Celebration Saturday

So we wake today to the start of the Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebrations across the United Kingdom. It is 60 years ago today that that Princess Elizabeth Came to the Throne and became Queen Elizabeth The II. at least although the weather started off dull at least the sun has made brief appearances throughout the morning before the rain that is coming in from the West reaches us about 7.00 pm this evening.

Telephone Outage

Another decent nights sleep last night, woke about 6.45 this morning and laid around until about 7.45. Got up and made the coffee and went into the lounge to await Jo the carer. Jo arrives about 8.30 and when she went to use the house phone to log in it would not work. apparently there was major problems around the country with Phone line not working and this was not fixed until around 11.00 am. I thought it was a problem with Sky Talk but it seems it was also a problem with BT, and other Phone providers, the cell phones worked Ok it was land lines that were down.

Jo soon had me Washed and Groomed and then she was on her way, I got some wheatabix for breakfast and then sent the morning text to Pauline, Thank goodness for Mobile phones. Pauline phones me back on her mobile as she has trouble with her phone too and she is with BT. anyway I check the live webcam at the harbour and this is how the weather looks at 8.00 this morning.

Portsmouth Harbour at 8.00 am this Morning

Do I Stress 

It is not a good day today, I think the effects of the Methotrexate is starting to catch up with me, anyway I will take it easy today and just rest, I check all the emails and then have a look on facebook to catch up with everyone, and then watch a couple of episodes of "Little House on the Prairie". it is soon approaching 1.00 and time for lunch, I have a couple of Crisp bread with some Egg Mayonnaise and a nice cup of tea, well I certainly feel better now than I did earlier, It was probably a mix of the Methotrexate and the phone not working as I find I stress out over the little things that once I used to take in my stride.

It is now getting on for 2.00 and i have just gone out to see how the decoration of the "Street" is going ready for the street party to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. The Residents have been out putting up the flags and decorating the road ready the Street Party. it is hard to see but the bunting is across the road all the way down and many people have decorated the house fronts as well.

Getting ready for the Street Party

As you can see from the Photograph above, the weather is a lot brighter now than it was at 8.00 this morning.
I am now going to check on the progress of the Olympic Torch Relay. It is day 15 today and is going from Liverpool to Castletown on the Isle of Man. The flame was flown over this morning from Liverpool by British airways on the Plane "Firefly" painted in the special colours for the Olympic Torch.

British Airways Firefly

 As well as the Runners "Running" with the torch it also traveled by other forms of transport. As You probably know every year in June the Motorcycle Tourist Trophy Races are held in the Isle Of Man (IOM TT Races) so it was only natural that the Olympic Torch was taken on a Racing Motorcycle.

The torch on a TT Motorcycle in Douglas.

 The other mode of transport that was used today was the horse drawn trams that travel up and down Douglas sea front.

The crowds and Tram at Douglas sea front.

Well it is now 3.00 and the 1982 film "Annie" starring Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney, and Carol Burnett has just started on Gold + 1 so I am going to have an afternoon of Nostalgic film watching, 

1982 Film "Annie"

Well that is it for today so i will just put up the "Day in History" for today, now the most obvious was the Coronation on 2nd of June 1953, but I have decided to go for the 172nd anniversary of the birth of Thomas Hardy on the 2nd June 1840 and so until tomorrow I will say Tatty Bye.

The Start of the Jubilee.

And here we are at the start of another Month. where is the time going to, only another 20 days and we will be at the Summer Solstice, The longest day of the year. Had another great day yesterday and slept pretty we;ll last night and woke at 6.30 and thought " Oh Dear here we go with the Methotrexate again, However to day marks the start of the Jubilee Weekend celebrations, At 10.15 HMS Diamond escorted by HMS Raider and HMS Blazer, 4 Naval Helicopters and the RNLI Life boat "Alfred albert williams" fired a 21 Gun Salute as they past the Royal Naval War Memorial on Southsea Common, I could not be there to see it but Pauline went down and sent me some Photo,s she took. the one below shows the 21 Gun Salute taking Place.

HMS Diamond firing the 21 Gun Salute off Southsea Seafront this Morning

Methotrexate day

well the morning regime passed ok as it always does, Jo the carer came at 8.30 and I then had breakfast and took the dreaded Methotrexate so now it is just a case of resting and letting the Medication does what it always does and that is make me feel "yucky" for a day or two but it will pass by late Saturday early Sunday and then I will be ready as always for the next week. Once I have checked out facebook and also the emails including the Photo,s Pauline sent I then check to see how the Olympic Torch Relay is Progressing. It is onto Day 14 today and the torch is going from Bolton to Liverpool.

The Olympic Torch in Victoria Square, Bolton.

The Torch left Victoria Square, Bolton to start its Journey to Liverpool today where it was cheered on its way by a large crowd that had been gathering since the early hours. And the crowds turned out in there hundreds as it made its way along the route today.

Thousands gather to welcome the torch along the Sefton Coast

 well the time is pushing on and it is time for lunch, today I am having a couple of crisp bread with a small tin of Mackerel  fillets in Sunflower oil. lots of omega 3 in those, I had them with a nice cup of tea and followed it up with a blueberry Yoghurt. 

My happy Neurologist

I had the letter through from the Cardiology department to say that they had received the transmission of my recorded ECG sent to them on Sunday via the "Medtronic Link" and there was nothing of concern showing up so I would get a letter soon detailing the next transmission date, I also had a letter from my Neurologist to say my next appointment with him has been booked for the end of September.

The weather has been very dull today, there has been patches of Sunshine but it has been mainly very dull although the temperature is still holding up. I think the best of the weather at the moment is up towards central England and towards the north, looking at the pictures of the olympic Torch Relay, but as I am in all day today it does not really bother me.

Well there we are then the time has just turned 3.00 and it is time for a cat nap for an hour before Gervase phones at 4.30 0n his way home from work, he works over at Haywards Heath and travels to work and back by Train, He always rings to see how I am when he is on the way from the office to the Railway Station.

Haywards Heath where my son Gervase Works

So before I go I will add Todays "Day in History" which is for the 1st June 1495. it is quite appropriate for this Jubilee weekend celebrations.

 Well it is now time to get this Journal Posted so until tomorrow I will say.....................

A lost wednesday.

Blood test today

Have you ever had one of those days when the time just seems to disappear, well that was today, I slept well last night, was up in the lounge with my coffee at 8.00 am waiting for Jo the carer, I checked facebook and my emails and  Jo arrived at 8.30, once she had me washed and groomed I sent the morning text to Pauline and she phones back to say that she will get a Taxi at 10.15, to come and collect me as I have a  appointment with debbie at the Surgery for my regular blood tests and then we are off shopping down to Palmerston Road today.

so not a lot of time as once I get breakfast it is nearly 9.30 so need to get ready for when Pauline arrives, I get shaved and dressed with 5 minutes to spare and then Pauline has arrived, so we are off to the Surgery. The appointment is for 10.40 and we go in at 10.45. Debbie has no trouble getting the blood and then we phone for the taxi to take us home to get the wheelchair and then off down to Palmerston road Precinct in Southsea to get the shopping.

Northern half of Palmerston Road Precinct

once we get to the Precinct, Pauline phones Gordon and he walks down with Misty  to meet us and we have a coffee and a snack sat outside at "Greggs" once we have had the snack gordon walks round to "Waitrose" with us which is where we are doing the shopping today and then he takes misty back home.

Waitrose in Marmion Road, Southsea

We go around Waitrose with Pauline pushing me in the wheelchair and we get the shopping that we need and then we go and pick up the Prescription from Boots which we dropped off when we arrived here, We also have a look around Robert Dyers and then make our way over to the southern half of Palmerston road, which has been newly turned into a pedestrian precinct ( almost) as buses still go through there.

Northern half of Palmerston Road

 Once we have looked around there we make our way along Osbourne road via the charity shops to Pauline and Gordon,s flat, where Gordon has the coffee made. we have a bit of a natter and then I get a taxi to take me, the shopping and the Wheelchair home. Pauline comes with me to help me in with the Shopping and wheelchair and then the taxi takes her back home, can't believe it is nearly 3.00 o'clock.
The olympic Torch relay enters day 13 today and goes from Stoke-on-Trent to Bolton. there are huge crowds to cheer it through the streets of Stoke-on-Trent

The Olympic Relay Torch through the streets of Stoke-on-Trent.

The Olympic Torch is being taken to some different places on its travels, it has been on Trains, Lifeboats, Canals, Aquaduct,s and today it gets taken up the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell  Bank

Jodrell Bank Telescope.

So That is about it for today, it is not a long Journal today as It is now 5.40 and I am all behind with everything today, but it has been a great day so I will sign off until tomorrow with the "Day in History" for today

Todays "Day in History" 31st May 1932

Relaxing Wednesday

Wednesday is here again and after yesterday it is nice to know that today is going to be a relaxing day, which is just as well as tomorrow is going to be another busy day. I went down to see Gervase and Leanne yesterday evening, had a nice couple of hours with them also Leanne,s dad Dave was there and he gave me a lift home afterwards so that was nice of him.

Gervase and Leanne

Breakfast

Well I had a very good nights sleep last night, it was a lot cooler last night so that helped also I was out for 3+ hours yesterday as well in the fresh air and was walking with the wheelchair for about an hour, anyway went to bed about 11.00 and woke about 6.30 so that was good, stayed dozing until 8.00 them made a move into the lounge with a coffee to wait for Jo the carer to arrive. Jo came at 8.30 and got be sorted and then was off to her next client so I got some " Fruit and Fibre for Breakfast and then sent the morning text to Pauline.

Pauline phones back and she is out on the common with Misty, which is an appropriate name for today as though it is cooler today and the skies are blue and the sun is shining down on the seafront it is a different story, Pauline said that she is on the common but cannot see the war memorial as it is very misty, you can see this by the Photo from the live web cam at Portsmouth harbour

Portsmouth Harbour at 9.00 am today

So it is time to see how the Olympic Torch Relay is progressing today, it is on day 12 today and is going from Chester to Stoke on Trent. here we can see it crossing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal where over 3000 people gathered to cheer it across.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal

Well the Mist is lifting now and the blue skies and Sun are appearing from behind the clouds which is a good thing as today there is a fly past by over HMS Illustrious at Portsmouth Dockyard to celebrate its 30th Birthday, its non stop fun here in Portsmouth. Lady Sarah Chatto, Daughter of the late Princess Margaret inspected the guard of honour.

HMS Illustrious at Portsmouth Naval Base

Well the day has passed very quickly and it has been a very relaxing day, I had a nice lunch of Salmon and Crisp Breads, and also a very nice Yoghurt, I have also spent some time working out the format for my new website I am working on " Myositis Awareness" I am planning on having this on line by the end of August. I have got the header graphic completed and also the logo.

The New Website Header Graphic

Waiting for the Olympic torch in Ironbridge

The time is now approaching 4.30 and it is time to pack up the computer and get ready for Pointless on BBC1 at %.15 and then dinner at 6.30. Tonight I am having a nice Rainbow trout fillet with Jersey Royal new Potato,s and cauliflower and broccoli in a nice Cheese Sauce, all freshly cooked. I am looking forward to that and then a nice evening in front of the TV. The Olympic torch is still being greeted by huge crowds as it makes its way towards Stoke on trent with large crowds in Ironbridge.

The last Picture for today is Todays "Day in History" todays date is the 30th May 1631 and took place in France.

Well I really must get this Journal posted today so until tomorrow I will say Au Revoir 

A busy Thursday Shopping.

A Hot Humid Night

Another Thursday dawns, and again it is a warm day but a lot more cloud today, apparently there is a chance of a shower or two today but that is going to be hit and miss according to the weather men. I was not a good nights sleep last night as it was very warm and humid so hopefully today will be a little cooler. anyway at 7.30 I decide to get up and make the coffee and go into the lounge ready for when Jo the carer arrives.

Pauline gets the Taxi.

Once Jo arrives at 8.30 she gets me washed and groomed and then she is on her way, I get some breakfast and then text Pauline, Pauline phones back to say she is just of to take Misty out for her walk and that she will book the Taxi for 10.45 to come and pick me up so that we can get out and get the prescriptions and the shopping.
So I go on to the Laptop and check the emails, Facebook and the Olympic Torch relay before getting shaved and dressed ready for when Pauline comes.

The Olympic torch relay is on to day 11 today going from Beaumaris in Wales to Chester, it has been on a couple of trains on its journey so far and today it spent 15 minutes  traveling along the Menai Strait on a RNLI  Lifeboat.

The Olympic Torch on the Menai Strait

True to her word Pauline arrives at 11.00 and once the Wheelchair and us are in the Taxi we are off to the Eastney Health Centre to drop of a repeat prescription for collection on Thursday and also to collect a prescription for some 1 mg Prednisolone tablets for the latest round of Tapering the dosage down.

Eastney Health centre and Doctors Surgery.

We get the prescription and then we are off down to commercial road where I need to get the banking done and then to boots the chemist to hand in the prescription for the Prednisolone, It will take 15 minutes to get ready so we go for a coffee and a Sausage roll in the precinct until the medication is ready to collect.

Boots the Chemist, Commercial Road, Portsmouth.

Once we have the Prescription and a couple of other bits from Boots the chemist we make our way over to Morrisons at the victory retail park, it is a short walk and we have t go through Sainsburys car park to get there so I wait in the Concourse to Sainsburys while Pauline goes in to see what they have in the Clothing Department.

Sainsburys 

While Pauline is in Sainsburys I sit out in the shade and read the Paper until Pauline re-appears, we then carry on across the car park and into the victory retail Park to get the shopping in Morrisons. I am feeling good today as when we were in the precinct I spent at least 45 minutes walking and pushing the wheelchair so that felt really good and Pauline has only had to push me from the precinct over to Morrisons as that was to far to walk and I felt that I needed to be sensible and not push myself to hard.

Victory Retail Park.

We are in Morrisons about an hour and then once we have finished I phone the Taxi to take us back home. once indoors we get the shopping put away and then we have a nice coffee, before pauline sorts out my laundry to take with her and then she is on her way home and I settle to get this Journal written up.
I have just checked the Local news website to find that the Portsmouth Based Destroyer HMS Diamond will officially start the nationwide Diamond Jubilee celebrations by firing a 21 Gun salute as it enters Portsmouth harbour on Friday morning.

HMS Diamond at Portsmouth Royal Navy Base.

And so that is another days Journal written and ready for Posting, it has been a busy but Enjoyable day today and I am looking forward to seeing my Son Gervase and Leanne this evening, so I will as usual leave you with the "Day in History" for the 29th May 1942 but why this happened in May I will never understand.

So until tomorrow Tatty Bye Everybody.

A Cloudy start today

A Good Nights Sleep

Well, there we are then, another weekend over and done with and it was the hottest weekend this year, It is so nice to see the sun and blue skies, the drawback is that it makes breathing more difficult for me, I do not have breathing problems as such with this myositis but it just gets a bit laboured if the weather is to hot and heavy with no breeze. It was a good nights sleep last night for some reason, probably because I had restless nights on Friday and Saturday and also last night it was not quite so hot and clammy.

First coffee.

Woke at about 6.45 this morning and lazed around with the TV news on until 7.45 when I made my way into the lounge with the first coffee of the day and watched the Breakfast news on BBC1 while I was waiting for Jo the carer who came at 8.30 and soon had me washed and groomed ready for the day in front of me, and then she was on her way, I sent the text to Pauline and then Got some Breakfast "porridge today" Pauline phoned so we had a chat and then I got the laptop up and running and checked out the emails and also facebook.

So there we are the start of Monday, and Today the weather has not started off as sunny and warm as it has the last few days, There is more cloud around this morning being blown inland from the sea.

The clouds are forming this morning

Where is my
Prednisolone ?

You can see how the clouds are forming by the photograph I took from my back yard this morning, but as the day progressed the sun and blue skies returned interspersed with the "White Fluffy Clouds".

Today is a day of rest as it is the day I start the next phase of tapering my Prednisolone. so that will be interesting to see how that goes. I had to phone the GP this morning to get him to write a prescription for some 1 mg Prednisolone Tablets so that will be collected tomorrow, as from today I will be on 2 mg/15 mg Prednisolone on alternative days for 1 month and then on 0 mg/15 mg Prednisolone on alternative days for 3 months until my next appointment with the Neurologist.

Well I have just been to check on how the Olympic Torch Relay is Progressing through wales and today it is day number 10 and the route is from Aberystwyth to Bangor. the Photograph below shows the Olympic torch in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.

Aberystwyth Ceredigion

So the Torch is well on its way now, and it is going on another train journey today on the Famous Ffestiniog Railway from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog.

Ffestiniog Railway

So the Olympic torch is heading in the right direction and also on schedule and still drawing in huge crowds as it makes it,s way through Wales. But of course it is not the only event taking place in England , yesterday was a busy day for the Armed forces, in Gosport at the Falklands Garden there was a Falklands War Commemoration  Ceremony, and at HMS Collingwood in Fareham the Portsmouth royal Navy base won back the "Brickwood Trophy" at the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Field Gun Competition.

Field Gun crew,s

But the Highlight of the local events was the "Naked Bike Ride" through Portsmouth. This is an annual event to show how vulnerable cyclists are on the road these days, there were 77 riders, and "NO" I was not one of them lol.

Naked Bike ride.

Oh what an exciting city we live in, what could be better than watching 77 naked people ride around the seafront, at least they had good weather for it, and apparently id did draw a large crowd ?????

Well there we are then the next item is to let everyone know that I am in the process of setting up a "Myositis Awareness" website. I will let everyone know more details when I have progressed further. the logo that I will use is shown below, this site will run in Tandem with my "Myositis in focus website" , but will differ in as much as it will be targeted to people who are unaware of Myositis and hopefully to make more people aware of how it affects us.

My Myositis Awareness Logo 

So That about wraps up the journal today. Just to say with all the "Mad" events taking place in and around Portsmouth Yesterday it seems that todays "Date in History" is appropriate. so untill tomorrow I will say Tatty bye for now.