This time last year was an extremely hard time for me, Christobel, ‘the boy’, as well as for my family and friends. That is all history now…
I was reminded of it all (as if one needed to be) upon meeting a boat at Brightlingsea with a nice couple aboard. They’d once ‘stopped me’ whilst I was sailing about in my dinghy in Stangate Creek. After ranging alongside we had a long chat about my various books … later I had a request by email for this and that.
Any way, I told them I’d been ‘quiet’ for a while dealing with prostate cancer – sadly, the lady’s brother has also got the disease. Unfortunately, she said, he’d not reacted to ‘pee’ problems and didn’t do so until aches in his hips appeared. The chap is undergoing treatment, but the prognosis isn’t good.
There by the Grace of God go I…
I set out this summer to have a bit of a ball, helped by my willing Mate Christobel, one in ‘letting’ the summer go (again) and in giving up her berth to various family and friends whilst they enjoyed some sailing too. Family are all done – one more friend, an Old Leigh Boy residing in New Zealand over for a long visit, is booked for late August.
Cousin Roger and youngest brother, Andrew, romping towards the Swin Spitway in June…
Two good sailing companions sailed with me aboard on a ‘delivery’ trip to Bradwell – essentially a ‘Jolly Boys’ outing with stops at Queenborough and Brightlingsea on the way. We had fun.
Christobel met us and took both boys to the station at Southminster where they began a long and arduous bus trip to Shenfield due to track works!
With the middle part of the week to ourselves we decided to ‘pop’ up to Colchester. We’ve sailed up and away many times, but never stopped…
Arriving in Colchester…
Whimbrel can be seen in the distance beyond the ‘light vessel’ berthed outside of a motor cruiser at the floating pontoon alongside King Edward Quay.
We enjoyed a wander into Colchester transiting the Hythe ‘village’ – fascinating and the main street is loaded with ‘Tudor’ buildings still very much in use.
Hythe – a little gem…
Leaving Colchester we sailed down river to Brightlingsea to join up with eleven other Finesse craft for ‘our’ annual rally. This was the best in numbers since the rally was inaugurated eight years ago.
Rally boats alongside the Heritage Pontoon, Brightlingsea.
The following weekend saw us sailing into Maldon to help celebrate the official launch of the Sea-change Sailing Trust barge, Blue Mermaid’s official launch – see earlier blog.
Cocky sprits seen from the ‘bargemen’s’ church on the hill above Maldon’s Hythe…
In a period before the planned take-over of Whimbrel by my sister and two lovely friends we had time round outside Tollesbury, within Lawling Creek and round in the rivers Crouch and Roach, enjoying generally good sailing weather – some diesel had to be used…
Running towards Burnham…
Christobel went home the day before my next crew joined … she was on (our) church cleaning duty and had also volunteered to assist at a community fayre! A visit to a London exhibition and three day jaunt ‘up north’ visiting her old town of Royal Leamington Spa (much changed) and going onto Stratford to see a Shakespeare play, kept her occupied…
My trip with my sister Theresa and friends Hannah and Steve took us to Brightlingsea, Pin Mill (& Suffolk Yacht Harbour), Harwich, the Walton Backwaters, West Mersea and the return to Bradwell…
Sunrise on way up to Pin Mill…
Playing with the cruising chute – Naze into Harwich Harbour…
On a glorious grey day sail from Harwich to West Mersea…
A couple of hours after that week’s crew had departed, my dear wife returned, laden with fresh stores…
My dear wife, Christobel, happily at the helm…
A few days at home approached when I’d re-met the boating couple in Brightlingsea: it was a reminder.
Back in early June, I’d got a blood test pre-booked in readiness for a visit to hospital to see the prostate cancer specialist. The sample has been taken and my appointment awaits during the coming week. Am I worried, a little yes, I’d be lying to say I’m not. Whatever, I plan to continue enjoying life, love and the world about me…
The sun sets on main treatment phase…
So, as the sun sets on my main treatment phase (hopefully), I am reminding all men who haven’t had a prostate test, don’t leave it until pains elsewhere drive you towards a surgery. Be proactive. I was and had had the disease for several unknown years…