A while back I wrote quite disparagingly about the VFR1200 and how, in my opinion, it was the bike that nobody wanted, nobody needed and which instead of being all things to all men was absolutely nothing to virtually everybody. Well, it seems that Honda haven't quite lost the plot. In fact, quite the opposite. It appears that Honda may actually have been listening to comments made by me and others like me and we have the evidence here and now. The Honda NC700X, NC700C and Integra are all built on the same platform and share a lot of common components including an engine that is derived from splitting a Honda Jazz 1400cc car engine in two.
Want to know more of the technicalities then visit Kevin Ash's web site, Ash-on-bikes but in my view Kevin is spot on. This is the bike that meets most bikers needs most of all most of the time. Technically it is a quiet revolution as it marks a giant step away from producing motorbikes that drink like a fish and screams like a demon to produce unusable amouts of power to feed egos the size of Mars belonging to people with balls the size of pin heads.
I saw these new bikes on the Honda stand at MCL at the NEC Birmingham last Saturday and the only fault I could find was that Honda have stuck to a chain final drive (which on the Integra looks well out of place). Having started with a car engine to produce the power you'd at least have expected them to use car technology to deliver the power.
Integra - that was a Japan only, grey import, car. I'm not sure that Honda had to go that far down the intrgration route with their car division...
Friday, 25 November 2011
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Reviewed & Connected
I had to take Tuesday afternoon as annual leave to attend a Nursing Care Review at the home where dad is now resident to ascertain with the local Social Services Care Manager, the local Primary Care Trust (PCT) Nursing Care Assessor and a Senior Nurse at the home, myself and mother. Starting at 14:30 we the review covered every aspect of the care provision for Dad as well as an assessment as to how he had settled in, his general health and demeanour. At the end I was able to raise some concerns mother and I had from the first 5 - 6 weeks of his residence.
The net outcome of this meeting is that Dad has been assessed as receiving the level of care appropriate to his needs and apart from a couple of incidents, that we are happy that his needs are being met. Because he chooses to spend most of his time in his own company we will look to provide more entertainment for him in the form of a DAB radio so that he can listen to classical music and talking/audio books so that he can listen to stories.
Yesterday (Wednesday) a phone line was installed so that he can now make and receive calls to keep in touch with family. Because of the BT charge plan he is on he will only be able to make landline calls as calls to mobiles are charged at a rediculous rate. The up side is that it includes a BT Home Hub so that visitors with laptops or mobile computing devices can connect to the internet if there is content they want to show him. I'll be upgrading my laptop to one with a built in camera so that hopefully we can get him into live video chat with family in America (I know Chris will love to see Dad in real-time).
The net outcome of this meeting is that Dad has been assessed as receiving the level of care appropriate to his needs and apart from a couple of incidents, that we are happy that his needs are being met. Because he chooses to spend most of his time in his own company we will look to provide more entertainment for him in the form of a DAB radio so that he can listen to classical music and talking/audio books so that he can listen to stories.
Yesterday (Wednesday) a phone line was installed so that he can now make and receive calls to keep in touch with family. Because of the BT charge plan he is on he will only be able to make landline calls as calls to mobiles are charged at a rediculous rate. The up side is that it includes a BT Home Hub so that visitors with laptops or mobile computing devices can connect to the internet if there is content they want to show him. I'll be upgrading my laptop to one with a built in camera so that hopefully we can get him into live video chat with family in America (I know Chris will love to see Dad in real-time).
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Health, Wealth & Happiness
Everything is relative and everything is interrelated, and at the moment there's a lot of change happening in our world. Dad has gone into full time residential care because mother simply could not cope with either the physical or mental demands put on her by caring for him. That's hardly surprising, he is 79 and she is 76. So now I find myself in the position where I have to run their affairs as well as those of my own family.
Except it doesn't stop there. We have a very similar problem with Sue's parents. Her dad has gone down hill rapidly over the last few months and was taken into hospital Monday this week after blacking out and not coming round for some time. Fortunately there was a "nurse" in attendance at the time, she called for paramedic assistance, and they called the ambulance. Some hours of waiting around in A&E saw him into the MAU, from there he was transferred to a ward in another local hospital (I suppose that was where there was a bed available). He's been kept in and is likely to be there some weeks for assessment of his and Sue's mother's condition and capabilities, but it looks very likely that he will be sent into full time care.
And all this takes time, our time, to resolve their situations, to get on top of their affairs and take command of their financials. Working out what their income is - because the care homes have to be paid for out of their income and the mothers (who are remaining at home) have to manage on a much reduced income, and that means cancelling the luxuries like Sky TV, milk and papers delivered to the house, direct debits to charitable organisations and loads more besides. Then there's the ferrying of the mothers to see their spouses, which has to fit into visiting hours and around our full time jobs...
And so it goes on. I suppose it will eventually settle down, but right now, it doesn't look or feel like it.
Except it doesn't stop there. We have a very similar problem with Sue's parents. Her dad has gone down hill rapidly over the last few months and was taken into hospital Monday this week after blacking out and not coming round for some time. Fortunately there was a "nurse" in attendance at the time, she called for paramedic assistance, and they called the ambulance. Some hours of waiting around in A&E saw him into the MAU, from there he was transferred to a ward in another local hospital (I suppose that was where there was a bed available). He's been kept in and is likely to be there some weeks for assessment of his and Sue's mother's condition and capabilities, but it looks very likely that he will be sent into full time care.
And all this takes time, our time, to resolve their situations, to get on top of their affairs and take command of their financials. Working out what their income is - because the care homes have to be paid for out of their income and the mothers (who are remaining at home) have to manage on a much reduced income, and that means cancelling the luxuries like Sky TV, milk and papers delivered to the house, direct debits to charitable organisations and loads more besides. Then there's the ferrying of the mothers to see their spouses, which has to fit into visiting hours and around our full time jobs...
And so it goes on. I suppose it will eventually settle down, but right now, it doesn't look or feel like it.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Helen Ley Centre update
I took mother to see dad in the respite centre Sunday afternoon and it appears that the centre will close at the end of November after all as the prospective buyers have pulled out and there is only a week left for anybody new to save the day - which is very unlikely. The government cuts in funding mean that this much needed facility will close making the residents "homeless" and not providing much needed respite to carers of long term MS sufferers like Dad. Fortunately Dad will be going into long term residential nursing care in Derby close to home from 1st October but others will not be so fortunate.
Olu Deniz, Turkey
Sue and I returned yesterday from a week's break in Olu Deniz, Turkey. We'd never visited Turkey before and we were very pleasantly surprised. We had a relaxing week, soaking up the sun, and as we were all inclusive we didn't go short in the food and drinks department either. In our week we experienced a Turkish bath & massage with facial, the Blue Lagoon day trip, a 6 island cruise, "Bargains & Bays" excursion (morning in the weekly market in Fetyhe and afternoon cruise)
The the coach return trip on the Tuesday's "Bargains & Bays" excursion stopped at a gold/jewellery outlet where Sue had her rings cleaned (for free) and I bought her a ring with her birth stone set on 14 carat gold. The highlight of our stay was Suzie doing a tandem paragliding flight on Saturday morning before we returned home that afternoon. She started from the top of a local mountain at 6,500 feet above sea level and landed on the beach.
Additional activities included lots of walking, lounging round the pool, general socialising the ubiquitous shopping for bargains. As a holiday destination we found Turkey to be very agreeable and it exceeded our expectations.
The the coach return trip on the Tuesday's "Bargains & Bays" excursion stopped at a gold/jewellery outlet where Sue had her rings cleaned (for free) and I bought her a ring with her birth stone set on 14 carat gold. The highlight of our stay was Suzie doing a tandem paragliding flight on Saturday morning before we returned home that afternoon. She started from the top of a local mountain at 6,500 feet above sea level and landed on the beach.
Additional activities included lots of walking, lounging round the pool, general socialising the ubiquitous shopping for bargains. As a holiday destination we found Turkey to be very agreeable and it exceeded our expectations.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Helen Ley Centre
Yesterday lunchtime dad was collected by the private ambulance to take him for his final visit to the Helen Ley Centre near Lemmington Spa. Due to cutbacks in council funding there will be no more trips, and this one is costing mum & dad over £2,300 just to ensure mum gets the rest she has been looking forward to. Dad won't be returning home at the end of the trip either as we have made arrangements for the private ambulance to deliver him to a residential nursing home just down the road. Mum can't cope any more with caring for dad, so this is the only way to keep them alive and well. Not sure yet what routine mum will settle into but if she wants she can visit dad daily, no restrictions, and have her meals with him (if she wishes) at a cost of £1.50 a meal. It wasn't an easy decision to make but one that had to be made, and the timing is as late as it could have been as the last 2 years of caring for dad have taken at least 4 years off her life and she looks like an old lady now - she didn't 2 years ago.
Mum came to have Sunday roast lunch with us today and the difference that just one good night's sleep has made was visible so this new arrangement will (hopefully) work for both of them.
Mum came to have Sunday roast lunch with us today and the difference that just one good night's sleep has made was visible so this new arrangement will (hopefully) work for both of them.
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Celebrating success
Our friend Carole was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and was quickly admitted and operated on. The news that the operation was a complete success deserved celebrating so the four of us, Suzie, myself, Carole and Giuseppe went out to the Denby Lodge Steak House for an evening meal. So here are some photos from that evening...
As you can see, Carole is looking well which is a great relief to us all.
As you can see, Carole is looking well which is a great relief to us all.
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Health check
Today I had my annual check-ups for asthma and diabetes with Julie & Marion (respectively) at OMC and that in all measures except one I am fitter and healthier than this time last year.
Blood pressure 140 / 68 (down from 168 / 83 just 3 weeks ago and from 164 / 80 last year).
Glucose 6.4 (down from 6.7, over 7.0 is a cause for concern).
Platelets 171 (healthy is 150 – 450, normal is 170+, last reading 3 weeks ago was 127).
Cholesterol down 0.3 to 4.3 (normal healthy is 5.0 or less)
All other blood readings showed a similar improvement across the board (i.e. a shift of 0.3 for the better) and my weight is down from 15st 9lb to 14st 13ld, a loss of 10 pounds, and the biggest change they have seen in my weight since I had Sarcoids back in 2004/5. Marion checked my feet – healthy verdict.
The only poor reading was my breathing capacity (lungs) at 360 cms which is down from 450 cms last year and which should be over 600 cms for a healthy person, but, Julie’s notes show that last year I was on the brown Beclazone inhaler which I haven’t used since I last saw her. No need to restart using it unless I feel significantly more breathless than I usually do now.
All things considered, I am one happy chappy.
Blood pressure 140 / 68 (down from 168 / 83 just 3 weeks ago and from 164 / 80 last year).
Glucose 6.4 (down from 6.7, over 7.0 is a cause for concern).
Platelets 171 (healthy is 150 – 450, normal is 170+, last reading 3 weeks ago was 127).
Cholesterol down 0.3 to 4.3 (normal healthy is 5.0 or less)
All other blood readings showed a similar improvement across the board (i.e. a shift of 0.3 for the better) and my weight is down from 15st 9lb to 14st 13ld, a loss of 10 pounds, and the biggest change they have seen in my weight since I had Sarcoids back in 2004/5. Marion checked my feet – healthy verdict.
The only poor reading was my breathing capacity (lungs) at 360 cms which is down from 450 cms last year and which should be over 600 cms for a healthy person, but, Julie’s notes show that last year I was on the brown Beclazone inhaler which I haven’t used since I last saw her. No need to restart using it unless I feel significantly more breathless than I usually do now.
All things considered, I am one happy chappy.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Where does time go?
It has been over a month since I last posted on this blog - no I haven't lost interest but time has flown by and myself and the family have just been so busy.
First, we have all been so busy at work. I've been settling into my new role, my manager has resigned and moved on and new managers mean new ideas on how things should be done. Sue has had her role confirmed as permenant (it was 2 year fixed term) and is undertaking a number of site visits in her attempts to make significant cost savings for Derby City Council. Mark got promoted after just 6 months at BMI and that has brought added duties and responsibilities. Andy has been working long hours and hard to achieve maximum bonus, trying to boost his savings for when he joins Rolls Royce in September on their apprenticeship scheme (when the money will drop significantly).
Outside of work - well I went off on my motorbike touring across France to the annual European meeting of Honda Deauville owners at Riegel in Germany (a full write-up is underway and will be posted on my website sometime). At the same time I had to arrange for a joiner/carpenter to sort out a soft patch of flooring in mother's entrance hall, resolved with additional noggings. We have had a scare with mother having to be checked for cancer of the colon which thankfully hasn't returned (she had it back in 2005) and she has been given the all clear (next check-up in 5 years time). We have had to do the reseach in readiness for Dad going into a residential nursing home - he's on the list and gets a place when one becomes available. We have also had Sue's sister Janice up to stay with us for a few days so that the two of them could sort out some respite day care for their Dad and he now goes into a care centre each Thursday (which he loves) so that Sue's mum can have a break (there's nothing wrong with him, they are both just old). Sue has/is been helping our friend Carole who has just had a successful operation to remove a breast cancer tumour and her nymph gland, but thankfully that was a total success and she now has to take a course of pills (instead of chemotherapy) so she will be off work for a long time.
On top of that, we've had the decorators in and the master bedroom has been completely re-done with new paint, paper, carpet, curtains, bedding and lighting. Also took the opportunity to dispose of some of the clutter both in the master and 4th bedroom (now my office). Still got some trips to do to both the amenity tip and the local charity shop but I've got to get that room cleared and sorted so that it is properly my office - don't hold your breath.
Following a recent trip to my dentist I went down with a rather nasty case of Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) which resulted in a sunny Sunday afternoon being wasted on a trip to the local emergency, out of hours clinic, followed by a trip to see my GP and 2 days off work (no work = no pay). Thankfully I am now just about over that, but it was rather painful at the time.
Andy has today flown out to Lanzarotte with his girlfriend and her family for a week in the sun. Mark has just found out that he has to take 3 weeks leave by the end of September and Sue and I are hoping to get away for a week in September - we were planning to go on holiday with Carole & Giuseppe but that is going to depend on Carole's recovery. Sue has got a long weekend this weekend as she's taking Friday & Monday as leave and is hoping to spend time with Carole.
Add to all that the usual household chores, gardening, shopping and socialising and it's been a busy few weeks and really does make you wonder where does time go? It's not until you look back like I am in writing this blog post that you start to realise how much we cram into our lives these days.
First, we have all been so busy at work. I've been settling into my new role, my manager has resigned and moved on and new managers mean new ideas on how things should be done. Sue has had her role confirmed as permenant (it was 2 year fixed term) and is undertaking a number of site visits in her attempts to make significant cost savings for Derby City Council. Mark got promoted after just 6 months at BMI and that has brought added duties and responsibilities. Andy has been working long hours and hard to achieve maximum bonus, trying to boost his savings for when he joins Rolls Royce in September on their apprenticeship scheme (when the money will drop significantly).
Outside of work - well I went off on my motorbike touring across France to the annual European meeting of Honda Deauville owners at Riegel in Germany (a full write-up is underway and will be posted on my website sometime). At the same time I had to arrange for a joiner/carpenter to sort out a soft patch of flooring in mother's entrance hall, resolved with additional noggings. We have had a scare with mother having to be checked for cancer of the colon which thankfully hasn't returned (she had it back in 2005) and she has been given the all clear (next check-up in 5 years time). We have had to do the reseach in readiness for Dad going into a residential nursing home - he's on the list and gets a place when one becomes available. We have also had Sue's sister Janice up to stay with us for a few days so that the two of them could sort out some respite day care for their Dad and he now goes into a care centre each Thursday (which he loves) so that Sue's mum can have a break (there's nothing wrong with him, they are both just old). Sue has/is been helping our friend Carole who has just had a successful operation to remove a breast cancer tumour and her nymph gland, but thankfully that was a total success and she now has to take a course of pills (instead of chemotherapy) so she will be off work for a long time.
On top of that, we've had the decorators in and the master bedroom has been completely re-done with new paint, paper, carpet, curtains, bedding and lighting. Also took the opportunity to dispose of some of the clutter both in the master and 4th bedroom (now my office). Still got some trips to do to both the amenity tip and the local charity shop but I've got to get that room cleared and sorted so that it is properly my office - don't hold your breath.
Following a recent trip to my dentist I went down with a rather nasty case of Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) which resulted in a sunny Sunday afternoon being wasted on a trip to the local emergency, out of hours clinic, followed by a trip to see my GP and 2 days off work (no work = no pay). Thankfully I am now just about over that, but it was rather painful at the time.
Andy has today flown out to Lanzarotte with his girlfriend and her family for a week in the sun. Mark has just found out that he has to take 3 weeks leave by the end of September and Sue and I are hoping to get away for a week in September - we were planning to go on holiday with Carole & Giuseppe but that is going to depend on Carole's recovery. Sue has got a long weekend this weekend as she's taking Friday & Monday as leave and is hoping to spend time with Carole.
Add to all that the usual household chores, gardening, shopping and socialising and it's been a busy few weeks and really does make you wonder where does time go? It's not until you look back like I am in writing this blog post that you start to realise how much we cram into our lives these days.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
New car
I forgot to mention that Suzie has a new car - well, new to her. A pre-owned Peugeot 207cc in white that is less than 9 months old and fitted with all the toys has replaced her 6 year old Tigra. I'll put up some pictures on the family website when I get back from Germany.
Initially, while it was the car she wanted she was also a bit wary of driving it but as she's now done a trip to Manchester (to see Take That in concert at the Man City ground) she's now fallen in love with it and has no regrets about the change.
Initially, while it was the car she wanted she was also a bit wary of driving it but as she's now done a trip to Manchester (to see Take That in concert at the Man City ground) she's now fallen in love with it and has no regrets about the change.
To the 4 winds
Last Saturday Dad went into respite to ive mum a 3 week break. Unfortunately he was vomiting on arrival but this was put down to a combination of factors - he'd just had lunch when the private ambulance turned up to collect him, it was a different driver and the journey was extended due to traffic. However, the staff soon had him cleaned up and resting
So this Saturday sees the family scattering off to do their own 'thing'. I'm off to do a bit of motorcycle touring of France en route to Riegel in Germany. Andy & Emma are off to Lanzarotte for a week while Suzie & Mark are taking in a show in London (Jackson's Thriller) on a day trip. Hopefully Mark will take his grandmother to see AJ in respite on Sunday ahead of Joh & Angie's visit to see Mum the following weekend.
So this Saturday sees the family scattering off to do their own 'thing'. I'm off to do a bit of motorcycle touring of France en route to Riegel in Germany. Andy & Emma are off to Lanzarotte for a week while Suzie & Mark are taking in a show in London (Jackson's Thriller) on a day trip. Hopefully Mark will take his grandmother to see AJ in respite on Sunday ahead of Joh & Angie's visit to see Mum the following weekend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)