1404.11 GOODBYE ADRIAN MOLE MY FRIEND

I was sad to learn of the passing of author Sue Townsend last night. The character she created in Adrian Mole, a working class anti-hero who's life never quite lived up to his expectations resonated with me. The character was a little bit older than me (4 years) but as a teenager I wholly related with the angst and the pains. He was also a child of the times speaking about the Thatcher years. The books dip in and out of his fictional life and I feel I have grown up with this character. The last book in the series, 'The Prostate Years' dealt with a man in his forties who hasn't achieved what he set out to do (that is something I can relate to) and looks at him dealing with serious illness (thankfully something I've not had to deal with yet). 

Sue Townsend's diary style of writing is the reason why I started blogging. There are books of diaries I kept which are long lost, it is something I've done most of my life. 

Thank you Sue, rest in peace... 

... Goodbye Adrian my old friend. 

1404.10 GETTING BACK ON

This has been an important day for me. Perhaps the most important in a long while.

For the first time in 148 days I got my leg over... 

...over the saddle of a bicycle. For the first time since the accident that saw my wrist broken in 4 places, surgery with 2 plates and 6 screws added, I have gotten back on a bike and rode.

Initially I was nervous, after all being hit by a car is quite a stressful occurrence. I took it quite steady but still I managed a 12K ride. The ride wasn't fast or anything to shout about since I was riding my work bike (that's the bike I ride at work, not what I ride to work).

I hope to ride again in the morning, I have a lot of fitness to recoup.

1403.04 FLOORED 2 GO

We are currently looking at redecorating our living room. The biggest job is to replace our ageing carpet with a laminate floor, something Morticia has been asking for since before the last carpet. We shopped around and found the perfect deal at the local 'Floors 2 Go' store. The staff were helpful and we paid for our new floor. We were told that the damp proofing membrane and edging strips would need to be ordered. That's when the issues began. All is explained in the email I sent to them... 

On 27th January I visited one of your stores in Rotherham and was pleased by the selection and the deal offered by sales staff. I purchased laminate flooring plus underlay and was told that a damp proofing membrane edging strips would be ordered and could be collected soon after. I paid for all the items. We were told that someone would telephone us when the items came into store.

After not hearing anything for 2 weeks I chased up my order. I was told it had yet to be delivered and someone would get back to me to let me know when i could expect delivery. No one called.

I tried to call back a number of times the following weekend where no one answered the phone.

I chased again a week later and was told the same and that I would be advised when it came into store. 

I left it for a couple of weeks and chased again. I was told that the damp proofing membrane was a rare item and not often available. I was asked why I specifically ordered this set up as there was a combined underlay and damp proofing available. I said that I was not offered this nor was I told that the separate membrane was difficult to source. I was offered a swap for the underlay I had for the combined underlay. I agreed and was told that the new underlay would be available by the end of the week and I would be phoned. 

Once again I received no phone call and it was left to me to chase. Yesterday I phoned and was told my items were available for collection. I went today to pick up the outstanding goods and was presented with the originally ordered damp proofing membrane (and the edging strips). I questioned this and why the membrane took so long to come. I was told that this item was like "rocking horse shit". I asked why I wasn't offered the other combined underlay to which I was told that it was much more expensive and that the system sometimes shows it in stock when it isn't. 

All in all its taken 6 weeks to fulfil my order. In that time I've been fobbed off, misinformed, never had my calls returned and been given in my opinion a very poor level of customer service. I had a friend lined up to help me fit the floor but now I have to wait for them to become available again. This episode has been a nightmare and what I thought was a good deal has turned out to be such a poor effort on your part. 

1402.28 SECOND HOME

Once again I find myself at my mother-in-law's in St Neots visiting and generally relaxing. We been coming down here for many years now and as such feel I know the town quite well. I've ascended the church tower, visited the fetes and markets and had a few in a number of the local pubs.

The only thing I've never done here is cycle. Cycling here is strange. Because it is so flat there are old ladies, vicars and tubby blokes out on bikes. So different from what I'm used too, don't think I've ever seen anyone wearing lycra here and there are few, if any proper road bikes.

We rarely do much when we're here. We usually visit town, Morticia is quite well known here (she visits more than me and she has brightly coloured hair). Today was slightly different, we visited a local chilli farm ( www.edibleornamentals.co.uk) which had a lovely cafe. It was empty today but I bet it gets busy in the summer, in fact I bet it would be a great cycling stop off.

I have to rely on my tablet computer heavily for entertainment since the choice of TV by our hosts can be not to my taste all the time (thank god for Netflix).

I usually enjoy my time here (apart from the fact that our hosts are smokers), it's a nice community for a bunch of southerners.

1402.26 THE TARTAN BREAKUP?

The news is awash with the forthcoming referendum in Scotland. Watching the politicians from both sides is like watching a relationship break up on Facebook (we've all seen them). It's embarrassing and quite frankly a little worrying.

I'm not Scottish and don't have any connections with Scotland aside from a short holiday about 20 years ago when Morticia and I drove up to Inverness to look for the Loch Ness monster (we were unsuccessful but had a great break). I do know some Scottish people who are a little peeved that they can't vote since they don't live there anymore. I think they're annoyed because if it's a 'yes' they instantly become 'Scottish' and thereby become foreigners. Maybe since Scotland won't immediately be an EU country they might get deported! 

1402.05 MEXICAN ARM WRESTLE

It's been 103 days since my accident and since I last rode a bike.

For the past 6 weeks or so I've been having regular physio sessions at Rotherham General Hospital. Last week I was told my strength had come a long way (not up to previous levels though) and my movement had 'plateaued' and as such there was little more she could do for me. At that point she discharged me.

So that is it?

Tomorrow I'll be attending the Fracture clinic where I expect the consultant to discharge me. So now I'm on my own, I don't have full movement, I have a loss of feeling in my fingers and a numb spot around my scar. I guess I have to learn to live with it.

1402.04 OFFICE CAT

Since my return to work a month ago I've been confined to the office whilst my wrist gets stronger. I have to say that the office isn't my ideal environment and I can't wait to get back outdoors. I'm hoping I'll get the green light to be out after next week.

1401.29 MOBILE WEBSITE

My website has been around for many years and for the last few years I've toyed with having a mobile version. Everyone seems to have one and even my blog has a special mobile view when accessed via a phone (thanks to Blogger). I'm no web designer, just a tinkerer and have always thought it would be a difficult task for my skill level so I never pursued it.

Today I had a nasty session at the physio which left me feeling sick and in a bit of pain. I ended up booking the rest of the day off work. After a couple of painkillers and a little nap I found myself doing a bit of work on my laptop (proper working from home work). After that I found myself playing with a free service that mobilised your website. To detect a mobile device I had to add some HTML code into my website to redirect to their service. This got me thinking that there must be a bit of code that I could use to redirect to my own creation. I quickly found it and knocked together a simple version of my home page.

I uploaded to my server and after a little tweeking it works. On a phone now (not a tablet)if you go to www.kirt.me.uk you are redirected to a simplified version of my home page. I'll keep working on it but I'm enjoying getting back into my web presence.

1401.19 CHRISTMAS ALES

I had a variety of ales over the festive period. I love the variety of beers that are available these days, all have their own specific charms. I think my overall favourite out of the selection I tasted this year has to be Shephard Neame's 'Christmas Ale', a strong dark and flavourful brew. A special mention has to go to 'Old Speckled Hen' which I had a keg of, it was great to have beer on tap (£13 for a 5 litre keg from Tesco).

1401.13 RECOVERY TIME

Since my accident back in November the only thing on my mind has been my recovery which is plodding along steadily.

I'm back at work on restricted duties playing it by ear. I've started physio at Rotherham General Hospital which is quite painful but I know to be necessary. I have quite a lot of exercises to complete.

Obviously there is no cycling. This coupled with the excesses of the previous season means that I feel that I'm banging on a bit of weight. I'm considering dusting off our old exercise bike that serves as a clothes horse (before anyone suggests it I can't afford a turbo trainer) to get through some virtual miles.

1401.01 HAPPY NEW ONE

So it's 2014. The New Year's celebrations were pretty much the same as previous years down in St Neots with the Mother in Law and her partner Dave. 

Before we set off on New Year's Eve I had a hospital appointment with the consultant regarding my broken wrist. I was basically an x-ray and a check up. I was signed off work for the rest of the week with a recommended phased return to work following. I'm back on the 7th (Monday is my day off). 

I'm ready to face the year with hopefully a more positive outlook. My life is far from perfect, I miss my eldest daughter more than anything and I'm not about to pretend that I can mend my broken heart. All I know is that I can move forward now and get on. 

1312.30 MOVIE - HOMEFRONT

Captain's Movie Review in Seven Words...

STANDARD ACTION FLICK THAT FAILS TO SHINE

⭐⭐⭐⚫⚫⚫⚫

Homefront on IMDb

1312.25 THE CAPTAIN'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Merry Christmas to All

Christmas again. It's been 12 months now since I saw my eldest daughter and the pain of that almost broke me this year. Every aspect of my life was effected by this loss and the damage will, I believe take many years to rebuild. It was sometime in September or October (I think) when something clicked inside and I started to pick up. I feel so much more positive than this time last year. A place will always be available to her in our home and our hearts should she decide to come home. The same cannot be said for my parents who turned their backs on us and refused to support us when we need them the most, the hurt I feel runs deep and I can't see a way back.

Like many, we have felt the pain of austerity imposed on us by the Tory coalition government. No real pay rise coupled with rising costs put paid to our annual holiday this year. All we managed was a day trip to Llandudno, it's the first time in 10 years that we haven't got to our beloved New Quay (Cei Newydd). I'm hoping something can be sorted out for next year, I can't imagine not going back again. We also visited Warner Bros Studios, Harry Potter Tour in Watford earlier in the year.

A new phone back in January changed my mobile window into the online world. The Nexus 4 converted me to Android in a big way and within the time I've had it (and my Nexus 7 tablet) I've learned so much about the art of customisation and automation, I now have brilliant LCARS styled Star Trek devices. They have given me so much fun this year.

My little girl started secondary school this year, I am so surprised at the way she has adapted to life at 'big school' and is doing really well there. I am so proud of her as she grows and becomes more indepenant. She has an active after school life and is at some extra curricular club most afternoons after the school day. She has been involved in performances and concerts over the festive period bringing joy and cheer to local people, shoppers, the elderly and even local dignitaries.

Cycling has always been a large part of my life. I credit it with keeping me together during the dark times. Watching pro cycling also gives me loads of pleasure too and I was thrilled by the 100th Tour de France, the whole race was amazing and topped off brilliantly with the victory of Chris Froome for the 2nd British Yellow Jersey in a row. I restored a vintage bike for use as a commute / hack bike to take the pressure off my Boardman which I spent quite a bit of money getting roadworthy. I signed up for a coast to coast ride for next year which is one of the biggies on my bucket list.

I was involved in two cycling accidents this year, the first was a minor fall whilst at work giving me a bit of soft tissue damage to my knee, I was back up and riding within 2 weeks. The other was about 6 weeks ago where my commute bike was hit by a car and my wrist was broken, the road to recovery promises to be hard and painful.

So what lays ahead for the up and coming year? Lots of physio, that's all I can foresee for the moment. The future is pretty much unknown to me. The ashes of my life lay around me and I have no idea what I need to do to rebuild and I am not giving it too much thought at this moment. I'm getting through a day at a time for the moment.

Merry Christmas to everyone, hope your day is spectacular.

1312.19 THE CAPTAIN'S FESTIVE TV GUIDE

Television is in integral part of the Christmas experience and I have many happy memories of reading through the Radio & TV Times looking for the gems of entertainment. Of course movies were a big part of the Christmas line up in my younger years, not so much these days in an age of DVD, Blue Ray and streaming services.

I still relish the arrival of the TV listings magazines and scour the pages marking the programmes I don't want to miss. This year I've decided to share some of those highlights with the world. Of course with hundreds of channels it's easy to miss things, one thing I haven't missed are the reality show specials which play no part in my Christmas telly line up.

Friday 20
1700 - The Chase Xmas Special (ITV)
A special 'Text Santa' celebrity charity edition of this popular quiz show.
2000 - Text Santa (ITV)
Charity festive telethon. I'm not a big fan of Ant & Dec but I'm guessing this will be on in my house.
2030 - Citizen Khan Christmas Special (BBC1)
One of the best sitcoms of recent times gets a festive special. Disappointed that it didn't receive a higher profile slot (such as Christmas Eve).
2325 - The Matt Lucas Christmas Awards (BBC1)
Not the best show on TV but it'll provide a festive backdrop whilst you're wrapping presents.

Saturday 21
1740 - Pointless Celebrities (BBC1)
A special edition of the tea time quiz with guests Keith Harris with Orville, Rotherham's own Chuckle Brothers and Father Christmas.
1935 - 'Allo' Allo (BBC2)
A festive episode from 1991. A classic!
1915 - (movie double bill) Deck the Halls & Four Christmases (CH 4)
A couple of films to make you feel Christmassy I hope, don't think I've see either of these.
2200 - Father Ted Christmas Special (More 4)
Father Ted is one of the funniest things on TV even after all these years (from 1996).


Sunday 22
1535 - It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas (CH 4)
Don't think I've seen this film.
1725 - The Muppets & Lady Gaga at Christmas (CH 4)
Muppets are popular in this house.
1850 - Porridge (BBC2)
Festive edition of this classic from 1975.
2205 - Jeff Dunham's Very Special Christmas Special (Comedy Central)
Funny 'un-pc' ventriloquist. No sure if this is new or if I've seen it before, still worth a look.


Monday 23
2000 - The Gadget Show Christmas Stocking (CH 5)
Shiny tech that I can't afford.
2030 - Would I Lie To You? At Christmas (BBC1)
I love comedy panel shows.
2100 - John Bishop's Christmas Show (BBC1)
Comedy from one of the best UK stand ups.
2200 - Only Fools & Horses (Gold)
Classic Christmas special from 1992. The one with the 'Peckham Spring'. 


Christmas Eve
1310 - It's a Wonderful Life - film (CH 4)
I have this on DVD so this is more of a recommendation. this is THE Christmas movie.
1715 - The Nation's Favourite Christmas Song (ITV)
Cheap schedule filler. No doubt we'll end up watching.though.
1930 - The Perfect Morecambe & Wise Christmas Special (BBC2)
It's not Christmas without Eric & Ernie.
2100 - QI XL - festive edition (BBC2)
Love this show. 
2145 - Backchat with Jack Whitehall & his Dad - Christmas Special (BBC3)
Enjoyed the first series, hoping they can get better guests for this special.
2200 - Not Going Out Christmas Special (BBC1)
This show has suffered recently from the departure of some of the major characters leaving Lee Mack to carry the show.


Christmas Day
1500 - The Queen (BBC1)
I don't think I've ever seen the Queen's speech, I'm usually asleep by this point.
1815 - Call the Midwife: Christmas Special (BBC1)
This one is for the missus.
1900 - The Simpsons - Christmas double bill (Sky 1)
I love the Simpsons.
1930 - Doctor Who (BBC1)
The wait is over, the Doctor Who is the staple of Christmas Day. A regeneration too.
1940 - Christmas Night with the Two Ronnies (BBC2)
Classic comedy that will serve as an excellent background to the festivities - from 1987.
2030 - Downton Abbey (ITV)
Another one for the missus. 
2130 - Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special - 1/2 (BBC1)
I'll be drunk by now. Glad I have Sky+.
2215 - Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
Christmas episode from 1974.

Boxing Day
1805 - Gangsta Granny (BBC1)
Looks good on the trailer.
1945 - Still Open All Hours (BBC1)
Follow up to 'Open All Hours', really looking forward to this.
2100 - Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2013 (CH 4)
The ultimate comedy panel show.

27 December 
2000 - Celebrity Come Dine With Me (CH 4)
Only reality style show I'm giving time to.
2100 - Vicious (ITV) 
Fairly poor sitcom from some heavyweight actors. Seasonal edition.
2100 - Merry Christmas Mr Bean (CH 5)
Another classic.

A fairly basic round up of the highlights I'm looking forward to this Christmas. If all else fails I still have Netflix.

1312.16 BIONIC HAND

So it's been almost a month since I finally got my surgery on my broken wrist following last month's cycling accident. On 1311.21 (21st Nov) I went in for day surgery (which I thought was wholly inappropriate for the kind of operation) to have a metal plate screwed into my wrist bone. The following Tuesday I said goodbye to the cast and am now sporting a wrist brace (which thankfully I can remove to wash and deal with itches).

I have limited movement and little strength in my right hand, I still can't write properly and drawing by hand isn't possible (although I can do a little on my computer).

So I'm off work until the new year which may sound good but the boredom aspect isn't great. How the long term sick or unemployed manage is beyond me. Have you watched daytime TV for a prolonged time? I'm surprised how bad most of it is and how much it repeats itself. I eagerly await the Christmas schedules.

Time is dragging on the run up to the big day as if I was a child, only I'm not excited like a child. My main hobbies have been cruelly taken from me so I spend my days watching Netflix or TV. Occasionally I'll get out and walk but it's cold and unpleasant out there so I limit myself to a couple of half hour strolls a day.

The very neat scar on my wrist, when the hair grows back you won't see it.