ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Joyce Whitehead — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 14:10:33 GMT

Hi Julian, I’ve not been in here for a few days (and now awaiting a covid result which I fear will be positive despite my negative lateral flow). I hope you’re feeling a bit brighter now, good to hear you had a good chat with Olivia. If it helps, every time I see our local red kite I think of you! Our dog walk on Sunday we had at one point 5 buzzards circling around us, all calling to each other, lovely.

Arlo Guthrie your post for your latest review hit such a memory for me. My first “proper” bike was a Moulton Super 4. This was back in the late 60s (apparently I am that old). I think my parents bought it as it was advertised as being suitable to grow with you, and I certainly had it up to late teens. It was a great bike, and I was so proud of those 4 gears, more than any of my friend’s bikes. It took me on many an adventure into the hills round my home town of Inverness. I had no idea they were still being made tbh.

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Julie Innes — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 10:41:10 GMT

I totally understand how you are feeling Julian- the world seems a very scary place at times, and the news is mostly gloom and doom. I say mostly, because some stories have actually heartened me a little- lots of people helping others and a feeling of solidarity. There are always good people, and we need to hold onto that. The world has been in similar crises before and prevailed.

I can, however, only watch so much. But thanks to streaming services I can usually find something else to watch as distraction! Or a good book! Look after yourself, and continue to talk and share your fears.

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Julian Earl — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 06:42:16 GMT

Indeed Nicola;, they are a direct competitor tot he Brompton but as you say do not fold as far as I know.So presumably are harder to park up at the end of a journey, that is the disadvantage?

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Nicola Cole — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 23:33:50 GMT

[quote userid="3094" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30228/asking-for-help-and-advice-please-thank-you/236594#236594"]I believe they are aimed at commuters and they are small cf to a standard bije,[/quote]

Fair enough! Was just interested as they look a bit like a Brompton but don’t appear to fold up, so I can’t see how they can be as useful?

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Julian Earl — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 22:40:48 GMT

Hello Nicola,

I believe they are aimed at commuters and they are small cf to a standard bije, / and agile due to being narrow plus having the smaller wheels through towns etc., plus they do have suspension making them more conmfortable on poorly surfaced roads around towns and cities. Being physically smaller they are easier to store/park at your destination. There used t o be awaiting list for them but I don't know nowadays!

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Nicola Cole — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 18:49:54 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30228/asking-for-help-and-advice-please-thank-you/236579#236579"]Have you ever ridden one of these things? It's a Moulton[/quote]

What’s the point of it?

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Hamish Denham — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 16:25:26 GMT

Arlo, moving the link would be great otherwise like Olivia I am going to have to restrict my access to laptop only as it seem I am unable to browse on my phone without accidentally hitting the react button.

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Sarah Keir — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 15:51:39 GMT

I second restricting reading of the news and avoiding doom scrolling when I'm feeling down as those things drag me down further. I restrict myself to reading the news once a day for 10 minutes and then either forget what I've read, journal about how I'm feeling about it or if the energy allows to actively find and investigations ways to help.

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 15:45:39 GMT

[quote userid="28687" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30228/asking-for-help-and-advice-please-thank-you/236582#236582"]Shouldn't look at this site on my phone :)[/quote]

On the contrary, I should move the link

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Olivia Cook — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 15:44:51 GMT

Think it was big thumb here, Julian :) Shouldn't look at this site on my phone :)

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Julian Earl — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 15:03:13 GMT

Thanks for the enlightenment Arlo, , it did have me puzzled!! I was not going to lose sleep over it but still mysterious!!

No I have never ridden a Moulton and did not know if they were stil being manufactured! But it is more than JUST Moulton, it is a solution to congestion and fuel-pollution in our cities! They used to be pretty expensive as a specialist-type bicycle really! Currently about £500 to £1500 nowadays. Supply and emand I expect? But a bike ith specially made wheels, suspension and easy to transport? Not bad prices really!! I'll stick to my raditional racing bikes though, adapted for my Para-cycling competitions though! I'd like to have a go on a Mouton jut for the experience of how they feel, handle and well, just because!! :)

Thank you again Arlo... Your wonderful website here has proved a lifeline to me since abruptlyand unexpectedly losing my dream-career on 8th August 2012! Where discovered I have loads of friends many/ or most of whom I have never met d=face-to face in real life! So thankyou, Good Sir!

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 14:32:23 GMT

Julian Earl. Only one person disagreed, and I think it was a case of big thumb, because Hamish said in another thread that he accidentally disagreed with someone else in another thread. So don't worry!

I think Jill's advice is probably the best: avoid watching the news. I'll tell you when it is safe to turn on the telly again! Lets all pray that is sooner rather than later. The latest news does seem to suggest that the negotiators are negotiating properly.

Meanwhile, look what I just got sent to review ...

Have you ever ridden one of these things? It's a Moulton.

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Julian Earl — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 14:08:58 GMT

I am a tad confused! Two people have disagreesdd woith my pot here! What on earth did I say wrong please? Thanks in advance! I mean you, Hamish and also Olivia again??

TIA, really!Best W|ishes to both of you in any case! :)

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Julian Earl — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 19:38:48 GMT

[quote userid="8858" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30228/asking-for-help-and-advice-please-thank-you/236574#236574"]ow about going for a flying day at a local raptor centre?[/quote]

Thanks Gill, that is a lovely idea! I have some mobility/balance issues which could be a problem?? I'll give it some thought especially if one can fly Red Kites!! It has been done apparently!! Thank you for the idea! xx

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Jill Butterworth — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 19:27:46 GMT

Hi Julian, sorry to hear you are having a difficult time. I've stopped reading the news in depth because I feel so helpless and can hardly bear it. Can you have a clear out and see if you have some stuff to donate? How about going for a flying day at a local raptor centre?

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Julian Earl — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 18:25:29 GMT

Thank you very much Elizabeth. A while ago [18 months??], I wrote a letter to the Record and to the Vet Times, virtually the same, saying thank you to all of my professional colleagues for going above and beyond the call of duty in offering support to another vet, i.e. me! who was in trouble with depression. Your response and Olivia's are good examples of why I sent those letters. At an early stage after my injury t felt a bit better when despite losing my dream-career Idealised there were a lot of positive outcomes! Closer than ever to my wife and son, and learning that I had far, far more caring/loving friends than I had realised! This includes people such as yourselves now, also ex-workmates with whom I worked over 30years ago but who still care enough to follow my progress chcking I m doing okay!! Many were former year-mates from University days between 1976 and 1981, plus even school friends from before that with whom I'd not had contact since 1975!! Amazing! Restores my faith in human nature to be honest! Other positives have to include the the lack of night calls tothe cow-dystocia etc..., Or the 2am call: I have just sprayed my dog for fleas and he hasn't stopped scratching yet!!

As for the beauty of my surroundings and the local life? Since a teenager /i've loved birds of prey and at that time there were said to be just 50-100 Red Kites. hen more were introduced north of Leeds from Spain in 1999 and they have "honoured" me by spreading and now thriving here in the Lincs Wolds. We see them erratically but still rquite often and nothing but nothing makes me smile like seeing these beautiful creatures glide close by our cottage on the breeze in the Lincs Wolds. Here are some images from about 2017: So From 50 in the UK we have recently seen up to 15- 11 together here in Lincolnshire!! I have always been an environmentalist an animal-lover which is why i wanted to be a vet when aged 8-10, and having such once-near-extinct birds so close-by nesting about 1 mile away, we are told! across the fields is a very special thing to have occurred?

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Elizabeth — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 16:19:52 GMT

Hi Julian, I think this war is brining out feelings of uselessness and fear in all of us. If you’re finding it too much to handle there’s is nothing wrong in stepping away from the news, and just try and get outside and focus on the beauty and life in your surroundings.
( from the mother of a racing cyclist -I am in awe of your achievements!)

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Olivia Cook — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 15:39:50 GMT

And you, Julian, it was great to talk. We will all come out the other side of this current crazy mess, God willing. In the mean time, do please keep in touch, and we’ll meet properly for a drink sometime. Whereabouts in Lincolnshire are you? I quite often go up to Spalding to see friends

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Julian Earl — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 15:01:41 GMT

Thankyou very, very kindly Olivia, that was wonderful support and very helpful! I'll keep in touch as and when...! Best Wishes for everything...! . Stay well, stay safe!

xxx

Julian Earl

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Olivia Cook — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 14:34:50 GMT

Go ahead, Julian, I’m not on duty today so a phone chat is fine, if you hear swearing in the background that will just be someone cursing a delinquent greyhound puppy…

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Julian Earl — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 14:31:37 GMT

\Thank you very kndly Olivia. Yes my super-consultant, plus the nice- chap from Vet-life have both said how important it is not to be ashamed but talk openly about it and this has proved of key importance so far! I did ring Samaritans on a couple of occasions just to ask what can I do next? The problem is hat they do not keep records and I really find it distressing explaining my full history repeatedly. That always feels like pick g an an old wound. But yes thank you very much! One worry is that I fear I am a burden to my wife and family! On the other hand my sister in Leeds, lost her husband to thyroid cancer in November 2019 so could not inflict anything on her. It does mean that I am limited in what I want to say to her, Jane, in case she becomes overly scared about what Imight do! Also I refer to my consultant Gerry having obviously saved my life. He knows of my depression and it would be a terrible slap ihis face to do anything bad to myself nowadays would it not? But my inner feeling is really rock-bottom at this minute I'm afraid. I'll PM my phone and e-mail if that's okay?

Very best wishes and thanks for caring.

RE: ASKING FOR HELP AND ADVICE PLEASE?... Thank you!!

Olivia Cook — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 14:12:19 GMT

Julian, would it help to have someone to chat to? I’ll message you my phone number?