Life's Good

Firstly my consultant's appointment went well yet again. No detectable paraprotein and my Free Light Chain Assay (Lites) were fine. The doctors, my trials nurse, and I agree that it is remarkable that I am now starting maintenance cycle 39.

The month in general has been most enjoyable. Margaret's health has continued to improve and she has been busy with a variety of activities associated with her librarianship (is there such a word?) and her role as a school governor. For my part I've sat in court on four days this month. I continue to learn of course but I'm gradually developing more confidence. There have been (rare) occasions when I've been able to brief my bench colleagues on some finer point of process. I am expected to sit on 13 full days per year (April to March). By volunteering, I've already sat on 22 days !  As will be apparent, I get huge fulfilment from the role.

The other morning I set my alarm to wake me at 3am to watch the 'super moon'. This was apparently a rare event when the moon's orbit brings it to it closest to the earth and coincided with a lunar eclipse.

I must confess that although the moon did indeed darken and become coloured, the size was hardly super ! Still, maybe it will be better when it happens again in 33 years.

This month's saying is absolutely nothing to do with the moon. Instead it simply amused me:

It's like deja-vu, all over again

(Yogi Berra)

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen

Toys !

Firstly, during last week I visited my consultant and again was told that everything is fine: no detectable paraprotein and Lites almost normal. This was especially pleasing to hear because, for some odd reason, I'd got it into my head that I should expect bad news.

Margaret very kindly let me go out to play for the whole weekend. On the Saturday I drove over to attend the Light Aircraft Association Rally at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire. The LAA is responsible for the administration of home built aircarft. It performs a similar role for those aircraft that no longer have manufacture support. I was therefore able to walk amongst a huge variety of aircraft.

This picture is of a Jodel D9 single seat, open cockpit aircraft. It is home-built and powered by a converted Volkswagen engine. In many ways it is typical of the type of aircraft I was able to see. The picture also gives some idea of the scene and the fact that a cold wind was blowing from the north the whole time I was there !

I stayed overnight in a hotel before joining friends at the Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire. I was treated to an excellent picnic lunch (thank you again Sally), to an excellent airshow, and to surprisingly warm weather. The sunshine will certainly have topped up everybody's vitamin D.

The picture shows just two of the wonderful old aircraft that have been restored to flying condition by the Shuttleworth Collection which contains both aircraft and vehicles. It was wonderful meet up with friends and to be allowed "out" by Margaret.

One final news item: The gentleman who bought the aircraft salvage after my incident last year, has been in touch to ask if I might want to buy it back once it is restored later this year. We will just have to see !

This month's saying is thus especially apt:

As men get older, the toys get more expensive

(Marvin Davis)

Keep well and YOLO

Stephen