It’s been a long while since I last blogged so time to put something down. Lots to cover but I will keep it short and sweet.
Looking back, we had a fun last summer in Greece island hopping between Skiathos, Skopolos and Alonasos. It was a typical Hanmer summer with lots of beaching, some nice lunching, a few beers, and boat trips. This year Corsica is on the cards.
I got some bonus dad points taking Isla to see the Weeknd at London Stadium last summer.
I had a challenging year last year workwise. Rupert my long-standing boss retired which opened the door to stepping up. To cut a long story short despite some good industry support my attempt to secure the UK MD role failed which was not the best for moral. We will have to see what 2024 brings.
My body is feeling ever crunchier. Stretching every morning has become important along with my weekly pilates class. I have had some joy and pain relief from Supreme CBD recommended by my pal Kev who is the only person I know with primary progressive MS. I continue to enjoy my Padel Tennis and have been playing in a friendly league with my partner Chris. There is a project I am getting involved in to try to get some padel courts built in Hastings.
The girls are doing great and growing up fast. Isla is now soon to be 14 and has reached the tricky teenage years. Her new school she started in September Bedes has been excellent. Hons and Dids have started swimming for Hastings Seagulls squad 6 times a week. It is quite the commitment with a couple of 5.30 starts, but it is great to watch them progress. We have had some big Sussex galas where you are essentially racing against the clock and Hons has a county time for Backstroke and Dids is closing in on one for breastroke. I now spend a lot of time watching them so it feels like time for me to jump back in the pool and swim once a week.
I have managed to delve a bit further into the Hastings music scene which has so much going for it with loads of free gigs most weekends. Our local hospital Conquest has offered up some MS support through the lovely Clare who has been giving me hydro physio in a warm pool which I have enjoyed. On top of that I have met Hollie who is the local MS nurse who is there to support me going forward.
I had a great trip to the Yukon (Canada) in February to experience a proper winter. Minus 39 to be precise. We had had a fab time snow mobiling, dog sledding and trying to see the northern lights. We stopped off en route in Vancouver which allowed me to have an afternoon sit ski on Grouse mountain which was fab. I wrote an article about it you can read here