New Year's Day and feeling half human again after a few days man-flu. No, couldn't be that as Margot had it too, not flu as I had my jab and not NORO virus as no projectile vomiting, so maybe just a cold. Strangest thing was not sleeping for two whole nights but got a good night in last night after seeing Jools Holland to bed.
Fortunately this only came on after Christmas as, in the absence of family (Jim working shifts and Matt and Sam in Norfolk) we had invited 4 Human Rights Defenders from the Centre for Applied Human Rights. Christmas meal followed by party games - twister, bagatelle, table football - went really well, a real old fashioned Christmas.
But back to November. As expected I wasn't up to Dalby Dash but the records will show me as achieving the fastest ever time for my age as I gave my number to Matt. On return we had lunch at the Fulford Arms - good food.
We then had Jo staying over from Bolivia for a couple of weeks. Fascinating stories about life in the community in Cochabamba. Hasn't put us off going but it's definitely going to be an interesting experience. My recent illness gave me the chance to start getting onto detail of the trip and we have begun to do the necessary booking. Flights are done and this coming week we have our jabs. It looks like we will wander into Cusco on the busiest weekend of the year so may need to review this but will depend on what we can get from the Trek company. Next to brush up my Spanish.
15th November was Jim's graduation day. Sad that Jonny couldn't come up due to the University changing the dates but it did mean I could go instead. Lovely building and Patrick Stewart was very good, obviously takes the job very seriously.
Monday 19th had an interesting talk at CAHR on Medecin sans Frontieres on the difference between Humanitarian and Human Rights responses - really difficult ethical dilemmas.
22nd November, Ken came over and we worked on the Greenways website and planned Facebook, not to mention Twitter. I was well out of my depth but happy to stay that way. Leave it to Ken. Later in the month we had a meeting with Joseph Rowntree and Sustrans about the Derwent Light Railway Path. We made our point about the need to have a sustainable management strategy in place but not sure what will be done about it. The refrain is always 'no money'.
Friday 23rd took us to Selby to see Ian McMillan and his Orchestra for their last ever concert together. He is achingly funny 'the verbal gymnastics of a north country Spike Milligan coupled with the comic timing of Eric Morecambe' and the Orchestra is terrific. Its a shame but it seems the orchestra want to concentrate more on their music and I am sure he will do something with someone else. He uses music so well .
More comedy next night at the Theatre Royal in York with Jeremy Hardy - as funny and biting as ever and then a week later back to Selby for Fred McAulay. A good stand-up but not as strong as our Jeremy. Both venues full of Radio 4 listeners.
Saturday 1st December had an Aids benefit at the Winning post. Mainly the usual suspects but a very good band whose name I forget but must look out for .
We also had Matt over with Bones for an acclimatisation before Matt and Sam went off to Cuba for a fortnight. We enjoyed having Bones although it did mean getting up every morning for an hour's walk regardless of the weather which started of sub-zero and then only warmed up enough to allow torrential rain with the Riverside walk being flooded. Apart from the walks he's a very low maintenance dog, certainly compared to Storm, and seemed to enjoy himself. As always we became temporary members of the dog owners social club but that's all gone now as no-one recognises you without your dog.
In between walks most of my time was spent on my Philosophy of Mind essay on Free Will which got handed in an hour before deadline. Available on demand or from good bookshops. Our last class had our tutor inviting us to bring wine and chocolates which led to a lively debate. Some of us may meet in the New Year in an informal reading group. I also met someone at the Amnesty Bookshop Christmas do who mentioned a Humanist Group in York that sounds interesting. . Its been a very well-run course with a good group of students and of course my mate Peter from Psychology is aways good for a debate.
The completion date for Jim's house came and went though it doesn't seem a serious problem. Trouble is the time left for us to get started on the renovation before Margot and I go away is getting a bit short so Jim will have to decide if he wants to go it alone or wait until we get back. He can always stay here but we need to get something sorted soon as some rental income while we are away would be good.
So, a busy New Year getting things sorted before we go away. Gradually dawning its quite an adventure we have signed up for
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