Not been on for some time , The bike is about to be consigned to history , much as I would like to be a 63 year old biker , it isn't going to happen , Still I have had fun tinkering , and I know its going to a good home . I tried to get an associate lecture post with the OU but they didn't get back to me , Ill try again next term just really to keep the academic side of my brain alive . Gardening is fine and for the first time ever I have the time to plan , and plant when things should be planted ,not six months after , Photography is interesting and I am getting to grips with the photo editing prog I am using . I have started botanical painting classes , I have painted for some years , mainly acrylics but I am finding the discipline needed for botanical painting quite hard , especially as it is in watercolour . The main thing I miss about work are the coffee break conversations , when all sorts of topics were discussed and the academic challenges offered by the expansion of open and distance learning . now I appear to have just myself to teach and its not the same , My grandson got mugged the other day in broad daylight , on a main road at half past three . Lots of people were around but no one helped and no one saw anything . Whats wrong with this town six blokes demanding money with menaces from two 18 year olds , and no one saw anything !!. I am a person of peace but there are times when I feel that the advice you get to not fight just makes it easier for the gangs . I am now facebooked as well as twittered , trouble is I am not doing much that is exciting to talk about . I need to find some academic challenge I might try writing a book about my nursing career "Mr Sister " springs to mind