Maturing Like A Fine Wine? No Just Making a Spectacle of Myself

There is an inevitability that as we become older our faculties, mental and physical, eventually begin to diminish but there are many ways in which we can fight against this and in sport, in the workplace and in many other areas, there are fine examples of people holding back the years competing with and against others decades their junior as well as just proudly continuing to do what they do or find new pursuits in which to excel.

And then there is me.

For those of you who don't know me, I was a late starter in athletics (and those of you who do know me will know that I've been often been late on the start line as well as the calendar) and didn't really find my event until about 10 years ago when I began racewalking.

Last night, I managed to squeeze in a 10k training walk before going to a yoga class to try and keep the straining, stiff muscles young and lithe.

All was going swimmingly well in a contorted sort of way until the end of the session, when having dressed I realised that I didn't have my glasses.

It was a little embarrassing because I'd just managed to secure a lift off my friend, Marie Jackson and there I was engaging everyone in the Studio to try and find them, delaying her in the process.

Quite frankly, it was ridiculous that they could have disappeared because there wasn't anywhere I could have left them that we hadn't checked.

To be honest, they don't owe me anything and their replacement is overdue, so eventually I gave up and left because as well as stopping Marie going home, it was about time I left too.

I'd eaten a lovely bowl of soup that my wife, Irene had prepared for me and decided it was time to shower, so I took off my cap and down the stairs bounced my spectacles, thankfully undamaged and probably quite bemused as to why they had just spent the last hour folded on top of my head instead of behind my ears and perched on my big conk!

Getting older but definitely not better, though in fairness, I have spent nearly half a century doing stupid things. I do worry about me though ;)

A Promenade To Be Proud Of (Well by 2020 Anyway)

On this occasion, I've don the reverse of what I usually do as this blog posting was placed on Facebook last night. I apologise if I'm boring you.

My chum Murray Lambden will be chuffed to see this sight.

A Douglas Promenade without a car to be seen! Yippee!

Mind you, having seen plans of the revamp today, I doubt it will ever again look as spacious as this. Having said that, I believe the they have achieved a balance that will certainly not please everyone but will be a huge improvement on what we have had for at least the last 30 years.

The horse trams will be on Loch Prom but then move to the current road at the war memorial.

The entire area from Villiers to Castle Mona Avenue will have no traffic lights, no formal crossings, no kerbs and very few ugly road signs. A shared area along the lines of the experiments in Holland and I believe Poynton Cheshire where I lived for a year when I was 4.

It's a very bold concept and I hope their foresight will reward all of us and our visitors to the Island.

It relies on its users, encouraged by their cleverly designed surroundings to drive and walk responsibly even making eye contact with their fellow human beings.

Have you ever heard people comment on how well the traffic flows when the lights aren't working? Well this takes the concept to a whole new almost entirely level level.

Below is a link to an explanation of the how it should all work in practice and I believe the plans for Douglas will be at the Sea Terminal tomorrow.

https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DX3B2BaeP1W8&h=QAQGKdUMZ

Presumably, anyone from across will be able to view these plans 'Online' as soon as they are officially lodged with the 'Planning Committee' later this month.

Here's Hoping My Absence Has Your Hearts Grow Fonder

Greetings Starving Blogophiles!

Please accept my apologies but the first third of the year has passed in a flash, culminating in the sad death of my mother-in-law, Irene O'Brien whom many of our older guests and friends may remember from when she lived at the Hotel for a few years.

The last decade or so, saw her bear great pain but always with a laugh, a smile on her face and a sharp quip to follow, so we'll miss her for certain but also feel a sense of relief at her release from this World. She was incredibly brave.

So, it's been a bit of a traumatic year for Irene & her family, with the loss of her brother in January as well but we're still here all set for a busy season at the Welbeck.

Well, I say that we're still here and indeed, Terence (youngest son) is back from his travels in Australia but Lucy (youngest daughter) has left to join Barclays Bank. As most of you will know, she wanted to start working here from about the age of three, so it is very odd not to have her around.

Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks, I will redeem myself and produce another few missives and find the time to do something to write about!!!