Three of the group were not able to come this time but those who came along had a good chat about a wide variety of subjects and managed to only briefly mention the recent voting results...
...Of Strictly Come Dancing!
A lot of the discussion was about old Bristol and some of the landmarks there. Who remembers the Blue Star garage as a signpost?
Another chat was about buying old and second hand books and that the internet has made these more available. Also the local libraries are linked together and it is easy to order a book from the large number of books they now collectively have.
We hope that you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and importantly, a Very Healthy New Year.
We look forward to meeting up again on 9th January 2020.
A blog for heart matters and natters.
Thursday 19 December 2019
Thursday 5 December 2019
I spy mince pie
Just a few of us got together at what is the start of a busy time of the year.
Deborah kindly brought along mince pies, which were very much appreciated particularly as she was thoughtful in remembering those with food intolerances.
We had a good chat though about a variety of topics and a bit of a discussion about what we can do with the meetings next year.
Deborah kindly brought along mince pies, which were very much appreciated particularly as she was thoughtful in remembering those with food intolerances.
We had a good chat though about a variety of topics and a bit of a discussion about what we can do with the meetings next year.
Thursday 21 November 2019
Group meeting 21 November 2019
Just a few of us today.
But we had a good chat ranging from hospital attendance to owning pets to music choices.
But we had a good chat ranging from hospital attendance to owning pets to music choices.
Thursday 7 November 2019
Group meeting 7th November 2019
An odd start to the meeting for me today, the barrier to the car park was closed and locked. But fortunately I opened it in time for folks to arrive.
Lin from Age UK came along and gave us some very useful information and the cases that she told about the ways people have been scammed or almost scammed in a variety of ways was sadly depressing but made me a lot more cautious.
I think it is a sad reflection on how the world is that those of us with morals and honesty think others are the same but unfortunately there seems to be more ways that we can be taken advantge of. By more sophisticated methods too.
Such a shame that instead of trusting people first, we may have to mistrust first.
I think that those who came along appreciated and enjoyed everything Lin had to say.
Thank you Lin and I hope to see you all in a fortnight.
Lin from Age UK came along and gave us some very useful information and the cases that she told about the ways people have been scammed or almost scammed in a variety of ways was sadly depressing but made me a lot more cautious.
I think it is a sad reflection on how the world is that those of us with morals and honesty think others are the same but unfortunately there seems to be more ways that we can be taken advantge of. By more sophisticated methods too.
Such a shame that instead of trusting people first, we may have to mistrust first.
I think that those who came along appreciated and enjoyed everything Lin had to say.
Thank you Lin and I hope to see you all in a fortnight.
Thursday 24 October 2019
Group meeting 24 October 2019
A good amount of sunshine today after a drizzly start. Which may be why fewer people came along today but those who did had a good chat and were able to welcome another new member, whom we hope will enjoy meeting up.
We hope that everyone who couldn't make it today are well and have avoided quite a vicious cold bug that seems to be going round which can last up to a couple of weeks. It is great that a flu virus vaccination gets developed but how I would like a cold virus vaccination as I get a few colds every year.
The clocks go back this weekend which I think is one of the most idiotic things ever invented. I am sure that others remember when not adjusting the clocks was tried, I had no problems with that. For me, keeping the time as now would mean slightly more light in the evenings which is surely better than dark early evenings.
We hope that everyone who couldn't make it today are well and have avoided quite a vicious cold bug that seems to be going round which can last up to a couple of weeks. It is great that a flu virus vaccination gets developed but how I would like a cold virus vaccination as I get a few colds every year.
The clocks go back this weekend which I think is one of the most idiotic things ever invented. I am sure that others remember when not adjusting the clocks was tried, I had no problems with that. For me, keeping the time as now would mean slightly more light in the evenings which is surely better than dark early evenings.
Thursday 10 October 2019
Group meeting
We had a good get together today with two new members and their wives coming along.
It was an opportunity for everyone to have a good chat, swap experiences and share ideas.
Everyone seemed happy to pay their subs for rental of the room, with a good amount left over.
It was decided that as a group, there are enough of us now and too many would be detrimental.
It was decided that as a group, there are enough of us now and too many would be detrimental.
There is a common interest in getting people to come and give us a talk and we will try to organise more in the future.
It would be great to know if anyone has any contacts that we could get in touch with.
It would be great to know if anyone has any contacts that we could get in touch with.
Saturday 5 October 2019
Flu jab
We waited in a long orderly queue at Sunnyside Surgery this morning for a flu jab.
It seemed that either people had thought that they would beat the rush or that they wanted to get out of the way early and enjoy the rest of the day.
It wasn't raining and the queue moved quite quickly.
I have never had flu and I am sure many others have not either but it does seem that the unnecessary strain it could put on my whole system is not worth the risk.
Tuesday 1 October 2019
Weston super Mare
We went to Weston today and as we always do, visited the BHF shop. We always try and buy something to support them. It is a shame that they don't have a shop in Clevedon as it would be a great place to volunteer.
Thursday 26 September 2019
Drugged up
We had visit from Isabel a pharmacist who probably thought that she was going to give a talk but which was soon hijacked by a lot of questions and discussion from each of the group members.
It was a very interesting chat and I think it was a great opportunity for group members to be able to ask questions about a range of topics and have the full attention of a very knowledgeable pharmacist.
One of the drugs is Entresto and what side effects this could have.
The interaction between certain drugs and commonplace food items such as turmeric or grapefruit was discussed.
What happens if we forget or run out of drugs when we go away is a topic that we don't think about, until it happens.
I think everyone contributed and learnt something useful, I was certainly interested.
Some links that may be useful
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/treatments/medication
In general the BHF website is full of useful information some of which can be downloaded or ordered in booklet form.
It was a very interesting chat and I think it was a great opportunity for group members to be able to ask questions about a range of topics and have the full attention of a very knowledgeable pharmacist.
One of the drugs is Entresto and what side effects this could have.
The interaction between certain drugs and commonplace food items such as turmeric or grapefruit was discussed.
What happens if we forget or run out of drugs when we go away is a topic that we don't think about, until it happens.
I think everyone contributed and learnt something useful, I was certainly interested.
Some links that may be useful
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/treatments/medication
In general the BHF website is full of useful information some of which can be downloaded or ordered in booklet form.
Friday 20 September 2019
Musings
It's 13:17 on a gloriously sunny Friday and we have been around Clevedon shops.
I spoke to an older woman who said that she had recently had her medication changed to what she used to have thirty years ago. She said she was waiting to see whether there would be an improvement or if there would be bad side effects.
It got me thinking once again about my own long term medication.
The tablets I take are fairly low dosage but still have a powerful effect. I am amazed how little the actual compounds are that do the job. I am on artovastatin, this tablet is a normal size but has reduced my cholesterol from over 5 to 2.5.
I wonder in the future whether there will be regular medical check-ups for everyone similar to dentists check-ups and a preventative tablet prescribed.
I spoke to an older woman who said that she had recently had her medication changed to what she used to have thirty years ago. She said she was waiting to see whether there would be an improvement or if there would be bad side effects.
It got me thinking once again about my own long term medication.
The tablets I take are fairly low dosage but still have a powerful effect. I am amazed how little the actual compounds are that do the job. I am on artovastatin, this tablet is a normal size but has reduced my cholesterol from over 5 to 2.5.
I wonder in the future whether there will be regular medical check-ups for everyone similar to dentists check-ups and a preventative tablet prescribed.
Tuesday 17 September 2019
Another day at hospital.
There are better ways to spend a sunny day, but at least at Southmead hospital there is a friendly welcome.
Then if you walk to the far end, there is the Friends café.
I had to attend for an appointment that had been postponed for about six months. Whilst this could be annoying, I see it that I am considered low priority for the problem I have, which suits me. I hope that it's not that I am simply low priority!
Anyway I was the last patient to be seen in the day and they were running an hour late.
I saw the consultant who seemed to consider that I was indeed doing well but he did request a blood sample to be taken. I will have to await the results.
Then if you walk to the far end, there is the Friends café.
I had to attend for an appointment that had been postponed for about six months. Whilst this could be annoying, I see it that I am considered low priority for the problem I have, which suits me. I hope that it's not that I am simply low priority!
Anyway I was the last patient to be seen in the day and they were running an hour late.
I saw the consultant who seemed to consider that I was indeed doing well but he did request a blood sample to be taken. I will have to await the results.
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