Sixteen years later
Ronda…
It’s not often that I can say that I know precisely what I was doing on 30th November in a given year, but in the case of 30th November 2004, I know exactly where I was – in intensive care at Airedale Hospital on the morning and in the Stroke Unit at the same hospital in the afternoon.
I was one of the most mobile on the Stroke Unit in that I was allowed out of a wheelchair after the first day or so. The care I received over the period I was in hospital was great, but the food was a bit Meh…
Sixteen years on and there’s still respect for the NHS, especially in the way it has had to cope with the additional pressures this year due to Covid-19.
I still get check-ups, but things like warfarin levels are done on home visits rather than at my GP’s surgery at this moment in time. Yes, my flu jab was done at the surgery, but in a very, very secure way.
Will I be getting the vaccine when it becomes available? Yes, but when I’m called in for it according to my place in the queue. Why? Because it seems to be a good idea to get rid of any Covid-19 threat and because I want to travel!
As ever, it’s many thanks to those from Airedale Hospital and to my partner Caroline too – she had just started a new nursing job on the day everything went bang and got one hell of surprise when she found out…
Here’s looking at you kid!
Books, books, books…
Just a few of this year’s guidebook purchases…
Yes, I have the technology to browse ebooks via Kindle on my iPad, but when it comes to planning sessions or usage on a trip, nothing beats a book.
Pages of interest can be marked by the use of sticky notes whilst places of interest can be highlighted using fluorescent pens.
The book itself can be stashed away in a pocket or day bag and consulted over coffee, lunch or beer or left in the bag when you decide to follow your nose and find things out for yourself.
Series of choice for years was Lonely Planet, but examination of their Portugal guide a few years ago led me to buy the equivalent Rough Guide as it was easier to use, had a better layout and was more user friendly.
Yes, buying two guidebooks was a more expensive way of doing things, but I did notice that there were other variations – different attractions were mentioned, different places to stay and eateries too.
Since then I’ve sneaked looks at several different guidebooks to get a quick idea of what they can offer whilst planning a trip.
Books from the Bradt, Insight and Marco Polo brands have gone into the mix as has Rick Steves Italy 2020.
Now this only arrived on Saturday, but first impressions are good ones.
Yes, there are plugs for his shop and other media resources, but the info is in there – travel by trains or buses, accommodation and food suggestions to suit most budgets along with packing suggestions & timescales for visiting.
Will it be used for planning? Oh yes, but in conjunction with other guides to Italy plus some addition ideas thrown in for good measure.
Such a those from Italy Top To Toe that BBC4 are currently repeating along with one or two from Great Continental Railway Journeys and maybe a couple of ideas from The Hairy Bikers, Rick Stein and Anthony Bourdain.
Things to come…
No bull…
Changes are on the way, hence the big gap between my last post in August and this one! Yes, we have been away for part of that time, but I’ve been awaiting news as to what was happening work-wise after furlough’s end.
And now I know – redundancy.
So, what’s next? Possibly staying in the retail world with a new employer once Lockdown II is over or heading back into journalism once more.
This site will be getting a reboot once new Mac and Office software has been sourced and a new printer installed. It may be happening at this site or at a new one as I’d have preferred recent upgrades to have never happened, another reason for the lack of posts over the last two months.
As I’m no longer working for a travel clothing and equipment brand, clothing and gear reviews will be making a comeback along with pieces on the places we’ve been to in 2019 and 2020, site and software permitting!
wisepacking 
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