Hi,

Thanks @Mouse.

Thanks @stringy the fog's been replaced by snow and ice; it was -7C whilst shopping this morning at 6:45.

This is very good of you @ELCBKKK thanks so much. Yes I can play this on my studio laptop through the headphones. I'm sure to get the first two notes correct because they are natural notes the rest will take a lot of practice. For over three years I've been trying to learn violin playing but due to circumstances beyond my control studio time has been hard won. Tomorrow Bron is at the hospital again then at another hospital next Monday and Wednesday with Wednesday all being well to have a replacement knee.

I love Bron to bits and never begrudge a minute helping her but over the last few months with Bron's health deteriorating it's become a full time job looking after Bron and all the household needs. Hopefully after Bron's operation and with springtime's warmer weather I'll have more time to call my own so can really settle down in the studio unlike now when I dash in and out for 30 minutes.

I've just played the video @ELCBKKK  it's brilliant even showing which finger to use; I'll definitely adopt this as a huge aid to practicing.

Many thanks for your New Year good wishes @ELCBKKK it's much appreciated. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and wish you too a very happy new year and 2025.

Before I could complete this post the doorbell rang; it was our lovely Russian lady friend/neighbour having walked on to ask if we needed anything like bread from the stores; yesterday our friend/neighbour from across the street also popped over offering his kind help; others too have generously offered to help us; Bron and I are delighted not only to live here on the panoramic valley side in our detached random stone bungalow but the icing on the cake is to be surrounded by our truly wonderful friends/neighbours. Over the years I've done lots of favours for neighbours; it's nice though to be appreciated; money can't buy this.

2025 could prove to be a good year for us.

Kind regards, Col.

Hi,

I'm still dreaming of studio time to practice my violin playing but at this rate I'll forget my way into the studio.

What a week it's been again; three hospital visits; one surgery visit and ambulance here at 2 o'clock this morning; Bron suffered a fall landing on the corner of a coffee table giving her immense pain in her side; fortunately nothing broken and now more tablets to take on top of the 17 already being taken.

Bron had her complete knee replaced only a few days ago and is doing very well indeed with her new knee. Our NHS is absolutely wonderful; we've both been treated like royalty by everyone concerned; even stragers we've met have been very friendly. (This was removed by Mouse, Please keep politics and disparaging remarks about other countries, people, etc out of posts.) More hospital and surgery visits next week.

Bron will always come first with me; I'm unsure where violin playing comes on my pecking order but I've dried the washing this morning so when I finish this mug of tea and biscuit I'll do the ironing then I'll have dinner to make.

I simply can't see any future in violin playing at the moment but eventually I will get into the studio; sorry for my constant story of doom and gloom but it's no fun living it.

Got to go.

Kind regards, Col.