Good News and Bad?

As promised 

I thought I would update people about how the first competition went at the camera club

As you will remember I had put in a couple of digital pictures. Despite my intention to do some prints for this time life has been hectic and therefore I was unable to get round to printing and mounting up some in time.
I am happy to report although one of my pictures did a moderate 16/20 the other picture I entered scored a respectable 19/20
The picture that did so well was  "Red Arrows at Hastings Seafront"

I was really happy as it reminded me of my holiday and encompassed the feel of summer and Pirate Day on Hastings seafront when it was taken 

We have been quit busy as the kids have been off college for half term this week. 

Due to the influx of children off school I have been finding it harder to swim lengths in the pool.There is a wave machine in the pool and during the holidays it is switched on regularly causing me to have to stop every half an hour.But as there are more public sessions there is some compensation.I went out and got a hair cut to cut down on time taken for my hair dry after swimming and I like to keep my hair short anyway.

Both of the children have been occupied over the half term 

Alex went off to the Excel center with his mates to MCM London Comic Con and had a great time. 

While Ellie who reached her 18th birthday at the end of  October went off to Berlin! 

She organised the trip for the Student Union and did a great job:) The only hiccup was a delay with her passport application. Due to new rules being applied by the government  she was required to attend a interview which nearly stopped her going as we weren't sure she would get her passport in time!

 The week has been a bit stressful for me and Liz sorting all this out and during this I started to get a pain develop in my right shoulder I had hoped that it was a muscle strain or that I had slept badly but now I suspect that it maybe the start of something else as this is how it felt when I had shingles in September last year. I have been to the doctors and he has given me some Tramadol to use and now it is just a matter of waiting to see if I develop the characteristic rash. That will doubtless lead to a stay in Harefield Hospital on IV anti viral drugs for a while.I am keeping all my fingers crossed that the doctor is correct that it is muscular but I won't hold my breath on that one!!

Finally I have some good news to share regarding the camera club

 we have a new president of the camera club it is 

 Brain Tufano BSC

Trainspotting, Shallow Grave, Billy Elliot and  Quadrophenia

If you want to know more about him see the following links

Life of Brian

Brian Tufano IMDb 

     It is so great that he will be part of the club and able to support and encourage us with his years of expert knowledge and experience

Also this week we had a excellent presentation  by one of the top Audio Visual photographer 

Ian Bateman LLB,FRPS,MPAGB 

who showed this slideshow presentation which I have posted here

Three Year Wedding Anniversary

Time is moving on quickly of late with lots happening in a the space of a short time. Today was my third wedding anniversary, remembering the day I married is hard. 

I had to use my oxygen before I was able to get out of my car and walk the short distance in to the Oxford registry office from the disabled spot outside. Our simple ceremony with just our our two witnesses was over quickly and there was no party.I needed to use my Oxygen all the way home afterwards.

It marked a turning point in my life. 

I had just gone on the list and had received two calls within one month of being listed  

First call   Second call 

I had realized that I might not survive the process of transplant or the wait and wanted to put my affairs in order and on those first couple of calls I was very worried about outstanding issues with my pension, tenancy and provision for Liz and my children.

Three years on and life is totally different 

I am so much better and looking forward with hope, thanks to the donor who has given me this chance to live a new life and honor his memory.I am now able to do things with my wife and children and support them like a husband should.
Liz and I met 25 years ago and always said that we would get married, but just didn't get round to it.Life moved on, we had kids and still ,despite me going down on bended knee years ago in the middle of the staff social club at my old hospital,it hadn't happened.
I was staring death in the face when we finally said "I Do" and it all became clear, Love , friendship and happy experiences are the things that matter.
I really hope that I will be able to give my beautiful wife many more years of all of these things

I love you so much Liz and I'm so glad that you have been there with me though all these 25 years. 

You are my rock and I hope that the years yet to come will be even happier

Since my transplant lots has changed and just last week we finally placed my mums ashes in her final resting place in the local church garden of remembrance in St Mary the Virgin, Kidlington. It overlooks the open countryside and I finally felt a sense of peace for her since her passing. I draw comfort in the fact that there will be a space for my ashes with my mums should I wish it when the time comes.

      

I was forced to think again about my mortality as transplant is extra time not a total cure.Because of the medication I take and risks with immusupression my time will shorter that it may have been.

I hope that I have many more years ahead, but I have resolved that the next few years I will going forward firing on all cylinders and making the most of the health I have got now.

I will be looking at holidays for next year and some travelling that I have put of for a while.I missed out on Glastonbury tickets this year:( But I am looking into more transport and Christmas will be a big one this year as Liz will be off. New year I am going to try to  have a proper night out if I can, Liz will be working on 1st.But before that my daughter will be turning 18 (this month) and Liz has a birthday in November so I will be looking forward to spoiling them both.

finally I have entered my first competition at the camera club this month and so I thought I would include the two pictures that I have entered

Hang On A Minute Lads, I've Got A Great Idea....

Red Arrows over Hastings seafront 

They were both taken in Hastings in the summer fingers crossed they do well, I will tell you how they do in my next post.