A 'Shrooming we will go..........

A view over Minley Farm looking in the direction of Fleet and Farnham at about 4.30 as the sun set on another beautiful day spent with Caroline and Bob and a motley crew of canine buddies (it was a mixture of thick fog patches in the morning and bright sunshine by late afternoon), and  I wend my way home weary but very happy indeed; with plans to make wild mushroom soup  from all the various species of edible fungi collected over the past week.



Coming right up to date this morning, after the best night's sleep ever since this journey began and before I head off into the distance down the M4 to Sherston to see Ian (into the path of some pretty atrocious, wet and windy weather by all accounts), I will say that last night's supper was hugely successful: being unaware of my plans Geraldine had brought home a microwaveable ready-to-go curry; very thoughtful after our respective busy days. But I was still raring to go so spent the evening making the tastiest wild mushroom soup ever, using Cauliflower Fungus, Wood Blewits, Oyster Mushrooms and Winter (Trumpet)Chanterelles - garnished with sautéed Chanterelles and Wood Hedgehogs and roasted Walnuts and Hazel cobs. (We usually abhor tins of mushroom soup, likening them to heated up dish water, but this stuff was seriously tasty, tasty very, very tasty!)

Cauliflower Fungus

Winter (Trumpet)  Chanterelle

Wood Blewit

Half of the choice ingredients were supplied by Julie Campbell, Leader of the local ABFG Foray Group - 'Shrooms, (hence the title of todays' episode) with whom I sallied forth last Sunday morning on a very successful outing at Church Crookham. So thank you for your generosity and companionship lovely lady; even though, as can be seen from the next photo, you did reject my application to join the Snake Tongue Truffle Club (Cordyceps ophioglossoides to you too!)

[Glad to see that, at least today, Julie's 'collar and cuffs' do match, but suggest that some urgent personal grooming is required in the nether regions  ;O) ]



Despite some atrocious driving conditions on the M4, the trip to Sherston was a real pleasure and it was so good to see Ian and Annette in high spirits with that ol' twinkle in the eyes again. Ian's home grown, home cooked vegetable soup was as good and as filling as ever. Thank you both for the cracking Xmas present, which, as you hinted, Geraldine gave me permission to open on returning home - your winning smiles will be the first photo to get printed as a reminder that cancer is the only loser in our world, and that the warmth and happiness radiating around that huge rambling kitchen in the Crouch homestead means we will overcome whatever lays ahead. As long as Netty has hugs to spare and share I will be back soon to the Cotswolds for more of this tonic:

Sherston, Wiltshire (Crouch homestead central on skyline with two chimneys)

N.B. In my rush to get safely home and out of the fierce winds and driving rain I have lost yet another (3 now in quick succession) cell phone when I stopped at Membury Services to fill up with petrol. Heard a clunk as I got out the car and it fell from my pocket, but it did not register and after a cursory glance around the forecourt and under the car I abandoned any further searching not realising the significance and the implications. Consequently I was more concerned carrying out a frantic search of all my various pockets, in trousers, shirt and gilet, for the one and only credit card that would prevent me being marooned with an empty tank. I am retitling the following song "Incommunicado" C'est la vie!:

The Colours of Autumn

Since reporting in during the week of my birthday the Autumn colours have been and gone and before uploading any more photos of the spectacular display this year I must add that it continues to be a colourful time for me too.

Minley Wood, Hampshire

Minley Wood, Hampshire

New Forest, Hampshire

By way of summarizing the current situation I am taking a shortcut and quoting a forum post I made today in response to Charles, a fellow traveller along the Real 3 trial trail:


"Hello Charles


Familiar responses I must say and I can sympathize with the swelling and bruising on the arm: I have chosen to stay with the left arm for all 3 of my infusions so far (use the right arm to do photo editing while they pump the toxic cocktail into me) and without doubt the damage caused by the first procedure was, and still is, the most severe. They do pick a new vein each time. I find having a heated blanket wrapped round the arm eases the passage of the 'molotov', but cannot escape the feeling of having shards of broken glass traveling the veins whenever they remove the cannula. But as you quite rightly say it all calms down with time. The pattern forming, as they seem to speed up the infusion time as my tolerance increases with each infusion, is that it takes me a good week to get back on an even keel. I am so thankful the weather is still, generally speaking, quite mild so the effects of Peripheral Neuropathy are much reduced. I have experienced very little nausea and on the advice of the research doctor even left out the 1 dose Ondansetron 'bomb' on this last occasion, so even the bowel movement balancing act was easier to manage. As the accumulation factor comes into play the side effects continue to multiply and increase in severity but like you I have found everything so far to be easily manageable with basic meds and a huge adjustment to lifestyle. The catch phrase of the day has to be: 'Be kind to yourself', as there is no need to suffer any more than is absolutely necessary; and in my own experience the protocols are infinitely flexible if anything becomes intolerable: Sort it out, sooner rather than later, and make adjustments accordingly.


I am looking forward to a further scans after the 4th cycle on the 24th and before the next in December when decisions about the way forward have to be taken, but to my mind the efficacy of the chemotherapy is all too evident and, touch wood, I am living an almost normal lifestyle, eating like a horse, keeping my weight stable at around 100kg and feeling fitter than I have done for a long, long time; notwithstanding undergoing palliative treatment for this cursed incurable disease. Hey, I even had  a grade 2 trim on the old barnet last week. (the researchers expected me to have lost it all after the first cycle). And, miraculously, the unrepairable (according to an ENT specialist) damage to the vocal chords has healed.


So here we are five an a half months down the road since it all kicked off, and we are at a place where dreams abound and hope reigns eternal!


By the way the location of my Caesar's Camp is near Aldershot in the Farnborough, Farnham and Fleet triangle, but having lived in Bracknell not too long ago I am familiar with that which you mention. I now live in Yateley and walk my dog (and foray and forage for fungi) in such places as Minley Wood, Hawley Wood, Yateley Common CP and Castle Bottom NNR all easily accessible from my front door. (Minley Mushketeers) Last nights dinner with friends saw me prepare Braised  Pheasant and Partridge with wild mushrooms (1/2 kilo of fresh picked Wood Blewits), shallots and bacon.


The sudden onset of the autumn colours, though late arriving  and relatively short lived, have been truly amazing this year and hopefully I will be uploading some spectacular photos to the next blog update

Go well Charles and if you fancy a mooch round my neck of the woods at some time get in touch and we'll organize an outing soon


Cheers


David."


Packing loads of activities into a busy schedule tends to be somewhat of a two edged sword with which to smite the ever reticent Goliath: My positive attitude remains consistent but one wonders just how long the body can sustain its composure on such an exhausting programme whilst surviving on so little sleep and undergoing the ravages of the disease and moreover the proscribed treatment regimen. On that train of thought the lyrics of a song by Bette Midler which I have recently had playing in the car come to mind:

"This ole house once knew his children

This ole house once knew his wife

This ole house was home and comfort

As they fought the storms of life

This old house once rang with laughter

This old house heard many shouts

Now he trembles in the darkness

When the lightnin' walks about

CHORUS:

Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer

Ain't a-gonna need this house no more

Ain't got time to fix the shingles

Ain't got time to fix the floor

Ain't got time to oil the hinges

Nor to mend the window pane

Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer

He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints

This ole house is a-gettin' shaky

This ole house is a-gettin' old

This ole house lets in the rain

This ole house lets in the cold

On his knees I'm gettin' chilly

But he feel no fear nor pain

'Cause he see an angel peekin'

Through a broken windowpane

CHORUS

This ole house is afraid of thunder

This ole house is afraid of storms

This ole house just groans and trembles

When the night wind flings its arms

This ole house is gettin' feeble

This old house is needin' paint

Just like him it's tuckered out

But he's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints

CHORUS

This ole house dog lies a-sleepin'

He don't know I'm gonna leave

Else he'd wake up by the fireplace

And he'd sit there and howl and grieve

But my huntin' days are over

Ain't gonna hunt the coon no more

Gabriel done brought in my chariot

When the wind blew down the door

CHORUS"

Shakin' Stevens version of This Ole House (can't find a video of Bette):



Fortunately for me all such doubts are swept aside my the memories of letting the good times roll and recently those include a weekend away in the Southhampton Hilton with Geraldine which led to visting Exbury Gardens and The New Forest, a favourite haunt, quite literally exemplified by riding the Exbury Ghost Train,

and for not the least of reasons because of the existence of Willy's Well and the friendship we have forged with Moyra and Sheila. Chaka's loyalties are divided between their own dogs and the two Ridgeback bitches Dot and Ruby; owned by Dan, the landlord of The Three Tuns at Bransgore where we invaraibly dine whenever in the vicinity. Other highlights which made for a memorable birthday celebration trip were the Hampshire Fungus Group Exhibition and Foray at The Reptile Centre and a long leisurely Sunday lunch in The Victory at Hamble on the way home.

Homecoming meant many more long walks with the gang around various local environs and teaming up with Gary and doing the photography at the Crown and Cushion for their website which Gary has been commissioned to design (Watch this space!). This resulted in more supernatural happenings when not only capturing a bride and groom and a gorgeous bar maid in my viewfinder but also, unkowingly, the pub's ghost.

Click to see Ghost

I also took on a portraiture shoot for Dave Lavelle's daughters Steph and Jen with their offspring Mia, Scarlet, the twins and Ellis

Still enjoying another favourite pastime in cooking for friends and family has meant we have on three separate occasions entertained Gary and Lori for supper of Pork Stroganoff with 3 mustards; Lyn and Graham for a Sunday roast lunch,and most recently last night I prepared Braised Pheasant and Partridge with wild mushrooms, shallots and bacon for Ken and Christine.(Thanks for a wonderful pudding  - you are that chestnut tart Christine!)

And there is no way I can round off the week without mentioning the fanatastic performance of England's rugby team who put Australia to the sword, again, in an amazingly clinical  and spirited fashion in what I consider to be one of the finest matches ever played

However the Aussies may not give a XXXX for the wooden spoon, but I reckon they are the right bunch of candidates to be next  in line to volunteer for some more  floor washing exercises with Nicky and her rubber gloves?????????????

Hi Nicky. The ponytail and french maid 
fantasy may have been shattered, but I do
like the new sophisticated, chic hair cut!

At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month...

Sgt John Arthur Edington RAF, (Observer/Navigator) - Supply dropping (including mules) from Dakotas to the Chindits in Burma during WW2

Flt Lt J A Edington, RAF (Navigator/Bomb Aimer) - 101 Sqn RAF Finningley in the 1960s - Part of the 'V' Force nuclear deterrent, equipped with Avro Vulcans armed with the Blue Steel stand off weapon. (Dad - 5th  from leff 3rd row eventually finished his long and distinguished flying career as a Blue Steel Instructor at BCBS* RAF Lindholme)

 *Bomber Command Bombing School - or affectionately known as Billy Cotton's Band Show

"A Chip off the Old Block"

Senoir Under Ofiicer  D J Edington, RAF - Officer Cadet at The Royal Air Force College, Cranwell (Sword of Honour Winner, 1970)

And when will our egocentrical politicians learn the futility of following like sheep with little other objective than vested interest, and start spending the vast billions more wisely. I'd like the money spent on saving lives.


RIP brave warrriors!


David




PS David Gates wrote this for his father and just how apt it is for me is beyond words

Birthday and Real3 Update

Thank you all for your kind birthday wishes and you will see from my blog that it was a memorable and ongoing three days of celebrations, including on the day itself, Wednesday, 3rd November 2010, on the occasion of my 62nd birthday, I, The Coward of the County, was treated to round 3 of the the one sided contest against that well known piece of shit Mr Goliath Golytely, laxative to celebrity and cancer tumour oesohageal, who has been AWOL for two weeks now. Apart from the usual side effects, much less in intensity at this phase, which I have now learned to expect following immediately after the intravenous infusions; the sore and bruised veins in the arm with the broken glass shards running through them; the NP in fingers, mouth and toes: the chronic constipation and the lack of energy, I am not suffering too badly and it was it only took 3 hours total from start to finish. I'm not sure whether it's because my toleration factor has increased or that the nurses couldn't get rid of me quickly enough having rejected my birthday request for a mass bed bath on the grounds that it was definitely NOT part of the Real3 trial protocol. On returning home via lunch at the Crown and Cushion and a visit to see the in-laws for a cup of tea and to inspect their newly redecorated living and dining rooms, I discovered the final piece in the birthday gift jig-saw puzzle which my dog walking friends had conjured up. My front lawn was decorated with a fairy ring of 21 carved wooden mushrooms bearing the name of all my local friends and their canine/feline charges burnt etched into the caps

After a final visit over the road to share a glass of champers with our elderly neighbours Jim and Joan who brought us up to date with his final session of radiotherapy for lower bowel cancer we finally spent a quiet night in with a take away and bottle of The Black Stump shiraz which Gary our nephew helped us finish off when he popped in with my very cheeky card and his tripod that I wished to borrow.

Yesterday saw a walk with Chaka at Caesar's Camp in the company of Caroline, ring leader of the pressies campaign, and her canine charges (the autumn colours, so spendidly late to arrive and appearing to be short lived this year, were magnificent)

followed by a lazy afternoon before a lovely dinner out at the newly refurbished Swan at Ash Vale with Geraldine's work colleague and friend Paula and her partner Pete. It was a pleasure to see Geraldine smiling so much for a change:

And so to bed early for a rare bit of shut eye until waking up in the early hours to seek the comfort of the upright position at the table in front of my computer!

That's all for now folks

Cheers

David
[[[xxx]]]

IF (a picture paints a thousand words)

Being totally lost for words, the only way to express my thanks and appreciation to those dear friends who joined me for lunch at the Crown & Cushion today to celebrate my birthday, is to leave it to Bread's lyrics, and  upload some of the photos I managed to capture between some very emotional phases.


Thank you one and all (and a mention here especially for Caroline for sowing the seeds and to Fiona and Anna for fertilizing the ideas and nuturing to maturity, and everyone else for running with it) for the thoughts and efforts which went into choosing some truly precious gifts & cards, not the least of which were the hugs and kisses from a host of beautiful girls, and all the wonderful company which made it such a happy occasion. It will be a day forever etched in my memory and a reminder that there is, after all, so much love in the world if you make a tiny effort to find it.


It would be totally remiss of me not to mention the the kindness and co-operation of Julie and William, 'mine host' at the Crown and Cushion, (I promise we will get a link to your website as soon as Gary finishes his commission) and their bar and kitchen staff, especially Gerome, and 'Chef' who prepared the most exquisite Wild Mushroom Tagliatelle using some of the choice edibles collected that very morning by Julie Campbell and Pete Comely from the woods adjacent to the pub. The delicious birthday cakes supplied by the pub were so popular, especially for 'take-homes' for the kiddies, that I only managed a slice or two of each. [My research team at St Luke's say I have to stay fat to combat Goliath and his minions! ;O) ]


Last but not least I have to thank both Geraldine for taking time off work and stretching the good will of her boss, Ian Grant, HR Director at Bae Systems, even further, and to Jennie for making sure her busy life style did not interfere with her desire to support her dear ol' Dad.


In signing off I make three toasts: "A pretty girl is like a melody", so today I enjoyed a full blown symphony, "Good ale, the true and proper drink of Englishmen" and "to absent friends", Not forgetting, in particular, Phil whose absence, and moreover whose anguish at the tragic loss of his close friend is sympathetically understood. Lastly and without doubt leastly "Good riddance to Goliath, and long may he stay AWOL!"


Sorry, did I say earlier that I was lost for words ...............here are the photos ('loadsa smiles' says it all !) :

Jennie, Stephanie, Bob (jnr), Fiona, Anna, Lisa, Toni, Jeanette, Pete, Julie, Bob (ster) and, last but not least, Geraldine (typically Caroline, who's modesty is matched only by her beauty, both inner and outer, was outside with Chaka)

'Fun guy' Pete & 'Fun gal' Julie with choice edibles

My borrowed poppy separates Fi (left) and Fi (right)

"See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" - Steph, Caroline and Toni; guess who's wearing a 3M* bra?

Lisa, Toni and Jet laughing at my 'flash'!

Bob exercising his bragging rights to an astonished Fi-Fi, whilst Julie and Pete remain unimpressed!

"It's just such a perfect day"

Like a dog with two...................cakes!

*The secret of Toni's 3M bra:

(Disclaimer: I have no idea whatsoever if the boobs in the video in any way resemble Toni's curvaceous orbs)

 

And anyway, as can be seen from this latest photo taken on returning home from round three of Real 3 on Wednesday, I believe in the Flower Faerie in the ring who has promised me all will be revealed!

WOW! Each of the 21 exquisitely turned mushrooms has the name of a friend and or canine/feline pal burnt etched into the cap.

Diamond Geezer

The only concession I made to reaching 60 years of age was having my arm twisted by Geraldine to apply for a B&Q Dianond Card so that we qualified for 10% off on Wednesday shopping in my least favourite store: No bus pass or anything else like that I merely became a Diamond Geezer! Yesterday though it was officially declared that David Edington (aka XP09EO177137) joined the ranks of the Disabled People. And jolly proud of it too I hasten to add, especially as I now get £120 a week DLA and a Blue Badge for the car.

And what's more folks I also now have a prognosis; as you can see my 'date of expiry' is 30 October 2013. I knew '13' was an unlucky number for some, but it's gonna be one hell of a Halloween party that year for others!

"Don't Worry, Be happy"

TW 3

No! November!

---

No sun--no moon!

No morn--no noon!
No dawn--no dusk--no proper time of day--
No sky--no earthly view--
No distance looking blue--
No road--no street--no "t'other side this way"--
No end to any Row--
No indications where the Crescents go--
No top to any steeple--
No recognitions of familiar people--
No courtesies for showing 'em--
No knowing 'em!
No traveling at all--no locomotion--
No inkling of the way--no notion--
"No go" by land or ocean--
No mail--no post--
No news from any foreign coast--
No Park, no Ring, no afternoon gentility--
No company--no nobility--
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member--
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds--
November!


It's nice to be able to post a picture that contradicts Thomas Hood's poem and my usual feelings about this time of year which have taken on a much more optimistic outlook since learning to live with cancer.

A Blog post title which may not be familiar to the younger readers and in my case I've use a little bit of poetic licence to say "That Was The Week(end) That Was!" and also a bit more licentiousness to show you first how it finished this evening when after returning home at around fourish, the clocks having gone backwards and it being very dark by five, the late Halloween visitors arrived at our door in their droves. What a pleasant surprise I got when our new neighbours put in an appearance: It was definitely a case of..................................
'Trick orTREAT'!!!

Fortunately we restocked our fruit for juicing supplies from a lovely farm shop in Hamble before heading home this afternoon, so in true Coronation Street tradition, according to Eileen Grimshaw, we 'oldies' gave the kiddies the healthy option of fruit rather than sweeties. I couldn't possibly say in polite company what I would have liked to give the witch in the striped hosiery but rest assured sweeties wouldn't have been the only treat on offer! Far too much excitement to end three days of fun and games, so I am retiring to bed early and will update the rest of the weekend's news later.
(these photos are posted without captions to allow 'click' to enlarge)

Nothing to do with Halloween, and no mask or make-up involved, this is my portrait after a cycle of chemo; well maybe a slight exaggeration but certainly feels this way, especially after 2nd bout, so a bit apprehensive about this Wednesday's 3rd cycle :

 
The weekend away was almost perfect. On Friday afternoon, a bit later than planned, Geraldine, Chaka and I made our way down the M3 to The Southampton Hilton hotel. Having arranged for Gary to stay at our house and dog sit, I phoned the hotel at the last minute and discovered they were 'small dog friendly' so Chaka being small compared to a Great Dane, I decided he could come with us. He was an instant hit with the staff, primarily because of his proud looks, gentle nature and exceptionally good behaviour when staying in such establishments. It's a pity the same can't be said for me! Our room was equipped with new Yap Roventa Cage Mat, a drinking bowl and a large Bonio chew. (Unfortunately, after such a good first impression, the Hilton standards went rapidly down hill from there on in, but I am not going to dwell as it didn't spoil our break)

One size fits all!

It had been our intention to have dinner at So'ton Quay in a restaurant recommended by Dr Sam, Jennie's very good friend from the days when she did her master's degree and clinical research work in the city, however neither I nor the Hotel could contact the La Regata to book a table so after a slightly harrowing journey in wet weather rush hour we decided to eat in the Hilton restaurant: An unmitigated disaster which resulted in the whole bill being cancelled at the end of our stay. I am waiting for feed back from the General Manager in response to written complaint to the Duty Manager about this and the poor standard of our room in general. There were some very good aspects about our stay: The easy access to the gardens for Chaka and the Leisure Centre Pool for me to use morning and evening, the 'all you can eat' breakfast and the friendly, helpful staff fighting a losing battle against poor senior management practices .

Fine figure of a mobile toxic waste recycler

The weather was kind to us on Saturday and we headed for Exbury Gardens and the amazing splashes of colour of the autumn leaves and a fun packed ride on the Ghost Train (I will need a whole photo album for this visit alone!)

Failed to see why they looked so concerned??.....I was not wearing a scary costume, mask or make-up!