For me the most memorable holiday I’ve ever had was in Florida the date was 16th September 1996.
STS-79 Atlantis. Photo NASA
That was the date I was at KSC to see the launch of STS-79 the space shuttle Atlantis as it lifted off to dock with the Russian space station MIR.
Space shuttle display KSCPad 39A KSCMission badge
A beautiful day and one of the most unbelievable sights you will ever observe when a mighty, rocket propelled machine fights to break free of the confines of earths gravity on the way to space.
I’ll never forget it, it was one of those moments that is etched in the memory for life.
In my job I’m a jack of all trades and master of none. I’m just someone who is there to organise a response when the dirt hits the fan.
However, ask me about aircraft and rocket technology and I’m your man.
It’s good that most of the youngsters in the family will turn to uncle Dave when there is a technical question, and I like that. It’s good to see the concentration on their faces as I’m explaining things to them.
In fact I’m quite an authority on irrelevant and pointless facts as well.
To me, being part of a relationship as well as being married for 32yrs+, that’s when romance takes on a different role than it did in the early days.
Back then it was chocolates, teddy bears with love hearts on them and roses.
It changes with time.
The wife still likes gifts, but chocolates weigh on the hips, the teddy bears have become handbags (she has a mahoosive collection) she hates roses, but loves other flowers.
Romance now takes a more caring attitude, we look after each other’s needs rather than wants. Time makes those changes.
The one outstanding sign of romance for me is that after all these years, you even get excited at seeing your partner even after only being away 12 hrs at work. You constantly look forward to seeing them and to me that shouts love, commitment and romance.
I’m so looking forward to seeing her when I get home later. I’m excited.
Nothing. Bring it on. I really couldn’t care less what tomorrow brings. I’m kind of living for today. Yesterday has gone, lock it away and forget it. It’s happened. Tomorrow is in the future.
I read this somewhere. Sums it all up.
From t’internet
Maybe tomorrow i’ll worry about something, i’m not going to waste my time worrying about that today.
Everyone tells me to live for the moment, and that’s what I’m doing.
Fortunately I have only had two operations in my life. The first was for a knee damaged whilst running. Not in one particular run, but over a period of time as I did most of my running on hard surfaces. This aggravated my right knee and I had to have debridement of the knee cap as it had developed spurs that were aggravating the tendons and such. The op went ok but it has never been the same since. That op was around 2005, I’ve never run since. Hey ho.
London Marathon 2002
The other operation was my Gall bladder. I’d developed what they call a porcelain Gall bladder, this means the actual organ had started to calcify, and the pain I experienced in the months prior to this operation I would not wish on my worst enemy, it was awful.
That operation was a total success and everything has been fine since. I even to this day have a fairly substantial collection of stones in a medical sample pot that were handed over to me after the operation as evidence of what I’d been carrying.
Gall stones
Now if I have guests who have overstayed their welcome, a quick shake of the sample pot and starting to talk about my operation is normally sufficient enough to get them putting their coats on and saying their goodbyes.
The day always starts with a couple of cups of tea to oil the grey cells prior to doing anything that involves thought or movement.
I’ve done this for years and the two cups before the start of the day has become ritual now. If I’m on early shift at work it has to be a couple of cups of splosh before I even go out and do anything.
It’s the oil for my engine. And every engine needs that to perform well.
Are there things you try to practice daily to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
When I was a tot at school, we were all enrolled in the Tufty club. Tufty was a squirrel used to promote road safety and clean living whilst teaching us mere mortals not to litter.
Keep Britain TidyThe Tufty club
50 years later I’m still sold hook line and sinker to this mantra. One thing you will never see me do is litter. Not so much as a cough sweet wrapper. If I have any litter at all it goes in my pocket until it can be disposed of properly. That Little Squirrel had a massive effect on me.
It’s a pity that others didn’t join the Tufty club as my country is sinking under a population that just doesn’t seem to care about their environment.
In later life I do take it further now, I will always look to recycle and reuse, that is a big part of my blog site, it’s what I do and I will not dispose of anything unnecessarily.
It’s the only constant I really have in my daily life apart from waking and sleeping.
What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten?
Probably the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten was my first portion of Beef Stifado when we first holidayed in Cyprus.
I love traditional hearty fare either at home whilst eating stews, or abroad when I stumbled upon this.
I love Greek/Cypriot cuisine, it’s one of the things I look forward to the most when revisiting the island (As well as the sun).
We head on back to our favourite restaurants, and they don’t tamper with the tastes. They are traditional recipes cooked the same for years. Untouched perfection in my eyes.
And Mediterranean vegetables cannot be bettered, the taste and colour compared to our washed out waterborne ones we have in the UK is incomparable. The freshness and taste is amazing and a pleasure to the pallet.
If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?
Pyjamas. No competition.
I know some people already seem to wear them whilst out shopping or taking the car to the garage, but I’m not agreeing with that. For me Pyjamas are for around the house and in my mind it’s pure laziness and slovenly to physically “go out” in them.
As some would say, “Chavtastic “
However, given the choice I’d happily slob around the house all day in them. For some that would be unacceptable, so I apologise, sort of.
Probably the most comfortable and light clothes I have.
Roll on retirement and maybe i can fulfil that dream of lulling about in night wear.
It’s a very personal thing for me, it’s not enforced or preached to anyone it’s just me. I spent the first 16 years of my life going to Sunday school, and then my parents left me to choose to continue or drop it. I dropped it but maintained a faith of sorts.
Spirituality is a comfort blanket for me. In times of stress and doubt I resort to my spirituality to find comfort.
I also use nature as a spiritual comfort. If I disappear out into the wilds for a good long walk it’s usually to clear my mind. And it works for me.
Foxes Den 
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