On the Coast they don't spell 'Walkies' the same way---it is------

I know---I make heaps of typos when I 'massage' the keyboards here---and I do not see them until much later. 'Take your time,' you say. Nope---that's not how I write; I need to get it down, the words flowing more naturally that way, the ideas flitting around in my brain, then disappearing---receding into some dark recess, never to surface, except in my dreams. Some would say, I have entered a permanent dreamworld down here on the Coast! But---there is a word that is constantly used in this house---'barked' rather than spoken, except by me. The 'barkee,' is a four legged dominating little bundle of hair. So---when I say, walkies or she orders that time of the day, which can be up to three times, on a good doggie day, then one must jump to it. However, Perdy does not have it all her own way---yes, we walk and then--STOP. Walkies becomes---TALKIES, and the word transitions into yet more long conversations between myself and whoever it is that is similarly disposed to passing the time of day, expressing opinions, receiving good advice---or questionable suggestions---it's all the same to Perdy---it is an interruption of her 'time!' I must say, she has adapted to the many occasions, whereby I stop, meet, greet and opine my way through the day. I guess she has come to accept the new meaning of 'walkies,' only occasionally showing her displeasure when it really does go on for too long! I think Perdy has become a true 'Coaster,' too!!!!

The 'Coast:'----I just can't help it------BUT

I keep doing it. it happens all the time. Perdy has changed forever, as she too is afflicted by this condition---'Coast Fever'! It seems we are not the only life forms that succumb to this phenomenon: I have a growing sense that the Thames township has a plan---well it's inhabitants do. When I came here, a month ago from the 'City over the water,' I was a tad nervous about how I would be accepted. Lets face it; Aucklanders have not always endeared themselves to other areas of New Zealand and they are sometimes on the receiving end of some quite petty and even nasty innuendos; take JAFA and some even stronger terms to describe us. At its worst, one could even say that it has approached 'parochialism plus! Thames is DIFFERENT. I am not sure of it is the fact that Auckland is almost visible, just across the water, or if history has united the two areas from way back. the links have always been strong and now that Auckland has 'exploded beyond the Bombay Hills, perhaps it is that my fellow JARS (Just Another Refugee) see it from the 'other side'---that Thames is a distant suburb! I hear that as mnay as 500 cars a day, travel to Auckland for work. In summary---it feels like for the most part, Thames welcomes these new arrivals. For me---the evidence for that statement is in the welcome I run into everyday. Perdy usually accompanies me and perhaps it is her who breaks the ice, as it were. It feels like I just can't go for a ten or twenty minute walk---because the 'walks' turn into 50 minutes---to an hour and a half, and Perdy has to sit and wait while I chat away to the fellow dog walkers and others who invariably greet us and start a little conversation that is added to as others join in. It happens twice a day. I totally forget the names, but remember the dogs' names. I hear all about how to circumvent the 'no dogs off the leash,' law but do not transgress it, not just because Perdy is a pain re 'returning,' but more because one does not endear oneself if local laws are broken by a JAR---well that was my thinking, but not that of locals. LOCAL now means this growing number of Aucklanders (Damn it---JARS is so much easier to type!). I guess I am coming to the realization that 'time is different' in Thames; being busy is fine, but taking time to connect with others is an unspoken rule. Maybe it is 'who' I am encountering everyday: Maybe they are like me---they have time to spare; they have had their 'fill' of the crazy busy life and want to pursue a more relaxed pathway.If that is 'their way,' then i have joined it--The Thames Way! I suspect there is no going back now---well maybe for a visit to remind why I did this 'Coastal thing!' It's not that I 'cant help it---it's that I don't want to be like---THEN!' www.authorneilcoleman.com

I must be a 'Time Lord! What have ya done to me, Thames?!

Time 'slips, slides,cavorts and dances with me: Yes---that is Thames. One minute I am wandering around by back yard, watching Monarch Butterflies kissing amongst the Poinsettia, which has no business being so verdantly scarlet at this mid-winter season. Then in the next I am stanza, I am transported to a nearby beach, stepping over stones that look like they have once held the promise of gold, only to have my moment splattered by the beat of a thousand wings as the Oyster Catchers flee the sight of a frustrated jack Russell, who wants nothing more than to 'be amongst them! Then---time stands still why I fritter the day away, chatting with strangers, on-leash to their beloved four-legged children; that is until we are collective reminded that another 'plane' awaits us---further down the beach. None of the inhabitants of this kingdom seem to be wearing watches; none of them have that look that imprisons--the----'I need to be somewhere else,' look. A flick of the psyche, takes one to a warm kitchen, where the waft of tonight's dinner escapes the slow-cooker, promising a comfort equalled only by the clink of cutlery, as he table is set for repast to follow. The Time Lord moves again, gently transitioning the subjects to the front sitting room, where a fire awaits------time becomes-----slips past us and melds into day's end. I think---I must have done other things--I must have gone places--or was that yesterday by the babbling brook or the shady bush?!

The 'Coast' is having a strange effect on me!

I have been a month in this idyllic part of the world--the Thames Coast, and I am noticing something that is somewhat of an enigma. I no longer struggle with the traffic that not so long ago was a regular determinant of my mood. Yes, I used to cover my mouth, whilst expelling expletives at an imagined slights on my driving or more often (stop laughing!) the lack of skills or good manners on the part of the others on the daily grind to get to a destination in that far-flung 'City of Sails.' Then I would have to endure the daily 'parade of stupidity,' as exemplared from our politicians, each night on the box and then add my own commentary on FB and other platforms. Yes, I still do that, but there is something else taking over--a realization that sometimes, simply living in the moment is way better for my health. I shall strive to retain my concern for my fellow humans as I read each day of yet another attack from a privileged twat who cares nothing about the lives of an ever increasing number of our people. It would be so easy to succumb to the natural flows of the tides, the garden and the joys of wandering along a foreshore, chatting to fellow dog-walkers and then heading home to prepare 'simple fare,' to share with a neighbour, in return for their largess from the sea.NO--I have not forgotten that life for many is not so comfortable. I have had a break from relaity and those issues that face our nation are not going to go away. I know that keeping my head beneath the 'turrets' of life under a Government that does not care will not work for me. I will keep my base--as my 'touchstone,' and seek out like-minded people down here on the Coast,' because I have had an 'inkling,' that people here care too, for the direction NZ is heading. The 'Coast' will be my 'strength.'

Some people thrive at the bottom of the pit---they prey on those who are vulnerable---if we let them!

Just over three years ago, I underwent Bariatric Surgery, in order to gain a 'tool' to change my life. I was heading for a grave that was not ready for me. I wont go into details about the process as I am sure you can Google the procedure to find about about it. I attribute that operation to saving my life, especially given more recent events, that had I not had it, things would have 'gone south!' Within a few months of the operation, I formed a support group on Facebook. I called it--- Bariatric Support Group---simple enough name, eh! Initially, the group was for those in NZ, but very quickly it 'expanded' and now most of the members are in the USA. That's fine, because all of the members are united by a common theme. We support one another with our words, our very different journeys and yes---the love.WE never 'tell' other what they must do, we just let one another know how we handled a situation, be it with a doubting partner or re a fear. We know that we are all different, and it is that diversity of personality, of situation and of health needs, that lends a richness to the stories we tell. I am sure people have met as a result of 'meeting on the site.' Our membership at this time is now over 230! BUT---we have attracted the interest of some devious people---who would prey on us with bogus offers of help,sometimes 'financial ' in nature. It is relatively easy to see that their constant badly written offers are bogus or at the very least, dubious in nature. We collectively say to these people---'leave us alone. We support each other via our words and thoughts. That is enough!'Fell free to contact me if YOU want to set up a support group, and maybe I can save you some 'grief re the people who would 'prey on us, instead of praying for us!'

My dog is acting weird---like somethings gonna happen!

When a Jack Russell goes all quiet and doesn't try to get me to feed her early---something's up!

Bariatric support group---3 plus years on.

Just over three years ago, I had a procedure to give me a 'tool' to control my burgeoning weight issue. My doctor told me at around that time, that I would possibly not reach the age of retirement. I was working through (That's a nice way of say 'self-inflicted) a range of health issues, including: Sleep Apnea, High blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 Diabetes. I did not realize this at the time, but I also had Atrial Fibrillation, something that has reared its now controlled head, more recently. So, in a sense I had the Full House, re health issues and I was just 63 years of age. Why didn't I do something about it,' you say. Well-----I did. You name the diet, the gym and the 'help' I paid out copious amounts of money, almost as much as the weight I continued to pile on after each 'effort' to relive me of the globular fat tissue! I helped to balance the bank accoutns of mnay businesses, as I followed what for me was an impossible dream. To those again who say, I was weak, or 'what goes in muct be balanced by what goes out,' I say---pull your head in! There is plenty of evidence that I am sure some of my lovely readers can point us to, that suggests that mnay people are on this treadmill of 'yoyo dieting' and that they are doomed to failure. I know---that flys in the face of those of you you who attend many hours a week at the gym, following strict regimes, that most of us, either do not have the time, money or the 'make-up to follow. Good on you---if it works for you----go for it. I admire your resolve, but for the rest of us---- we need----well, let's speak for 'me,'-----I needed an 'intervention,' and that eventually came in the form of Bariatric Surgery.I agonized about this procedure---for just a few days. You see---I had done all the thinking for several years and the 'suggestion;' a very strong one, from my doctor was just the culmination of bringing to the fore of what I had struggled with for all those years. I could not tap into the excellent Public health system in New Zealand, that funds this operation for those under 50, but I was able to partially use the health insurance I had at the time. (I cancelled it, once they put up my premiums, post operation) I 'extended my mortgage, by around the cost of a new car---a really cheap one, (the operation cost about $NZ18,000) and 'invested' in the life-changing procedure. After the operation, I decided to start a Bariatric Surgery Support Group on Facebook. It stared slowly, mainly with NZ members. Then the USA kicked and and numbers grew. Now that we have almost reached 200 members (I suspect that by the time this is posted---we will cross the line and head for our first 1000!) it seems that the sky is the limit. I am floored by the wonderful support you all provide each other. I love the way you reach out, encourage, answer questions and 'be there' for one another. Long may that ethos continue. This is the place for verbal hugs, and where possible--to meet. Those of you who are about to undergo the operation, need support as there is a risk involved, albeit it a fairly small one, and there are complications at times. Above all---it is NOT a cure---it is a tool, whereby we can achieve some 'control' back in our lives. Let's keep this special group going. Love to you all. www.authorneilcoleman.com