Today is the birthday of my eldest daughtyer Lisa. She was born over 50 years ago but I remember that Saturday as though it was yesterday.

A knock came on my front door as a young woman aked me if I knew my wife had delivered a young baby in the night. Walsgarave Maternity Hospital was just down the road and my informant worked their.

I waited until visiting time when my wife Annette assured me she had not had a baby. Her confusion was caused by the drugs she had been on as delivery took place. Even a Nurse bringing our daughter did not convince her that the baby was hers.

When evening visiting came round things were different. Annette was holding her daughter and told me she had been calling her Lisa all day. So there was no point in arguing and our beautiful daughter now had a name.

I will phone Lisa shortly and wish her ‘Happy Birthday’ as she is gets ready to work as a Classroom Assistant in a Coventry School.

I hope her colleagues and charges treat her well on this Special Day

This Blog is now active again thanks to Diamond Media in Grimsby. It has been a a struggle for almost a year as there have been some technical issues but they have been solved now,

From tomorrow I will post daily to explain what has been happening in my life in the last year.

As always I will speak openly about what has been going on: I have nothing to hide!

I was reassured yesterday when Waffl told me he had taken me under his wing.

Wafflul as he fondly known is an incredible person.

What he doesn’t know about Grimsby and the surrounding area isn’t worth knowing.

He alway knows a man who can who will never let you down.

His partner is a beautiful woman fitting for a man of his stature.

To say the leaste he has led an interesting life and always puts his experiences to good effect.

If only there were more people like Waff on this earth the world would be a better place.

Yesterday at 3pm I was seen by two GP’s at Stirling Medical Centre.

During a very thorough medical examination Dr Sibtain posed ‘Why did you give up?,

I reassured him that I never gave up but withdrew for a time to gather breath as I faced a difficult struggle in my life.

To watch my first wife die at the age of 29 was challenging.

To see Maureen bravely dealing with dementia and eventually dying in her 80’s was soul destroying.

However, I never GAVE UP. as Ginger one of her Social Workers recently said ‘ I couldn’t have done any more.’

I never GIVE UP it is not in my nature.

On occasions I may go quiet to gather strength to fight another day.

A Taxi driver informen about Diego’s passing yesterday afternoon. I knew immediately that I wanted to share my grief with some genuine Liverpool supporters.

Later in the afternoon I called in at the fruit shop in our Market Stall where the owner and his son have been Liverpool season ticket holders. We discussed their loss at length as I purchased some of the excellent fruit that is always on offer.

Diego is a sad loss to all football fans. His ability was immense and it is unfortunate that injuries often limited the number of games he played in a seaso.

Rest in peace Diego and thanks for wonderful memories of an exceptional footballer.

I have received a letter fom the NHS this morning that informs me that I have been removed from my GP’s Practice list from 5/07/2025.

I had no idea that any complaints had been made against me.

I phoned up the Practice this morning to be told that someone would speak to me this afternoon as they are very busy at the moment.

I await with bated breath wondering what is going to happen next to make my life even more challenging.

When I was a crankshaft macinist for British Leyland in the 1960 Jim Meehan was our setter. Fondly known as Big Jim he would change over our machines when a different model came onto the production line.

Big Jim could ofter be seen with his back to a machine. Like a bear he would use the machine as his tree to ease itching in his back.

I have fond memories of my time at BLMC where I learned how to negpotiate piece work prices for myself and later for my Section after I was elected Shop Steward.

Our immediate adversary was known as Jack the Rat A tough nut to crack who often said we would kill the Goose that laid the Golden Egg.

Happy days when it was clear who was them and who was us.

I still find it upsetting when I hear the uninitiated claiming that Idle workers destroyed our Car Industry. I would like them to have to put up with the graft that went into trying to earn a decent wage on machines that were well past their sell by date.

The itching from scabies is driving me mad at the moment. I have phoned for help from the Clinical Assessment Team to be told there is nothing they can do to help me. I have cream and have taken a shower but still the itching persists.

All I can do is tough it out for another few weeks or so. The Beatles version of Help is the only song that gives me inspiration at this torrid time in my life: When I was younger so much younger than today

I was hungry after my third shower of the day at 10.30 last night. Weetabix was at hand and I ate 6 one after the other. This brought back fond memeories.

I was on holiday with my ex wife and two children. Whilst we were in Amroth we had been unable tofind any Weetabix in local shops. When we returned home my young son ate 6 before his appetite was fulfilled.

I miss my only son having no communication with hime for a long time now. The only time I have seen him has been at my Dad’s and Mum;s funeral. However’ I know that he is giving sterling support to my ex wife as she faces significant health challenges.

I’m ready for something to eat now. My first breakfast of the day. I bet you can guess what it will be.

I am bemused by the attitude of the Care Home I voluntarily spent 8 weeks in. As I tried to do my duty yesterday and seek an informal meeting to provide helpful feedback on my stay I was told that ‘you are no longer a resident.’

I am the first to admit that occasionally wake up in the morning a little confused about where I am. Such confusion soon passes as I start my day in my own home.

I just wonder why staff at the Care Home feel the need to remind me that I no longer reside with them?