mate. 👍🙂

Sounds like a great day Adrian. Every single day is special isn’t it as we know we only get so I many days in our lives. Make the most of them all. 

Is it just the two of us sitting in the PC Arms ? 

Phil

Christening was lovely thank you. In a little Church that the in laws go to then to The Royal Jersey Golf Club for a sit down meal. Lots of chatting and a couple of bevvies as I wasn’t driving 😁 , then off to the airport. 1 hour delay plus heavy rain on the way home from Gatwick meant we HAD to call in KFC for some sustenance at 11pm…  Only tastes that good when you’re starving. 🤣

Wonder there’s some way to have photo share thing on the forum? Could be time limited - like maybe a couple of days. 

Phil

Good for you 👍

Phil

Yes Mondays always quiet in the pub game. I worked in Pubs from age 8 as pot boy then behind the bar from 14 up to nearly 17 when i worked in the Pub part of the famous, now gone ‘Gold Mine Night Club’ on Canvey Island. Much better money than milk rounds/paper delivery which i tried as well. Used to get gardening jobs from the locals in the pub as well so was a good little earner. Bought all my own clothes as a kid from that money. Can you imagine me at 15 in my tonic suit, Ben Sherman, red socks and Loake Royals ‘Sharking’ down Southend seafront. 😂Thought i was the Dogs … 🤦. Great time though.😎. Although I don't think it helped much with the CSE revision as i messed all my exams up and had to resit Maths, English and Physics alongside my engineering course at college. Ooops.

Adrian, what did all the sheep do when you went home ? 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑. Did they have a good night ? Sounds like it if you were still there at 4am…… been to a few nightclubs like that 😜

Bit jittery this morning, appointment not till 4. Trying to prepare myself but my mind wont settle on one thing it keeps flitting about…. Gonna try some Kalms in a minute , they might help.

Cheers guys, take care and have a nice day. 

Phil

Good luck later Phil, I hope it goes well mate.

I think I probably met you! 😂

That is so funny Lyn 🤣. Could well have done … 

Not been to Jersey before, flew over it a few times though. We've booked an airbnb in St Helier. 

That's a good tip about booking restaurants.

Cheers. 

Lyn has frequently posted that she is teetotal.

Thanks Chris 

Just to change the subject, I really thought I had managed to avoid moobs during my six months on Bical. Clearly M&S think otherwise. I got the email from them today:

"Dear Chris,
We hope that you are keeping well.

It has been 6 months since we last saw you for your bra fit, did you know that it is recommended to have a bra fit every 6-12 months?

Breast sizes can change regularly throughout the year, and we would love to invite you back into store or via our online service (where you don’t even have to leave your home) to check that your bra is still right for you. We can also show you some of our amazing new collection.

Please click the link below and book your appointment now: "😡

That's the last time I'm doing the online order for the wife.

As for this virtual pub name, how about The Wonky Walnut?

🤣🤣🤣

Hi Guys

I saw this thread and decided to join in as it is a really good idea. When you realise on all the posts that there is so much knowledge and I guess angst as well I think it is really important that we can all chat and hopefully have a bit of a laugh as well. I worked in mental health for years and despite what people say about men not wanting to talk about their problems I never found that the case. For some it maybe true but I think it is not true of most men. Loads of them opened up to me about their problems... however the ones that didn't did not do so well!!

I know that sometimes I can be a bit aloof and keep things tight to myself... but its not always a good thing to do.  I really believe some find it more difficult to talk to women about their problems. I have never found that myself and probably the opposite. We are all different... thank goodness!!  My lovely wife is so supportive but sometimes I do find it hard to tell her what I really am feeling. 

The idea of a virtual pub/ cafe or whatever is good. We should keep this going and by the looks of it we will. Good luck to you all. We need it! Just going to pour a pint now. Imagine an emoji.

Adrian, It was only a wineglass full, but I have been judged, I've had D & V all day today and my other half is claiming this as another victory in her war against me drinking. (She is weird, she doesn't like the taste!!)

Got to be a cider for me, preferably Stowford Press.

Can say that I've been to many football games in my life. However, I am running an indoor rowing competition between 126 children from 8 primary schools in the morning!

Pass the ear defenders please! 🤣

Got to be a cider for me, preferably Stowford Press.

Uh can’t do Cider. Although I worked in pubs from 8 years old and saw it all I still managed to get hammered on cider at 13 and I’ve never been able to stomache it since….  

Like dark Ale or stout, or if not wine or scotch/whiskey…. Problem is can’t hold the volume when on pints now 🤷‍♂️.. 

Phil

Good one! 🤣

The competition went well. Other than for one of the schools, that couldn't come because a load of ceilings had collapsed due to flooding leading to the school being closed!😱

For those of you who might know concept 2 ergs, the fastest today was 532m in 2 minutes. Pretty incredible for a year 6 girl! (Or boy or any combination 😂)

We had family season tickets at Northampton Saints for years

Been to Saints many times as our friends were shareholders ( I think it was to raise money for the club) and we ate in the little members clubhouse sometimes. 
I'm a football supporter really but loved the way you could sit with opposing supporters. Was there once when I think it was the Bath or Exeter manager climbed into the seats to sort some one out .. 🤣

And my mate said Rugby was for intelligent people and football was for thugs … 🤷‍♂️

Must say though the language at football can be fruity, especially at non league which is my occasional Saturday jaunt as it’s more local than the drag up to see Spurs. 

Phil

That's nice Adrian. We have a Robin nesting somewhere in the garden, and as of this year a Wren has taken up residence! We had a Woodpecker visiting daily last year, but no sign so far this year. Must have got bored with our peanut supply......

I was very fortunate and was in a position to retire early with a decent occupational pension. So I've never had to suffer the disease whilst working. My four kids are aged between 35 and 45 and are all settled in their own places. So I've got very few 'family commitments' apart from amusing my two grandkids who live nearby.

However, after my dad died, in 2017, we moved my then 93 year old, mum in with us. We cared for her until a year ago, when due to her health declining, we had to move her into a nearby care home. I found those 6 years, more exhausting and taxing, than both my careers.

I've often said on here,  that I truly admire how, younger blokes with younger families and work commitments, cope with this disease. Especially those with a poor prognosis. My heart goes out to them.

If I was in their position I'm sure I'd struggle.

Edited by member 06 Mar 2024 at 23:07  | Reason: Typo

Morning Ian,

As you know mate, I made the same decision as you. Based on a biopsy that indicated I had low grade low volume disease. Financial matters weren't a factor, my reasoning was if it doesn't need fixing don't fix it. AS is what my first MDT recommended and I took their advice.

There is conclusive evidence that advisory bodies like NICE are now of the opinion that many with low grade disease are being over treated. I believe that only about 30% of those on AS go onto have to have radical treatment. The introduction of CPG classifications also makes AS a more viable proposition.

I was in the unlucky 30%, but based on the initial diagnosis given to me, I still think I made the right decision to just be monitored.

I recently read this, which seems to support our decisions https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2022/prostate-cancer-active-surveillance-increasing

It shows that in America active surveillance was 26.5% in 2014 and had risen to 59.6% in 2021.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you mate. I've got a good feeling that you maybe in the majority group on AS that don't need radical treatment.

Edited by member 07 Mar 2024 at 09:09  | Reason: Additional text

This is an interesting thread you started, Adrian. Interesting aspect of PC forums like this is that men and some women get to know one another quite well. Most of us will never meet face to face but it is a 'friendship' which endures. I never thought men could share such intimate details. 

As I sit here I see a robin chasing all the sparrows away but unusually tolerating another robin, and reflecting on what happened on the 9th of March 58 years ago when we got married. We feel very lucky, particularly me, to be still around to enjoy our three grandchildren.

Just to be boring for a moment - if you are a member of the Teachers' Pension Service, you probably need to speak to your union and get some financial advice. A teacher with long membership and an incurable diagnosis can sometimes get the full enhancement but you have to balance that against the 'death in service' payout that you would lose. When I was in the LA, we were always careful to balance the two projected figures before someone retired in these circumstances. The downside of taking ER used to be that teachers weren't allowed to do supply if they had gone on ill health but that may have changed more recently?   

Afternoon all. Haven't dropped in for a few days so thought I would call by and say hello! Nothing much to report. I'm looking after my elderly mother for a few days having collected her on Mothering Sunday. Lots of cancer related talk but not mine this time, just hers. On the good news side, my younger brother got his follow up scan results back yesterday (following major surgery and chemo) and it was all clear! Nice to get some positive news.

Hope everyone is doing ok.

Ian.

Great positive attitude mate and best of luck with your next results.

I've been in the real pub, or in my case working man's club, for the past three days. Been getting on the train at 11:30 everyday into town and having a few whilst nattering with mates and watching the horse racing at Cheltenham. I catch the 18:00 train home, via the chippy. I am a man of simple pleasures.

Luckily I've got an understanding wife.

Incidentally, I've changed from drinking lager to mild and can easily have 6 or 7 without any bladder problems. I've convinced the OH that it's good physio for the old waterworks.

I only bet small just to add a bit of interest to watching the racing. I've got a bookies app on my phone. Yesterday, I picked four horses and did a £1 ew accumulator. No winners but 3 were placed, the fourth horse however, only finished 5th. Unlucky I thought.

On the train home I was checking my phone and was completely surprised that the bookies I'm with were paying ew on the first 5 in the race where my horse had come fifth and that the ew accumulator had paid just under 150 quid. Not a fortune I know, but better than a kick up the *rse.

Thank heavens I hadn't discovered my win in the Club, I'd have probably over celebrated and missed the last train home.

I think I shall reinvest with another bet today. I'll treat my mates to a couple of pints and treat myself to an extra battered sausage on the way home this evening.

I intend keeping the wife sweet with a couple of bottles of vino and a box of chocs.

Life's good when you're winning.😁

PS: It was a close shave travelling back yesterday. Both loo doors on the train were knackered and at half way I felt nature was calling. Fortunately it's only a 15 minute journey I just managed to hold on. I had to jog the 300 yards home and burst through the front door like a drugs bust and run upstairs to the toilet before they could flush the evidence away.

Edited by member 15 Mar 2024 at 06:44  | Reason: Additional text

Hi Adrian. I was also in the garden yesterday laying in 2 sleepers to form a flower bed. Essex Clay - took me all day… but all done now. 
Ironing today as the missus does morning at work. 
Off to get my blood test this afternoon. I’ll have to do a walk in at Oncology as I’ve still not got my consultant appointment for next week through. 
Bit overcast here but quite warm. 

Phil

It was great thanks Phil, if a bit damp! It varies with the results. A couple of them have appeared on the NHS App, but last time I had to phone the CNS after a week. The letter from my consultant actually took 6 weeks to get typed and sent out! Hopefully the App will prevail this time, or I'll be ringing them by Friday.

Ian.

Alright for some Adrian! I do have a couple of cold ones in the fridge for later though 😬

Still no appointment through today so i emailed my CNS and hopefully they can find out if my appointment is booked yet. 
Didnt bother with the blood test as don’t when I’ll be seeing the consultant next 🤷‍♂️. 

Nice evening out seeing Tony Hadley, Swing Tour, great show , great voice. Seen him before and also many years ago with Spandau Ballet with the wife, before kids … ! 
Lovely Greek food beforehand with a few glasses of vino… as you have to 😁

10cc next week , anyone remember them 👍

Edited by member 20 Mar 2024 at 15:56  | Reason: Not specified

Adrian
I know how frustrating it is now. Both my wife and I have had to chase things up . I feel so sorry for people that don't know to do that or not  have the where with all to do it. I have had to fight with Gp's to get referrals on to specialists and my wife has had terrible problems with her eyes requiring constant calls to hurry through appointments .
Having said that the treatment I have had from the NHS for my cancer has been great overall but it may not have been so if I had not had experience of the system and how you have to press all the time.
Poor state of affairs and unfortunately not much hope of it improving. My advice to all is just be persistent as those that are are more likely to get the treatment they need than those that just sit back and wait. It should not be like that but unfortunately it is now. Aneurin Bevan would be mortified if he could see the state of the NHS now.

Mind you I am as well!!

Enough of my rant. have a good evening all

Martin

Edited by member 20 Mar 2024 at 20:04  | Reason: typo

Hi Kev. How funny we are flying back on the 8th too.. 17.55. I’ll look where we’re sitting 🤣🤣
We like St Helier but don’t always visit when we’re over as we are often quite busy. Mostly eat in St Aubin as we can walk. 

There are 2 really lovely garden centres , St Peter’s and Ransomes. Both have really nice cafes. The indoor market in Market St St Helier is worth a visit on a Saturday. 

I’ll ask me boy about nice Pubs in town. If we’re in town we always go shopping in Jacks which has some nice clobber, men’s and ladies. 

Sunday brunch at El Tico is great. Lovely views and cracking food but you might have to wait as it’s popular. It’s on the beach at st Ouens Bay so you’ll need a bus or taxi. Breakfast there is massive. 

Phil

With you two hitting the island at the same time, they might need to bring Bergerac out of retirement! 😁

Cracking day today! Spent the entire day in the garden. Cut the grass, relocated the log pile and rotovated the veg patch. Maybe I’m getting old, but this adds up to a good Saturday these days! Also took my mind off my PSA test results, which I’m waiting for after my latest test last Tuesday. It’s frustrating, as we all know they are available the next day in most cases. 

Well got a call this morning to say my appointment is this Thursday. 
But anxious to say the least . Would be lovely to see my PSA steady or even falling… we will see. 

So to take my mind off it I cleaned my car. 3 hours it took as it’s white and needed the toothbrush treatment in all joints, trim edges etc. looks mint now but I’m too knackered to give it some polish… Maybe this afternoon… 

Can’t wait to get started on the gardens. But as we’ve had the back re-modelled last year we need some new planting and it’s too early. Same goes for front where we’ve had the front paved with a smaller flower bed - itching to get planting… 

Grass could do with a trim though … 

Wasted valuable time trying to watch the pathetic England football display. Won’t get those 2 hours back… And the F1 wasn’t any better. 

Right, better get lunch ready now . I’m starving , it’s the steroids 🤣… 

Take care peeps, 

Phil

Hi Adrian,

I jumped with one of the Red Devils, he wore a prosthetic leg due to losing his in an explosion. He did a lot of air to air camera work and was a really great guy, sadly he died around ten years ago. 

Kev.

Yes it’s an S2A 350 46hp little rocket.

Z250 was a nice little bike. I had a tuned 250 BSA when I was 16 ( 1971) was a little rocket as it was so light. Faster than my mates RD 250… 🤣

Always had bikes from 15. Met my missus  in ‘79 and bought a Suzuki GS1000 cos it was wicked fast and had a nice seat. Had over 150 on the clock 2 up… 😳

Had a Ducati before that - no good for pillion. 

Too old now for it and a body weakened by HT……. So the bikes going soon… 

Hi Debbie and Steve.

Thanks for popping in. What a lovely romantic tale about your daughter. I've been thinking of you two. How's Steve's recovery going?

Late edit. Just seen your update on

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t30421-Help-It-seems-to-be-taking-so-long-to-get-to-op-appointment#post294031

Edited by member 28 Mar 2024 at 14:13  | Reason: Additional text

Wow , love all these stories. It’s like we are really getting to know each other. Rather than just what treatment we are on… 

I’ve known you a while now Lyn but that story was a big surprise 👏. 

I bought my girlfriend a car for her 17th birthday … does that count 🤔. Dirty Gerty - the car not the girlfriend… 

Then i bought her a better car for her 18th.  A one year old Cortina Mk4 in bright red. 

Did I spoil her , yes I did and I don’t regret it one bit. Still married after 43 years now 👍

Cant think what I’ve done that scared me the most 🤔… 

Cheers, 

Phil

Ah, so this is where the insomniacs hang out!

Here’s one for you insomniacs who may appear later, what’s your song to reflect your current mood?
I’ve been really struggling this week, my legs feel like heavy lead weights, I continue to get up 6-7-8-9or10+ times every night for a wee but can’t sleep anyway due to the frequent Prostap induced hot sweats. When I have a session getting pi$$ed like I did tonight with the missus watching some Netflix American series rubbish, I spend more time at the bog than in my chair. I’m 61 but feel more like 91. Prostap making me weaker and weak, my favourite football team loses every week and is in the bottom division, seriously now considering getting myself an electric MTB because I have no muscles left to peddle my old trusty mean machine (my pedal bike), but I bet they don’t fund them on the NHS (quite right too). Just putting it out there😬😬😬😬.

I’ve got this song in mind >>>>>
“Just a castaway an island lost at sea, oh

I thought you were in Jersey?

We are here in Jersey. Just back from breakfast out …. Need a rest now. 

Met with KevT at Luton on our way here. Lovely to meet him and his wife. Hope they’re having a lovely time here. 

Always try to be positive, does kinda become a way of thinking . Plus I don’t want to be down for the wife. 

Phil

Hello guys, I’m back 😁.. Been very busy after our weekend away so just sat down for 10 mins between getting the ironing and packing done for this weekend’s trip to visit friends on Exmoor while the missus is at work. She is going too 🤣 , she’s just at work now 🤦‍♀️… 

Was lovely to catch up with Kev and Kirsty. Felt like we’d known each other for a long time. Kev’s right , there’s lots of fast cars and loads of full size Range Rovers which I can imagine getting stuck in some of the roads our son goes down… 

Nice to see spring is coming , everything looking green and fresh. Still got lots of planting to do, front and back as we’ve had a complete re model of the rear garden and front drive done leaving a nice quadrant in the front corner for shrubs etc… Looking forward to going round the garden centres choosing what to buy 😁. Well I don’t choose of course as I haven’t a clue 😳

Still come home to being a bit fretful about next weeks bone scan and subsequent consultation … 😬… Just like a bit of stability for a while so I can get off the monthly checks/consultations as you don’t really get a chance to relax.. I almost want to get the Orchidectomy done so I can come off the HT and steroids. I’m blowing up like a balloon. I’m still able to get a ‘rise’ on the HT but who knows after the Orchidectomy . I suppose it’s anyone’s guess. 

Take care chaps

Phil

Edited by member 11 Apr 2024 at 12:28  | Reason: Not specified

We went to see that years ago when the kids were little, it's fascinating isn't it. Sounds like you're having a great trip 👍

Glad to see the booze cruise never died. Years ago I had a Saab 900 turbo, it had a massive boot which I filled up and drove home with a bottomed out suspension. 

I'll join you for a Guinness or two, we're off to Nor'n Iron this weekend, the Giant's Causeway is next on my list 👍

Fingers crossed for this week Phil 🤞

Cheers,

Kev.

Have a really great time Kev. Northern Ireland is on our list too 👍. Watch those big steps 🤣 I think the Bushmills factory is somewhere near there. 😁

Good shout Phil. Just so happens we're about 15 minutes drive from there, I'll see if I can get on a tour 👍🏻

I don't think I could go to the Giants Causeway. The sight of rigid, upright things, all naturally produced, would make me too envious. 😁 

Maybe they use Invicorp Adrian.. to prevent coastal erosion 🤔 I'll let you know if they sell it in the gift shop. 

Cheers, 

Kev.

Edited by member 18 Apr 2024 at 14:20  | Reason: Added note

Blood test and bone scan tomorrow. See the consultant next week

Update, consultation a week Tuesday now … 

Phil

We managed a trip around the NI coast last year on the motorbike. It is spectacular. Bushmills distillery was on our backup plan for a rainy day. Amazingly we had four sunny days in a row. 

Last weekend I was in Galway and did a few bike trips in to Connemara and up to Westport, again the scenery is amazing. The nightlife in Galway is hectic.

Hi Kev,

I'm glad you enjoyed your tour of Northern Ireland. My younger brother was an RMP and did nine years over there during the troubles.

I remember going out with him when he was on leave. We were pub crawling along Freeman Street in Grimsby, when a passing car backfired. He instinctly dived for cover in shop doorway.

I've only been there was once. Was flown in a Hercules from West Germany to Portadown to give evidence in a Court Martial case.

He did 17 years in the Army, half of it dodging bullets in NI. I only did 3 years, almost, drinking, smoking and sh*gging myself to death in Germany. "That's the luck of the draw" I used to tell him. 😁

Edited by member 24 Apr 2024 at 12:42  | Reason: Typo

Phil, if you're still struggling with the motorbike, my Mrs says you can have her old coil as she doesn't need it anymore 😁

Kev, that made me laugh , 🤣🤣. 

This really is like being down the Pub 👍

Phil