01/23/2012

My first entry this year. I’m finding it hard to spend much time on the computer nowadays as I have a lot of pain in my thigh which is made worse by sitting. The doctor says I have Piriformis Syndrome which is a muscle problem that causes pain in the sciatic nerve. It came on just after Christmas and has been really bad at times. Fortunately it does seem to be getting a little better. It’s very frustrating, as I am longing to go outside and plant up some winter hanging baskets. I bought the plants just over a week ago but I haven’t felt up to it.

Apart from a brief cold snap in November this has been a very mild winter. There were a few cold days just over a week ago. I awoke one morning to the beautiful sight of a real frosty winter’s day.  The branches of the trees and shrubs were white and the lawn looked almost as though there had been a light fall of snow.. I always think how beautiful it is when that happens.Now it has got milder again with sunny days and clear nights with star filled skies.

Christmas was quiet, just the four of us. Tony, our youngest spent it with his girlfriend’s family and we visited them the following Friday. It’s the first time we’ve seen his house. He left home to set up with Steph in August. It’s a nice little house within walking distance of Ledbury town centre but on a quiet pleasant estate. Cat, our daughter came home for Christmas as her boyfriend’s famiy live in Spain and he went out to spend it with them. Chris is still living at home with us.

I was saddened to hear recently of the death of one of my long term favourite singers from the folk clubs, Johhny Silvo. I first saw him in the 60s when I was living in Bognor Regis with my mother, then later again in London and a few years ago I heard he was coming to a local folk club where I had the chance to meet him and tell him I much I enjoyed his music. Here is a link so him singing ‘I’ll Fly Away’ which seems an appropriate song.

youtu.be/uM8DyGNCECY