I worked for a few night shifts during which time, my lovely colleagues managed to wear me down and convince me to see my GP. I duly made an appointment on my day off, about a week after I had had the pain. It was really strange when I told my GP what had happened as I became quite distressed recounting the pain.

My GP is a patient soul and listened and nodded at all the right bits. She did my blood pressure, had a listen to my chest, had a good prod about at my abdomen, couldn't find anything specific. She reassured me that it may have been a one off oesophageal spasm but, seeing as I'd never had any blood tests done there, 'we'll do some bloods and an ECG'.

I went in to see the nurse, who I know from my days...

Well me and the Wii Fit started to get along splendidly. Every day, I would stand on the balance board and be coaxed, by my choice of personal trainer, through various exercises. I concentrated on yoga and postural exercises in order to sort out my bad back. I was very aware that a visit to my GP with the back pain may involve me being told to exercise and lose weight because that's what they tell everyone with back pain these days.

I did lots of yoga and some of the muscle and aerobic exercises and quite enjoyed it. I realised that I hadn't really had much in the way of exercise since the dog died so I started going out for a walk every day too. To my amazement, the Wii kept telling me I was gaining weight. Every day it would...

Well....... It has been a while since I last blogged, to be honest, I just haven't had the time. You see, an awful lot has happened in the last couple of years. I have moved house, moved work, been back to University, been to Australia for a few weeks, got myself a new Niece, given up smoking and am now coming to terms with learning how to relax.

It's not easy is this relaxation mallarkey when you're not used to it. The reason for the enforced relaxation is due to an operation which was very much expected but ended up a bit of a rush job in the end. You see, it all started like this.........

Once upon a time (18 months ago), I started waking up at night with horrendous pain in my back. It was on the right side,...

Ahright people.

In the words of those Welsh warblers the Stereophonics "There's no mistake, I smell that smell It's that time of year again, I can taste the air". Now some of youse are probably scratching your noggins & thinking what the hell is the daft sod on about now ? To put it plainly & to give those of you with a weak disposition the chance to smartly disappear for a wee while until the dust settles & I boogger off back to where I've come from, yours truly, me, Icky boy shall be descending upon the sleepy Town of Accy & environs next week-end (You have been warned ).

Now that I've dropped that bombshell not dissimilar to previous generations from this Continent & Country ...

its been a long time hasnt it .... sorry margaret .. i know i promised you id do a blog when i got back ... but after falling down the steps on preston station .. then feeling rotten .. and then getting the cold ... and still not sneezing as much but still got the runny nose .. and now having gone to the docs today .. and being told you going for an xray .. then scaring myself nuts after looking on google at what he told me i had .. well heres the start ...

After that last blog .. had another few fits .. had a cracking black eye at the beginning of nov .. bust the glasses and did my back in again and it didnt get better ... Anyway i got tickets .. i was going to the spugster for crimbo ... 3 weeks and 1 day ... the longest...