ShedBlog#5

Well off to get my right knee injected this morning. The doc didn't use local anaesthetic, was 'in like Flynn' and I went home to do some pottering in and around my shed.

Am off to bed now to rest it up and then do a bit of light hoovering in preparation for return of Mrs BlueShed. Might do roast breast of lamb or a chicken casserole.

I bought the 7-CD set of 'The Fast Show' last week so may look at a few classic episodes. That show really was packed with talent.

"Suit YOU sir!"

Am in countdown mode now for my holidays. Only 11 sleeps then off to Normandy with Mrs BlueShed, one grandkid (Aged 8) and my two Greatest Friends and their two sproggs. They have been having a worrying time of things lately so am hoping that we have a GREAT time out there in Colleville sur mer and that we all have the good news that we are hoping for.

Am reading Anthony Beavor's book "D Day" at the moment to get me in the mood and I have also got the 1944 Michelin map. Nowhere near as good as our own 1" to the mile OS maps but interesting nonetheless.

We are staying at the campsite next to the US military cemetery where they filmed 'Saving Private Ryan'.

At the close of most evenings, my friend Jeremy and I usually find a quiet cafe on the town square, smoke a cigar and drink pastis. Last time we did it in Brittany at Sarzeau, the cafe owner's wife came out to wipe our tables and said, "Ah monsieurs. I like to see two elderly gentlemen enjoying their cigars as the sun goes down." It made us feel strangely at peace with the world.

Not too sure about the 'elderly' bit though, cheeky cow!

Listened to the Today programme on Radio 4 this morning. Some guy needing a gastric bypass has been refused by his PCT on cost grounds is taking his case to the European Court of Human Rights.

I hope he stuffs them. So glad I had mine done in May of last year although I had to fight my PCT all the way.

This surgery costs about £10K but has been proven time and time again to be cost effective. You keep people in work rather than on benefits and save the NHS a fortune in medications such as insulin, beta-blockers and all the other stuff.

Luckily in my case I had a GP who had balls and fought for me. Not all of them do. They allow the PCT to overrule their clinical decisions.

Looking forward to return of Mrs BlueShed.