The Grand Cafe

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

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Mrs Mike and I sat down to work out a budget for a UK trip in June. We decided we can’t actually afford it in the current economic and work climate here, so will defer it a year and see if we can save enough to afford it without drawing from our retirement fund. Will grab a winter break in the Sunshine Coast instead and couple of micro-breaks here.

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So the Statement upgrade is on hold as well :grin:

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Air fares are a killer right now, my trip last year for just over a week cost almost as much as Mrs Pete and I trip to the UK in 2019.

Food, drink and accommodation was much more than I expected as well.

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LoL, indeed. Even the LP12 will only be getting the $200 Collaro mat and a $100 manual record cleaning machine. Hi-fi budget is now reduced to a Qobuz licence, an occasional hi-res download and a few LPs - which is sort off the end point I was planning for anyway.

I’ll go for you…and bring some PG Tips back and send on…!

Thing is, not sure I can afford to get back this year, and I’m from there…! I desperately need THAI to start flying from Perth again as I have a tonne of air-miles still left on my Gold Card….Need to get some travelling in this year really as haven’t done much of late and need to keep the miles topped up….Failing a UK trip, must get back to Thailand, which is kind of my 3rd home and have spent many years….

SC

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We’re knocking close to $40K for the 3 of us. NZ is forecast to have a 2 year recession and the budgets for the council jobs I work on are being reduced by 70%, so just have to be realistic at the moment.

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I have no intention to upgrade anything and my trips this years will be much closer to home.

We were going with the family to Canada but that’s now on hold till things sort themselves out.

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It’s a hard balance to get right. I intentionally work reduced hours to avoid burn-out, but it comes at a financial sacrifice.

When I look at how your setup has grown so quickly it’s probably not a bad idea to just spend some time listening to it.

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Crazy, isn’t it…

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This is very true, and I feel slightly guilty at times. Though in my defence it’s my only vice and I’m sure we’ll get Mrs Mike to old Blighty again.

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Mike if that’s your only vice you’re doing well I have a list full.

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Yup, you’re right Mike. The problem is that I’ve been working in the office all week and my wife and kids and many friends stayed in our house. They keep the windows closed all time, don’t light the fireplace (or do it wrong) so what has happened this week now I’m back in control of things is that there is an enormous amount of humidity in the house. Fireplace was used, but not to the right temperature and the right temperature is required to burn all particles. So I need something simple to give me a bit of peace of mind!

I did have a good fire last night, and no damp on the windows this morning - good good good :blush:

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I know how you feel Mike let me tell you

I work 3 days a week and I’ll be 74 in 5 months - hopefully!!

Probably this year is the one they finally figure out I’ve been bullshitting them for 40 Years in my job ha !!!

But I actually quite enjoy what I’ve done over those years plus allowed me to purchase the wonderful Naim/lLinn/Neat gear I have

Life is pretty good down under I just wish people would stop whinging so much

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We have new neighbours renting next door. They left a dehumdifier on all night ( just in case you were tempted)……it caught light and was like a firework catherine wheel. Their house burnt down, they were lucky they had a smoke alarm.

Now, replace ‘dehumidifier’ by ‘amplifier’ :slight_smile:

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Strewth

Nah - it would never work. Even class A.

Time to unload what I’ve tried to keep to myself for the last few weeks.

My main reason for taking a bit of a break recently wasn’t just the stress of cleaning bricks, building or taking care of Mrs Pete’s busted wrist. I’ve not been feeling that great over the past few months, dizzy spells headaches aches/pains and a few other weird things going on. I originally took no notice just thought it was age catching up and carried on, I’ve always thought a life in total ignorance was the best option. I’m generally a head in the sand kinda of guy when it comes to health issues.

However I did end up seeing my doctor a month or so ago for a completely different reason, doctors here like to value add your appointment and decided to give me a check up. After several blood tests (4 in total) over 6 weeks was given the rather sobering news that I more than likely have leukaemia. It was the doctors recommendation to see a specialist as soon as possible. In true form I told the doctor I’d rather just see what happens and just went home determined to ignore it. It goes without saying that Mrs Pete was less than impressed with that decision after she discovered cancer literature the doctor had given me in my car. I spent a few weeks or so in integration mixed with silence, as you’ve probably guessed I have given into her gentle persuasion and decided to follow my doctor’s recommendations.

My first procedure is a full CT scan in 2 weeks and a day in hospital for more invasive tests early next month to determine what kind of (blood) cancer I have, treatment required and what my long term outcome is likely to be.

I’ve read that there’s a good success rate with leukaemia but still a little concerned as that rate seems to drop dramatically with age. I’m trying to be confident and hopefully with the right treatment and the support from family/friends all will be ok. I’d be lying to say I wasn’t a little concerned these past few weeks have been a little tough.

I want to stay connected here but there maybe times in the coming weeks/mouths that I go missing.

Don’t know if I feel better or worse for sharing this with people I don’t really know (with a few exceptions, some who are already aware) but I’m hoping by putting it in words it may help me deal with it.

Thanks to @anon77199223 for unknowingly giving me the courage to write this down and get a decent night’s sleep. :grin:

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