I usually listen to BBC Radio Two on the way to work. I'm driving around when Zoe Balls' show is on, or she hands over to Vernon Kay at 9.30 a.m. I like these two presenters, and when they are away, I'm not so keen on the stand-ins, no matter how good they are. It is now that I will start searching around the other stations.
I'm not keen on Radio 5 Live, especially when the media is fixated on the upcoming General Election. This is when I find solace in Radio Four after the morning program. Radio Four has informative programmes that last about fifteen minutes and are suitable for my twenty-minute journey to work.
On Thursdays, I particularly look forward to Michael Mosley's series, 'Just One Thing.' This week's one was about the benefits of eating slowly and taking about twenty minutes to eat a meal. Michael usually has someone undertake what he talks about for seven days, and we get to hear how they get on. This week's task has several excellent benefits.
Later in the day, I was saddened to hear that Michael had gone missing whilst on the beach on the Greek island of Symi. As I write this on Friday morning, he is still missing, and they have now sent drivers to look for him. It doesn't sound good. My thoughts are with his family at this time. My Thursday morning journey to work will be different without his excellent program in the radio.
In other news, I have hearing aids inbound. I have noticed a downturn in my hearing over the last few months or more, and others around me have probably noticed it more.
Realising that my right ear was blocked before our recent holiday, I booked in with our local hearing centre, just around the corner from us. It was a bit of a challenge as my right ear was very clogged, but my wife was fascinated to watch what was coming out. I knew she was strange; I suppose that's why I married her!
A month ago, I decided it was time for a hearing test. Yesterday was that time.
It transpires that, somewhat surprisingly, after twenty-five years in the Royal Marines Band Service and sitting for most of that time in front of the timpani and cymbals, my hearing hasn't been damaged. What I am experiencing is the effects of getting older. Hardly surprising, I hear you say, almost.
I'm on the cusp of needing hearing aids. The test shows that I am missing quite a few letters in speech, and that isn't going to get any better. I had just about made my mind up to go for aids, but what convinced me was this morning walking Murphy. Kathy was facing away from me and speaking, but I didn't hear anything. So after our Coffee and Croissant and a game of Tri-Onimos ( I won, big style), we returned home via the Hearing Centre. Thankfully, my fashion advisor was with me, and I selected the correct colour for my silver fox hair.
These are rather 'Gucci' hearing aids. They are programmable and have a remote control. There is an app (I always like apps), and they will sync with my iPhone and MacBook. The fitting is next week. How much will I notice the difference? Only time will tell, I suppose.
I might have a pair of Apple AirPods for sale in the next few weeks.
I must thank Colin and the team at Honiton Hearing Centre for all the help they have given me. Their advice has been excellent, and I can highly recommend them.
I've also been struggling with the phones at work. It was suggested that I use a double-eared headset with a boom microphone; I currently have a single-eared set. I ordered those at work yesterday, although I think I will look more like a pilot answering the phone than a Health and Social care Coordinator. It will give the office a laugh, and we need that sometimes.
Where am I with my writing?
I'm still working on the rewrite/second draft of 'Beating Dartmoor'. It's been a slow process, but I'm hopeful that it will be ready for serious professional editing by the end of the summer.
I still carry on with 'Mince Pie' during our weekly writing hour on Zoom with William, which I unfortunately missed last week due to working.
The piece I am struggling with, sort of, is the short story for the anthology. I have two on the go, and I need to sit down with OmniOutliner and get where these stories are going.
How's your writing going this week?
Have a great week, everybody. It seems like summer may have arrived. Let's hope so.
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