1501.07 TOO THOUSAND AND 15

So we are here again, another new year. I have high hopes for this one after a long battle back from what I deem to be rock bottom over the last number of years. Sure there are things even now that are testing my resolve but I feel a new determination that I hope I can hold on to. 

This year I have a holiday to look forward to, I'm hoping to get back on my bike soon and really get into it again.....

....and (hopefully) stay accident free.

WISHING ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY A VERY HAPPY 2015!!

1412.25 THE CAPTAIN'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

I started the year pretty much as I end it nursing a cycling injury and hoping to get back to full strength. This time though instead of it being my wrist it's my collarbone that is healing. I hope I can get through the next 12 months (at least) injury free. 

Once again we went without a holiday due to the bite of this government's unfair austerity measures and in particular it's attack on the public sector (for which I am employed). It's been a hard summer watching friends flying off on holiday whilst we can't even manage our week in Wales. 

We did manage to refresh the living room with new flooring and decoration. 

One of the biggest events of the year has to be Morticia's 40th birthday which we celebrated with a party in a private room in our local pub. The event was made more special by the appearance of our eldest daughter whom as many of you know has been living with my parents for the last couple of years. It was to be the start of our reconciliation. 

My bad luck meant a bad year on the whole for my cycling. Thankfully I was in good shape to ride out and watch the second stage of the Tour de France which was visiting Yorkshire for the Grande Depart. The whole build up (I attended a number of special events) was out of this world and the experience will live with me for the rest of my life. 

As I've mentioned before there was no holiday this year (again) but the summer did have a few highlights. This all came to a crashing (literally) halt in September when I hit the tarmac at speed breaking my collarbone. I'm just starting to get over this injury. 

The latter part of the year was about recovery. That has been a challenge which will continue into the new year. 

Of course we must not forget the ones who didn't get to this Christmas. This year we lost my Uncle Mick, in fact it was only last week. It was unexpected. I also mentioned about losing our pet, the hamster "Twinkle" who gave us so much pleasure. 

I'm going to say that this year has been on the whole a good year despite the misfortunes and the austerity. The highlights make it. The cherry on top was when our eldest daughter decided she wanted to move back home a week ago. So now we are a family again and hopefully we can move forward together. 

WISHING ALL MY FAMILY & FRIENDS WHO STOOD BY US THROUGH THE HARD TIMES A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. 

1412.15 GOODBYE TWINKLE

Yesterday our lovely hamster, "Twinkle" passed away peacefully in his sleep. I know some people might not take the passing of a pet (especially a small pet with such a short LIFESPAN) but I cannot express enough the effect this little rodent has on our family.

He arrived with us at our darkest day (our eldest daughter had left us following a number of years of problems), we had reached the lowest ebb and I was in the middle of a mental breakdown and have few real memories of that particular time. I do remember the day he arrived, I wasn't too keen on him. I didn't want another pet, especially a rodent. Soon things changed. "Twinkle" whom we we told was a girl was discovered to be a boy (it was pretty obvious), was the most gentle, funny and energetic little creature I've ever had the pleasure to know. He shone a light on a dark time in my life and helped lift my mood and spirits. Every time I went into the dining room (in the evening) he was there to greet me. I enjoyed watching him run around the room in his ball (which he loved). He loved to be handled and demanded so regularly.

There is a big hole in our lives now. I'm glad however, that my eldest daughter got to know and love him too. He fell asleep and was laid to rest with a piece of cheese, a grape and a corn stick (some of his favourite treats) under the lavender bush in the garden.

1411.20 GAGA

Tonight my family, for the first time in a long time, went out together as a unit. Morticia, myself and our girls went to Sheffield (Motorpoint) Arena to see Lady Gaga. I'm not what you would call a Gaga fan (in fact music isn't a big deal in my life) but I managed to get cheap tickets through work. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

I enjoyed the show, we all had fun and it was an enjoyable family night out.

1410.31 THE COMMISSIONER

Today was the election of a new Police & Crime Commissioner following the child grooming scandal and subsequent resignation of Shawn Wright. There has always been an apathy towards the role which is evident in the low turn out. I always vote for every election, I feel it's a duty that everyone should fulfill, and I made no exception here (although I almost missed it). Rotherham is the town I live in (although I still consider myself to be from Sheffield, the city of my birth) and has been damaged greatly by the recent events. The town, in my opinion, was already dying, I hope it will make it through.

This election is of course more important for me as the role affects my work. I hope I made the right choice.

1410.29 THE BIG RETURN

I've been unlucky to say the least the last few years. This has resulted in 3 significant sickness periods from work for me, the first being depression resulting from family issues and the other 2 being cycling related collisions resulting in broken bones and hospitalisation. Today I finally return to work following the 3rd of these occurrences.

I've spoke to my supervisor at work yesterday to sort out the details of my return and was told to "get in when you can". I decided that the best time would be 09:30 - 10:00 as that is when the office would be the quietest.

08:54 - I'm on the bus (cycling not an option yet) heading to Sheffield City Centre, it turned up 15 minutes late but I'm not on a deadline so not too concerned.

09:06 - The transfer to my 2nd bus in the old market area (now abandoned, awaiting demolition) was swift which I was glad about since its not a nice place to be waiting in these days (even in the morning). I'm now hurtling up to where my workplace sits on top of the hill. It's almost like starting a new job, I'm actually feeling quite nervous!

10:01 - I've had my return to work interview and we've drawn up a plan for the next month. Now I have 2 months of emails to go through.

14:01 - My first day is over and I'm on my way home. I'm on a graduated reintroduction and light duties for at least the next month. I'm glad I'm back and am looking forward to restoring this aspect of my life.

1410.28 DUTY CALLS

It's been 2 months of long and painful recovery.  Finally tomorrow I return to work,  at least in a light form. Today I went to see the consultant at the hospital who cleared me for light duties. I have begun physiotherapy and have been promised a painful journey to recovery (lovely). 

I am a little apprehensive about my return,  I've not kept up to speed with the goings on and only had minimal contact with my colleagues. Whilst convalescing I've not shaved so I'm looking a little like Grizzly Adams (again I'm showing my age). I'm not like a lot of blokes that look rugged with a beard, I tend to look more homeless than manly when I sport anything more than a goatee. 

Question is do I shave before I return or use it as an indicator of my full recovery later along? Morticia hates beards as a rule and complains regularly about my 'grizzly' look.

1410.26 OUT OF SHAPE

My recuperation has had another side effect on me. One I had to deal with the last time I was injured. Whilst recuperating I've been pretty inactive which has meant that love put on a bit of weight (OK maybe its a lot), I'm not sure how much since we don't own weighing scales, if I did I think I'd be scared to use them. I'm also finding myself making excuses not to get on the bike, it's obvious that there is a psychological element I need to get over.

1410.24 DOOMED

There is rarely a news bulletin on at the moment that doesn't cover the awful events in West Africa and to some extent the rest of the world. I am of course talking about the Ebola crisis. I'm not about to go into depth about the operations of world governments and the rescue efforts of the brave medical professionals who are out there putting their lives on the line.

My wife, Morticia, has been very concerned about the whole thing and has expressed concern that the disease is about to spread throughout the world and we are all doomed. Maybe her concern is warranted, maybe not. I personally don't think that it's going to be as disastrous as we are being lead to believe. The history of the world is rife with mega killing plagues and probably always will be, I remember back in the eighties when AIDS came to light and the doom and gloom that was talked about back then, and there wasn't the added noise of social media to spread the paranoia.

I'm not worried, at least not yet. I'll continue to monitor the stories and if warranted I will panic on a later date.

1410.04 TEENAGER #2

About 5 years ago I posted a tongue in cheek post on here asking for advice in coping with a teenager as my eldest was about to reach that age. My offspring took grave offence at this and in hindsight there were tell tale signs to the three years that were to come. 

My youngest daughter has now reached that age. This time around is so different, Rags is a mature, caring, bright and considerate young lady and I have a much more positive feeling about her future.

Ever since my eldest's 13th birthday an 8 year old Rags has been planning her celebration. Like her sister she wanted a limo ride followed by a small gathering, everything went off without a hitch and I was pleased that our eldest came along to share her sister's special day. Happy 13th Rags xxx