I start my treatment for my HCL relapse this Thursday (17th Nov). It seems quite a long time since the initial warning signs were found in my annual check-up in July, but as bizarre as it sounds, it’s good to finally have a start date, because, a start date, means an end date! I am facing 6 months of fortnightly chemotherapy (at the Lister in Stevenage) – where I will be given Pentostation by IV drip. This is a very…
Another year, another holiday in the UK. We’d planned to go abroad and were looking at Split in Croatia but I couldn’t get travel insurance (more on that below). MrsQ put out a request for recommendations on Facebook and received lots of replies. We chose to do a 2 location trip, with very different accommodation at each! Shepherds Hut Yes, we went “glamping” for 3 nights at a location just outside Tisbury in Wiltshire, a Shepherds Hut with nearby kitchen…
I made the trip back to Waterford earlier this month to catch the National Youth Orchestra concert. The main reason was to see my nephew Adam play (in the trumpet section of course), but there was a bonus secondary reason, I got to see Gearoid Grant conduct them on his farewell tour. I played in the Junior Youth Orchestra (see below) under Gearoid in the mid to late 80’s. He is inspirational today as he was all those years ago,…
Having domestic Solar Energy is something that I always had in mind as a house owner, originally more a contribution to being more environmentally friendly rather than as a pure cost saving benefit. However, as we know with recent domestic energy price rises (how are those profits and tax cuts that the Energy Companies are enjoying sitting with you???) the cost has obviously come in to play, however, this wasn’t necessarily the driver at the time of ordering. One of…
Better late then never, so sorry for not getting around to this sooner, but thank you to those of you who donated to my fundraiser connected with this event. Total raised this year was just short of £600 which is fantastic. Again, thank you on behalf of Blood Cancer UK and myself. The Preparation A 100 mile ride does take some preparation in terms of planning the day before & the day itself. Training started in mid March which included…
I am delighted to announce that I will be riding in Ride London – Essex 2022 raising funds for Blood Cancer UK again. This is my 4th time participating in the event and my second time raising funds for Blood Cancer UK having been diagnosed the summer following my first ride. I originally had a place on the pandemic Ride London – Surrey event which would have been on the “traditional course”. This years event sees the ride head out…
Finally, some concerts in the diary… hopefully, no more COVID related cancellations! The Brass Foundry – February 13th The Brass Foundry was setup last summer as a group to explore the capabilities of a larger Symphonic Brass Ensemble, and to try out arrangements that it’s founder, Edward Solomon had completed during lock down. Initially, a rehearsal group but it gathered momentum with the naming of the group, and formalising group objectives and rehearsal schedule. Initially, due to debut as a…
Because of you know what, trips back to Waterford to catch up with family were put on hold for a while. Since the start of this pandemic, let’s just say, it’s been an eventful time for both my family and in-laws. Thankfully, now all is good. Travel bans during the pandemic also curtailed gatherings for a few big birthdays and anniversaries too back in Waterford (in addition to a postponed in-law wedding, and stag do of course… 🙂 ) ,…
20th June was the day, with Potters Bar band in Hatfield House .. 463 days from last live gig.. or.. 1 Year, 3 months and 6 days.. or.. 15 Months and 6 days.. Yes, we opened up with Barnard Castle March. Few future gigs in the calender now too as things open up for outdoor, and some indoor socially distant concerts. 11th July – Hitchin Band – Borehamwood Bandstand From 3pm – Meadow Park, Borehamwood 18th July – Hitchin Band…
Have we just had our last free Thursday night (all brass bands I’ve ever played with, rehearsed on Thursday night..)? Well, until yesterday’s press conference by you know who, I was more positive, let’s see, its go go go for now. At Hitchin Band we will be back to Thursday night, socially distant rehearsals from May 20th. There have been a few small group out doors gatherings but they are not for me really. We did do (potentially) our final…
