It won't go away.

An early start today for a urologist check up appointment in Memmingen at 8:00. Didn't start well: I was well in time, was driving quite casually between Ottobeuren and Memmingen on a fast main road with no buildings, people etc and in very light fast flowing traffic when a light bulb flash woke me out of my trance. Been caught "speeding" yet again in Angie's car. Not sure if they will also see on the photo that I wasn't wearing a seat belt - but that doesn't worry me as I have an exception. I do actually normally wear one but had a fresh dressing directly where the belt passes and need an hour or two for it to "settle in". I think part of the problem is that Angie's car is simply faster and more reactive compared to my heavy "cruiser" Jeep and frankly I don't look at the speedo much, driving on feel. It could also be in part due to the car's speedo having a different number scheme : 30, 50, 90, 110, 130 (Km/h) whereas the Jeep has even 60, 80, 100 marks. I think I probably just look to have the needle on the first 1xx number which in the car is 110 and that was about the speed I was doing on the 100 standard limit road. It should only be a small financial fine.

Less than 5 minutes wait and was lying down for the the ultrasound gunge to be spread all over my tummy. I was actually fearing another telling off but the reverse was the case. Again loads of kidney stones but Doc reckoned a few less than the last visit early summer.

He's a young doc who has been looking after me since the first kidney stone attack in 2005. Classical school medicine but he has a strong inclination/interest in "alternative" and natural medicines. In my case I think he is getting frustrated at not finding a better solution and talked about the possibility of referring me to a progressive, research orientated university hospital specialist. I do feel somewhat sorry for him as the kidney stones are entirely due to internal gastric issues outside his standard operating area. He has no magic potion to prescribe and can only repeat the seemingly contra indicated use of calcium tablets and cholesterol reducing powder (I don't have a cholosterol problem).He has asked me to do a "24 hour urine collection" in the next weeks and I was equipped with the large collection bottles.

Always good to get out without any problems knowing that things are within tolerable range but also having had other parts such as bladder checked over. I can only plead with everyone to get regular medical checks and to listen and react to our bodies. I think we males are worse, convinced "it will go away" and work is more important.

This last point has been on my mind the last few days as today is the first anniversary of our well known and loved Bliper RedFlash's husbands unexpected death. As I stood in the stairwell about to walk down, I saw the above view and it reminded me of her Blip from the weekend.

Downstairs I couldn't help but wander around the lanes and streets looking for Blip victims and thinking of how RedFlash would react to all the shapes and reflections. She has over the years regularly posted wonderful shots of the buildings in and around the City of London. I smiled.

Right behind the docs practice is the Memmingen/Swabian Theatre building. On the 6th October they held the German speaking premiere of the UK playwright Richard Bean's 2007 EU MEP politicians, money and sex scandal farce "In the Club"  named here as "Wunder Bares Europa" .The word "wunderbares" means wonderful but split up "Wonder Cash" playing on the " being elected as an MEP is like winning on the lottery." - none of your constituents know who you are, you don't know who they are and you get a big fat pay-check for swanning around Europe, wining and dining at no cost. I smiled at the big pink piggy on the poster.

Had to get home though and otherwise nothing to do in Memmingen. If I lived here there would not be any shortage of motives but perhaps it's just that one needs to look again at those everyday things in and around home.

I waited this evening to post until RedFlash had done so, fearful she might have succumbed to the enormous emotional stress of the day. With a huge sigh of relief her thumbnail appeared. I should have known better than to doubt her. She knows the memories will not go away, nor should they, and I am sure the pain will lessen with time, the smiles increase and she will bring joy and happiness to Blip and those around her.