Our work on the family headstones at Manchester Southern cemetery has continued. Since we discovered the remarkably reliable and effective stone restoration spray we have returned Mandy's mothers ( et al) memorial stone to almost as new condition. I had one spray left so as the weather was suitable and I had bulbs to plant at Southern ready for spring we headed down just before lunch time today. I did the usual tidy up on the plots weeding and sorting the chippings back into shape. This time we thought we would tackle the larger Hastings family granite memorial. We used up a whole tin of spray but it certainly made a good start and one more visit should have it looking a real gem. After completing that we'll get back to great great grandfather with a go at Robert Joseph's memorial which is generally in fine shape although the lower half of the large flat stone would benefit. We still need to put a second coat of varnishing stain on the Hardy family memorial bench which sits between the various family graves.

The hospital phoned today to make sure I'd recovered from yesterday's procedure, they told Mandy that it would be 3-4 weeks before they had the results on the nodules taken out , the thinking seemed to be they weren't sinister but it will be more comforting to have the final judgement. We had a few deliveries today and among these was the Hi8 camcorder I needed for our archive editing, haven't used it yet but it looks in remarkable condition, hardly used I would think, soon change that won't we. I've decided that the next Bus Spot Ultra will focus on Blackburn in Lancs, in the days of the BBC, Blackburn bus club we bought NCB167 a Guy Arab IV  straight from service. All the old meetings at the Throstles Nest made me recall those happy days.

The dread day of the colonoscopy, please don't read if you are eating!  The whole week so far had been geared up to a special diet and food types to get ready, last night gallons of noxious substances including water and watery concoctions had to be consumed through the evening. Finally got to sleep after wearing a track in the carpet to the smallest room. Up at 6 am and a glass of water and off to the hospital at Macclesfield, I think it was perhaps my first procedure I'd had done on the NHS for many years. The department wasn't open when we arrived. nowhere to sit thankfully Mandy was in the wheelchair. Hurray, the department opens, so far the hospital looks sparkling clean and everyone we encounter is friendly. The receptionist checks headline details then nurse comes to run through it all once more, nothing like double checking so far so good. A nurse comes to reception, oh we've been looking all over for you, I hadn't moved an inch, it's just that your papers are in the ward, puzzled look from me, nurse smiles again relieved and takes me to a changing room, unusually it is a mixed sex ward for today's procedures so a bit of shuffling people around.

I meet the nurse who had screened me at Leighton hospital.  Another nurse comes in, few pop in just to see who is in there, a bit of a steam- perhaps I'm a celebrity. Finally after blood pressure and another check list I am left to change into impossible gown but thankfully bought along my own dressing gown for cross ward forays. Once changed through to a waiting room, the nurse who had screened me had noted my needle phobia and that I would try to survive on gas and air ( don't I normally ?) Thoughtfully they have left me in a waiting room, a very nice lady in for an unknown procedure then gets the canula treatment, the nurse can't get it it and sets about a graphic running commentary and demonstration of how not to do it. I've made me friendly excuses to said lady opposite and apologise for closing my eyes and covering my face and agreeing it was better for me that it was her and not me getting the nurse in a spin. A few other people come in for a peep, an agency nurse arrives, deployed to tasks she then queries as she does things differently. Another nurse comes in I know her already from taking my details, she comments on me hiding away, getting thoroughly peed off now as everything happening it the exact opposite of what i had requested, I was on the point of getting my clothes together and walking out  when it has seemingly become my hour of shame.

I knew what was involved but the gas pumped in soon started to give me cramp, I was really relaxed and the placebo gas and air a stupid addition, perhaps keeps people quiet ? I watched ( surprisingly for me) the 'action' on screen - some time had passed and then the German/Danish or Dutch doctor scores a goal for Paris St Germain, a polyp, action stations but the sheer hellish cramping becomes more than I can stand and after quietly ( screaming) expressing my emotions he withdraws and sulks robbed of his first grab. The retreat from Moscow leaves me tachycardic  and much comforted by the sweet nurses who are genuinely concerned. Eventually my blood pressure comes back to earth.  It was amazing that out of the chaos came a team, my state was soon becoming a popular break in the monotony, what would we do next, I was coming back to well-being, the escape of gas encouraged by everyone who comes in to reassure me, I oblige ( greatly). The doctor after regaining his calm comes through and lists the options, no deal Brexit, Norwegian mode... sorry listening to too much news. Mandy has been rung by the staff and appraised of the situation, she assures the staff that it was too bit expected, low pain threshold, men, who would have them.

So its pop in the ct scanner some time or make another appointment. The mood lifts when I declare ' lets go another round and get the needle in quick',  I'd try it with real pain relief not gas and air -  although I could now supply my own  hospital gas storage. The doctor has hidden skills, the needle inserted without sight or feeling, the paper bag and hammer technique worked again, no not really he was a sweety under that Germanic coolness. Swiftly back, monitor on, passed on Coronation Street I wanted live Macclesfield hospital relay, I was sure it was going out in every ward. Straight back in, no extra gas required he knew his destination, polyp one out, then digging further than the Glasgow underground  some more little blighters removed, victory snatched from the jaws of defeat. The thundering applause gets the young doctor  embarrassed.

A telegram goes out to Mandy in the canteen, she catches the first flight back to endiscoptomy department waiting area, happy landing with tea and digestive biscuits. I doubt if the doc understands the importance of digestives in such a situation. Staff start a whip round for a plaque commemorating this proud moment in medical advancement. Somewhere along the line I gain oxygen up my nose, my body matches the gale blowing outside, messy isn't the word. I'm cordially invited to a rematch in three years, not really certain about the result, it gets lost in the euphoria, yes lots of little bits of me removed , well they could have become cancer. What noble and splendid preventative surgery this has been, how I blushed at the team as they took their bows and left for the next patient. By now I'm no longer welcome, its approaching dinner time, I have to be carefully in removal to the bathroom, there are still lady patients who would swoon at my posterior and balloon pumping  air supply.

Safely removed I get rid of the detritus and cleanse myself, just to think early that day I thought the odour of Occitane Verbena shamp** ( sorry I couldn't say it) would make me feel better, rapidly getting through a supply of wipes and creep out suitably refurbished and assured once more that it was not  I that made the mess, it was them. Mandy greets me and we beat a hurried farewell, waving to the matron and sisters and the ranks of misc staff agency or otherwise from the four corners of Cheshire, actually or possibly just Macclesfield. Care that was in a clean, friendly, caring environment, that like all mere British mortals a little confusion and muddling through had done the trick, I would have said the Dunkirk spirit but Brexit or perhaps Marmite spirit seems somehow appropriate.

So a quiet end to the day, no way, Mandy had us out to bank, building society, butchers, Booths supermarket - an urgent dash to stock up on Rhubarb gin etc. Reassured when I check my emails, the RNCM annual principles circle newsletter, there is a new name in charge of  sponsorship, I think the last one was there a few hours, churn rate so dire that they are now recruiting at Macclesfield hospital for those made of sterner stuff. Always look on the bright side of life eh, Dave lives to film another day, the new dead cat microphone cover arrives and is fitted, wind shall have no dominion over my films, oh no how did we get back to that! Ending on a joyous note some more shots of Mandy, Sue and I with the lemurs in Madagascar a couple of weeks back, normal service resumes tomorrow.

With the strong winds and rain arriving I'd planned that I would be home and ready to start the final preparations for the procedure at Macclesfield hospital tomorrow, I'm still fairly lay back about it although of course it will be a great joy to get an official all clear and nothing else. I did a lot of photo filing this morning, all the digital era files are now in my files of the PMP still photo archive and the majority are also in the Smugmug shop where you can purchase downloads or prints. This took me through to lunch time later we settled down to an old comedy on Talking Pictures which regularly dishes up classic British films from another era. Then we had the flickering lights as half our lights wouldn't come on either at all or only partly, inspection of the switch board and meter revealed nothing wrong there so phoned Scottish Power, they said they had heard nothing from anyone else, turns out we were first as usual, the whole area was affected.

Finally got it all back after a complete outage about 5.15 pm. By this time I had to prepare my 'drinks' for internal washout , started now and lots to take through the evening, obviously staying close to the 'facility'. I'm booked in for 8.15am tomorrow so it will be an early start. Once we are sorted on this scare we have Mandys second CT scan next Wednesday reference the growth in Mandys lung which they think is possibly something that has been there for many years, they couldn't see properly as Mandy had an infection which is what lead us to the problem, hopefully a non problem. So it's been a right old year of medical stuff, glad to see it tick over to 2019. I've a 'new' Hi8 camcorder on the way so I can restart my Bus Spot Ultra series of DVDs and give the nostalgia fans their fix. I'm going to borrow John Bishops film of Chester circa 1970 as it will be a large part of the archive sequence. I've a couple of other locations including Blackburn on the bubble as well as another volume based on a Yorkshire location. From the archive though to keep us thinking of Chester some shots that you will fing of Chester on the Smugmug shop, remember Smugmug is the owner of the popular Flckr site.

After filming at Mansfield today the list of UK bus locations left to cover is down to a trickle, just Tyneside and Kent plus I'll do a couple near London when I go down to Maidstone and Chatham. I know there are some youngsters waiting for the Kent material to appear in the Christmas stocking so we'll do our best to sort it, weather dependent as ever. I've already added the DVDs from Peterborough and Mansfield to the PMP shop and the covers are made so ready to go with these latest two editions. I had a lengthy but not too bad for rush hour trip to Mansfield, I sussed out the A38 for truck filming a bit more, certainly adding it to my 2019 list of locations. The weather held while I was at Mansfield bus station, first outing for the new RODE Mike on the camera, I've ordered up a dead cat wind sock so it will sound even better. I've got the photos from the last two days filed and one of the next big tasks is to get some uploaded to our Smugmug photo, and jpeg download site. Little else to report, the revenue from Youtube is working out well now it is back on stream. So lets have a look at some shots from Mansfield, friendly drivers there as usual and the bus station is always spotless.

A good run to Peterborough until we got near on the A605, roadworks with no actual work visible over a short distance were causing several miles of delays both north and south bound. What a selfish idiot thing to do, this caused us to miss the rush hour so we ended up going for a cuppa in M&S first. The disabled parking spaces were hidden among road works after having been moved, thus we ended up in the NPC car park which offers zero concessions or allowances on time for wheel chair users. I;m now on the pre hospital procedure diet which means no fruit or veg, jam etc or red meat so its chicken and potatoes at present, had cheese on toast with my tea in M&S which isn't on the menu but for me, anything!

The weather wasn't totally as promised, sun and rain played their part but the majority was ok for filming and I even met our friend who drives for Stagecoach and is an enthusiast and one time organiser of one of the local running days. All the drivers were very friendly and although the variety is now down to Stagecoach, First and Delaines it still has a lot happening, through in a few coaches and even Sinbads perhaps sailing some Poles back to their homeland.  My friend reminded me of the long list of previous operators in the town which I've filmed over the years it was quite extensive, remember all our archives are on the PMP shop, just download the list sort to suit your interests with content, location and era then remembering the DVD number put it in search and hey presto you can click to purchase. Also a reminder that current releases also go on to digital download option which also applies to all our photos as well, prints or jpegs at very competitive prices and compared with our DVDs a very underused resource, its on Smugmug which is the owner of Flckr.

Needless to say tonights photo slide show is from Peterborough, not sure about tomorrow once again need to check the weather as low pressure is going to bring gales and showers but less cold.

I never did get an answer from Google about the Youtube revenue return date but as it started to show again this morning with a normal two day delay it doesn't matter, reassuring that we have our revenue stream again to support the PMP Film Archive and especially as we enter new types of access by downloads etc and the advent of commercial use licences. I went out and did some tidying of the borders after we got back from St Oswalds, month end BCP service of morning prayers from the ark, oh dear things haven't progressed buy my energy for such matters is badly behind what once existed. I've had a trawl on the net for potential Hi8/8 camcorders with my last one biting the dust yesterday, I'm hoping my usual source at Oldham still has a stock otherwise it is down to EBay which I really detest buying at auction on. Until I get this sorted the Bus Spot Ultra series has stalled. I need to borrow the 1970 film again from John Bishop to recopy, it will look all the better the old copies by Bennie from Chorlton on video 8 don't really look that brilliant now.

I'm now on my restricted diet leading up to the procedure at Macclesfield hospital on Thursday. Tomorrow it looks as if I'll be filming at Peterborough, usually a friendly location with lots of interest from Delaines among others but diminished independent scene of course. This still leave me with Kent, Tyneside and Mansfield to cover before the middle of December which should be possible if the weather plays ball. Tonights slide show is another look at the lorries in Reunion along the seafront of the capital town Ste DenisI

Gavin up with Bus Spot Ultra Chester, my Hi8 player jammed with the master tape in it, both are ruined although I can get the film to copy again some time, I'll just have to park this particular project. I've been trying all week to find out what is happening with Youtube revenue as nothing is as of yet showing in their analytics and until the revenue arrives I can feel little impetus to load more material. Very quiet for orders, I'd have had a black Friday sale on EBay but since they changed everything few people can figure out how to do promotions, life is too short to care really.

So Tyneside never happened this week but we did go to Blackpool i Mandy's car, it was chaos in the town centre with the tracks going in for the station line. The buses were all over the place with no single vantage point and services were at a minimum and the whole place looked even worse than usual. A sort of ghost town strewn with litter, beggars and closed down shops. Then they have the money to put in a new tram line where does the finance come from. The drivers were all very friendly, it was a cruel wind driving the temperature much lower than it's actual level, the wind chill factor they call it. I struggled to get even half an hour which can go on with the Lancaster materiel I shot earlier this autumn. I'm just editing the Chesterfield material, well burning the DVD and clips will go on Youtube. The monetazion still hasn't kicked in since reinstatement but asking them is asking machine set to go round in circles which pretty well describes the whole US and all the companies they have spawned. Just left with a few locations to cover before year end, Maidstone, Chatham ( poss cover London locations on same trip) then Tyneside and Mansfield then it's in to 2019. All DVD orders received to mid afternoon are in the post today, we got them cleared after coming home via Lytham, haven't been there for ages. Shots for today from Blackpool.

Well actually it wasn't a long story just a long wait stuck on the A50 heading towards Derby on my way to Mansfield, a police 'incident' closed the road and I think the queue was back all the way to Stoke and all routes around Derby were gridlocked, I eventually managed to escape via the Rolls Royce link road and then northwards which wasn't plain sailing as I ended up passing through one town twice, fueled up and tried again but I wouldn't want to see Alfreton again for a while. When I did get to Chesterfield I nabbed the last place in a car park, they are thin on the ground there. I did quite well with the light cloud cover but a bit of mist about which turned to fog on the way home. I tried stopping at Bakewell for my favourite cafe on the way home but the parking machine took my money and gave no ticket, I gave up on Bakewell possibly for good. Home via the foggy Buxton Macclesfield road then partly sunny in Cheshire

. The weather in Newcastle has changed to sunny for tomorrow so a possiblity is Blackpool buses then up to Barrow which would go with the Lancaster film I've already got, all down to the weather at this time of year. I'm still hoping to get to Kent and Tyneside togerther with Peterborough which is almost all that I have left on my list. I've done some work on the 2019 final Ukraine trip and my Asian trip in March. Still need to work out Mandys sun trip in Feb, possibly Thailand if friend Sue is better with her back by then. Had a nice chart in Chesterfield with a lady whose deceased husband used to take railway photos, there were some awful types about in Chesterfield, also saw a couple of bus enthusiats with camera but they just got in my way and didn't speak. Photos from Chesterfield today

A very cold day although there was a usable light with just a little rain but it was domestic jobs and catching up with PMP work which filled the hours. I did venture out into the garden as it was garden waste collection tomorrow and I didnt want the bin empty so I got a lot of spent foliage loaded up and finally cleared the remainder of the vegetation over from the storm damage which wrecked the side trellis. I managed to get the remainder of the Reunion and Madagascar DVDs finished along with the DVD covers and also loaded them on to the PMP shop along with the latest DVD list. I also made a start on getting the digital download versions loaded. I got the still photos from the trip filed so I could clear the camera for tomorrows trip to Tyneside. An early start in the morning and hopefully e'll get Newcastle, Gateshead and South Shields covered and be back in time for tea and our session at The Crown. We have St Oswalds PCC meeting this evening, I'm not 100% sure I'll go but Mandy will attend, there is a chance I may show my face but have been very unhappy with the direction it has taken and the lack of support I received as Churchwarden. Now they don't even have a official churchwarden.

The post bag has been laerge the last two days although a bit quieter today, as we are out in the North East we'll post todays orders out on Friday afternoon. I'm looking at Mansfield and Chesterfield for Friday should the outlook remain light cloud, I need to check the BBC weather in half an hour. I'm going to make a start on the proposals for my spring trip to Asia, I did sketch and price out the rudiments a while back, I'm also minded to complete my circuit of Ukraine trams and trolleybus locations but it is very much my own where as tram and trolley films attract barely any viewers on Youtube and few DVD orders as opposed to truck features. Buses only sell if they are in the UK. Having sad that Ireland north and south will feature in 2019. Tonight we look t trucks as seem in Tamatave in Madagascar, the chaotic port city on the east coast.