Sunday, 14 December 2025

Operation, the sequel

 It is all over for now, more to come next year. The op was done robotically with the robot being controlled on some kind of PS5 hand control, the Doc is obviously not a Noob player as it all looks pretty good. I was taken to a general ward the evening of the surgery and to my surprise it was much better than my previous experience. It really is a small world, the guy to the left of me had served on HMS Kent, my brother also served on Kent, the guy opposite him was a local funeral director and had buried one of my neighbours, the poor man opposite me who had been in for going on four months built 1/35 military models.


I was told I could get out Wednesday night, I had surgery Monday afternoon, but much to my chagrin my wife cannot drive in the dark due to night blindness and having no one on speed dial to help I settled down to one more night of NHS hospitality. My son and Evelyn picked me up the next morning and here I am, much better than the last time as the op was not as major so now wondering how to fill up my time as the main bind is a bit of tiredness and no heavy lifting, all my troops being metal of course.
I am not a fan of the NHS and believe it needs a complete overhaul before it implodes, set against this is the care and sympathy at the sharp end, it could not have been better, from the auxilliaries to the consultants. I will admit to the food being disgusting and for me inedible, my missus kept me supplied but I am still to find my appetite even now.

Obviously no wargaming for now, although I can see this returning far quicker this time, I treated myself to a new book 'Pearl Harbour: Japan's Greatest Disaster' after watching the author on WW2TV, I fully realise that these books rely a lot on hindsight but nevertheless their lessons are worth absorbing. I am still waiting for my new vehicles to arrive but did take collection of my German Marder crew from Perrys, three of whom will do well for the upcoming Nashorn.

It is my birthday tomorrow, a sprightly 73, yes I look good but you should see the inside. Son Stewart went his own way this year and surprised me with a Royal Navy rugby top, I do not like sport of any kind but do look good in navy blue with a white ensign. My other son we will see just before Christmas so a bumper time for me.


The boat is being run out this year as I am getting an up to date iPad Mini, my own one which I have had for years now cannot upload modern versions of many of the Apps I use and it is now of limited use which is getting worse as time goes on. 

So there we are, back in the land of the living with another stint of hospital time next year. I might manage to get a game organised after Christmas if someone is available albeit my missus will have to set it up but she has been a star so far. I will probably do the usual ode to the past year at some point, if not before Christmas then I hope you all have a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year.