Hobbling Chester fan

This blog has become a series of posts detailing my illnesses and misfortunes it seems, so I don't want to disappoint you dear reader. The sun is beating down outside as I write this, but it surely cannot last, actually, it won't, just checked the forecast.

Month started with a hospital appointment for the broken bone in hand, was a waste of time as the break was a month before, basically it will heal mostly on it's own, but do still have a small lump of bone, which, apparently should diminish over time. The hand is more or less ok now, other than a bit of stiffness, still, if I was a boxer it might be a problem!

Went to Leven by train, walked to the Railway Inn in Lower Largo and back, it is a nice coastal stretch in good weather and the rail link to Leven is great, but I'm sure I've said that before. Went again to Leven for steak pie at the Windsor a few days ago, alas the great food there is soon to stop for whatever reason.

Near the middle of the month my next issue arose- a horrible gout attack on the big toe joint on the right foot! I was basically disabled for 2 days, but amazingly got a doctor appointment and hobbled into the surgery. Got 3 different drugs which made it possible to walk with discomfort within 2 days. That was just as well as I had to get bus to Manchester on that day, at least that was the plan, but as I waited for train to Edinburgh on morning of the 15th, I got a message saying Flixbus was cancelled! So I had to rebook on a bus to Leeds, then got train to Chester from there, total stress! The normal train from Edinburgh to Chester wasn't available due to rail works. 

The week in Chester was again very good, this time with Clemens instead of Oliver. Third time in a row in the same cottage next to the city walls. The time went very quickly and much ale was drunk, though maybe not up to my usual standard because of previously mentioned medications. Was in Manchester, also in Wrexham during the time in Chester, Wrexham isn't up to much so should have got train along North Wales coast to more scenic areas. The pubs in Chester superb as always, surely won't be my last visit, we'll see. 

Made my steps target despite the gout attack, I was lucky really as had the attack been even a day or two later I probably couldn't have travelled at all. I am due for a blood test at doctor in a week or so, we'll see what that brings. 

I really should be out the garden cutting the ivy on a day like this, but had a couple of beers and I cannot be bothered. Both budgies seem happy enough, they don't like winter, but sunny days remind them of their Australian homeland I'm sure.

Here a few photos, a fat bore outside the Fat Boar in Wrexham, a view of the cottage from the Chester city walls, and the famous Chester clock, apparently the second most photographed clock in the UK. 

Sober old shatterhand

I injured my hand end of last/start of this month, no big fall or anything, relatively minor bang, thought it was just sprained or so, but the days and weeks pass and it is now confirmed to be a metacarpal break in bone leading to right hand ring finger. Right hand! So that has been a pain in the arse, and made wiping it almost impossible,  the pain is bearable now, though a bit uncomfortable. Was at hospital for an x-ray on Friday and will be referred to Orthopedics at the Vic Hospital in Kirkcaldy, it will likely need an operation as it's hardly a fresh break. We'll see how things go.

In other news, month started in Edinburgh for the Nigel Havers stand-up show, was good, stayed in the Premier Inn near the Royal Mile afterward, booked in advance so was a reasonably good deal, though the check-in was a farce with the self service machines not working and a foreign guy with little customer service skills manually checking us in, but got there in the end. 

A few days later Molly the dachshund arrived in the flat for about a 9 day stay, she was no problem at all, and thanks to her the steps target was fairly easily reached this month. Went the usual routes with her, mostly toward the Binn and back the field, was good exercise for us both.

Daniella from Potsdam was staying in Kinghorn for over a week so saw her a few times in pub, not that she was staying in the flat, she drove herself around Scotland as she's a big fan, shame about the blown tyre in the middle of nowhere though! 

For the first time this year I cut the grass, well I cut half as my hand was playing up, will finish the job when we get a couple of dry days. Sheena downstairs had her ivy cut back, was quoted a high sum for doing so, I turned down the quote as it's the council should be doing it for free. Might eventually go to lawyer about it soonish, have to change my Will anyway.

Work has been ok, I put a request to only get early shifts and it was accepted, though doesn't apply to Bank Holidays however, and there 2 of them in May, so will see. Am happy enough with my designated desk at work, think I have a reputation for being difficult :-) 

Been off the booze since 5 March, been drinking Guinness 0.0 when in the pub, it's actually not that bad, costs the same as real beer too. Will probably get boozing again on Easter Monday as a month would have passed by then. The week after that I'll be heading down to Chester, and knowing Clemens, my liver will be under severe attack. 

Until the next one dear reader! Here a few photos taken this month..

Stalingrad muddy monstrosity

This has taken me by surprise a bit as I thought I had more time, but the second month of 2026 is now almost over!

I made my step target a couple of days back as I knew it would be a challenge, in other words going out in crap weather to be a autistic step obsessive. 

Whisky played a part, on the 12th Feb I was at the Crown's whisky evening, then on the 19th was at Johnnie Walker experience in Edinburgh which was fine also.

The story mostly is stress, I am now in full knowledge of facts regarding my father's estate, wrote this before, but there will be big changes now.  I have a smaller family. Maybe I will post here the true picture, just not right now. I will be off the booze for a month before next weekend as it's a tradition. Looking forward to Chester already! Here are a couple of photos that I wish didn't exist, the end of the carpark in Stalingrad , sorry Kirkcaldy, and the horrible muddy mess that someone who doesn't want walkers passing through near Kinghorn Golf Course. Nothing deters me however! 

At work I have a flexible working request in, we'll see as I am relaxed about leaving the place if rejected.

Tomorrow I have off from work, Nigel Havers awaits in Edinburgh!!

Molly old buggered lungs Oban

Hello dear reader, not been the best of months as was ill from the new year for about 3 weeks, what I thought was a head cold went into my lungs and a course of antibiotics from chemist didn't clear it, so actually got a Dr appointment and was given stronger drugs, which has been mostly successful as lungs much better now. Was off work too, so not all bad. I think my main health issue has become insomnia, basically waking up in middle of night then being unable to sleep again, my use of games on my phone (have a Royal Kingdom team and also a Golf Clash one) is taking too much of my time up and is taking away relaxing time. 

Added to this is family stress, my father's will is causing a lot of stress, especially as he left a will not designed for harmony, most unlike him, yeah sarcasm there. I will not go into details on this forum, but money brings out the worst in people, the very worst.  You think you know people, but then they are only out for themselves by being devious and manipulative. Disappointing for sure. 

Looked after Molly the dachshund again for a couple of days, she is no problem, just got to keep an eye out that you don't step on her in such a small flat!

To try to destress we went to Oban for a couple of nights, only got back a couple of hours ago. A nice place, but a bit cold to undertake trips to the islands, instead the local pubs and restaurants were visited. Had meant to do the distillery tour, but didn't get round to it this time, will certainly go back when weather is warmer. 

Yes, I am now even older than I was, have resigned myself to being an old duffer now, got the flat cap and everything. You find people who you think ancient are not that much older than you, oh well, better than being deid I suppose. 

As always, here a couple of photos taken this month, two featuring my gorgeous pus, the other is from the ruins of cottages at the Rodanbraes, not far from Kinghorn Loch, if the walls could talk..

Oh, I made my steps target yesterday, no runs at all this month though, my lungs just weren't having it. Hope the rest of the year gets better. 

Auld Reekie visitor

 Another year almost over, goodbye 2025. 

Not been too eventful for me to be honest so a short update this time. I made my 200k steps target yesterday so was not incredibly active, but not a couch potato either.

Went to Auld Reekie a couple of times this month, the last time a couple of days ago, had meant to visit Xmas market, but the general pubs of Edinburgh were mostly visited. It's an expensive city, but no December is complete without a pub crawl or two there! Have plan to visit there again maybe on this coming Saturday, the Johnnie Walker experience might be visited, or plans will change and will end up on a train back home pie-eyed with a kebab in the hand. 

Took the train along to Leven today, there is a great pub with nice steak pies, cheap too, the train line to Leven is a great thing, but I mentioned that before. Talking of trains a trip to Oban for end of January has been booked, £19 return again, hotel for two nights under £100, not bad at all.

My father's estate is still not settled, this should be sorted in January though, an absolute disgrace it has dragged on, the lawyers are bandits and well see if we take action against them. Does an estate really need to take all this time? The Queen's took much less and we're not talking about a multi-million fortune here!

Not going out to pub later, working tomorrow, early start, so maybe a couple more drinks before hitting my bed and lights out around 8pm hopefully. I worked over Christmas too, it's ok, hopefully not too icy tomorrow like it was this morning. 

Here a couple of photos taken this month, wore the jumper and Santa hat to the pub on Xmas day after coming back from work...mirror has been cleaned since.

See you next year!

Molly Mallaig

This update is sponsored by Acnecide zit cream, well not really, but my puberty is dragging on and the cheap razor I bought came back to haunt me as it basically pulled the hairs out, ok I have an electric too, but you miss bits when using it. Anyway, it causes spots, a couple of beauties that are probably worth naming are nearing the end of their natural lives..

Well, canne remember November is almost over, and I did my best, but probably not completely pissed on some days, a pubertal geriatric I am becoming! 

Took the train up to Mallaig, was great, though to get the ferry to the islands wasn't available on the day, will go back as just £19 return is available now and then to old people like me. It's a beautiful train journey from Glasgow to Mallaig, the windows on the train needed cleaning though so probably not many stunning pictures. 

Looked after the gorgeous Molly the dachshund again, Paul and Sharon neighbours, were away a couple of days, it's no bother, such a wee stunning beauty. 

If I could abolish one month it would be November, but I made my steps target despite the rubbishy weather, got my Xmas rota, was not too bad, working most festive days, but early, could be worse. Note to self - don't be in this job next time. 

Not feeling festive, was through in Edinburgh a few days ago to see the film Nuremberg, was ok, Russell Crowe good, but the twisting of history is to be expected in the woke dictatorship the west has become.  

Chilling now after a couple of days at the coalface...here a few photos, as always taken in the month I post in..doggie at mine, katzchen up farm, Mallaig and Kinghorn.



 

Sober calendar boy

Been looking forward to Halloween all month, chiefly because it's the last day of sober October that I was forced into. Normally I do a month off in March/April time, not normally at this time of year which is depressing enough in my opinion. Still, saved some money and lost 2.5kg or so. It's actually not that difficult, but I missed a lot of gossip in the pub as was only there about 3 times all month, actually just returned from there right now, but only a Guinness 0.0 was partaken of. Actually did have a lapse on 19 October, but only because I had intended stopping it then, then changed mind as hadn't intended doing the full 31 days, so I'll count it as a month. 

I didn't take many pictures at all this month, just been walking, with a bit of running, the usual routes, nothing of massive interest happened, wasn't even in Kirkcaldy town centre let alone further afield. Got my 200K steps fairly easily as the weather wasn't too bad most of the time.

One of my photos, taken months ago, has made it on to an official calendar. It was taken with my phone, nothing fancy, so was surprised to be honest, first time ever that's happened! I got a free copy of the calendar for my efforts so will post a pic here. 

Heading up the western highlands on Tuesday by train, heading to Mallaig for a couple of nights, then back again. The train ticket cost only £19 return per person, it's on offer that's on a couple of times a year for those holding the Club 50 railcard, not bad, we'll see how it goes. Will be passing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous from the Harry Potter films, probably only get a reasonable view of it on the return journey as it will likely be dark when we cross on the outbound journey. The train takes hours but is one of the most scenic. 

Not inspired to write much more, as it's been uneventful, work is much the same, never really satisfied with the shifts, but they could be worse, I think I write about leaving every year at this time, but we'll see what the Xmas rota is like before making decisions. 

Here are a couple of photos, the one on the calendar was taken a few months ago, the other one of the Kissing Trees this month. The other photo shows a sold sign outside my father's old house, I won't see a penny of it and his estate is still not settled after 2 and a half years, don't get me started..