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.