Dizzy spells and a shock.

Have you ever felt you are slightly tipsy? But you haven’t had a drink. Well that’s the way I feel at the moment, that’s what low blood pressure does to you when the weather is one day reasonable cold and then the next day the temperature goes up to 15 degrees. I wouldn’t mind if I had hit the bottle but feeling half pi--- when you haven’t had a drink, well there is no joy in that.

This morning opening the Blog of my brother’s no1broadstreet I was appalled in realising that I was looking at a photo of my mother. Apparently she had fallen and cut her head that badly that she had to have it stitched. Luckily for her she hadn’t broken any bones and at her age (will turn 90 in June) that is just about a miracle.

I got on the phone straight away to my brother to find out how my mother was, it seems she is a bit shaken up but enjoying all the extra attention she is receiving. After hearing that everything was all right, my brother and I had a small chat; I must say I enjoyed talking to him.

Up to now this week has been quite normal, on Monday afternoon I cycled on my bike once again into Düsseldorf to buy an anti-virus update. I use Kaspersky Internet Security and have been doing for the last three years; myself I think it’s a good program.

Now you will be asking yourself why did he not down load it? When you down load you get the handbook in a PDS file and I either have to print it out or keep entering the file to look up things. When you buy the update in the shop (I agree it’s a little more expensive) I get the written version of the handbook.

Yesterday we went and bought a new table for the Patio our old table has served its purpose. While we were in the store I started having these dizzy spells so we decided to drive home.

We had intended to go and plant some new flowers on the grave of my wife’s parents but now that will have to wait till weekend.

A last note on our dog’s health. Well it seems that the worse is over the last five nights we have all slept well.

The photo is one of my mother taken in England in the early 60

Take care out there were ever you are. Tschüss.

Remembrance

On the 26 of February a year ago my older sister passed away after losing the long and bitter fight against cancer. I last saw my sister 20 years ago when my wife and I with our daughter visited New Zealand. Today I would like to remember her in my Blog. She is always with me and often spoken about.

My brother no1broadstreet has written a wonderful memorial about our sister in his Blog and there is really nothing more to say.

Take care out there were ever you are. Tschüss.

Düsseldorf

From my last Blog you know that on Monday I was in Düsseldorf and that I had taken some photos of the city with my old Canon A1. Yesterday I picked up the developed slides from the photo shop. Some of the slides were crap (had to do with the camera setting, my own fault) but I knew that before I got them back, all in all I wasn’t disappointed with the out come. I put them through the slide Scanner that I borrowed from my next-door neighbour and the results you can see.

My wife hasn’t been to good over the last couple of days, upset stomach. It must be something that she has eaten but what we don’t know. She is now on light food, no coffee, tea and strictly no fat, hoping that these measures will help. When not she will have to pay a visit to the doctor and that is something that’s she loves (smile)

I have been following with much interest the Blotter on holiday on the south island of New Zealand and his entry’s I find are very witty and well written. Although my wife and I were twice in New Zealand we never got to go to the south island so I am not to familiar with the names and places.

I hope I’m not speaking too soon, I think our dog Toby is on the mend (thank goodness) we are now going into the sixth week with his cough but the last four nights we have been able to sleep without any interruptions. Let’s hope it stays that way!

My intentions in the future are to give my readers some information about the area in which we live. Düsseldorf, Hilden, Wuppertal etc.

The photos are as follows, The Hof Park in the middle of the city. Lang Willam, a tower with a turning restaurant on the top. Shadow Strasse, a main shopping street in the middle of the city. The Rathaus, the town hall. On the way home I took the sun going down on Unterbacher see, nature reserve area.

Here is a bit of information about Düsseldorf.

Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and one of the economic and cultural centres of Germany. Düsseldorf is located on the River Rhine and in the densely populated Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area, with more than 10 million inhabitants. The city is famous for its carnival and events, also for fashion and trade fairs, like the Boot Messe (world leader in boats and watersports) and Igedo (world leader in fashion). Every July more than 4.5 million people visit the Große Düsseldorfer Kirmes fair.

Take care out there were ever you are Tschüss

The end of an era.

On Monday after lunch I swung myself on my bike and with my Canon A1 and all the necessary equipment that goes with it (I had forgotten how much it weighed) cycled to Düsseldorf. Seeing that the day was a glories one and my hobby is photography (well one of them) I should have known that the Sun would be in the wrong position but never the less I was determined to use up the slide film that I had bought.

On my way into Düsseldorf and the time I spent there (over three hours) I came to the conclusion that an era has come to an end. This would be the last time that I would use an analog camera. I took 36 photos on Monday in and around Düsseldorf in doing so I cycled a round 40 kilometres. Some of the photos I took are crap that I know before I get the film back but some I shall be very interested to see how they turned out. I enjoyed my afternoon plenty of fresh air and lot’s of exercise. When I get the film back from being developed and there are one or two good photos I shall put them in a blog about Düsseldorf.

The photo is of my old Canon A1.

Take care out there were ever you are. Tschüss.

Daffodils and Good Cooking

We have been having over the last week exceptional good weather conditions, cold nights but during the day temperatures around ten degrees. This has naturally caused nature to become active, what normally takes place in four to five weeks is taking place now, for instance the first Daffodils are in flower.

Last night (being Saturday) we had friends around for an evening meal. It is quite a while since we have done any entertaining. Like I mentioned in one of my early blogs I can’t cook so that means preparations and the cooking is done by one person. My wife always says afterwards “ that is the last time I cook for other people” I myself must congratulate on her superb cooking and the way she organised the evening.

Here is the menu.

Starters. A mixed green salad with Rucola and lamb’s lettuce with cherry tomatoes, pine seeds grated Parmesan cheese and Balsamic dressing.

Main course. Chicken breasts done in an onion cream sauce and Italian pasta.

Dessert. Tiramisu.

This was all washed down with a Pinot Grigo Valdadige. It was an enjoyable evening the conversation was good and our friends left at one Sunday morning.

We were up at ten past seven this morning both suffering and sadly admitting that we were getting too old for these late night dinners. I went with the dog for his morning walk in the mean time my wife started clearing up and by nine thirty we were ship shape again.

I haven’t been running for three weeks due to the virus that I had picked up, I’m still not hundred percent fit but I indented to do a slow six kilometre run this morning, sorry to say I was not up to it because of the late night and probably the wine did not help matters ether.

To morrow afternoon I am going into Düsseldorf on my bike (weather permitting) taking with me my Old Canon A1. I have bought a slide film and intend to do a series of photos of Düsseldorf if they turn out ok (and I haven’t forgotten how to use the camera ) I shall make a blog later on the subject Düsseldorf.

Last week I did a bit of work in the garden and have made some new alterations plans for the spring. The lawn needs a good working over (Vertikutieren don’t know the English word) at first I was thinking of digging it over and sowing a new lawn (to much hard work) so we will just have to wait and see how it turns out with the alternative method.

I am pleased to hear that No.1 Broad Street and The Blotter are enjoying my blogs I certainly enjoy reading theirs.

The photos are of the first Daffodils this year and of the table set for last nights evening meal.

Take care out there were ever you are. Tschüss.

The Neandertal

On Monday evening I give my brother in law (the husband of my older sister that passed away last year) a ring to congratulate him on his birthday. He was very surprised that we had remembered his birthday, we chatted for about 20 minutes and it was good to hear his voice again.

My wife and I go twice a year to the dentist for a check-up and today was the day for the first check-up. Now being a big mouth as I am sometimes, or let’s put it, my teeth are ok attitude. Off to the dentist we go. My wife’s teeth are ok, I needed a small filling and I have decided to keep my mouth shut in the future.

My wife has been letting her hair grow over the last few months. Now knowing my wife like I do the worst thing for me was to query this decision. Now to my surprise yesterday she rang her hairdresser for an appointment to have her hair cut short. I must say my wife does not suit long hair (my opinion) and I’m very pleased that she has had it cut short again. Those who are patient will always be rewarded (referring to myself, sneaky smile)

Yesterday afternoon I decided go for a ride on my bike taking my camera with me. I had picked a route out were I had not been for some considerable time. The path runs parallel with the small river called the Düssel (this is were Düsseldorf gets it’s name from) the valley were the river flows through eventually leads out into the Neandertal valley, (tal means valley in German) this is were the world wide known Neandertal man was found. (See photo) the recently built museum there is dedicated to the Neandertal man and the age in which he lived. People come from all over the world to visit the museum. In summer you can walk for miles through the woods and valleys it is a very beautiful area and we live only about 6 kilometres from there.

Last night we had another episode with our dog Toby, at two the morning he had a fit of coughing again waking my wife and myself. I got up and went into the living room with him hoping that my wife would go back to sleep again, ten minuets later she also got up so we made our selves a cup of tea (just like any normal English family would do in such circumstances) and sat with our dog till four by then the coughing had stopped and we all went back to bed. From the information I have these coughing bouts can carry on for months, we will just have to take the rough with the smooth.

The photos are of the river Düssel and of a water mill driven by the river and the Neandertal man. The water mill shot was taken a while back with my Canon A1.

Take care out there were ever you are. Tschüss.

The flea market

Friday is a day when we put our efforts together and clean the flat from top to bottom and this Friday was no exemption. Ever since I have been retired my wife and I work mostly hand in hand with the household chores unless something comes up. My wife does all the cooking, I can’t cook and I don’t like cooking, funny really my brother likes cooking and as far as I know is a good cook. My father liked cooking and my grandfather from my mother’s side was a cook by trade.

After dinner on Friday we drove to a large furniture store just to have a look round, we were contemplating on buying a new bedroom suit. After a good hour of looking at bedroom suits we came to the conclusion that our bedroom suit is still modern and really in good condition and there was no need to buy a new one. (Money well saved)

Before leaving the store my wife bought herself a new special pillow that supports her neck and shoulders. This morning I asked her how had she slept and she said “very well”.(money well spent)

I have just been reading the Blog from the Blotter and admiring some of his photos that he has taken with his new camera. I must say I am bit envies The camera (Canon EOS 40 D) is the one that I would like but can’t afford, you are talking about 2019 Euros with two lenses a EF-S 4,0-5,6 17-85 mm and EF 4-5,6/70 –300 mm. So I shall keep on dreaming that one day I shall win on the lotto.

This afternoon and it’s Saturday and the weather is fantastic we went for a long walk with our dog Toby all in all we were gone two hours. On arriving home we had coffee and cake the latter being what my wife had baked.

Today being Sunday my wife was up at five with a pain on her right side, she was so much in agony she could not sleep. We think she has pulled a muscle or could be have trapped a nerve when turning over in her sleep. We have applied the infra-rot lamp treatment combined with a horrible smelling liniment; at the moment it seems to be helping somewhat.

This afternoon I rode into Hilden (the local town) to a Trodel markt (flea market) it’s held every second Sunday in the month and I mostly go and buy my batteries there, they are a lot cheaper then in the shops. For instance a 6 volt battery for my Canon A1 costs me in the shop 8 Euros, on the flea market 2,50 Euros.

The photos are snap shots of the furniture store and of the flea market.

Take care out there were ever you are. Tschüss.

Automatic Flatbed Die Cutter

Yesterday I received a phone call from the company that I occasionally work for. The job I do for them is technical Die cutting training on an Automatic Flatbed Die cutter.

They rung me up to ask if I could come round and talk to a new guy in the company about three cutting dies that had been ordered through my person this time last year for a company in Berlin. The Dies were originally made so that the machine could be tested. Up to now those Dies had never been in production because of difficulties with the machine. Apparently they had had so many problems with the machine that they never got round to doing the tests.

Yet it seems that the tests will be carried out some time next week and this new guy was not satisfied with the Cutting Dies, he wanted some alterations done to the Dies. I told him the whole story on what specifications the Dies were made including my objection at the time because I was certain that they would have problems with the Dies when they went into production with them. Now they are having problems and want to put the blame on me. The guy wasn’t listening to what I was saying and as far as I could tell he was trying to profile him self in front of his boss. I said, after listening to him going on for at least a half an hour, “ I don’t need this kind of stress” and left. I can imagine that I won’t be working for the company any more, which is kind of sad, because I enjoyed working in my old trade now and again.

On a good note the weather has changed the sun shone today and the forecast is good weather for the next few days, let’s hope so!

The photos are of a Automatic Flatbed Die cutter and of a Cutting Die.

Take care out there were ever you are. Tschüss.

Dull,Damp,and Dismal

Carnival is over for the Jecken (that’s what they call the people that take part in the carnival) it was very disappointing weather wise. The weather forecast was a bit of light rain early in the morning then it would be cold but dry the rest of the day. It started to rain around half past nine and never stopped till four in the afternoon, so much for the forecast.

I myself wanted to go on Sunday afternoon to take some photos of the carnival but changed my mind because it was very cold and windy and seeing that I wasn’t my old self after this bug attack I didn’t want to take the risk in catching a cold.

From reading my brothers Blog we know that my sister in law is looking for a new job. Now this can be a problem at most times but when one gets to a certain age this becomes a big problem. Thank goodness there are employers out there that don’t put to much emphasis on age but on qualifications and determination to do a good job. So I have known doubt in my mind that my sister in law will find something suitable in the near future.

Our next-door neighbour is out of work and has been for the last 12 months. He is a salesman with a diploma, his only problem is that over the years he has specialised in controlling in the car industry (more I don’t know) and that is causing him a few difficulties in finding a new job. Of course when one is 55, age can be a negative factor when applying for job.

My wife and I hate this weather what we are having at the moment I call it the three “D's” Dull, Damp and Dismal. Let us hope it picks up soon or else we shall be getting depressive.

The photo I have chosen is reflection of how the weather is, absolutely awful!.

Take care out there were ever you are. Tschüss.

The first snow

This morning I was up at ten past six, now for a normal working person this does not sound too early, for me in the winter months this is early I can tell you. All my working life I had to get up very early for work and I vowed when I retire I shall rise at a sane time.

This morning I had to get up because it had snowed during the night, our first snow this year in the area were we live. Over the last 22 years my wife I have been doing a Hausmeister (caretaker) job. When I was working my wife was sole in charge and was reasonable for the cleaning of the objects that we look after, my main task was the outside area gardens ect.

Since I have been retired I have taken over the job completely and one of the tasks is snow clearing. This job is only a part time job and leaves me with enough time for my other activates.

Normally tomorrow morning I would be out doing my Sunday run but I have decided I will wait one more week because of this virus that I have had, or have still got or what ever. This bug has really knocked the hell out of me and left me feeling weak and with no taste what so ever.

The snow that we had is gone, it started to rain mid-morning and the snow has melted.

The photo was taken this morning from our study window.

Take care out there were ever you are. Tschüss.