It is always a tough call when you have to walk away from an activity that has been a major part of your life for decades. Even if it is only for a temporary period.
Well, I hope that it will be?
In situations like this, your head must rule your heart every time. Especially if you want to give yourself the best chance of normal service being resumed at a later date.
Two weeks ago, I had to call time out from my radio activity when I broadcast my last show for More Music Radio Spain; a station I have had the pleasure to have been associated with for around a decade.
But you never know what is around the corner; and I have always said that I like a challenge.
And to be honest, this one (Cheesy Phrase Alert) is a bit of a doozy.
A month after enjoying a perfect 40th wedding anniversary celebration with my Butlins Family at the Grand Order of the Water Rats Annual Ball, I started to have a swelling at the side of my neck.
Now normally at this point this is where the age excuse kicks in. I never bought into that idea.
For me, being of a certain vintage does not mean a number. I always return to a family tradition when that subject is brought up – that is being over 21.
But eventually your mind does pick up the signals that your body needs some changes or adapting. That, to me is what getting older is all about.
Forty years ago (I cannot believe I am saying that) if my body had any aches, pains, or any other things that should not be there, the young me would always try to shrug it off.
However, the present day, more experienced me now has a different approach, that when it comes to older models, adapting to new surroundings is now a must requirement.
I have had plenty of practice when it came to driving; especially with the kind of cars I used o to drive. Now I only deal with one working engine – me!
Unlike my cars, this personal engine requires more care and attention, and I certainly cannot trade it in for a younger model. Medical science has not advanced that far.
So back to that swelling in my neck, remember that? It first made an appearance in November 2025, where I was the only one that noticed, and in May 2026, everyone does.
Not only that, when I was doing my radio shows, the more I recorded, the more I was starting to sound like “Barry White.” And despite my natural determination to push on, eventually the message got through to my “over 21 mind”.
Something had to give.
I was still mega busy with my books. The Butlins Trilogy has been republished, and I am now working on a brand new book which I am determined to publish next month. That is the plan.
But because of my neck problem, which we will call “Swollen Lymph Nodes”, the medics are still trying to work out what it is actually called. I have had to rethink my working strategy.
Until that moment comes, I have stepped back from my radio work. I did not want to do that, but I had no choice as I could only record in ten minutes at a time, which means the only stuff I can do is my audiobooks.
Which is a work in progress
At the time of writing, the medical testing continues, which so far has included shoving large syringes into my neck, which understandably has been taking its toll, but I am still focussing on two important deadlines.
One is getting back on the air in September, but before that there is the important matter of the next Butlins Family get together in July. I am working on my song contenders as I speak.
It is always special whenever we get together, so I do not just need to get my neck in shape; I need to work on the rest me as well. And I have been mega busy on that front.
Last month I have undergone for me is the perfect exercise programme, which involves me not getting off my chair and doing early morning bouts of oriental yoga – or Tai Chi to give its official title.
One month in and I do not know how, it is working. Boy, is it working. That is another story.
Whilst I may be in limbo on the neck side of things, which remains an ongoing challenge, the the rest of me is still working. Books are still on schedule.
And once I get the neck sorted, I can start thinking about getting the singing voice in shape for our Butlins Soiree at Pontins.
Now where did I put that song list?
TTFN