PROGRESS

At last we have got somewhere. After many months of faffing about looking for the cause of my back trouble, they have discovered that in fact there is nothing wrong with it, but that I have a completely collapsed left hip joint caused by osteonecrosis q.v. It is acute and I have an appointment for a total hip replacement on the 3 September. So it is good and bad news. I really did not want a third back op, as it would have required stainless steel pins and screws. And a hip replacement has a much higher success rate. But it would have been nice it if had just been something that only required a course of drugs, but no such luck.

July, otherwise has had some different developments. I have retired as a trustee of the Law Society's Charity after a number of years. It was becoming impossible for me to get to the meetings because of the back/hip probs, and anyway, trustees should not try and go on for ever. But it has been a good period, and hopefuly a few people have benefited.

Sonia has been very active - Wimbledon, High Society in a London theatre, and a night sleeping in Chessington Zoo. Actually in a hotel that forms part of the Zoo complex, accompanying a grand-daughter who wanted to be a zoo keeper for a day for her birthday.

Finally a trip to Stratford on Avon to see the Merchant of Venice for our wedding anniversary. We stay at the Holiday Inn, and it is where the mobility chariot comes into its own as we can take it with us in the boot of the car, and use it for looking round the town, going from the hotel to the theatre, and generally getting about to places we would not have been able to visit. Such as the National Heritage Motor Centre - go to www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk for more details, and do not miss it if in the area. Also theNational Herb Centre - go to www.herbcentre.co.uk where there were more bees and butterflies to the square yard than I have seen for years.

The postman has called with the following messages:

Climbing Mount Everest

It’s almost like being there (well, not quite - but it gives you an idea of the climb).

At the top you can view the 360 degree view from the summit - move the mouse around.

Go to:http://everestavalanchetragedy.com/mt-everest-journey.html

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 A woman was at her hairdressers with her husband, getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome....

She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded: "Rome?  Why would anyone want to go there?   It's crowded and dirty.

You're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you getting there?"   

"We're taking United Airlines," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"    

"Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser.."That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always  late.

So, where are you staying in Rome?"  

"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on  Rome's Tiber River called Teste."  

"Don't go any further... I know that place.  Everybody thinks its going to be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump." 

The woman continued "We're going to go to see the Vatican and maybe get to see the Pope."

"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. You and a  million other people trying to see him. He'll look  the size of an ant.  Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it." 

A month later, the woman again came in for a  hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip  to Rome . 

"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not  only were we on time in one of United's brand  new planes, but it was overbooked, and they  bumped us up to first class.

The food and wine  was wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old  steward who waited on me hand and foot.

And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a  $5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city.  

They, too, were  overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their  owner's suite at no extra charge!"

"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well  and good, but I know you didn't get to see the  Pope."  

"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we  toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on  the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to  meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as  to step into his private room and wait, the Pope  would personally greet me.

Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand!  I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."  

"Oh, really!  What did he say?"    

He said: "Who the f**k did your hair ?" 

 

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Some years ago a small rural town in Spain twinned with a similar town in Greece.
The mayor of the Greek town visited the Spanish town. When he saw the palatial mansion belonging to the Spanish mayor, he wondered aloud how on earth he could afford such a house.
The Spaniard replied:‘You see that bridge over there? The EU gave us a grant to construct a two-lane bridge, but by building a single lane bridge with traffic lights at either end, I could build this place.’
The following year the Spaniard visited the Greek town. He was simply amazed at the Greek mayor's house: gold taps, marble floors, diamond doorknobs, it was marvellous.
When he asked how he’d raised the money to build this incredible house, the Greek mayor said:‘You see that bridge over there?’
The Spaniard replied:‘No.’...............

As of this week, all new Euros are to be printed on Greece-proof paper.
 Syria has appealed for international assistance today, after a boatload of 500 Greeks arrived seeking a better life. 
 What are the first three letters of the Greek alphabet?
I.O.U. 
 Alex Tsipras has said that Greece will "Bounce Back".
Just like its cheques.

My son wanted to know what it was like to live in Greece, so I took his pocket money off him.

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Blonde lady motorist was about two hours from San Diego when she was flagged down by a man whose truck had broken down.

The man walked up to the car and asked, "Are you going to San Diego?"

"Sure," answered the blonde, "do you need a lift?"

"Not for me. I'll be spending the next three hours fixing my truck.

My problem is I've got two chimpanzees in the back that have to be taken to the San Diego Zoo.

They're a bit stressed already so I don't want to keep them on the road all day.

Could you possibly take them to the zoo for me? I'll give you $100 for your trouble."

"I'd be happy to," said the blonde.

So the two chimpanzees were ushered into the back seat of the blonde's car and carefully strapped into their seat belts, and off they went.

Five hours later, the truck driver was driving through the heart of San Diego when suddenly he was horrified!

There was the blonde walking down the street, holding hands with the two chimps, much to the amusement of a big crowd.

With a screech of brakes he pulled off the road and ran over to the blonde. “What are you doing here?" he demanded, "I gave you $100 to take these chimpanzees to the zoo."

"Yes, I know you did," said the blonde. "But we had some money left over. So now we're going to Sea World.”

To see a brilliant race go to

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y2HKBQMQmbw#t=116

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To see how gravity works, go to  http://gfycat.com/ZestyImportantBluefish

Not only does the plane loop, but so does the film clip – it can take several minutes to realise this….

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That's probably enough for now. Keep them coming, and I will try and do some exploring on my own.