Tired

I've just enough energy to say I'm too tired to write anything of substance. I've rarely been as tired as I am right now, which is why I wanted to record it.

Our Eli

Our newest grandson Eli, at his first family gathering at the weekend...with grandma Bev.

I was told today to eat better and exercise more if I want my Cholesterol level... which is just a teeny-weeny bit high, to shrink.

"I can give you pills", she said.

Mmmm... tough call. Perish the thought.

Had salmon topped with lemon, a tiny dollop of philadelphia sprinkled with parsley.  A jacket and broccoli were their plate mates. Had a brisk walk.

This is war...after I finish that picnic chocolate bar. Hey, this is about my general diet, not my rare treats :)

Getting into the mood

A most unlikely venue for a Christmas lunch for 80+ temple workers, but it was a brilliant meal.

Waiting for the food to arrive and having a good chat.

Entertainment later at the Murray's home. I can't believe we all fitted into the living room. David did really well playing the accordion...he hates playing in public. There's Eileen handing out the words as David gets ready.  He's been dreading it for weeks...perhaps even months.

Auld Lang Syne really rocked the place. Everybody loved it.

President Murray keeps her in the closet...such a funny song.

I think they were applauding me. I sang two songs.

Irish humour really appeals to me.

Some of the lights around the nativity. I took the photo this evening, but couldn't upload it until now.  Internet isn't the best around here.

You can't hear it, but the music is really setting the scene.

Not long now! It's freezing! Perhaps we'll have snow? REALLY looking forward to Christmas now.

Rivington Pike

Looks like Bev is ready... 

 With her new boots.

Jon looking happy. 

 Ann, Eileen and Bev doing what all women do...stick together.

All together again.

 I loved this and didn't realise at the time that I caught the reflection of the bridge in the water.

The bridge over troubled waters.

A fellow traveller.

Going up!

I think we should go that way!

Where's Ken?

He's over there!

How much further?

Done it!

Easy-peasy!

Time for lunch.

And a little rest... 

And more rest...

 And more rest. Well, the views were rather good!

Lady Levers had her sewing room up there, while her husband tended to his pigeons.

 On the way down.

Berries, not flowers.

 Such lovely colour.

Such a lovely morning.

Jon and Ann have continued on to Scotland.  It was nice to see them.

I Take My Hat Off To Gormley

I could see where he was coming from.

I wonder if he could see where I was coming from?

Operation

Today I went for an operation on my head. Bev tells me it hadn't anything to do with my brain because  clearly, in her view, I hadn't got one to operate on. It was pretty close to my brain (I think I have one), because I heard the doctor's scalpel scrape against my skull and I felt him pull and tug to get rid of the root that would have formed a cyst.

The amount of blood created by his wrestling almost made me faint.  Fortunately I didn't feel a thing, but now that the anaesthetic has worn off, I feel pretty sore.

As I lay there anticipating the five injections he was about to administer, I asked if I would die today, sensing a bit of humour would take away my anxiety.  "Possibly, but probably not as a result of this operation", he replied. I love a doctor with a sense of humour.  I was concerned with his inclusion of the word 'Probably" and remained anxious.

He kept asking me if I could feel anything, and at one point apologised for putting too much pressure on my head. I gave him permission to carry on, but as a coward, I would scream if I experienced pain.

He told me later that with all the blood and bits, it may look like I've had a major operation, but rest assured that it was a very straightforward and simple operation, but don't get up too fast in case you collapse.

Here we were having a good laugh with what seemed like half my brain swimming in a tray.

Can I drive, I asked, thinking that if I make any sudden movements, I may collapse. "Only if you have a license", he replied.

I liked this team...pity I won't see them again (unless they shop at Aldi).

Illuminations

 We'd already had a busy weekend in Nottingham and a very busy day back here yesterday, but we decided to take advantage of a first trip to  Blackpool illuminations last night. There was a lot of displays, but I didn't have the right setting for the lights. I took the photos from the car and most were blurred.

 This was the tram and it was a lot brighter than this...wrong setting again even though we were walking by this time.

 Having never been to Blackpool before, it was all magical to me...well, as magical as lights can be to an old man like me.

Getting closer to the tower.

 I liked the art for walls stretch of the road.

 The tower at last!

 A different colour...

... and yet another colour combination.

A gigantic outdoor floor area with jokes from just about every comedian who has performed in Blackpool. I liked the Tommy Cooper section best, but I didn't really have time to read everything...it would need a week.

Thanks to David and Eileen for the lift. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Fish & chips back in Chorley topped off the evening.

Squeezing everything out of the day.

First we had our blood taken at the hospital, then a good breakfast and then we had a good walk in the park with the Flinns as it was such a bright day. 

 Yes, I probably will paint it.

Right outside our front door.

On our way back from shopping at Botany Bay...quite a place. 

Tonight we are off to see the illuminations at Blackpool.  I've never been!