Sanders Blog

Sunday, 20th July, 2025

Rained over night again. Lovely and warm and the grass is greening back up already. There are hospipe bans in some parts of the country although not in ours. Their introduction so often provokes heavy rain. I don’t think we’ve ever had a ban down here in the 9+ years we’ve lived here.

It’s going to be another very busy week. This morning, by 10.00 am, I had done the Check-in for our flights to Athens, downloaded the Boarding Passes to our smartphones and printed paper copies as back ups. I then drove to Rustington for shopping. My Carer needs new sunglasses. She bought her last pair about 20 years ago in Oldham. Didn’t know they’d heard of sunglasses in Oldham. Anyway, we went to Specsavers this morning. Quite a few pairs to choose from ranging from £70.00 – £120.00. After about 20 mins prevarication, a pair were chosen. When we went to have them fitted, we were told the sunglasses were for prescription lenses only. That saved some money although I think we will be going to Next next.

On to Grapetree for bags of Pine Nuts to make Pesto with Basil from the Garden. Drove home via the beach and sea garden. Lovely colours even if not sunny yet.

Got walking to do, resolving the distribution of investment funds in time for a meeting on Monday morning. On Tuesday, I have an Oncology Clinician Review. On Wednesday, I have a blood test for INR calibration. On Thursday, we are driving up to Surrey to meet up with M&K and to see if Colin has settled into his new accommodation. Fortunately, the weather is set to be lovely this weekend so it may be a bit more relaxing.

Monday, 21st July, 2025

Rain again over night but now dry, warm and sunny. I like this organisation. Had quite an intense evening preparing for my financial meeting this morning. Even so, I had a blinding flash of enlightenment at 3.30 am and couldn’t wait to get up to amend my proposals. Still, I fought the instinct and did a fevered hour of work before going out for a 9.30 am meeting.

My Brother-in-Law, Colin, moves into his new accomodation today. It will be a tricky situation for M&K to manage. While out in Littlehampton, we are going to buy him yet another jar of old fashioned sweets that he loves. We will be going up to Surrey to see him on Thursday and the sweets may smooth the meeting.

Always like to drive past the beach when I’m out and it was looking lovely, lonely and colourful this morning. At 10.30 am, it was sunny, 22C/70F, with fleecy white clouds decorating the blue sky. The smell of the sea was delicious.

Do you remember Premium Bonds, Dear Reader? They immediately remind me of the 1950s. We had some bought for us by our Grandfather. I haven’t a clue what happened to them. Actually Premium Bonds were introduced in 1956 and managed by National Savings & Investments to help fund post-war rebuilding of the country.

The return isn’t guarranteed but monthly prizes of £1 million downwards are awarded each month and the statistics for the likely return make it quite relateable to other Easy Access accounts. I’m going to buy £20,000 worth of Premium Bonds and keep them for a minimum of 6 months. If you follow the Blog, you will find out if the winnings are worth it. One of the reasons why I’m choosing to do this is because all winnings are tax-free and one can liquidise them instantly.

I have tied most of our capital up in Fixed Rate (tax-free) ISAs over one year and two years plus Fixed Rate Bonds over one and two years as well but the latter are taxable and money can’t be withdrawn before maturity. I will be 76 by that time. We have a number of Easy Access accounts but they are taxed so Premium Bonds will be a fun account to run for a while.

Tuesday, 22nd July, 2025

Incredibly warm night. I’m going to be proactive in researching the best air-conditioning units for our house. It’s got to be in by next Summer. My wife is concerned about the aesthetics of them so that will be a central consideration – possibly.

I don’t know what you think of these units, Dear Reader. Personally, I don’t really care what they look like as long as they are not too intrusive and perform their function well.

At 9.00 am, I had a face-to-face meeting with the Oncology Team commuted to a phone call for some spurious reason so that they could work from home. I’d had a 6 monthly blood test and the report was that my PSA was excellent at 0.21 and my Testosterone was back to normal. (I could have told her that.) I will have another test and a full body scan when I return from a month in Tenerife at the beginning of December. My Prostate Specific Antigen level was 7.0 when my cancer was identified. It fell to 0.23 when the cancer had ‘gone’ and has continued to bump along the bottom ever since which is very reassuring.

It is a week since we returned from Spain. I enthused about it in the Blog and wrote that we always treated the properties we rented with the respect that we would our own home. Imagine how shocked I was when I received this Whatsapp message yesterday.

We had to pay the normal, refundable fee as insurance against damages. In this case, it was €150.00. That was the last of my worries. I want to return to the property I really enjoyed it and didn’t want ill feeling. I immediately contacted the Agent who investigated and, within the hour, apologised for confusing us with renters of a different property. The money was refunded immediately. Fortunately, that incident has made our relationship with the company even stronger and will help us in our next booking.

Managed to get a walk in for an hour and then back home to meet the Samsung Delivery. Incredible process. We ordered a new, all singing/all dancing Washing Machine and a heat pump dryer on Sunday evening. It is being delivered today. We even traded in our old dryer for £100.00 which was nice. The deliverers will take it away. On Friday, we have a local craftsman coming to redesign the Utility Room and install the new appliances. He is also going to fit 4 more power sockets because so many household tools are recharged there.

Wednesday, 23rd July, 2025

Spent most of yesterday thinking it was Sunday. Looks like Dementia is really setting in. You will know that the philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard, observed

Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.

and he was right. Our History is just as important as our Future but I was taking it too far yesterday. Mind

I’ve got an Office Day today although a number of other events will fit round it. First, I have to go out and donate another armful of blood for my INR testing. Then the weekly Sainsbury‘s shop. I got caught in an absolute cloudburst yesterday which soaked me to the skin in seconds but means I don’t have to do any garden watering for a few days.

At least it’s sunny here today and, joy of joys, my Travelling Companion has found sunglasses that ‘slightly’ please her at Boot Opticians. Well, they were satsfactory enough to have two pairs for different occasions.

I’ve driven to a shop to return two more dresses that my Carer has rejected, talked to some old friends in Greater Manchester, Leeds and the Yorkshire coast, done an 8 mile walk and my main task today is to renew my Financial Records document. This is a financial parachute for when I die. The last thing I want is for my wife to be scrabbling around for finance or waiting for Probate to move forward with her life when I die. The document tells her exactly what to do in the event of my death to release financial support immediately.

If I am frozen in time, understanding backwards, what must be lived forwards, this photo illustrates my dilemma perfectly. Just 53 years ago today, I was young. Where were you, Dear Reader? Sorry.

Of course, Dear Reader, Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Twenty years ago, I had an Office Day in Greece. I had taken a new computer with me and was installing software and writing Blogs. The weather was hotter. The internet was slower. I was younger but I was doing the same things.

Thursday, 24th July, 2025

Today is a drive to Surrey to visit M&K and then go on to see Colin’s new accomodation in palatial Surrey. It’s a lovely, warm and sunny day so it should be fun. Let you know later.

I have spent a bitter-sweet day in a swanky Care Home costing £2000.00 per week but still a Care Home. The care is desperately needed and the home absolutely lovely but, if you’re the patient, it takes some accepting. M has done everything imaginable to ease the passage from home to care but nothing is easy.

The problem with Dementia patients is that they don’t really know their limitations or not all of the time. C described it as a comfortable prison which demonstrates the dichotomy of understanding. That phrase crystallises the dilemma. In mid-term, patients have moments when clarity of their crisis is obvious but most of the time they are unaware of their own vulnerability. Their loved ones have to take heed of both.

C&K are paying a fortune for the privilege of providing C with restaurant dining that includes a choice of wine but the Care includes the control of restricted movement for those who can’t look after their own safety.

We drove home with existentially heavy hearts. Will this happen to me? Don’t let this happen to me, Dear Reader, I implore you … and yet, what can we do? Meeting our own reality is all. I need to see …

Friday, 25th July, 2025

Another week is drawing to a close. It has been another significant one. This time last week the funeral of my Sister in Law took place. If any such occasion can be described as successful, the day was a success. M&K organised it very well and balanced the events with delicacy and aplomb. I am an Historian and like to record, store the records of the day.

I put up photos from P’s life that featured in displays on the day and M&K have been kind enough to provide me with copies of their eulogies they delivered at the service. I include them here for future reference. Here you can open M’s Eulogy in full and K’s Eulogy in full.

The aphorism: Death is Final has never been really true. I have found the images of history populating my mind all week. They fade over time but they rarely go away and return particularly in anniversaries. The browned and crumbling edges of a Wedding photograph from 1956 remain and deserve record although how many idiots like me will ever look at them is hard to judge.

While going through her Mother’s things – one of the heart wrenching processes so many of us have to do on these occasions – M found a surprising record P had kept in Diary form. Born 20 years later, she might have been a Blogger. A find that delighted me was of postcards we sent from our Greek travels in the last Century. (Just let the cadence and significance of that sentence linger.) The last Century ages us all.

These are experiences that have marked my life. They have made me the old man I have become. I don’t regret a single moment of them although perhaps I ought to. The cards are of a different time – from the early 1980s to the end of the 1990s. From there, internet, email and mobile phones took over.

Each one triggers particular memories and records elements of life’s rich moving tableau. Currently, I am still accute enough to recall those experiences in the glorious fusion of the senses.

We first arrived in Greece in 1981 and in Sifnos in 1982. The last card I posted from there was in 1999. A lot changed in that time. Arriving as a naive, young man trying to learn the language to a buying a farmer’s field and employing an architect to design our house. The island was growing, almost imperceptibly, around us and with us.

At one point, we decided we should see the rest of Greece and started doing time on Sifnos but also staying on other islands as well. We did, Zakynthos (Zante), Kerkyra (Corfu), Naxos, Milos, Andros, Kimolos, Kythnos, Paros, Serifos, Folegandros (featured above), Rhodes, Kos, Symi, Nisyros and Syros

Saturday, 26th July, 2025

Yesterday was a day of renewal. We have been married for 47 years and yesterday I threw out one item from those days. Just as M is realising with her Mother’s things in preparing the house for sale, you just have to be ruthless. Much as you’d like, you can’t hang on to everything.

In the early days, I bought my wife an ice cream machine. Almost 50 years ago they were quite novel and expensive. They were also bloody heavy. I bought this at John Lewis in the centre of Manchester – I think it was Market Street. – and I had to carry it back to the car parked in Kendall’s carpark on Deansgate. I was shattered and sweating when I got there. I nearly hailed a taxi half way. In recent years, it hasn’t been used much other than a Christmas tradition but the facility is nice to have and real, homemade, double cream ice cream makes commercial stuff look pointless. I can feel a new one being ordered.

Yesterday, renewal took another form. We had a fitter in to remove the built in laundry machines, restructure the space and install two new machines. The old ones have been in since the beginning of 2016 without problem. They were still working fine but 10 years is average for those sorts of machines and the latest models are much better so out with the old and in with the new.

The Dryer was traded in with Samsung but the washer has been junked. It is standing by the garage in the garden to be collected by the Local Authority next week. Good service and quite quick response. It is pleasing to find that is available. I took the old ice cream maker to the Recycle Centre myself and said Goodbye to it.

The new machines are hi-tec, controlled from my smartphone and even say Hello to me when I switch them on. I’m going to train them to send me texts at bedtime. They play a tune when the turn off. They are so computer controlled that I am in danger of having to do the Laundry myself. Hadn’t thought of that. Washing clothes brings a frisson of danger! I like that.

One of my adopted daughters from school is 46 today. Hard to believe her kids have graduated from University and it is 30 years since I was driving her to Scarborough for the day. There are some things – people – who are irreplaceable.

Sunday, 13th July, 2025

Up early after a late night. Out early on what is forecast to be an extremely hot day. By 10.00 am, I had done an 8 mile walk and a 30 mins swim. I have earned the right to watch the morning political programmes on a day when I want to watch the Test Match and, maybe, the Men’s Tennis Final. A lot of sitting down needs to be compensated for.

I walked down to the deserted cove of Cala Piteras which, by 8.00 am, was 29C/84F without the hint of a breeze. A few early morning joggers drifted sweatily past me and a couple of dog walkers but, otherwise, I had it to myself.

We have noticed that the further we walk away from the residential area our villa is in, the scruffier surroundings become.

I was shocked to read of the chaos in central Spain yesterday. A real weather event with torrential rain and flooding. Originally, I had intended to drive to Spain in a trip which would have seen us breaking our drive half way between Santander and Murcia by staying in Zaragoza over night. Above the video shows the incredible scenes there yesterday. Quite astonishing compared with our coastal conditions.

What did I do on my holiday? I planned for my funeral. My Carer, who knows I haven’t got much longer, has told me I must seriously consider planning my funeral arrangements. Burial or Cremation? As a Historian, I have always thought a burial with headstone was important. But that was in times of limited dislocation of families. There is a private graveyard in Repton where members of my family are buried. I could be buried there but why? I don’t want people worrying about visiting a geographical spot, maintaining a piece of marble, feeling responsible. I am an atheist. I don’t want to be laid in consecrated ground.

I will be incinerated and scattered to the winds. I don’t want to inconvenience anyone although I will insist on forcing those who have featured in my life to live up to their responsibilities. No one will feel subsequently responsible. I have no children living. I do not want my wife to worry about my upkeep. All are invited to this fun party!

Monday, 14th July, 2025

Up at 6.00 am and out at 7.00 on a sultry morning. Walking down to the sea, a lovely breeze got up. So refreshing. It’s strange how the more you do a route to walk, the quicker you cover it and feel like you do. Today, I was back before I began to feel properly tired.

Shower, swim, jacuzzi, shower, coffee & croissants and newspapers. Immediately, I was confronted by this news. Yesterday it was floods in central Spain and today it is quite a serious earthquake about 150 miles away from us. And still life goes on serenely here.

Actually, today is our last full one for this visit but we’ve already decided we will come back. This place is delightful and the property has been so comfortable. We will return for at least a month next time. We fly from Murcia International in mid-morning. A taxi is booked to collect us here at 7.30 am and it takes about an hour to the airport. We like to check in early and get through Security while it’s quiet. We get to Gatwick just after 1.00 pm and, with no bags to wait for and our car ready and waiting, we should be home just after 2.00 pm.

I’m watching the Test Match in its final day with England looking likely to win. Jofra Archer has returned to from a lengthy period of injury and made a major contribution. This morning he has taken a wonderful caught & bowled. My Housekeeper is working round me – probably to make me feel guilty. Cleaning, cooking, washing, ironing and packing – all her favourite hobbies.

We always treat properties and leave them the way we like to find them. Clean & tidy, bins emptied and with basic provisions restocked. We know the official cleaners will be in but it feels good to do the right thing and we will be back. We will be leaving quite a few things because of the airport restrictions. Liquids have to be contained in 100 mls bottles. Our Sun Screen and After Sun lotions will remain to benefit the next occupants. Lots of other things in the kitchen and bathrooms that we buy to make life bearable will do another month for someone.

This has been an absolutely wonderful time. Hard to remember a trip more satisfying for a long time, Dear Reader. And England won the Test. What more can one ask for? Life goes on …. for now.

Tuesday, 15th July, 2025

Up at 6.00 am on a hot and stuffy morning. Time to finish last minute packing, have a drink and pack away the property. My EasyJet App tells me our flight has a one hour delay which is annoying but at least we know before going to the airport. We won’t land at Gatwick now until 2.00 pm but it is not the end of the world. Life goes on.

Digital Newspapers downloaded to get us through the airport wait. Unfortunately, Murcia International is too small to have an Exec. Lounge but quiet enough to cope without it.

Arrived at the Airport around 9.00 am and went straight through Security while it was quiet. There isn’t much Airside so we ensconced ourselves in the very un-Spanish Costa Coffee. The good news is that our flight has clawed back time and we are now only delayed by 20 mins. It may be a homely airport but 2 cups of coffee and a bottle of water (all served with a delightful smile) still cost us an eye watering 12.35 euros /£10.70.

The flight home was really lovely. Short, comfortable and happy. Walk off the plane. Shuttle to Long Stay Carpark. Drive home with a Political Podcast playing to distract me. Glorious! Back home, the garden has survived wonderfully. Off to Sainsburys for milk and other essentials. Home for a bottle of iced Champagne to celebrate another successful trip. Our first meal of the day – Salmon and Asparagus with new potatoes from our garden. I’m thinking of those I have loved and missed.

I have continued the tradition of sending myself a postcard. It will go in the lifelong collection. I sent them to others in the hope of continuing the connection. Some are pleased and some not. My dear friend, Caroline from Saddleworth made me cry with her reply. She has been to Newquay where a failed marriage proposal marked the rest of her life. Poor girl. I feel for her and her plight. It destroyed her life. Life is cruel – full of cruel people!

Wednesday, 16th July, 2025

Lovely warm and sunny morning. I’m out early for my Biannual PSA/Hormone blood test. I have a review on Tuesday with the Oncology Department at Worthing Hospital. A lovely girl at the surgery took an armful of blood. I will have the results in my app by tomorrow morning. I have to book another blood test next week to cover my INR. I feel very healthy but I sound like I’m on my way out.

I hope I live because I would like to repeat the experience I have just had abroad. I was surprised how much I loved it. The only problem is going to be when to fit it in. I booked via the Booking.com platform this time. I’ve used them many times before and get a considerable discount on that basis. They flatteringly call people like me who have used them many times a Genius and I am currently a Genius Level 3. They can flatter me as much as they like. I only care about the discount it affords me and the guarantee of the quality I get.

The lovely property we rented and which made the whole experience so enjoyable is actually managed by a company called Casas Holiday Mediterraneo SL. I have no particular allegiance to any of them other than ones which help me. I will consider directly contacting Jennifer – the girl from the Management Company – to see if she can offer me a further discount on the Booking.com one. I made sure I got her card before leaving and I will be using it as we plan our return.

However I proceed, I’m going to be spending a lot of money on travel over the next 12 months. I am already committed to time in the North of England and a month in Tenerife. I am currently planning a Thessaloniki – Athens – Sifnos – Athens trip in the next Summer time and so it goes on. It’s not a cheap business.

Inflation has risen again this month to 3.6% partly on the increased costs of travel. Fortunately, interest rates are still positive even though a large number of mine are maturing from a 2 year fixed rate of around 6.1%. I got home from Spain to a series of maturity notices that had made me £25,000 which is better than a poke in the eye and will help next year’s bookings.

A rise in inflation is more likely to keep interest rates higher for longer which is good news for people looking to lock in long term savings. Economists expect the inflation rate to fall back to the Bank of England target rate of 2% over the next year so a fix will continue to make positive contributions to my travel plans and, maybe, a new car in another year.

It was a wonderful time away but it is lovely to be back home. The July garden is bountiful and it will take us a few days too collect things in- today in a delightfully warm 24C/75F and sunny conditions we have picked more than 3kgs of Green Beans with double that to come. When they’ve all been picked, the bushes will be desperate to flower and fruit again and again until the frosts. The Basil will make more Pesto tomorrow than we can ever eat and the Parsley has gone so mad I may have to open a market stall.

Thursday, 17th July, 2025

A warm night and a very warm morning. Up early because there is so much to do. It’s one of the downsides of going away. There is always so much that builds up to get done. Tomorrow is committed completely to the funeral of Pauline’s sister. Today, we are scrabbling around to complete jobs. First the car needs valeting but I just haven’t got time to do it myself so I’ve gone out to have it done for me. It feels lazy but has to be done. It looks great when I pick it up. Better than I can do.

I’m loving this car which I’ve had for almost 10 months now but I’m keeping my eye on developments for the next range. They are quite radical and totally electric. They are exciting but need acclimatising to. I expect I’ve got another year before I move.

Before going out, I found time to break the Shark Vacuum for the second time and scan in a few more photos for the ceremony’s display tomorrow.

Before the end of the day, I have to do my exercise, mow all the lawns down the street, tidy up the back garden, reset the auto-watering system and cut all the Basil for my Housekeeper to make Pesto. I also have to lift some potatoes and harvest the Parsley for washing, chopping and freezing. So, a quiet day really.

EE, my mobile provider, gives me full use of my contract in Europe – with one exception which I forgot. They charge for the use of emojis and photos in texts. I sent my friend lots of emojis in texts which cost nothing in UK but 87p each in Europe. Now I am left with a bill to explain. Fortunately my Housekeeper has run up another bill by contacting her English relations on their USA phones and that has cost her a fortune. We are equal.

My Patients Know Best contact has told me that my blood test found my Testosterone reading is at the top of the range for my age. I knew it. Don’t want to boast but I just had a feeling …. Dear Reader.

Friday, 18th July, 2025

Up early on a hot and humid morning. Didn’t sleep well last night. Woke at 3.30 am and listened to a political podcast from the Newsagents. Up early this morning because we are driving to Surrey to attend Phyllis’ funeral. We will have to drive through rush hour traffic on the M25 so need to add lots of time.

I tried my dark suit on yesterday and, to my horror, it is far too big. I look like a shrunken, little old man in a large, dark bag. Nothing I can do about it but it’s not about me so few will notice. First time I’ve worn shiny, leather shoes for months. I live in trainers. And a tie? Haven’t worn one for so long. What a day to pick to start again – hot, humid, sweaty, uncomfortable 32C/90F. At least the car is clean.

Although it was a day of dark suits and sad memories, it was also a chance to meet again lots of contacts. Super-slim Richard was there with his daughter. Colin’s sister-in-Law and her son and grandchildren – lovely people. It was nice to be with young people again. I chauffeured two of them in the back of my car and it was quite rejuvenating. They know nothing about anything but everything about nothing. I have forgotten what a delight kids can be and how funny, idealistic and bonkers they are. They made me feel old. They made me want kids.

It was incredibly hot out there after the service particularly in a suit and tie but that was the order of the day. I had a long drive ahead of me home so I was restricted to sparkling water which did me good.

Mandy & Kieron did an excellent job of arrangement and management. They could not have been more able in their planning and execution of the day. They are lovely, thoughtful and intelligent people who have taken their responsibilities very seriously and they haven’t been easy to juggle. Mandy gave a heartfelt assessment of her Mum’s contribution to her life – not an easy thing to do under extremely emotional circumstances. Kieron wrote and delivered a thoughtful summary of Phyllis’ Life. I actually found myself moved by both. It reminded me how important it is to make peace with those you love, Dear Reader.

Saturday, 19th July, 2025

Rain, rain, glorious rain. I love it. The garden loves it. The world loves it. It’s going to be a good day. The garden has been drinking greedily all night. I’ve got jobs to do. I’ve always got jobs to do.

I reported a couple of days ago that I had broken the Shark Vacuum for the second time. Anyone who knows me will know I have virtually no practical ability at all. We have 4 vaccuum cleaners. The two robots are my responsibility because that is my expertise – setting up the programmes and activating them. Everything of real importance is done by my Housekeeper.

We have a corded, Henry Hoover which she swears by because she loves old things – just as well really. I bought the Shark Vacuum because I refuse to use corded anything or any old technology. As in the illustration, it flexes in the centre of the wand and folds in half for storage and charging. It has a detachable handset I use for cleaning the car. There are buttons for detaching and buttons for folding. I can never remember which is which and find brute force usually does the job. Not in this case. Twice, I have forced the wand to flex and fold the opposite way and, you will not believe this, Dear Reader, but on both occasions it broke.

Fortunately, I am good at ordering replacement parts and they come next day delivery so no great crisis. Just £30.00 and a new one arrived while we were out yesterday. My Housekeeper fitted it for me this morning. My new garden strimmer arrived yesterday as well from Gtech. Unfortunately, even though I paid £150.00 for it, the machine arrived in 4 separate pieces and needed assembling. After trying unsuccessfully to force two bits into the wrong places (Story of my life.), my Housekeeper finished her Breakfast and completed the job.

I started to make coffee in my newish coffee maker when it flashed up on the screen that it needed de-scaling. Got the message but how to do it? The on-screen instructions were quite confusing but my Housekeeper seemed to cope and I was soon making gorgeous cappuccinos again until my online calendar flashed up that I needed to change my shaver’s cutting heads.

I love my shaver. It has transformed my life. It is controlled by an app on my phone which monitors my technique and guides me to be a better person. I aim to achieve at least 90% of the perfect shave according to Philips every morning and then use the cleaning machine immediately afterwards every day. The app instructs me when to change the cleaning fluid and when to change the cutting heads. The fluid is every 28 days and the heads are every 2 years. I’ve learnt how to change the fluid. It’s easy.

There is no chance that I would ever manage the fiddly cutting heads. Fortunately, my Housekeeper loves things like this and worked it out in no time. She likes to make me feel totally out of my depth.

Well, it’s 11.00 am and the rain has stopped. We’ve sent it to the North. The sun is out. I’m not sending that to them. I’m going out for a walk. Missed it yesterday and my body knows it already. Got to get going. Yesterday was tiring so exercise will help to refresh and to re-establish routines today. On the walk, the sun was so strong and the atmosphere so steamy that it felt like the jungle – not that I’ve ever been in a jungle.

This afternoon, my expertise is called for. The car has told me their is a full, system update to perform via the internet. I have had to connect the car to my home wifi download the software update and then install it. It went quicker than I anticipated. After that was done, the sat nav. told me their were map upgrades to download which will be good. The roads around here seem to change every day at the moment.

Sunday, 6th July, 2025

Up early even though we went to bed late. We watched a film which was made 20 years ago and features a very young Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen. Closer is about sex and power and I should probably have watched it years ago but what I was left with was the music.

Particularly, I had ringing in my ears a song by an Irish musician – Damian Rice – someone I’ve never heard of. The Blower’s Daughter is hypnotic as it plays in the film

And so it is
The shorter story
No love, no glory
No hero in her skies

I can’t take my eyes off of you
I can’t take my eyes off of you

So I woke up early, frozen to the bone by the air conditioning and with this song still playing in my head. Outside the temperature was already 29C/84F so decided to do a walk before the real sun began to make it hot.

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun …. wrote Noël Coward in his song intended as a satire on British colonialism, poking fun at the British tendency to work hard and endure harsh conditions in foreign climes. Well this morning I did exactly that. As the gauge hit 32C/90F, I set off for my 8 mile walk which has to be done. Here, I am walking through suburbia where the heat of the sky is reflected back at me through the concrete …. and it’s not flat.

Still, it was great fun and I lost a stone in weight when I got back and took my shirt off. Amazing how much water the body carries. I have to put on fresh clothes three times a day. The washing machine is working overtime.

And so it is
Just like you said it should be
We′ll both forget the breeze
Most of the time

And so The Blower’s Daughter theme emphasises the sadness of time passing, of loss and regret. Life goes on but only most of the time. There are always painful times of memory and of regret.

Monday, 7th July, 2025

Awake at 5.00 am and listening to political podcasts. I love them. They get me through the difficult times. Up at 7.00 am and out walking just after 8.00 am. The temperature is a cool 27C/81F. I’m wearing my Failsworth Cap to protect my scalp from the already burning sun.

Yesterday afternoon, sitting in the cool of air conditioning, I got a weather alert on my phone for my home village in Sussex. There was a cloud burst. I checked the CCTV cameras and it was bouncing down in the back garden. I contacted my neighbour to thank him for watering the garden for me only to be told he was worried about damage to his car from hail the size of golf balls which I hadn’t seen.

I am gradually compiling myself a chart of Fish names in Spanish so I can recognise them and know what to ask for. It’s doing me good. It’s funny but the first words that come to me after English are Greek, then French and then I have to rapidly readjust to Spanish. I’m so relaxed, that I can’t remember where the hell I am most of the time. In Greek, Cod Fish is Μπακαλιάρος / Bakaliaro and in Spanish it is Bacalao. In Italian it is Baccalà. Of course, the French are awkward as usual and call it Morue.

As the morning has developed, some clouds are in the sky and the heat has turned even more humid and oppressive. My friend, Kevin, arrived in Spain last night. He prefers the more cultural high life of Benidorm and he has clearly brought his Leeds weather with him. I am collecting copies of local newspapers to get a feel for life and language here.

After a gorgeous Lunch of crispy, green salad leaves, huge Spanish tomatoes and home made Tapenade with a bottle of crisp, cold white Rioja, I am anybody’s. I still have to walk another 3 miles before Supper plus do a swim. The clouds have disappeared and the sun is strong and hot. It’s going to be another soaking-wet tee shirt for washing.

Tuesday, 8th July, 2025

Up at 7.00 am. The temperature remain a constant 27C/81F over night. Opening the shutters this morning, I expected to see strong sunshine. Instead, it looked like this:

Was rain coming? Err, no. If you could smell the air you would know immediately that it was the unmistakable acrid drift of burning, of smoke.

I immediately went on the web for news but I could find nothing. I found a webcam of a Benidorm beach some hour away from us and it had the same condition. I know there are wild fires in Greece at the moment but seems quite a long way off to drift.

It will give me chance to do a bit of work this morning. Got to prepare for a meeting soon after I get home. I have to identify Fixed Rate Bonds, Fixed Rate ISAs and Easy Access Cash Savings options. They do change quickly so the decision will be last minute but currently I can get:

Did an 8 mile walk down to the sea. By the time we got there, the smoke had blown away. It is a lovely, slightly wild and deserted cove. We are about 5 miles from Torrevieja town centre but the closer we walk, the scruffier it becomes. Grubby, litter-strewn, chavvy restaurants. Well, not so much restaurants as Fast Food outlets.

Everybody but everybody has a tattoo. They are de rigeur. The uglier you are, the more tattoos you need to have. Huge, fat, old women are covered in them. I really don’t see the point.

Wednesday, 9th July, 2025

Enjoy every condition in every place at every time is an important rule to live by. Mind you, I have not been a hostage, chained to a radiator in darkness for years. Terry Waite probably wouldn’t agree. I am living in the sauna that is Spain at the moment. I am doing much of what I’d be doing at home – walking, blogging, listening to podcasts, reading and writing about politics, following economics both personal and (inter) national. I am constantly trying to learn and improve myself and my position.

Coming to Spain for the first time is a delightful challenge. Learning the Spanish expectations is fun. For example, every couple of hundred yards along the streets in this Urbanisation where our ‘Oasis’ is based there are banks of 6 different waste bins for residents to sort their refuse in to. There are banks of electric scooters on every corner. You just put your smartphone on the handlebars and the app charges you to use them. When you’re done, you just leave the scooter in any street and someone else will collect it.

There are words I don’t know everywhere. I walk everywhere but it is slowing me down because I can’t pass a word I don’t know without looking it up. This is especially true of the street names. I have drunk Manzanilla Sherry for years. It is gorgeous and bone dry best drunk icy cold. Who knew it meant Chamomile? I already knew Toro and I guessed Escorpiones. Perhaps I should guessed that a humid street was a Wetland.

Today, in oppressive heat, I’ve done an 8 mile walk, watched PMQs on the BBC, done a pool swim and now my Chef is preparing a Fish Medley she is cooking with home-made baked beans. Life could be a lot worse. There are still things to achieve and I will but it is important to acknowledge things so far.

I’ve been talking to friends on Social Media this morning. A batch of postcards (old media) will probably arrive tomorrow. Communication channels are open across the Globe. One thing I don’t do at home is have 6 showers a day. Here, at 6.30 pm, I’ve just had my 6th today although two were around the pool. It is so sticky that a shower is delicious.

Thursday, 10th July, 2025

And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much

I woke up late thinking it was Friday. Joy of joys! It is only Thursday. Suddenly, it is earlier than you think. Time has slowed down by coming away and not just inhabiting my normal routines. You should try it, Dear Reader. New experiences stretch time.

It was a couple of degrees cooler over night. From 10.00 pm – 6.00 am, the temperature stuck at 24C/77F. I went up on the sun (moon) terrace where there was a hint of a breeze. Delicious to look out over the Urbanisation and the sea beyond. This evening is officially the full moon in Spain

The brilliance of a zoom smartphone camera produced this for me last night. I love it. Were you out looking up, Dear Reader?

We’re going to be back up to the mid 30°Cs today so I’m going out early for my big walk. It’s great to come back from this and relax with a swim in the pool and a pummel in the jacuzzi.

The best walk I’ve found is down to the delightfully homely, slightly scruffy little cove-cum-beach. In this heat, it takes about an hour each way if you build in a rest half way and a few water breaks. It is downhill through residential development all the way to the sea but uphill all the way back when I am hot, wet and tiring. Still, the sense of achievement on doing it is all the reward I need.

Friday, 11th July, 2025

The rhythm of routine establishes itself inevitably the longer one stays in the same place. After 11 days of walking the same route, I have both reduced my time to do the distance from an hour each way to nearer 40 mins and I am on nodding terms with residents I pass each time.

I am beginning to notice the new properties coming on the market each day, the same people having Breakfast in the same roadside café, the same girls running on the same distances along the beachside. It is nice. It is easy to belong. It is nice to belong. I will come back to reconnect.

Back at our villa, sweaty, wet and tired, it is time for a swim. We have two, identical pools with jacuzzis attached for about 20 properties. Neither are ever busy. More often than not they are deserted. I get back, hot and sweaty from my walk. One pool is being cleaned. The other is empty and waiting for me. Swimming, jacuzzi pummelling, swimming and shower. And relaaax. Time for Lunch.

Tomato & Basil with Mozzarella Cheese, Balsamic Vinegar Dressing and cold, white wine. Lovely, fresh, tasty and light. Actually watched a bit of Wimbledon. Not really my choice but found myself quite enjoying it. Mind you, I am watching the Test Match on Sky Sports on my Laptop at the same time. Everyone is happy.

Saturday, 12th July, 2025

Gorgeous, early morning. Awake at 4.30 am and up at 6.00 am. Fresh orange juice from the supermarket juicer. It is delicious and followed by a cup of Yorkshire Tea.

The Consum/Co-op store differs very little from Sainsburys when you analyse it although the signage is obviously different. However, things like the fresh orange juice dispenser and the much wider choice of fresh fish really appeals to me.

Out early on a day which is forecast to be in the high 30°Cs – maybe even 40°C. Not a walking temperature. Virtually ran each way to complete early and returned to fall in the pool. It’s lovely to hear from old friends, isn’t it. Especially when it’s a surprise. You don’t hear from them forever and then they wait until you’re in the middle of a pool to reconnect. Still, I’m not complaining.

Felt a bit sad this evening and made the mistake of watching the Channel 4 film – A Man Called Otto. It is an incredibly sad narrative that finds a widower, Tom Hanks, seeing no point in his life and constantly trying to take his own life because he cannot live without the woman he has loved throughout his life. Throw into the mix that she lost their unborn baby in an accident and the sadness is complete. Otto turns out to be a lovely man for whom life has dealt a savagely, sad ending. He dies alone but much loved.

Sunday, 29th June, 2025

There are a lot of things to be grateful for in Life however sad it may seem at times. Weeks abroad in the sun are something I feel lucky for. Living 25 years longer than my Dad I feel lucky for. Never having to worry about my financial and domestic security I feel lucky for. Having my Prostate Cancer diagnosed early I feel grateful for.

Dermot Murnaghan, a television presenter, announced last week that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer and had been discussing it with Chris Hoy who has Stage 4 Prostate Cancer. In both cases, the cancer has broken out of the prostate and entered the bone. Still treatable but both terminal. How lucky was I?

I have many regrets in my life but it has to be seen in the round. I have been very lucky. Even in acknowledging that, I must admit to utter, personal incompetence. In so many areas of life, I am an utter failure and it has hurt me badly. For the past few days, I have been watching a drama series on ITV-X called River. It is six episodes which I finished last night.

River features a clever man with huge, personal flaws. River is an extremely talented detective who is so buttoned-up that he hurts himself and limits his lfe. He wants to say things he cannot find the context, time and place to say. He only discovers that ability when it is too late. It moved me to tears. Exactly the same could be said of me.

Saying the formally unsayable, asking the unaskable, feeling the publically indescribable has come to me too late. Why do I have to be in my 70s before I can acknowledge and act on these things? River only comes to it after his love is dead. It is unbearable. River’s condition means he sees and talks to those missing from his life. He visualises them to the point where they become real in his thoughts and actions. It is a scary situation. You could dismiss it as too far fetched but I don’t.

In the kitchen, Basil has been taken from the garden and is being transformed into Pesto by my Chef.

Basil Leaves, Garlic, Pine Nuts, Parmesan Cheese, Olive Oil and Lemon Juice go into the chaos of the kitchen blender and come out as the most magical Pesto known to man. How lucky am I?

While searching for photos of her sister, my Housekeeper found these postcards that we sent from a different time. They fix us in History. I particularly love the Nysiros memory. I had a short wave radio in the years before internet and I sat transfixed on a remote and volcanic Dodecanese Greek Island as I listened to the replacement of Gorbachev by Boris Yeltsin in 1991. Yeltsin mounted a tank and gave a speech which I listened to on short wave radio and in which he took control of Russia and changed the political landscape. I was 40, Dear Reader. Where were you in my life?

Monday, 30th June, 2025

A very warm morning for a travelling day. Up early with so much to do before leaving. Sometimes, I get to this point and then wonder why I’m bothering. I could just stay at home in the ‘normal’ routines or go to Wales for the rain but nothing ventured, nothing gained. (Must stop writing in clichés.) It’s not time for slippers yet. Sun, sea, sex-no-sand, red wine, European voices, European food, new challenges – the key to life long learning.

We have travelling routines for packing and leaving the house. We each have our routines to complete and even then wonder what we’ve forgotten as we drive away. A travelling bag is permanently packed in a cupboard and everything starts from there. It contains flight-appropriate containers for liquids – aftershave, creams and female potions – passports, packs of euros, plug adapters, etc.. My Travel Agent manages all that so I leave it to her. The cases – two, large carry-ons -are already nearly packed with just last minute things to go in.

My job is to make sure the technology is ready. I have to charge and pack the Laptop, iPads, Kindles, smartphones, watches along with my failsafe, Power Bank portable charger. I have a dread of a phone running down before presenting a vital document like a Boarding Pass. Of course, the other worry is about forgetting the chargers for each item. Routines are invaluable in getting all this right.

Finally, I make sure VPNs are installed on everything to look as if we are in London while actually in Spain. Virtual Private Networks are the lingua franca of the technology world. Even the draconian Iranian government are thwarted by their citizens who find social media blocked by the regime can be circumvented with VPNs. Successful technology is the secret to a happy husband.

An additional consideration this time has been the death of Pauline’s sister 10 days ago. She has been agonising for days about whether to cancel our travel arrangements to support M in sorting things out. Ultimately, it was a decision made for us by the hospital who have ordered an a post-mortem examination followed by an inquest which has delayed the funeral. In the past few days, I have been searching the records for photographs and digitising them so that they can be potentially used in a funeral ceremony. Pauline has been searching out a couple of her sister’s favourite songs/pieces of music to play in the crematorium.

Phyllis loved the voice of Alfie Boe & Michael Ball so Pauline has picked the song above and one from Les Misérables. She went to watch the musical numerous times in London and elsewhere. She loved Bring Him Home sung by Alfie Boe. What could be more appropriate?

I’ve just been putting together some notes that might be used at her funeral oration. When I thought about it, I was amazed at her achievements: she was an intelligent girl at Blue Coat School in Oldham but economics prevented her going into Higher Education where she would have done well. She turned her intelligence and strength to creating viable businesses especially a Plumbing Business, a News Agents, a Fish & Chip shop and a Flower shop that she owned and ran in her local area.It was an undeniable achievement.

In later life, Phyllis was Registered Blind but she made so little of it that you would be forgiven for not knowing her problem. She just got on with things and didn’t expect the world to owe her a living.

Tuesday, 1st July, 2025

Happy July, Dear Readers. New month in the sun. No escape at the moment. Wherever you are, it’s going to be hot apart from in Wales and Scotland. It’s certainly hot in Spain and I am a Spanish Virgin …. well, a Spain virgin anyway.

Hot, Hot, Hot. This is my sort of weather although I should probably take a bit more care in my 75th year. I wear a cap outside and drink more water. Still do my walking but I intend to do it early in the morning and later in the evening.

I was responsible for this booking. I chose the place, the property, the flights. If it was going to go wrong, I was concerned that I had chosen the wrong airport. In the event, Murcia International was very impressive. It is small, intimate and modern. We were off the plane and through passport control in minutes in spite of being designated Third Country Nationals because of the idiots of Brexit. They thought they’d get their country back but just got economic impoverishment and long queues.

We had already arrived 30 mins early and we went for coffee before contacting the property managers. They are lovely, young people who say, Are you on Whatsapp? I’ll send you the details. Fortunately, I am and they did. I contact Jennifer, a beautiful, young Belgian who manages our property. Few Jennifers can be trusted but she agrees to meet us at the property.

The taxi driver struggles to find the property. There are so many looking the same outside. Eventually, he gets us there and Jennifer ensures we have everything we need.

The property has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen with dishwasher and washing machine. The lounge has satellite TV and the internet delivery is excellent. The property has dining outside on a large balcony and a private, full sized rooftop solarium which has shaded areas and a barbecue but is currently too hot to use.

It could have been a bad area but we are in a gated community of modern, well serviced villas with two pools and manicured grounds. If you have to slum it, there are worse places. I think I will survive for two or three weeks.

Wednesday, 2nd July, 2025

Went to bed early after a long and demanding day. Woke at 5.00 am (CET) and listened to Yesterday in Parliament and the debacle of of last night which I had been too tired to concentrate on yesterday. At 8.00 am, the temperature here is 28C/83F so we will be going out early to walk and explore the local area. First though, will be a trip to the local Supermercado to stock the fridge/freezer

Interesting walk at 9.00 am in 32C/90F with burning sun on our back to a supermarket chain we’ve never heard of – Consum which means Co-Op. Perfectly acceptable. We were able to source fresh fish – Tuna Steaks for Supper to be served with salad. Gorgeous Mediterranean Tomatoes and Antipasti Olives and Garlic and Red Peppers.

I love Spanish wine and I’m particularly on Rioja Blanco at the moment. In this heat, it oils every wheel. Fish and white wine go so well together as all those without a chip on their shoulders would acknowledge. And it is so cheap in Spain. This bottle is just €3.75 in Supermercado Consum and tastes delicious when chilled.

Been for a walk around the quiet, privately owned area this morning. Nobody seems to have visited Torrevieja recently and no one professes to even have heard of Benidorm other than in a cheap, failed television comedy.

I am so relieved that our property has proved to be exactly what I expected. The sun terrace upstairs is large and useful but currently too hot in spite of the canopy cover for Dining. It is also much more than we require. We have two sun balconies attached to our Lounge and our bedroom but the sun terrace is huge with lots of sun loungers, two dining tables, a barbecue and a covered pergola.

It looks out to Torrevieja and the sea side. It only takes about 20 mins to walk there but I doubt we will be going. Everything we need is here … with one or two notable exceptions.

Last year, with temperatures in the 40Cs/100F+s, tourism was put under pressure. The Telegraph this morning has an article to that end:

A decade ago, I was warning people in the Greek Tourist Industry of this possibility. It is coming home and will bite them unless they readjust their offering. Winter in Greece. You never know.

Thursday, 3rd July, 2025

A night of wide divergence with the UK. In Northern England, temperatures fell to single figures – 8C/46F – whereas I was on the roof terrace at midnight in a wall of 29C/84F of warmth.

I know from experience that it can feel suffocating but up here it feels delightful, looking out over the Development, urbanisation, Torrevieja and the sea. I know I am odd but I always find the bright lights of civilisation both exciting and frightening in their potential. They offer the chance for pleasure and threat. Here, from the enclave of a gated, middle class indulgence, they look attractive but distant and other. I have no desire to go there.

Back inside, the air conditioning units are set to permanent cold. I’ve paid for it so I feel justified in using it fully. My travelling companion actually complains that the bedroom is too cold. I suggested some remedies but she couldn’t find a blanket.

Our enclave development is called Oasis Beach 8 and it is on Avenida Espuña which literally translates to Foam Avenue. Well, it is certainly a quality environment, an oasis of calm. I was warned that Torrevieja, was half a step up from Benidorm and wouldn’t suit my cultured palate. Well this does, Dear Reader. It is home from home with new influences. Yesterday was walking, swimming, politics – PMQs and all that – writing, eating gorgeous, pan-fried fresh tuna and drinking ice-cold white wine.

This only our third day here and I feel like I’ve been living here for ever. Chatted to a lovely girl on the Checkout at the Supermercado. I noticed her name badge said Ashley which struck me as odd. Turns out she was of Nigerian origin but born in UK and had been living in Spain since the age of 3. She was keen to sell her adopted home to us.

We were there to buy things for Supper. The savages may turn their noses up but this is the food of the gods. Octopus which has been boiled in brine and now will be served as octopus salad – sliced, marinated in olive oil and lemon juice and eaten with green salad. It was a favourite in Greece – Octopodi Salata. I now know that it is called Pulpo in Spanish. Here it is Pulposur – Octopus from the South of Spain.

Already, I love this place. It is my sort of property and renting instead of laying out hundreds of thousands of euros to buy a property with all the add-on responsibilities makes so much sense. It is beautifully designed constructed and maintained. The Development is for people like me – people who respect each other’s privacy, autonomy and relaxation. I am definitely coming back here – maybe for a couple of months next time.

Friday, 4th July, 2025

Out walking in the slightly cooler air last night as the sun went down, we talked – as you do – about whether this was a place to buy a property.

It really is incredibly cheap compared to Greece or Italy and the quality of the properties is generally better.

Admittedly, we had drunk a bottle of wine and optimism was high but these things are always worth considering and not automatically dismissing. If ISA levels are cut, would a Spanish property offer an alternative investment outlet. Of course, I had the voice of reason walking at my side ….

All lifestyle experts recommend the Mediteranean diet and, largely, we have been eating that way for years. Every morning, my Chef prepares the juice of two freshly squeezed oranges for my Breakfast. I just wish Sainsburys had one of these machines for making your own in store. I’ve seen them before and used them in hotels but to have one in every supermarket would be great. I filled a litre bottle with fresh orange juice and they charged me €4.85/£4.18 and it tastes wonderful.

Fish has dominated our main meal diet for quite a long time now. We have a wonderful fish supplier on the South Coast but this Co-op/Consum store has an excellent supply with knowledgeable staff serving. So far, we’ve eaten fresh Tuna and cooked Octopus. Today we bought Swordfish steaks and Sea Bream.

Well, we thought we had bought swordfish steaks because that it exactly what the looked like. Actually, we have chosen a Spanish delicacy called Emperor Fish. I’m going to have to book another month to try all this fish.

Saturday, 5th July, 2025

Up early and looking out across the Development – quiet and a relatively cool 24C/75F – as the sun came up. The only person out was a woman sweeping the lawns with a brush and dustpan. Haven’t seen one of those for a long time.

Yesterday was screaming hot as I walked down to the local beach just for the walk rather than for the beach itself. By the time I got back to the house, my shirt was heavier than me. How is it possible to lose so much moisture? Must drink more water.

We cooked and ate the Emperor Fish along with asparagus and red & green peppers. Absolutely lovely. The whole day was delightful. These are days one needs and should remember for life. I bought some postcards and sent one to myself amongst others yesterday. One for the records.

Who knows what today will hold ….

…. well, a hot walk – 29C/84F at 9.30 am -to the supermarket. My housekeeper is addicted to them. Tonight, Supper will be Grilled Chicken & Salad or Baked Sea Bream & Salad or Sweet & Sour Pork or Pan-fried Shark Steak. Choices, choices.

Actually, normal life continues and we need Dishwasher Tablets & Washing Machine Tablets. Looking for those brings endless fun. We seem to be living at the Co-op/Consum.

There are only two double bedrooms in this property with two, large bathrooms. Feasibly, it will only accommodate 4 adults but it has 4 separate Dining areas each with its own Dining Table and Chairs. We have one in the Kitchen-Diner, one under the awning covered patio outside the Lounge. We have two more huge ones on the Rooftop terrace with a barbecue and views over the sea. It has been so hot that the closest we have got to eating outside was under the awning but all the air conditioning units are in use 24hrs a day and indoors is the most comfortable place to eat.

In our down time we have two tasks to complete. As soon as we get home, I have to order a new tumble dryer and a washing machine because we have a fitter booked to redesign the Utility Room. The current machines still work fine but are 9 years old and need readdressing. Now is the time to buy to take us in to our 80s. (Aghhh!) The final decision is left to my Scullery Maid but I’m pushing for Samsung machines because the are the most technologically advanced. The other task I have to complete is to decide where to move our ISAs – 6 of which come to the end of their fix after two years of earning.

There are two, large infinity pools with Jacuzzis attached to each on this Development. They serve only a small number of people which means we can go down to swim any time. They are heated to an incredible temperature. I swam this evening as the sun went down and the air temperature was 29C/84F. The pool enveloped me in soft warmth as I swam just as the Jacuzzi pummelled my tired muscles after a hot day of walking.

Sunday, 22nd June, 2025

A hot, humid night and the events of yesterday led to a fitful night’s sleep. We had planned so much for yesterday but it was a day when events made those plans redundant. As Harold MacMillan said, Events, Dear Boy, events when he was asked about the difficulties of being a statesman. Something of real moment happened and threw my petty plans into sharp relief.

Yesterday, after hours in the tawdry surroundings and unkempt workaday organisation of a busy hospital on a humid and energy sapping day, Phyllis – Pauline’s sister and Mandy’s Mum – who was weeks away from her 88th birthday, breathed her last. Suddenly, all those clichés surrounding death in age rise in one’s mind and in one’s speech about 88 being a good age to reach, about her failing health making death a release, about hoping to reach that target one’s self, etc..

Phyllis had been a feature of my life for almost 50 years. We agreed on very little but it was her feisty, opinionated personality which illuminated her life and strength to live it. She fought to succeed throughout. She never gave up. She was intelligent and sharp with a good memory and ability to recall facts which would have stood her in good stead if she had been in a position to access a formal education. Instead she lived on energy, determination and her native wit. It’s when you realise that such a fire has left the world that you begin to understand its moment. When it comes to death, no age is a good age.

Of course one death is so often the end of two. Phyllis and Colin were a long standing and hard working parnership through good and bad times.

I have hundreds of the most terrible photos of Phyllis – pictures of her with a dog but without her head on. Pictures of her on a beach but so far away that she is a dot on the horizon, pictures of her at social events where she is almost indistinguishable from the crowd. They were all pictures of a time – from a Box Brownie to a Polaroid – but I love this one of her on a motorbike from the mid 1950s. When you blow it up, you suddenly spot other figures in the doorway – ghosts of a past we never knew.

I wake around 5.00 am every morning and, irony of ironies, this morning was a program with two women who had both written books on How to Die a Good Death and No Ordinary Deaths. We avoid thinking about and planning for death until it is too late. It will happen to us all and the struggle is to fend off the inevitable as long as possible. The two of these propositions are intimately entwined.

In the past, without scientifically based Health Care and without drugs to ward off and fight disease, early death was prevalent – expected even. Our ancestors had a more integrated relationship with death, viewing it as a familiar presence in daily life. This contrasts sharply with contemporary society’s more distanced approach to death but no death can be considered ordinary however inevitable it is.

Monday, 23rd June, 2025

Don’t know if is because of the events of Saturday or what is happening to me physically but I am feeling sad and in need of emotional support. It is normal for such things to refocus thoughts of mortality. You certainly know who your friends are. Generally, I respond by being more stubborn rather than giving in but it takes me a bit of time.

In the meantime, everything is too much effort, too difficult, too trying. For example, I am calm and rational when IT problems need working through. This morning, I am screaming at two mobile phones and two computers over what should be a very simple repair. My wife, in an idle moment of madness on holiday last week saw an app advertised which would allow her to use her phone to check her blood pressure. She obviously thought that living with me meant she needed it.

Of course, it was a scam waiting to happen and, the moment it was installed, it locked her phone and demanded money to reopen it. In order to rectify the situation, I had to return it to factory settings and reinstall every service app. This was important because all her travel documents were on it along with her finance and banking apps amongst 50 or more others. Ever since then, I have been struggling to add all her Credit/Debit/Charge cards to her Google Wallet which is becoming the default payment method now.

It should all be so easy and I followed every guideline but still failed. I needed to speak to a PERSON! We used to have our own Personal Banking Manager but, as they withdrew from the High Street so they withdrew our individual online/telephone service. It is almost impossible to get a face-to-face or voice-to-voice contact. Cora has replaced it and AI really still lacks nuance. Dear Cora says she will get back to me. I’m still waiting.

At the same time, we are supposed to be going abroad in a week but there is now a funeral to organise and the timing is so uncertain that we can’t just get on with our travel arrangements as usual. I’ve already been checking our insurance policy’s cancellation requirements. Ironically, it comes through our Bank account so I may becoming best mates with Cora soon.

The circular frustration of these AI Bots leaves one feeling old and incompetent – out of touch. I am only one of those things and I can’t help being old but I refuse to accept that this needs to be so difficult. Cheap, yes but not difficult.

Anyway, home grown green beans for Supper with Roast Salmon and Pesto Crust. Something to look forward to.

Tuesday, 24th June, 2025

Quite a dull day and we are on tenterhooks about the next development. I am poised to contact the property in Spain we have rented for the next few weeks to say what time we arrive OR I am poised to collate all my evidence for the insurance company to prove why I have to claim £4,000.00 + to cancel our trip because of a funeral. It all pivots on that and I hate uncertainty above everything else.

Do we pack or do we not? My new cap is waiting for the decision. Found out this morning that my new cap which my wife ordered and loves is a Failsworth Cap. If you’d lived my life, you would know how significant that is. Why on earth did I arrive in Oldham? Oh, Dear Reader. I ask myself. Failsworth, as many will know is contiguous with Oldham. I was shocked to research its origin.

The Failsworth Hat Company was founded in 1903 at Failsworth Maypole. It is a well known place in Greater Manchester.

My ghosts walk the region. It sends a shiver down my spine. I find this dislocation very unhappy although I like the knowledge that my new cap was founded in my occasional home.

Today is the 9th anniversary of the Brexit result being reported. Michael Bloomberg, the American Billionaire told his Irish audience yesterday that Brexit was the single stupidest thing any country has ever done, adding that “it’s hard to believe how they did it. The country now completely agrees with him in huge numbers.

The snake oil salesmen – Johnson & Farage – sold them a pup as is the way that the uneducated are duped throughout history. Just think of the religious indulgences of old and the modern carbon-offsetting. There are stupid people throughout time. We warned them and they were persuaded to cry, Scaremongering! We weren’t and now they know. Phyllis wouldn’t admit it if she was still here, that’s for certain.

Wednesday, 25th June, 2025

A hot, humid, overcast morning of real frustration. We have had a couple of very sticky nights and a photo was posted on our local web of Littlehampton Marina Pier on Monday evening.

I have been desperately trying to communicate with my Bank, My Credit Cards provider and Google Pay. Ironically, after the Blog yesterday, I was speaking to a Bank Technical expert who turned out to be working from home – in Chadderton, Oldham. I could tell immediately by his accent and Yasser from Chadderton knew exactly where I used to teach. Even so, he still couldn’t sort out my problem.

At least I have been able to contact my holiday property. Dear, little Mandy is still struggling with the painful technicalities of her Mum’s death and her Dad’s future. These are rights of passage but none the less painful for that. What they have meant for us is that we can go on holiday and return to help out later. We fly in to Murcia, San Javier, Airport mid morning and a taxi will get us to the property by mid-day or 4 hours before Checkin. I am happy to pay and extra €30.00 to have the villa prepared early.

This is going to be an exciting trip because it is new territory for us. It will stretch us. Soon after returning, we fly off to Athens again – a regular trip – and then a couple of months later, go back to Tenerife for a month. Next year we have decided to combine new and old. We will return to Thessaloniki and to Athens and to our island home of Sifnos but we will integrate them all into one trip.

We intend to fly in to Thessaloniki to stay for a week and then take the train to Athens. That will be an interesting first. We’ll spend a few days in Athens, get a ferry to Sifnos and spend a week there for the first time in a decade and then go back to Athens for a few more days before flying home. I’m already excited about that.

Thursday, 26th June, 2025

It rained over night. Hallelujah! I was about to spend the morning watering the garden and the street. All done free of time and charge. Even the street borders may start to green up after a long, dry spell.

The plants along the drive have been living in bone hard soil for quite a while and a heaving a great sigh of relief.

My Housekeeper is at the Hairdressers in preparation for her holiday trip. I’m thinking about preparing the survival of the garden.

I am preparing to water the garden remotely with a programmable timer switch and two sprinkler systems attach to it.

I need to use this system so rarely that it takes a slow, old man like me quite a while to get back up to speed. Still, I’ve set it up and it will be tested tonight then adjusted if necessary.

The bank has sorted out the problem with our Google Wallets so that has cleared another gripe from my mind. I am gradually ticking off jobs as I go through the day. This morning, I’ve been producing maps of the area where we are staying with restaurants and Supermurcados.

We feel slightly guilty that we are going away on holiday and leaving Little M behind to deal with the organisation of the funeral. I must emphasise the ‘slightly’ and we will be returning to attend a funeral soon afterwards. It’s quite a long time since I have been to a funeral. It’s even longer since I had to organise one – almost 16 years. We have certainly received some lovely ‘sympathy’ cards from friends and relatives over the past few days. People are very thoughtful and we are grateful.

Friday, 27th June, 2025

Lovely, hot day for the Dentist. Just a check-up on our service contract. Lovely lady – Persian and beautiful. It helps when you’re poking about in a mouth. A couple of X-rays. No problems and return in 6 months. I will be almost 75. At least, I will have sorted a lot of things out by then.

I was amused this morning when my little friend thought I would be struggling to slum it by flying to Torrevieja. I must admit, I do have some reservations particularly when looking for restaurants in the vicinity. They are very much of the ‘fastfood’ variety. Fortunately, I’ve chosen a property some way off the town and where we can easily source fresh food that we can cook ourselves.

I think I’ve eaten Paella once in the whole of my life. Looking forward to trying it in Spain for the first time. I’ve been increasingly buying Spanish wine over the past few years. I love Rioja and the Temperanillo grape. Looking forward to drinking that.

I did Spanish at Grammar School up to GCE Level but I’ve virtually not used it since. It will be interesting to reacquaint myself with the vocabulary and learn to read road signs, menus and advertisments. I will try to follow Spanish TV and the babble of voices arround me in the streets to broaden my experience. It is a Romance Language, after all which dovetails into French, Italian and Portuguese so I should manage it.

It looks like it will be seriously hot so I will need to do early morning and late evening walks. We have a pool so that will give day time execise. I need to treat it as if I’m at home although I certainly have no intention of going ‘British’. We’ll leave that for the Lower Classes, Dear Reader.

The day has developed into a very humid one. My 8 mile walk has left me sweaty, wet and tired. Love my power shower. It is so reviving. I used to enjoy the Sauna & Jacuzzi at the end of a David Lloyd Gym session but my shower is just as refreshing.

Saturday, 28th June, 2025

Warm, humid, overcast. The sun is coming to large parts of UK … well, not to North Wales obviously but most normal parts. It has already arrived in force across Europe.

The area in Spain where we are going has this projected for next week. Just my sort of weather although I’ll need my Failsworth Cap.

We are flying into Murcia International. I say International but it looks fairly small and local really. The prices of services are incredibly cheap. I thought I was reading it wrongly but, no, a taxi to anywhere in the central Murcia region is limited to €29.00.

An SUV hired from and returned to the airport for 14 days costs just over €200.00/£180.00. Absolutely amazing. This is what you get for slumming it in Spain. My Carer spent £75.00 at the hairdressers this week which puts that price into perspective. I suppose that’s right. Never slum it on a haircut …. although mine was free.

When people disappear from your life. They never totally do. They live on in memory and custom. Phyllis died a week ago and this morning, I referred to her twice without thinking. There are rooms in our house I almost never visit. There is a bedroom which, for shorthand, is known as Phyllis’s Room. She slept in it once for one night. It is at the back of the house and I only go in there to collect a suit from the wardrobe and I don’t wear suits very often now. This morning, I found myself speaking about Phyllis’s Room and it hit me. She will never sleep there again but she sleeps in my head.

In the old days – the 1980s – before Skype and mobile phones, I would spend all summer travelling and send a stream of postcards to my Mother particularly as I was always away on her birthday.

I was surprised to find she kept them all and I retrieved them from her house when she died. They are shivery memories of a time that predates mobile phones but chronicles experiences long gone. I haven’t really sent any for quite a while other than to an old friend who can’t cope with the internet but I quite fancy sending some from down market Spain. Something to look out for, Dear Reader.

Sunday, 15th June, 2025

Lovely early morning. As every morning around 7.00 am and then again around 7.00 pm, clouds of swifts and swallows wheel in huge numbers around the skies above the hotel. As is their name, they are incredibly swift and they are masters of the air and spend almost their entire lives in flight – eating, drinking, sleeping and even mating on the wing. They usually only land when it’s time to nest. Early morning and early evening must be the best times for rich pickings of insects.

Before Breakfast for humans, the news is of raids by Israel on Iran and Iran’s retaliation. On the way to Breakfast, I talk to a lovely couple in the lift. Ask them where they are from and it is from Israel. They have been to the Electra Palace Thessaloniki before as well as the Athens hotel. At Breakfast, we agree to meet there next time. I sit at a table immediately in front of a delightful Palestinian family. The irony is not lost.

Thessaloniki is the archetypal Greek city full of a mixing pot of lovely people. I absolutely adore it. It is a hothouse of culture, politics, religion and nationalities. They talk over coffee, in the shade of the sunshine, on street corners, in restaurants ….

Politics is in their blood, It is in mine. The picture above depicts signs discarded on the pavements and an office sign above shops for ΝΕΑ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΡΑ – The New Left with the Palestinian flag. I just love their allegiances and their passion.

In the same way, I love the culture of the Greeks and its differences. In the market yesterday, anyone who is not familiar with the country would have been rather shocked to see the things on sale in the fish & Meat stalls.

Monday, 16th June, 2025

Lovely morning over the Thermaic Gulf, Dear Reader. Crystal, clear blue skies reflected in crystal, clear blue sea. The sun is deliciously strong and warm with just a hint of a breeze. I don’t want Breakfast but force myself just to be sociable.

Went out for a wonderful meal last night. After all these years in Greece, the menu introduced us to some new things which was exciting. It was all based around the concept of Meze. The name of the restaurant is Full Tou Meze. You can read the full menu here.

Meze, pronounced “meh-ZEH,” is a selection of small dishes, similar to Spanish Tapas or Italian Antipasti, that are popular in Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. These dishes are often shared and enjoyed as appetizers or as a meal in themselves. In Greece, Meze is deeply intertwined with the concept of Parea which emphasizes social gatherings and shared enjoyment of food and drinks. 

Greece and Turkey have long been irritable neighbours but their cultures have meshed as people move between the two countries. The restaurant was Greek with heavy Turkish influences. After nearly 50 years in Greece, we found dishes on the menu that we had never seen before:

• Lakerda – Marinated Sushi-grade Tuna
• Kritamo – Marinated Fenugreek or Grass of the Greeks – rather like Samphire.
• Sogania Mitilinis – Sweet onions stuffed with minced beef.
• Tsubleki from Macedonia – Beef with Peppers, Aubergine, Courgette, Potato & Feta Cheese, baked in the oven

It was a lovely introduction to new things and feels quite typical of Thessaloniki. Visitors have to be prepared to learn new things. It is good to be stretched, Dear Reader. The stuffed, sweet onions were delicious.

This morning, I have gone out for an early 8 mile walk before the heat is too intense and because my body needs to recover from last night’s meal. I was amused by the name of this dinghy hidden away in the boat yard. Torrevieja is where we will be in a couple of week’s time. We have rented a villa to enjoy some new sunshine. If we like it, we may drive there next year and stay a few months.

Tuesday, 17th June, 2025

It’s been a lovely day. Up at 6.00 am. Yorkshire tea on the patio in hot sunshine. My Housekeeper completed packing and then we went to Breakfast.

Checkout is a formality. Eveything was paid for a week ago. A taxi is called for the airport and off we go around 9.00 am.

Greek taxi drivers have been notoriously corrupt. See a wealthy tourist and triple the price. THe government has done a wonderful job in addessing that corruption. Payments are digital and visible by the authorities. Taxi drivers wor on pain of losing their licences if the cheat. As a result, the taxi driver from the airport and bac to the airport have been honest and delightful. They are incredibly proud of their city and both told us the whole history and related it to the sites we were passing. As a result, we overpaid their statutory faair for their service.

Makedonia airport is small but comfortable and quiet. We went to the Turkish lounge which is new and almost totally deserted. A calm and riff-raff free hour and we went down to Gate. A few minutes wait and we were in the scorching sunshine boarding the plane.

I must admit, I fell asleep almost immediately. It seems to be an automatic ‘travel mode’ my body adopts because I wasn’t tired. I woke with about 40 minutes to landing. The flight had been 2 hrs 55 mins in total which is incredibly fast but I had missed most of it. My Carer hasd passed the time by reading her latest ‘free’ book on her Kindle.

Gatwick was incredibly quiet and we were back on the Long Stay bus within no time. Fortunately, I had photographed the parking spot at midnight the week before and we were soon czooming off in our lovely, comfortable car. Traffic wa light and straightforward. We were home within 50 mins and off to Sainsburys for something for our evening meal.

I unpacked the car. Just two medium cabin-sized suitcases and two pieces of hand luggage and all was done. The garden was looking lovely. We ate freshly cut lettuces, freshly lifted new potatoes with mint and parsley. While Supper was being prepared, I watered the whole garden. The Green Beans are almost ready for picking. The Basil is ready for cutting. The Parsley has been cut once and is ready again. All is well in the garden which is just as well because we will be flying off again and leaving it in exactly two weeks.

Wednesday, 18th June, 2025

Woke up at 5.00 am (7.00 am Greek Time) to a gorgeous morning. Hard to tell which location we were in. The sky is blue. The sun is bright. Already we’ve lost the night but it’s raining …. raining somewhere else.

Out in the garden things are running away from me. Away for ten days and everything’s expanded to fill the space. Last night, I dug up some new potatoes and then found I did exactly the same thing on exactly the same day last year. How exciting am I? The green beans will be ready to pick by Friday and the lettuces will have to be eaten in the next couple of weeks (every day) before they run to seed.

We had such a lovely time in Thessaloniki that I am going to book again for next year immediately. I’ve written to the Hotel to thank them for their services and to tell them what I want for next time.

Unfortunately, today I have a rather more pressing problem. It is medical. I am such a poor specimen! I already have an Oncology review booked for July. I had expected it to be routine but over the past couple of weeks I have had a few worrying – perhaps, shocking – events. I have been passing blood in the toilet. On one occasion, a lot of blood and it has really shocked me. This morning, I have been to the hospital to deliver notes on this to Oncology in the hope I can get an early examination both for diagnosis reasons and because we are going away in less than two weeks. I feel it is rather hanging over me and I would prefer just to know.

Thursday, 19th June, 2025

The transfer from Thessaloniki to Sussex has been made almost seamless by the weather which maybe a few degrees cooler but still warm. At 11.00 am it is 27C and 32C in Greece. This morning, we have spoken to the hotel we left a few days ago and booked the same suite for June next year. I have been using the Electra Group Hotels in Greece for 40 years and get a 15% discount on my booking which saves me about £600.00 for the week.

In the Now, we are home for less than two weeks before setting off again to Spain. It will be a new experience for us and that is what I need. We are flying to Murcia International Airport and have rented a villa on the edge of Torrevieja. It will be exciting to do something new. I need to be stretched in experience.

More sunshine; more walking; more learning – it’s all good …. hopefully. And if it is somewhere we like, we might book for a month or more next year and drive there via Portsmouth to Santander.

Still feeling the effects of travelling home and the 2hr time difference today. Went out to buy a 2kg Swordfish loin which will be cut into steaks for grilling in the garden. If you’ve ever cooked swordfish, you would know that the smell is strong and all pervasive. Better tantalise the neighbourhood cats than lingering for days round our house. The fish supplier is on the beach which was beginning to look summery.

I am planting out a second lot of Basil plants which have been nurtured for a couple of months and survived our time away. We need to establish them before we go away and then set up the automatic watering system. They will love this weather and it is 30C/86F as they go out in the raised beds this afternoon. It is Sweet Genoan Basil (Genovese Basil) and it is warmer here than its homeland today.

Friday, 20th June, 2025

And the lovely weather goes on …. and is forecast to for another week. Then we go off to Torrevieja as the rain is forecast to fall. That will be really helpful.

Anyway, a lot of my focus over the next 10 days will be on getting the garden resilience into action to cope without its Carer for a while. Mainly, I will be preparing for travel. Not really knowing anything about Spain, never having flown to Murcia International, I have to check out organisation and timings.

• Taxi from airport to villa – €50.00 / 50 mins
• Look up the place where I’ve rented ….
• Check Check-in time – 4.00 pm.
• Note name of Property Manager and email them with Flight Times
• Arrange to pay early Check-in fee.
• Use Google Maps to digitally walk the streets and locate restaurants and Supermurcados.
• Note places worth visiting.

It is always a bit of a lottery but, hopefully, all the facilities we want will be present and of a suitable quality. This is what I booked and things like cooking, washing, air-conditioning and internet provision are paramount. This is what is promised by the booking:

All of these experienes are examples of confidence and optimism. We have sometimes lost but more often gained. You just have to make a leap of faith.

A leap of faith was made in Parliament today – akin to David Steele’s Abortion Bill of 1967 and Leo Abse’s 1967 Bill to legalise Homosexuality – the Assisted Dying Bill will change the culture and almost certainly for the better.

I have been seriously conflicted over it for some time. The Commons debate had a large number of excellent and thoughtful contributions and a number which we knew were religiously motivated but unacknowledged. Ultimately, individual autonomy is the winning argument in spite of concerns of coercion. After all, there is coercion now and know one screams about it being unregulated.

Saturday, 21st June, 2025

And the heat goes on
Just like my love, everlasting
And the beat goes on
Still moving strong, on and on

A hot, humid night that didn’t fall below 22C/70F – going to have to get better air conditioning. We are currently discussing it seriously. It’s the disruption not the cost that is holding us back. Holes drilled in walls, electrical points added, condenser units on the outside of the house, large boxes on the bedroom and lounge walls.

Can we face it? Predictions are that it will only get more important over time. It is probably better to take action now. We will probably install 4 or 5 units. Things to think about/ research this Summer.

Right now, we have more important things to think about. Over night, Pauline’s elderly (88 in August) sister has had a fall and hit her head resulting with her being hospitalised. It is possible we will be driving up to Surrey this morning.

At 5.00 am, I was laying in bed listening to a political podcast: Chris Patten – a British politician who was the Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1990 to 1992 under Thatcher and the 28th and last Governor of Hong Kong from 1992 to 1997. He presided over the return of Hong Kong to China with all the disastrous and predicatable events that ensued. He is now 81 years old but the interview reprised all the events of the late 1980s and early 1990s – events which were, to the young interviewer who was only born in Thatcher’s last year of power, only history but, to me the history of part of my life.

I’ve spent a difficult day driving up to Surrey and then in St. Peters A&E. Pauline’s sister, Phyllis, didn’t pull through but, unfortunately died this afternoon. It is so sad that another human being left the world.

It hits one hard and I will write more about her tomorrow but what stands out for me is how so many lives I have known and lost end in the tawdry surroundings of a world they hardly saw.

Sunday, 8th June, 2025

Lovely sunny morning but quite fresh. Haircut day early so it doesn’t get in the way of work and exercise. I’m not allowed to go away without a haircut and, actually these days, I like having my haircut. All a far cry from 1967 when, aged 16, I swore I would never have my haircut again. Oh what foolishness of youth! Of course, in old age, eyebrows, ear and nose hair are also in need of attention. My barber does a good job and I can watch the political interview programmes while she does it.

Got to get all the lawnmowing done today so things look smart for the residents of the street while we are away. The garden vegetables are developing well. We are already cutting lettuces and herbs. Whe we get back, I hope to be lifting new potatoes and picking green beans.

After my haircut, my Hairdesser has decided that I need a hat to shield my thin scalp from hot sun. I hate hats. I have never seriously worn a hat. Dad was a country gent who wore country caps. They just don’t suit me. Anyway, I was bought a baseball cap which I refuse to wear. It looks ridiculous and has been captured by the MAGA movement encouraged by Trump. There is no way I will copy that.

By pure accident, I was in Sainsburys this morning and came across a cap which is reminiscent of Vladimir Lenin – the renowned Russian revolutionary leader. Ok, I still look daft in it but if I need something to cover my thinning scalp, this will amuse me and others.

Unlike Lenin, I’ve cut all the neighbour’s lawns today, The street looks good and everything is fine for leaving for a week or so. The weather is mixed here over the time I’m away so it should survive my absence. After a couple of weeks back, I’m off to Spain for a while so the neighbourhood will have to cope alone.

Monday, 9th June, 2025

My new cap sparked some local commentary yesterday. My sister, Jane, said I looked less like Lenin and more like my Grandfather – my Dad’s father. Quite shocked and slightly moved me. My lovely, German next door neighbour is mad about hats and sent me more photos than I could cope with. I particularly like the one as a young student on the ferry to Hull a few years ago now.

Do you remember what it felt like to be young and alive, Dear Reader? The number of times I’ve driven on and off that self same ferry as we travelled Hull – Zeebrugge and back over the years. Wonderful times!

No more ferries at the moment. Off to Gatwick Airport tonight. It takes about an hour’s drive. Half way through, one of us will say, You did remember to pack …. ? After a few minutes head-panic, we realise that we have and settle down to the trip.

I think it must be my age but even though I relish everything digital, I cannot quite let go of analogue. I think I say this every time but all my Lounge passes, my Carpark booking, my Flight Tickets and Boarding Passes, and Hotel Membership cards along with all my everyday payment cards, etc. are saved on my mobile in Google Wallet. It makes presentation so straight forward but, having grown up with emerging technology regularly failing and embarrassing me, I still have that lack of total confidence in it. A file of paper printout backups always accompanies us and makes me feel pathetically ancient.

All the lawns cut. All the plants watered. All the technology packed. All the paperwork filed. All the house lighting set both inside and out. All set. Do you want to come, Dear Reader? Funny but setting the automatic systems suddenly jarred me back into the past. Do you remember these Programmable Mechanical Timer Plug Switches? Just over a decade ago, we had dozens and needed hours to set them up before we went away. Now, everything is done from one app on my mobile – ceiling lights, table lamps, outside lights, heating, cameras, sound systems, even my car – at the click of a finger. I could do it from the airport or from my hotel room. How far we have come.

Tuesday, 10th June, 2025

Lovely, uneventful drive to Gatwick last night. The only hazard was dodging badgers in the moonlight. Great title for a book: Dodging Badgers in the Moonlight. The roads were quiet. The airport was incredibly quiet. Went through Security Check in less that 2 minutes. My Handler flirted with a few new pairs of sun glasses en route to the Executive Lounge – No.1 Gatwick North is one of our favourites.

We had pre-booked it because it has been popular recently. This morning we almost had it to ourselves. We were called to Gate very quickly and Speedy Boarding was exactly as described on the tin. No sooner had we arrived at Gate but we were walking on to the plane and strapping in. The privilege of great seats and large cases stored overhead is so liberating. The journeys themselves on modern planes are a delight.

Our flights to Greece in the early 1980s were 4 hrs 35mins followed by a 60 mins bus to Piraeus, a 3hr wait and then a 5hrs 30 mins ferry to our island. On a Friday/Saturday after a hard year’s teaching, we had to be committed to the cause. This flight was a mere 3 hrs 5 mins followed by a 30 mins taxi service to our hotel. Youngsters today don’t know they’re born!

The upshot of it was that we arrived at our hotel about 3hrs too early. We dropped off our bags and went out for a glass of wine and nibbles in the sunshine by the sea front. A fatal start to the day, Dear Reader. I will not bore you with the developments.

The hotel proudly announced that we had been allocated the best Suite on the top floor of the hotel. They knew we would be delighted and, I think, expected us to confirm that on inspection. Nice, big, wrap-around balcony with two lots of outdoor furniture and views over Aristotelous Square and the Thermaikos Gulf.

Of course, I am not used to eating or drinking. I have spoilt myself for Dinner tonight so the most I will do is stroll in the sunset and then sip iced white wine in the 32C/90F warmth of the evening … and so to bed. Hopefully, I will see another day …. After 10 months without alcohol, this gorgeously dry Malagouzia wine from the Peloponnese is playing havoc with the evenness of my keel. I would recommend it to anyone who drinks to forget.

Wednesday, 11th June, 2025

Feel for me, Dear Reader. I’ve had to eat Breakfast this morning. Bacon & Scrambled Egg. Feel terrible now.

Of course, my head and my stomach think it is 5.30 am. My watch says it is 7.30 am. It is hard to reconcile the two. My head knows it but my stomach rejects it all. Up on the roof, it is 26C/79F, tables are set for of every type Breakfast and the displays are groaning with gargantuan amounts food. A man who has been starving for the past year really doesn’t know whether to eat the lot or run away.

Last night the trouble started. We had eaten some Lunch and drunk too much wine waiting for our suite to be ready. As a result, our heads said we should be going out to Dinner. Our bodies rejected the whole, gross idea. We sat on the balcony in a very humid 32C/90F and watched the βόλτα/Volta/Evening Sauntering below.

This morning, I am going for a long walk on the miles of promenade aside the warm waters of the Thermaic Gulf. Do you want to come, Dear Reader? Out in the sunshine at 10.00 am aiming to get back to the hotel for 1.00 pm /11.00 am (UK) to watch Prime Minister’s Questions followed by the Spending Review from Rachael Reeves.

Back early and into the Hotel’s Executive Lounge for a Lunch of smoked salmon sandwiches and white wine. It is a ‘free’ service that comes with our suite. It would be rude not to avail ourselves of the service.While there, we watch the BBC’s presentation of the Parliamentary developments and the hotel’s Customer Service Manager, Restaurant Manager and Wine Manager all come to fawn over us

Incredibly hot afternoon watching politics on the Balcony via a 17″ Laptop screen. Amazing how quickly you forget the size and get lost in the pictures. Thank goodness there are occasions where size doesn’t always matter. Nice experience though. Just my sort of distraction.

Beach volleyball doesn’t do it for me. I know it does for some men and they would be happy here this week as Thessaloniki convert their classical Aristotle Square below into a beach by importing tons of sand to make a court with pop-up viewing platforms for the international Championships. The games will start on Friday and complete by Monday. The world’s media will be here to televise the excitement.

Thursday, 12th June, 2025

A very warm night outside and, at 6.00 am / UK 4.00 am, the temperature is 27C / 81F. At this time just as the sun is rising, the sky is full of clouds of small birds darting hither and thither for the rich feed of insects available. It is repeated as the sun goes down in the evening.

Out on the balcony, the city is already bustling moving, rushing to work. Ladders are going up at a hotel in the distance. They obviously have the builders in. Out in the sea, a huge container ship is slowly moving out to distant destinations. The world revolves without our input.

Did my 8 mile/13 kilometre walk down the sea side this morning in 32C/90F of sweaty, humid heat. Walked past my most notable ancestor glorified in stone at the beach side. Alexander the Great (Αλέξανδρος O Μέγας) on his charger – giving me the surname of Sanders. Obviously, I have put him and his exploits in Macedonia into the shade but he is still important in history.

In this heat, I am not hungry at all but my Carer longs for a traditional Moussaka which is pronounced Moo-Sar-Kar and tastes nothing like those served in UK and pronounced Moo-Saar-Ka. I will sip wine and nibble bread while she stuffs her face. I will still end up fatter but at least I am resigned to it.

Friday, 13th June, 2025

Friday the 13th, Dear Reader. Beware. I could be knocking on your door. The King’s could be driven to distraction. A very hot morning which is already reading 32C/90F at 10.00 am. Forced myself to eat Breakfast – only to accompany my Carer, of course. We chose a table outside looking down on Aristotle Square which has been transformed since we arrived from a classical, old site to a modern beach volley stadium. The girls, in their skimpy bikinis, are already playing down there. The TV cameras of ERT TV are recording the action and spectators are arriving.

I wondered what my old friend, Aristotle himself, would think of it. I went down to talk to him about it and, maybe, gaze wistfully at the girls on the court. He looked rather distracted although I couldn’t gauge whether it was by the tanned limbs in front of him or by his Ethical Principia.

After so long of self denial, eating feels associated with guilt. Breakfast today has to be assuaged by the penance of physical exercise. Set off for an 8 mile / 13 kilometre walk down the coast to the Thessaloniki Opera House. It is a beautiful, red brick building on the edge of the Thermaic Gulf. What I will do for Art!

Felt like a saint when I got back – 2 hrs later – in 90F/32C of – hot sun. Fortunately, there is lower humidity today which is the killer.

Back at our hotel, we went into the Executive Lounge which provides us with non-stop food and wine ‘free of charge’ and lots of pampering. Today it was the turn of Zoe & Roula until Alexia, Guest Relations Manager came in and presented us with a Thank You gift – a bag of gifts including an elaborately packaged bottle of extra virgin olive oil and an object from the local museum shop – a polished metal sculpture of a Dove used all around Greece as a symbol of peace and friendship.

It is all a bit cheesy and you can see it cynically like that. Alexia’s note to us can be seen in the same way. After nearly 50 years in Greece, we know it is both cheesy and meaningful. These are genuine people. The Americans automatically say, Have a nice day. almost as a substitute for Goodbye. We know that Alexia’s Warmest Regards have both cheesiness and genuineness interwoven. It is the Greek way. At Birthdays, they wish you to live to 1000 years. At weddings, they try not to view beyond the hearts and flowers. Of course philoxenia (φιλοξενία) translates to friend to the stranger or guest-friendship, representing a strong tradition of hospitality and welcoming strangers. It’s a virtue deeply rooted in Greek culture, valuing generosity and courtesy towards others, even those unknown. That’s why I love them.

Saturday, 14th June, 2025

Well, survived Friday 13th – just. Hope you did, Dear Reader. Warm night – 17C/63F – across UK but with some rain. A hot night here – 26C/79F – without any sign of rain and we are expecting to reach 33C/92F at peak.

One of the nice things about returning to a city and a hotel that you’ve visited before is that the learning process, the acclimatisation is much quicker. As a consequence, although we are only just starting our 5th day here, it feels like I’ve been here forever.

We are in a different and larger Suite of rooms but it all feels the same, safe, rather dated Greek style of yester year. It is comfortable with a good bed and a huge, wrap around balcony that would host a Dinner Party comfortably – 2 Dining Tables and chairs / 2 sets of sofas outside. You wouldn’t choose to furnish your own home like this but the Greeks think it is the height of genteel living. The Management proudly told us it was the best Suite in the hotel. At least it is very quiet and I know where the bathroom is in the darkness when I get out of bed at night.

I love Thessaloniki. The people really care about their environment and the wider world. History and Politics are central to their lives. They talk about, argue about, espouse the causes of environmentalism, the Palestinian cause, destructive tourism, the weakness of their government, and so on. They care enough to stand up and be counted. It is in their DNA.

Sunday, 1st June, 2025

Happy new month, Dear Reader. It’s going to be a great Summer. I’m determined to make it so. Well, I’m going travelling so I hope that augers well for all of us. The sun will shine …. somewhere. I hope it shines on the Ripon Mafia and doesn’t rain too much in Wales.

I’m looking forward to Foreign climes, to airports and flights, to the babble of European tongues, the aroma of sun-soaked European plants and the tantalising smells of European kitchens. Oh, and a bit of UK travel as well to make new connections. What more could one ask for at the great age of 74?

Woke early to find my Housekeeper awake beside me. At 5.00 am on a Sunday morning, there is nothing on the BBC. There is a TV in the bedroom but I can’t watch TV in bed. Thank goodness I have the facility of Alexa at my side to play my favourite political podcast from Global Player: The News Agents. Today it was discussing the credible risk to the UK from the Russian state. Even my Housekeeper was gripped. Foreplay doesn’t get much better than this!

First, exercise and a long walk. Then gardening in the sunshine. This is healthy stuff. Then I have to turn my attention to financial matters. When I return from Greece, I have to be prepared to reinvest fixed interest bonds and 6 fixed ISAs which are maturing in July. Financial Health is almost as important as physical. My Housekeeper is concentrating on preparing for our first trip with ironing and packing.

After 45 years of travelling together, we have paired back and refined things so much that we now travel very light. Unless we are going away for a month or more, we seem to be able to manage without Hold Luggage. Dressing up for Dinner is not something we have ever done in Greece. Simple, unpretentious, island-style tavernas are our choice and no one expects formal dressing there. If they did, I wouldn’t go.

What this does is allow us to go on short stay travel without all the time-consuming queuing up with luggage at Check-in and carousel on getting off the aircraft each end. We are one of the first out of the airport and first to get a taxi. It feels so liberating and not really limiting at all. I buy Easyjet Speedy Boarding, Extra Legroom and two small cabin bags and two Large cabin bags each. Who can wear more than 30kgs of clothes in ten days? I also have a laptop, two iPads and a Kindle to carry.

Twenty five years ago, we had to finance the purchase of land in Greece, hire lawyers, an architect and builders to construct a house for us. We sold our large house on the Pennines and bought a large house in Huddersfield but without all the extensive gardens. It freed up a lot of cash for our next project and provided us with a big house but less grounds to maintain. It shocked even us that we stayed 10 years and really enjoyed the time there.

The house was built in a former quarry and we constructed a garden from scratch. The steps in this photograph were installed by Martin & Darren – two lads from school who I had employed in the school’s Resource Centre and IT Centre. For unlimited chocoate bars and a trip to Nandos, they worked tirelessly through their summer holidays. Nice memories.

Monday, 2nd June, 2025

Another week. Another week of work. Going to push myself to get through a long list of jobs. The months, the Summer, the year, the lifetime is running ahead of us, Dear Reader. No wonder the important motto remains Carpe Diem – Sieze the Day. We have to grab each one as it passes by unless we lose it. Less than three weeks now until the Longest Day and then …. the year begins the decline into darkness.

Good night’s sleep and I have lots of energy this morning. The sky is blue. The sun is shining and …. go. Went down to a local Garden Centre where the lady on the till was the Founder with her now dead husband back in 1975. It’s still going well and so is she at the age of 85. Let that be a lesson to us all.

This morning I have been talking to an old friend from the late 1960s/early 70s who lives in Bolton – but we don’t hold that against him. We were swapping thoughts about a Cumbrian poet, Norman Nicholson whose work I wrote my College Dissertation on and then went with Nicholson to do a poetry reading in Leeds Town Hall in 1973. On my bookshelves I still hold and regularly refer to these books. They cost me 60p and £1.00 in 1971. The centre book by Philip Gardner, is signed by Harry Chambers which will mean very little to most people but means a lot to me. He was an early publisher of Philip Larkin and Seamus Heaney. He was also my University Tutor for 20th Century European Poetry.

Norman Nicholson warns us not to wish our lives away but to seize the current day and squeeze every last drop of goodness and joy out of it.

My brother-in-law will be 89 this week or Rising 90!! If there is a more scary thought, I’d like to hear it. Still, we will all have to face it …. hopefully. I’m preparing for the next 25 years at this very moment. Rersearching investment opportunities to fund another quarter of a century of playing out.

Actually, I am turning over the potential of fixed rate ISAs and fixed rate Bonds with a variety of durations. I’m thinking of ISAs to mature after 1, 2 & 3 year durations. Actually, the interest rate is not markedly different. There is no way to really predict how interest rates will go but the BoE is predicting we will return to Bank Rate of 2.0% by this time next year so to lock in at more than double that will be useful. The worry is that Trump smashes things up.

I’m also looking at Fixed Rate Bonds which I can get a over the same fixed periods. It just means I will be paying tax on them. I don’t mind paying tax but I would rather not if it puts the principle at risk of erosion by inflation. I must admit that I am ceasing to be spooked by the lack of good rates from traditional, High Street names because the High Street no longer has traditional representation. They are all retreating on-line so everything will be internet/app based.

I would never have considered Aldemore Bank or Hampshire Trust Bank in the past. Now, I rely on the FSCS Compensation cover which guarantees £170,000.00 (2 x £85,000.00) for the two of us in one overarching institution. It allows one to be a bit more adventurous.

Tuesday, 3rd June, 2025

A sunny start to the day although we are warned of rain to come. Going out walking early before it arrives. I’ll finish off in the Gym on the Treadmill later.

Focus for today is to research new flooring for the Hallway. It is only 16m² so not a major project but the existing one has a couple of chips in the surface that catch the eye every time I walk in so it has to go.

Went in to our local town, Rustington, to look at flooring in reality and it became harder rather than easier. We basically have three, different choices to make. Do we want: Laminate Flooring, Luxury Vinyl Tiles or Engineered Wood? Ultimately, the decision will not be cost but appropriateness. It will be fitted while we are away for the month after returning from a fortnight in the North of England.

Went down to the beach as the weather changed and the sun retreated. Not many small boats expected today. The sea is quite unfriendly.

It never ceases to amuse me how my Father – who died when I was just 14 years old – would have been amazed at my interest in Gardening. He tried for years to cultivate (no pun intended) that interest without any sign of success. Yet here I am at the grand old age of 74 and the past 50 of those years has been spent gardening, particularly growing vegetables and planting trees.

Over that time, I’ve owned properties with acres of land around them. Particularly, in Helme Village in Huddersfield but also in Greece where we bought 4 acres of land. On this day 12 years ago, I was learning how to grow tomatoes, green beans, aubergines and bell peppers in the intense heat of a mediterranean sun. Experienced men from the island taught me to dig bowls in the dust dry earth and to fill them with water in the cool of the evening to get the plants through the next day. My success rate was …. partial. Lovely memory though.

Wednesday, 4th June, 2025

Not a brilliant day. Quite cool and blustery with intermittent sunshine. Had to teach some visiting Jehova’s Witnesses about the importance of Atheism. They even had a sad, young lad in tow. I warned him of the dangers of indoctrination. I think he understood. I’ve been communication in with friends myself – keeping the lines of communication OPEN.

Had a contact from a relative yesterday asking about hotels in Athens for October. Having spent almost 45 years visiting Athens every year, I am often asked for recommendations. It is usually a pleasure to pass on my experience. It is only for two nights at the beginning of a cruise when they want a central Athens hotel but I got a real shock this time. Almost every hotel I would normally recommend is fully booked. Not sure what is going on but I really struggled.

I was able to find a room in a small hotel that we used almost 30 years ago. I checked my records and it cost us just £37.00 per night including Breakfast. Today, they were able to book the same for £236.00 per night. I will write them a guide to Athens that I have acquired over the past 45 years so they don’t need to go through all that experience first.

Got a phone call this morning from our Thessaloniki hotel. They were supposed to take our payment for 8 days stay yesterday – one week ahead of our arrival. Since we booked 12 months ago, our Credit Card had been upgraded and I hadn’t renewed it on their site. Yesterday, they were supposed to take €4,356.00 for 7 nights. Currently that is £3,670.00. That is a penthouse suite with Breakfast. Bit embarrassing but soon sorted out.

As well as exercise, we have both done gardening today. The hedge has been trimmed, the cuttings swept up. New plants have been put out and herbs sown for the Summer. It is forecast to rain tomorrow so it is important to get these things done today. Life goes on.

I have to arrange financial investments for the middle of July now. I have to book work on my house for November now. I have to order new machines for the Laundry now, hopefully to be delivered and installed in August/September.

Thursday, 5th June, 2025

A wet start and plenty of rain forecast for today. The garden will be pleased but I will have to spend more time in the Gym instead of the sun. Talking of sun, as we prepare to fly off to mediterranean heat, we look nervously at the weather back home while we are away. Yesterday the forecast suggested the garden would see at least two days of rain. This morning, it’s all change and the garden will just see hot sun. I’m thinking of moving it to Northern England or even to Wales for the duration.

For the moment, I’m really concentrating on Retirement Income and how to ensure it is improving not declining in value over time. As this article from The Times Money section emphasises, less than half of retirees are confident their savings will see them through their lifetime. It must be genuinely upsetting to feel financially insecure at a time when it is difficult or imposible to increase your income. It is something I addressed even before we retired and have been working on ever since. Hard work and sacrifice is paying off. After 16 years of retirement and in our mid-70s, we actually feel more comfortable than when we were working.

A rule of thumb is that you should aim to have about two-thirds of your salary as an annual income in retirement. To fund a “comfortable” life, you need a pension of £44,000 a year as a single person or £60,600 between you as a couple.

This morning, I have been out to speak to our investment bank to arrange the next steps. They are withdrawing from the High Street and it will be our last visit there. Pity really, so many of their Financial Advisers are looking for new jobs after years of service with them. Fortunately for us, the rain has stopped and we can walk there.

Friday, 6th June, 2025

A day of scudding clouds and chill winds. Dry but threatening. I was exhausted last night and went to bed early. Consequently, I was up even earlier this morning and had completed an hour and half’s walk by 9.00 am. Today is the first Herb Harvest Day of the Summer. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, Tarragon, Oregano, Mint and Chives are all being cut, washed, spun dry, chopped and bagged up for freezing.

There will be a couple more such days before the growing year is over and the freezers will be bulging with supplies to last 12 months. The Basil has already had one cutting and a batch of Pesto made and frozen.

I have always been interested in ideas – philosophical and political particularly. I have quite strong views developed over time through reading, listening and thinking. I try not to be dogmatic and to keep an open mind , prepared to change if I see a reason to do so. A couple of such questions are currently passing through public consideration.

I have long believed in the principle of assisted dying. I could see no reason why people should be denied personal autonomy over their own lives. No one has the right to deny me the right to end my life early if I so choose. Recently, however, I have been given pause for thought. Although I still utterly believe in the personal autonomy principle, I have experienced a number of occasions when I believe people’s deaths have been accelerated in what I would consider cases which facilitate the medical profession rather than the patient. Do Not Recussitate orders even lean in that way. The medical profession’s Do No Harm principle is put under serious stress even now and would be more so if they are drawn into assisted dying decisions.

Another principle of mine currently being challenged is having to prove one’s identity on demand. The concept of identity cards has long been rejected by Left Wing opinion. Identity Cards have always been considered susceptible to Far Right, Authoritarian governments in controlling their populations. Of course, this topic has come back on to the agenda partly for exactly that reason. Illegal immigration leaves governments looking helpless. Identity cards would allow those not legitimately here to be challenged more easily. Of course they would also allow all of us to be challenged (harrassed) in public on a daily basis. Do we want to grant the authorities that possibility?

Of course, the world is changing and rapidy. I have a Driving Licence, a digital Tax Record, a digital Health Record, a Mobile Phone record, a Credit Card record, umpteen service plans with online companies which display my personal tastes and my financial probity. I can look up and be looked up by others who can find my age, my address, my phone number, my Birth Certificate, etc, on the web in minutes. So much of me is out there – not to mention all the personal information I volunteer on my Blog. It is a short step to bring these things together in an Identity Card. I think I am coming around to that too.

Saturday, 7th June, 2025

A wet night has, fortunately, given way to a dry morning. The world outside looks thoroughly refreshed and so am I. Woke early – 5.30 am and listened to a political podcast from The Newsagents. It was an exciting start to the day. An interview with Jeremy Hunt about the Liz Truss effect on the prospects of the Tory Party. If you want excitement in bed, that’s the way to go! Anyway, that’s as much as you get today, Dear Reader.

I am 74 and I am lucky. The traditional expectation of Three score years and ten refers to the biblical expression for seventy years, meaning a typical human lifespan. Actually, it was more optimism than reality until quite recently.

It always shocks me – death and particularly with people I know/knew and especially those younger than myself. These two girls, photographed in 1972, were two years younger than me. I remember them on Freshers’ Week. The one on the left, Caroline Horncastle, is now dead. The one on the right, Heather Ward her best friend at College posted this photo yesterday in memory of her friend of more than 50 years. She had attended the funeral and said, She is now part of the hill in Allendale from whence she came.

What a thought. Caroline was born in Allendale – a beautiful part of Northumberland and that is where she is now buried. It hit me like a ton of bricks. The matter-of-fact acceptance of the situation. The ordinariness of the relationship and the report. The normalisation of putting the body of a vibrant, young girl in the earth where she was born.

They give birth astride of a grave, the light gleams an instant, then it’s night once more.

— Samuel Beckett, ‘Waiting for Godot’.

It may happen every day but considering it now, the thought is almost too much to bear. It emphasises how little time we have to burn.

Sunday, 25th May, 2025

Rain over night – fantastic. Sunny and warm this morning – fantastic. Out on an early walk, the world looks lovely. It’s amazing but the older I get the more important small experiences are.

This little vignette on my walk this morning seems to sum up the pleasure in living. Poppies – Papaveraceae – flower brightly and beautifully but are over very quickly. A metaphor for Life?

Just two weeks and we will be off to Gatwick Airport and on to Thessaloniki in Northern Greece. I have fallen in love with this city over the past few years and really look forward to renewing my acquaintance with it.

By day and by night it has so much to offer in terms of culture and friendliness, sights and sounds, food and exercise. All of that comes with the delicious heat of Greeek sun and lapping of the Aegean Sea across the Thermaic Gulf. Can’t wait!

A dear friend from school who still lives in West Yorkshire is 70 this week. I am thinking of her now as she was 20 years ago. My carer, I’ve worked out, will be 74 in just over 4 months. I am about to buy machinery which has a 5 year warranty which will end when I’m 79. Age is racing towards us. One of the most important things to do, in my view, is not let go of the Future. Don’t say, Oh, I’m too old for all that. I intend to be exercising, travelling, embracing new technology, pestering my friends right up until my very last breath. I certainly won’t be buying cars that aren’t complicated, as the Sunday Telegraph trumpets. That way is …. the end.

Monday, 26th May, 2025

Woke at 4.30 am on this warm, bright morning. I dread it. My head explodes with thoughts at that time. Given to introspection at the best of times, my mind goes into overdrive in the silent moments of the early hours. It is a time to reflect on the context of existence. That is scary enough but the radio was running an Obituary programme and everyone seemed to be dying in their late 70s and early 80s.

What we call the beginning is often the end
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
The end is where we start from.
…
Every phrase and every sentence is an end and a beginning,
…
We die with the dying:
See, they depart, and we go with them.
We are born with the dead:
See, they return, and bring us with them.

Extracts from T. S. Eliot: Four Quartets 4: Little Gidding

I think it was sparked by the death of Alan Yentob – a giant of BBC culture and management – at the frighteningly young age of 78.

I’m 74. I have 4 years, only 4 years. What can I do in just 4 years? I must do it all this year just in case.  Everything has to be reconnected before it is too late.

Thou hast nor youth nor age
But as it were an after dinner sleep
Dreaming of both.

Shakespeare: Measure for Measure: Act Three

It is the utter inevitability of age and what it brings that is so undermining. We see people we know aging all around us. We see their age-related stresses, their needs for support and comfort and predict our own by inference. I constantly check myself for signs. I work hard to convince myself that it is not now, not yet.

Here I am, an old man in a dry month,
Being read to by a boy, waiting for rain.

T. S. Eliot: Gerontion

But when?

Tuesday, 27th May, 2025

Very blustery night – warm but quite wet. Dry this morning but still windy and grey. Going out for an early walk while I can. While out, the robots will be at work. Those upstairs and downstairs – Little John and Little John’s Mate vacuuming the floors. Upstairs it is a mixture of carpet and tiles. Downtairs it has to adjust between carpet, tiles and wooden flooring.

They take about 40 minutes to complete their routine’s and return to base to recharge. Of course, John and his Mate could do the job themselves but so much better to have it done for us while we do things we want to do. It was interesting over the weekend to read of the increasing take-up of robot technology particularly by Gen.Z. I’ve always known that I am young at heart if old in body. I was a reasonably early adopter of Robot Vacs but we have all been using robotics without realising it for years.

I was amused to read that, in giving my robots nicknames, I am adopting nationwide habits without realising. Of course, we have all been using robotics in our daily lives for a long time. You only have to look at simple machines – say washing machines – that can be switched on remotely or just by a timer, that can be told how long to wash, to spin, etc. Nowadays, they can be told to sense the type of fabrics inside and how much water is required to wash them. You can look all over one’s life for these sorts of things.

We have been in our ‘new’ house for more than 9 years now and are just starting to look around for a refresh. Usually, that would mean a new house. This time, we are just going to refresh the current house. Starting with the Utility Room, new technology driven appliances that make things easier, do things better and more economically are being ordered. A joiner will rework the unit housing and an electrician will add extra sockets.

In the Hallway and downstairs Cloakroom, the flooring will be replaced. This has been a debate for a while. We looked at it months ago and couldn’t agree. We have agreed that it will be hard wearing, wood (effect). We have now narrowed it down (I think) to these two choices: mine is on the left and is obviously much nicer. This will be quite disruptive so our workers will do it while we are away for a month in Tenerife.

The next debate is adding aditional units, work surface and an American-style Fridge Freezer in the Kitchen. It will mean moving a radiator and the Television to further down the room so will be quite involved.

Wednesday, 28th May, 2025

A warm night where we didn’t fall below 16C/61F. A sunny morning and I’ve done an early walk. My Housekeeper is cutting, preparing and freezing herbs for the future. There’s going to be a future? Sage, Tarragon, Rosemary and Parsley will be washed, chopped and packed into freezer labelled boxes. I’m looking at Trades People for house redevelopment and sorting out upcoming travel plans.

We have some brilliant workers on our books already but there are so many good people in the market for work around here and, just in time, the lates monthly Trades Magazine came through the door while I was out. Kitchen fitters, Electricians, Plumbers, etc. are everywhere. The hardest part is deciding which from which. We try to develop relationships with people and keep hold of them but there is always churn. Anyway, it is good to keep them on their toes with healthy competition.

We have 8 flights booked for the next few months and it is my responsibility to pre-book Executive Lounge places for each. Although we have ‘free’ access to them all, we have found recently that they get ‘full’ at this time of the year so I forward book them to ensure places. I have done them all now and the Entry Passes have been downloaded to our Digital Wallets on our smartphones. Every flight is with Easyjet and one can check in between 30 days and 2 hours before the flight departs. I have been doing that and saving Boardingh Passes in our Digital Wallets as well. If I was a Gen. Z generation – 24 instead of 74 – that would be enough. Being an old man, I also print a hard copy just in case.

Being an old man, my memories go back quite a way. On this day 16 years ago, I recorded this sad event:

It is a sad but important record that only lives on in memory. And, in my view, that is important.

While here in West Sussex, we are beginning to work on our Kitchen and Utility rooms and searching out materials and tradesmen, 15 years ago we were doping exactly that in our Greek home. We were off to Athens to source tiling for the kitchen and the patio.

It was an involved business which meant three days of travelling, hotels, taxis, Haulage Trucks on ferries and off onto the island. It all added to the costs. We had to get our estimates right. Run short of materials and the work to get more was not easy. Life is a lot easier now.

Thursday, 29th May, 2025

Woke up early with things walking through my head. A disappointingly grey but very warm start to the day. It rained over night which was useful. The grass colour is returning to nearly green.

Populism and populist are terms used to emphasize the idea of the common people and often position this group in opposition to a perceived elite. It is often associated with anti-intellectual,  anti-establishment and anti-political class sentiment. It is also often associated with Nationalism and tends towards Authoritarianism. It appears with the rise of the extremities of political thought – Far Left and Far Right.

It emerged for the first time in the 1850s in pre-revolutionary France and pre-revolutionary Russia. Populism constructs The People as a virtuous and unified group and sets them against The Elite which is portrayed as a homogeneous, corrupt force undermining the people’s will. Rousseau said only the people know what is best for society which  John Stuart Mill countered with the concept of the tyranny of the majority. Populist leaders harness that dichotomy.

We saw it in Stalin and in Hitler – extremes of Left and Right. We saw it in Mao Tse-Tung and Mussolini but it waxes and wanes according to the times and social conditions. We have had the rise of dangerous Right Wing Populism in Hungary with Viktor Orbán and the potential for Marine Le Pen‘s group in France. In the US, we have Trump and here we have Farage.

All have one thing in common. They identify concerns of the uneducated, disposessed and never posessed and offer simple solutions to alleviate those concerns. Simple solutions to complex problems are superficially attractive especially if you don’t examine them too closely but will never ultimately work. The Judiciary in the US is holding Trump to account. The Labour Government in UK is holding a light up to the absurdity that is Faragism.

Even so, these are destabilising times and ones in which we should all be alert. We have to stand up and be counted. It was good to see the Prime Minister call out the bogus economics of Farage’s populist policies. It is important that they should not go unchallenged even though it bestows an air of respectability on them in that address.

Friday, 30th May, 2025

Another grey start to the day. What is going on? It’s Flaming June on Sunday. Looking forward to our imminent trip to Greece. Third time for this lovely city on the edge of the Thermaic Gulf and our delightful hotel – The Electra Palace.

This year, we’ve pushed the boat out and moved up to the top floor Suite. We thought that we might as well indulge ourselves after a hard year of exercise and diet.

Thessaloniki is a lovely place for walking and for just sitting and watching the world go by, for cafes and restaurants and wonderful food. Of course, it is also a place for warm sunshine and enjoyable swimming.

After yesterday’s Blog, I was pleased to hear an inspirational interview with my American namesake, Bernie Sanders on Radio 4 this morning. The mad, American Right like to cast him as a Communist – they even described Joe Biden that way at one point so you can judge how far to the right they are. The thrust of Sanders’ thesis is that it wasn’t Biden’s late withdrawal that cost Kamala Harris the Presidency but the policy offer. Populists make ordinary, working people think they are on their side, have their best interests at heart when, usually, they only have their own interests at heart.

When working people are struggling to put food on the table, pay their rent/mortgage, heat their house, pay for their Healthcare and Education, they will vote for someone who says they feel their pain and will do something about it. They won’t be interested in fairly arcane transgender issues, Universities freedoms or even Abortion rights. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t offer those policies but they shouldn’t be elevated above the nitty gritty. And there is the lesson for Labour and the Lib.Dems. in the UK.

Saturday, 31st May, 2025

Lovely morning, Dear Reader and it’s a gardening day. Of course, I still have my daily exercise routine to complete but then I’ll get on with work.

The potatoes – I’m growing Casablanca First Earlies for a change. – are growing madly and will start to be lifted when we get back from Thessaloniki. I think I’ve overdone it with the lettuces but it will help with the diet.

A bucket of Parsley will be washed, chopped and frozen for the Winter. I love Mediterranean herbs but find I’m returning to the ones of my childhood – scary!

I left the sun of the back garden where things are developing nicely and went down to the beach where a different climate existed entirely. I think they call it sea-fret and it looked weird. with people paddling in the sea but barely visible.

Very warm but weirdly inappropriate would be how I would describe the experience. We didn’t stay. There seemed no point although the sun was obviously trying to fight through.

Sunday, 18th May, 2025

Lovely morning and the immediate world around looks fine …. as long as you don’t raise your eyes to the wider real world. Chaos is all around and we have to fight to make sense of it, to bring order to it. There is such self inflicted suffering at our doors that it hurts to be enjoying myself.

We haunt the people that we love, And we become ruins by doing so. Chasing them down every line, no matter if spoken or lived by it. Running in circles, remembering them, While watching ourselves turn into others’ ghosts. We haunt and live and we will outlive…..

Must just wish my very little sister, Caroline – known to everyone as Cal – a very happy birthday. She is the ancient age of 63. Can you imagine it? It shouldn’t be allowed. I suppose she suffered a lot of the time as the youngest and most put upon. Now, she is having the last laugh. Happily living out her retirement in her pastoral Irish home with someone she loves and enjoyment in Newcastle football success. We have all reached reasonably contented conclusions which is something to be celebrated.

I have been working hard for months and now is a time to relax and enjoy … well enjoy. I will still have to do my exercise programme. If I give up, I will be dead. This week will be made enjoyable – mooching around French villages, markets, countryside and it will be lovely, sunny weather.

I’ve been doing a last minute check on local markets which are always a source of interest. There are so many to choose from but walking on Plage de Wissant promenade in the sunshine after wandering round the local market is an absolute delight. You should come, Dear Reader. One of my fondest memories going back 40 years is eating locally caught, grilled Sea Bass in the sunshine of Le Touquet. Maybe I could visit my old school friend who has lived in Arras since 1970 or revisit Wimerex and Audresselles. Car, Country, Sunshine, Freedom – what more could we want? I will even drink some wine. My cup runneth over!

This morning I fully valeted the car while my Housekeeper/Dresser has been ironing clothes for travel. You really don’t need to do that with shorts and tee shirts but she insists.

Monday, 19th May, 2025

A strangely cool and overcast morning. Seems so wrong after all this lovely weather but it rather matches my mood. Last night I was watching an earily prescient Drama on Netflix called Years and Years which predicts a depressingly dystopian future for us all.

It features the rise of a populist politician – a female Farage – played by Emma Thompson and is set in the years between 2019 and 2034. Written in 2018, it frighteningly features things that are happening before our very eyes right now. The rise of anti-immigrant racism. The growing tide of uneducated, unthinking, unsophisticated people who are easily swayed by simple answers to complex problems. I found my anger, frustration and, yes, fear rising over the evening.

And then there was news about poor, old-ish Joe Biden which hit me particularly hard. I have been a fan of Biden and his style of politics for years. He represented victory over populism for years. He represented an inclusive State caring for its own people while open to the excitement and riches of the wider world in oppostion to the narrow and stupid America-first movement which we have seen in Little Englanders here since Brexit.

It hit me particularly hard because there but for the twist of Fate go I. I had a particularly aggressive form of Prostate Cancer but it was diagnosed early enough to be eradicated. My 8 months of Hormone Treatment was horrible and worse than a month of Radiotherapy. But it worked. My cancer had not metastasised into the bone which is almost inevitably fatal. My Consultant said before I went through the Nuclear Medicine investigation which eventually cleared me that bone cancer could still be treated but was much more serious.

Ironically, because I contracted Legionnaires Disease in America, I was tested and found to have Prostate Cancer. It is quite possible that a few more months and it would have escaped my prostate into my bones and that would have been a case of Goodnight Gladiator. I went to bed sad and feeling a bit abandoned in spite of my good fortune.

In contrast, today has become hot and sunny. We reached 24C/75F. It is a day when I walked 8 miles and put in 6 hours of gardening. Planting, mowing, watering, feeding, tidying. Everything is in order for leaving while we are away. France and relaxation calls.

Tuesday, 20th May, 2025

Gorgeously sunny and warm morning. Up at 6.00 am and out on the road at 7.00 am. I’ll be at the Tunnel at around 9.00 am although it will be through rush hour traffic. Au voir. À bientôt.

Well, the journey was excellent with lovely sunshine and gorgeous countryside. We were offered an earlier Shuttle but decided to enjoy the sunshine and have a walk around the developing Facility. E-Gates are coming to European travel thanks to the wonderful Labour Government. Huge new terminals are being constructed to facilitate that.

Anyway, we were off early and under the sea before we could finish a political podcast. It’s weird but I always think of those I am leaving behind when I go somewhere. I hope they are OK when I’m not there to help them. I always have this massive sense of responsibility. I am always responsible for the little people, for those less able to fight their corner. Going abroad always feels like a dereliction of duty.

I will always be there for them and return at the first sign of trouble. I Whatsapp‘d my gorgeous neighbours threatening them with Death & Destruction if they didn’t look after my flowers. They went into an immediate panic because they know I mean it and did their duty.

At Duty Free, my Housekeeper bought industrial quantities of Clarins perfume. Why on earth she needs it, I don’t know but I do know better than to question it. I have no need of anything that can be bought.

To be honest, I was allowed a trip to the wine aisle and the Fish Bar. I do get what I want without shouting, Dear Reader.

A long walk in hot sunshine finished the day before a hot shower and relaxation. Self indulgence and enjoyment is important at my age. There are so few nights left for this.

Wednesday, 21st May, 2025

Coming away is so good for me. It is so easy and comfortable to fall in to regular patterns of behaviour and get stuck – stuck in a comfortable rut. There is no better way to hurry your life away than through unthinking, unchallenging routine. Just a short hop over / tunnel under the Channel is all it takes to break out and look in anew. Last night, I drank wine for the first time since August last year. It tasted good but it felt strong. A couple of glasses and I was anybody’s.

This morning I ate Breakfast for the first time since I was last in a hotel. I really shouldn’t do it but I’ve got to keep my strength up, Dear Reader. The change of routine is difficult to adjust to, my mind and body is challenged by this change. That is good.

This morning, we will drive to Wissant to walk in the sunshine by the sea. It is beautiful and blue, fresh and sweet. I know my friend, Chris Tolley, loves it here. He’s an artist and Wissant is known for its artists community who congregate there for this lovely light.

Just 8 miles to walk this morning and where could you find much better than this. The promenade is quite busy but the beaches are quiet.

Well the beaches were quiet until a wagon parked up and disgorged dozens of migrants ready for the next inflatable to set off for UK shores. They walked along the roadside, down towards the wide sandy beach. They walked with hope. We heard later 800 got across safely. Farage was on holiday …. in Europe and missed the whole event. Amusingly, he was in the South of France.

Being Farage, he brought mindless destruction in his wake as heavy rain and hail brought flooding to the region.

Thursday, 22nd May, 2025

Lovely, sunny and warm morning. Morning will be spent walking and afternoon will be shopping. Pauline is going to put in a bid for this entire shop as a present for Kieron who has absolutely no sense of taste and loves Haribo.

She is so skinny but she is addicted to chocolate. Yesterday she spent €150.00 on about 4kg of chocolates. Lindt Truffles are her absolute favourite and there is a shop connected to a fashion outlet near Cité Europe that sells a huge range she can’t get in UK.

When we are here, she stocks up for the year. What gets me is not the financial cost but the calorific cost. My body couldn’t cope with it. Hers just shrugs them off. Anyway, she has such strong self control that all this chocolate will be eked out over a long period. Coffee chocolate is her favourite and she has chosen at least 5 different flavours incorporating coffee including Irish Coffee, Cappuccino and Tiramisu fillings.

Walking on the Côte d’Opale in the sunshine this morning was lovely. Fresh, sea air, wide blue skies and the sound of the sea returning to UK beaches was wonderful as a backdrop.

Unfortunately, I am paying for that enjoyment by having to go shopping this afternoon. A husband’s work is never done!

Friday, 23rd May, 2025

The last week of May 2025, Can you believe it? Have to wish my old sister, Ruth, a happy Birthday. 78 is an incredible age to reach and a bit scary. But, that’s where she is. We wish her a happy day in sunny Bolton.

Back to UK this morning. Up at 7.oo am for Breakfast. Out at 9.00 am for the Tunnel. Off just after 100.am and home by just after 12.00 pm.

Unpacking the car and settling down to relax over a final bottle of wine before the rest of the diet. Greece in under three weeks. Life is hard! The Tunnel was quiet on our way back but busier the other way for Bank Holiday.

First reactions are to check all the plants in the garden but, fortunately, it had rained a bit and everything was fine.

Saturday, 24th May, 2025

Many people probably wouldn’t even know this before they set off for France but there is a temporary probition on the importation of quite a lot of stuff one would often go to Europe for. Usually, our car is piled high with Meats – raw and cooked, Cheeses and Butters, Quiche Lorraine, Garlic Saucisson, etc..

Because I listen to the Farming Today programme every morning at 5.45 am, I knew there was a temporary ban on importing these things back to UK but had not been told formally by anyone. There were no warnings up at the Tunnel and I was surprised. Then, about an hour before leaving from France, I received a Text from Uk Gov. telling me about the prohibition. Good job I hadn’t invested hundreds of pounds in these items that day.

Even so, nobody checked anything at Customs. I was asked if I had anybody else in the car and they were immediately satisfied with my reply inspite of darkened windows on the car which prevented them looking in. If they had, they might have found that I was carrying 50% more wine than I was entitled to but who cares?

New/old people keep popping up on my newsfeed. John Ridley met up with a girl/woman from our 1969-72 intake who was resident of Cottages in 71-72. Sandra Bates is now Sandra Morkunas. Sounds like she married a Lithuanian although she hasn’t travelled far. She lives in Bedale.

Many of the men from my cohort have been on the edge of their seats today. They are from Sunderland and the Play-Off Final at Wembley to get promotion to the Premier League was being played between Sheffield United (the red hot favourites) and Sunderland (the underdogs). Sunderland were outplayed for most of the match but snatched a winner in the 5th minute of injury time. That win gives them promotion and a £220 million windfall as well. Derek Coulson, a life long Sunderland fan posted the above photo of how he felt.