Earlier today, the King invited Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, to form a new goverment. This followed Labour's landslide victory in yesterday's General Election. In his first speech as Prime Minister, Starmer wasted no time in reminding himself and the nation of the implications. I worry he has not got the measure of why voter turnout yesterday was so low. But here are extracts of what he said "Our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics to public service. “When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service... Continue reading

Within hours of my first chemo treatment yesterday, my body was telling me to go to bed. It was the middle of the day. But experience with the radioactive thereapy two years ago taught me there was no point in fighting to stay awake. So off I went for a... Continue reading

Much has happened since 10 May last year when I completed a trial of targetted molecular radioactive therapy. I seemed to be in respite. Energy levels rose with the sun. Digging was an activity I was able to resume. But scans proved respite to be short-lived. Today, I received my... Continue reading

Coughing started late last night, a horrible tickle at the back of my throat. An interrupted night followed - three pitstops. Wakening at a 'normal' hour was a muddled business. We were meant to be lunching with neighbours. I had no wish to infect them. First question - despite having... Continue reading

Scan days require patience. First a CT scan - Computed Topography (see picture) for which a iodine contrast dye is injected via a cannula. The liquid generates warmth in my body as it is pumped round by my heart. I was warned in advance. The procedure was relatively quick today,... Continue reading

This was definitely not part of the The Big Help Out billed as the third day of the Coronation celebrations. Perish the thought. Nevertheless, a handful of parishoners at St Joseph's Bunhill Row (actually its in Lamb's Passage) gathered late morning to clear out spring bulbs from the parish plant... Continue reading

Another undisturbed night did not herald a trouble-free day. Slight chest pains returned while I was in church. Perhaps it was sight of the Order of Service with the National Anthem, you know "God Save the King" as the recessional hymn. Alternatively, it could have been a delayed side effect... Continue reading

With barely two weeks to go before we leave for Greece, my double bass has been cocooned in its case since I started treatment 35 weeks ago (with a couple a exceptions). An attempt to play in a Beethoven 9th weekend just after Christmas proved too much for my ailing... Continue reading

One pit stop overnight didn't help my mood this morning. A pall of tiredness hung over me, despite seven hours of sleep. A promise to shop while Patricia went to see her medical team at the Royal London Hospital got me out of the door. But just walking to tbe... Continue reading

Enjoying another uninterrupted night's sleep only to wake up to a BAD feeling is not to be relished. Proceed with caution was my watchword for the morning. We were due to meet a friend of some 50 years with whom we share grandchildren. Her daughter is married to our eldest.... Continue reading

My blood test appointment turned out to be later than I had been told, thanks to a reorganisation at Barts. No longer a simple turn up, take a ticket and wait your turn system. Technology rules now. Book on line, check in online and your name will be displayed on... Continue reading

Today we were up with the lark again. This time back to London supposedly so I could give more blood for scientific research. Half way to Waterloo, I got a message asking to rearrange for tomorrow, Wednesday. But it wasn't a wasted journey. We wanted to get home to measure... Continue reading

Sunshine is magnetic. Before gathering pruning tools, it was time for the steps challenge. They join the end of our cul-de-sac to the road under the railway. There are 29 of them. They lead to our local Co-op and the possibility of a Guardian newspaper print edition, if you get... Continue reading

Sunday is meant to be a day of rest. But with guests tonight, I was despatched to do a last minute shop for those essentials . It was then time for slow gardening - I am learning! With spare compost, lots of pots and lots of cutting material, I cleared... Continue reading

This is a pathetic whinge. I love gardening. It's compulsive. Sod prostate cancer, I'm determined to keep up with basic tasks. Today promised to be fine. We had bought replacement plants last night. And of course, BBC2 on Friday night screens the most important programme of the week for those... Continue reading

Eleven weeks ago Patricia fell off her bike broke her right leg and ended up with a whole knee replacement. Today we walked over two miles from our house to Branksome Chine beach. It was a shared achievement. Though, the louder applause should be for her. Watching her cope with... Continue reading

After yesterday's excitement - a birthday party and a humiliating football match, today was a complete contrast. Up with the lark after an uninterrupted night's sleep to go to Broadstairs in Kent for a funeral. Auntie Dorothy was the last of Patricia's parents' generation. She was married to Patricia's father's... Continue reading

Illusions of a possible return to normal were shattered today in more ways than one. Good night's sleep - no pit stops, then a wave of fatigue descended and I slept until 1230 pm. Why? Who knows, except that body of mine. The main focus of the day was planned... Continue reading

A goodnight's sleep interrupted by just one pitstop, which was surprising as last night I was obliged not to take my potion. After the joys of the Theatre Royal, we were invited to a tapas bar across the road, Eating after 7.30pm is (in theory) a no-no. But we couldn't... Continue reading

Coping with the final dose of radioactive treatment for my prostate cancer poses daily challenges. Logistics are critical. I can't grumble about three pitstops, especially as I used a little time after the first at around 2.20 am to solve today's Wordle puzzle in the New York Times. Solving puzzles... Continue reading

For the first night in nearly three weeks my pitstop potion of two 500mg paracetamol and two 200mg ibuprofen, washed down occasionally with a slug of Amaretto liqueur failed. I was up more than three times in the night. I suffered neither pains in my chest or reflux, which was... Continue reading

Another uncomfortable night, indigestion and reflux - not a good idea to scoff a few chocs a couple of hours before bed. By early morning, the weather looked as though I might be able to get into the garden. Taking my time over breakfast, it was almost warm when I... Continue reading

After a disrupted night's sleep thanks to indigestion, I wondered why I hadn't just got up to swig some Gaviscon. But I didn't. I ended up tossing and turning with only myself to blame. I waited until the sun was warming the air before venturing out into the garden to... Continue reading

After another quiet night, I'm awake early. A 0935 train to Poole beckons. Those lawns are weighing on my mind. Will I have the strength to handle our dinky lawnmower, the lightest flymo device on the market? First, there is the challenge of getting to Waterloo, finding a seat near... Continue reading

After another relatively uninterrupted night, just one pitstop, I needed some more music therapy. I recently discovered an organisation called the Friends of City Churches that compiles a diary of services and music recitals. These are mainly held at lunchtime, conveniently organised for City workers starting just after 1.00pm and... Continue reading