David Jenkins' weblog

Life’s too short to drink instant coffee

Category: life

  • One year on (Dupuytrens 7)

    One year on (Dupuytrens 7)

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    It’s been a year now: how’s my right little finger doing? I was pretty good at massage and exercise for the rest of last year but have to confess that I’ve done less this year although I still do some. I also have a number of ‘informal’ exercises which I do as part of my…

  • Call me David

    Call me David

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    I’m pretty relaxed about my name. I’ve got few hang-ups when it comes to people using my first name, this might to some degree be due to the time I’ve worked for American companies , although I do draw some lines. I certainly don’t expect people to call me mister just because of my age.…

  • What’s happened to used car sales people?

    What’s happened to used car sales people?

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    Many of us will remember the time when a visit to a car showroom prompted immediate contact with a sales person, most of them were men, who wouldn’t let you go until you’d told him what you wanted to buy, how much you had to spend and when you were likely to make a purchase.…

  • My big eye test

    My big eye test

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    A year or so ago I had my eyes tested. I get it done every two years and this time it meant getting new lenses. But that’s incidental, what was significant was that the lady who conducted my test told me that my right eye had developed an epiretinal membrane (ERM). According to the RNIB…

  • What’s happening to coffee shops?

    What’s happening to coffee shops?

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    There are more coffee shops these days and most of them serve good coffee. That’s good but there’s a trend and that worries me because it degrades the essential experience that you go to a coffee shop to enjoy. And that experience is the opportunity to just drop in when you want and get a…

  • Not a bad start to the week

    Not a bad start to the week

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    There was a time when I regarded getting up at 0700 as being pretty normal but in recent years, basically post Covid, post stent and post (semi) retirement, that’s not been the case. However I’d agreed to an 0815 appointment at Addenbrooke’s on the grounds that it would be an easier drive in than the…

  • Visible progress (Dupuytrens 6)

    Visible progress (Dupuytrens 6)

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    12 weeks in and I visited my physiotherapist feeling rather positive. This comes just 10 days after a visit to Addenbrookes where the lady got her protractor out and ‘measured my finger’. My biggest frustration has been the loss of flexion which prior to the op ws just fine. But they do warn you and…

  • What you really should know (Dupuytrens 5)

    What you really should know (Dupuytrens 5)

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    I should have realised this when the consultant I saw in July said that he’d only operate privately once I’d arranged post-op physiotherapy. What he meant and what I now fully accept is that the surgery is only a part of the treatment. What you do afterwards to recover lost functionality is very much up…

  • Keep stretching (Dupuytrens 4)

    Keep stretching (Dupuytrens 4)

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    It’s a double header when I visit Addenbrookes again two weeks after my op. First it’s back to the plastic surgery unit for Sophia to remove my cast and tell me it’s no longer needed. Hallelujah! It seems like I can now begin to use my right hand again. Then I’m seen by Julia in…

  • I walked to Ely the other day

    I walked to Ely the other day

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    Not a big deal you might say if you live in one of its adjacent villages but I live in Histon which makes it a 27 km hike. Even 27 km might not seem that far to some but although I do walk a lot and join groups that do regular Friday morning walks they…