For the health updates this week, nothing really out of the ordinary. The use of the supplements continues and this second attempt appears to be working better, with less pain. The muscular aspect is apparent, but I will carry on and see how this continues. I had my appointment to choose my glasses, which was fairly quick and they have been ordered and awaiting delivery. Some of the activities during the week (see below) did impact, but that is ‘normal’ now and expected, plus the adjustments carry on accordingly.

Wednesday was spent with Alanna and the grandkids, with us visiting 2 local museums - 1 Battle of Britain and one transport, with a short stop of at a Battle of Britain memorial. All of these are on our doorstep almost and both Alanna and I were visiting at least one of these for the first time. Easy to forget what is close by and it made for an easy day out, close by and was convenient for the kids for lunch and the like, which we done at at my home. My batteries were running out by the end of the afternoon, but I then took it very easy for the rest of the evening and night. I had a busy Thursday, which included some time with Karl too, which I always welcome.

The remainder of the week was very much ‘book shaped’ The timely arrival of Volume 6 and also the reprinted Volume 5, resulted in the first of the orders arriving and me being able to fulfil some of those, ahead of then having to pause and switch over to pre-show prep. The show is the enjoyable Military Odyssey (still there on Monday, as you are reading this), which Colin and I stall out at. Always a chance to catch up with regular customers, good friends and of course, new customers; the books were eagerly received by those who already have the first 4 (and 5) volumes. Good friends caught up with included Bob (meeting his wife for the first time), Sam and Sheila, Ian and Nicola, Scott, James, Dave S, Matthias and Jason, alongside good friends face to face, where we normally converse via other channels. The toll on the back was there, but expected and again, I adjusted accordingly, when back home each evening.

Face to face interactions like this, with friends and customers, is superb for the mind and soul. Many of them are aware of my situation and were checking in with me (some last seen me one year ago, weeks after the chemo had finished, when I still looked ‘dug up’), with others being made aware for the first time, as part of appropriate conversations that were unfolding. During the aspects of those various conversations that were spent on my situation, we all agreed that the mental fight is THE key one and one that can make a huge difference to how we can all get through difficult health challenges. As we are all history freaks, there was plenty of other things to discuss and and those impassioned chats were heartwarming. A particular conversation will go down as one of my most memorable ever. One regular customer of Colin’s was there and part of his visit including looking at my books. He picked up Volume 5 and asked me If I had read any of them…..going on to tell me how much he enjoys reading them and recommending them to me…..asking me again, If i had ever read them. I stared at him and was waiting on the punchline, or him to crack a smile, then realised he was serious. I replied by saying that I “had read them a few times, as I had written them.” His facial reaction was priceless and we quickly denoted that, although he knew my first name, he never had a reason to make the connection. He was excited to see V6 done and left with a copy to add to the rest of the collection; my signature added to his personal copy!

Notable advances were made on the Fritz Witt project too, so overall, a great ‘book week’. I was able to talk face to face with Martin, whom I am doing the book with and updated him on key research aspects uncovered just this week.  

Thanks for the ongoing interest and great to catch up with a number of you over the weekend.

Regards

Peter