Can't think of a heading!

As promised, this is me basking in the glory of my win on Tuesday in our Quaich competition:

Wednesday was a slow day - it's the fresh herring season and I took some home, picking up oatmeal, tomatoes and fresh bread on the way home. After tea and a bit of catching up with Sky + recordings, we actually went to be bed at 9:00 pm! Of course, I then awoke at 3:00 am but at least managed to roll over until almost 6:30.

Jo's car is in for MoT etc and she's got a loan from the garage of a little Fiat - she wasn't keen on it as it made what she called an embarrassing noise and she was worried it would let her down. Incidentally, can anyone remember when Jo started to worry so much - in fact, at all? Perhaps in her new life she'll go back to what she calls watching the grass grow?

Malcolm was there yesterday when she put her car in and asked her what she was going to do after retirement? He said he was looking for an admin assistant - I think Jo was flattered a little at being asked, but wasn't sure if it was in jest or not - she merely retorted that she couldn't type!

More golf for me tonight - Deeside League at Aboyne, then tomorrow it's off to St Andrews Bay for our Midsummer Outing.

The week so far

Played the 3rd and final round of the Seniors Club Championship on Monday evening - finally put in a decent performance and actually had the best score on the day (although well off the aggregate).

Got fitted with the heart monitor on Tuesday morning and have now taken it off and am about to return it to Albyn. The cardiologist is off on holiday so I won't hear any more for a couple of weeks anyway. It wasn't too bad to wear - I did a short session at Bannatyne's as he suggested I should, and I played golf last night with it on. Even sleeping was OK - the only real downside is not being able to take a shower.

I also had my best round in our weekly Summer Quaich last night - gross 74 for 40 points - and I won! Photo to follow.

OK, that's enough of golf for now - you can all wake up again - it's safe to read on.

Jo finally got the answer from the Council officials last week re her request for early retirement - they would not recommend it to the councillors as she would have to be replaced and there was therefore no cost saving. We told them to put the request forward anyway - no harm done - if they don't accept it and offer enhanced pension, then we're no worse off - she just resigns anyway. Looking forward to getting my wife back again - can't you see it? - Jo Stewart, domestic goddess!

Monday + Luca video

First of all, a short video of Luca playing with his toys and studiously avoiding the camera yesterday:

I went to my appointment with the cardiologist this morning - a different one this time. I'd expected just a chat, but he decided to do a full ECG, plus stress test (too early for me!) and did a scan of my heart as well, so I felt I got full attention and my money's worth!

I made him aware of my aversion to Warfarin and he thought it probably wouldn't be necessary - yet - although as I got nearer 65, I would probably have to go on it. The stress test showed my heart rate reaching very high levels (240) under maximum pressure - but he said apart from that, my heart seemed to be functioning OK. He did think it might be a good idea for me to give up squash now - but I tried to argue that squash now is not so pressurised - we're all getting older and slower and when we get tired we just play a bad shot and end the rally!

Anyway, he wants me to take on a 24 hour monitor and so I'm going back tomorrow morning to have it fitted. He wanted to see how my heart performed during a normal day, including a spell at the gym. Only problem is you can't shower with it on and sleeping's very difficult as well.

The US Open was great last night - even although I finally fell asleep about 1:30 am, I think. Watched the finish this morning and I'll see the latter stages of the play-off tonight after golf.

Sunday

Been another mixed, fairly cool day. Had a foursomes tie at Torphins - which we lost - then got home before Gary, Carole and her mum arrived for lunch. We had a nice, extended lunch and Lucy Skyped us to wish me Happy Fathers' Day - and we moved the laptop around so that she got to talk to and see everyone.

Luca has inherited his mother's camera shyness - every time you point the lens at him, he looks away:

I did (just) manage to get Jo and Carole to kind of half pose:

Settling down now to watch the US Open - 6 hours of golf in HD on 50 inch plasma - great! Going to be a very late night, but I'm not going in to work until later tomorrow as I have my appointment with the cardiologist at 9:30.

More golf tomorrow night - 3rd round of our Seniors, then golf again on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday before heading off to Fort William to see Kelly, who texted me today to wish me HFD.