Another year 'round the sphere

It's been a month since my last post! I left off by noting my aches and pains so we begin with an organ recital. Doc said the 'back pain' is bursitis in my right hip – anti-inflammatories and exercises. The stomach pain is irritable bowel – he gave me a handout with websites on it, which I haven't visited yet.

I last posted on 13 April, the final day of the Master's, when Rory got the job done. I watched with my friend Marian and it was nerve wracking. I like Justin Rose, so it was tough to see him lose on the first playoff hole, but Rory has been chasing that trophy (the last in a four-tournament grand slam) for something like 17 years. I also enjoyed watching the Saudi-funded LIV players go down in flames.

So a few highlights for the month. I saw a film called Warfare with Ann and Shaun – a recreation of an elite army force getting trapped in Ramadi during the Iraq war. All based on true events. It is a wonder those fighters find a way back to a normal life after what they witness – and have to do.

On 25 April, I played with the Ballyhackers Golf Society at Malone Golf Club, which is very posh.

On my birthday, I played in the Bleakley Salver, which is mixed foursomes. We had 35 points, not bad but not good enough to win. I knew mom would send me a check for my birthday so I bought a new pair of golf shoes, which I displayed with four recent cards from my mom.

And wore during the Bleakley Salver – here I am posing on a carpet of cherry blossoms.

I stayed after the round of golf for the carvery – meat for meat eaters and nut roast and veg for me. Then home to chocolate cake from my buddy Patricia, complete with firecracker candle.

The really big news is, on 29 April, I gave notice to PRI. At age 63, with bursitis and 42 years of work behind me – it's time (I have to give three months' notice, so it's almost time). Before giving notice, I wanted to first get my head around how the US-UK tax treaty affects my pension. I haven't found an accountant to help me with that, so I'm retiring anyway and hoping for the best. Trump collapsing the dollar is not the best, by the way.

The very next day I went to sing with a choir – on my retirement bucket list. I really enjoyed that. Next day tea and buns with my friend Marek. On 3 May I went to Rowallane with Patricia and her grand-daughter and bought two bushes. And 4th May was a practice round at Donaghadee, where my team will have a match the following weekend. I can't believe I didn't take any photos because it was lovely – the colour of the sea was beautiful. Monday 5 May was a bank holiday, which I celebrated by playing golf.

This past week I've had to take it easy because I've done a lot of gardening and that has triggered something in my right arm – the tendons that hurt after I broke the elbow. Friday 9 May I spent with my friend Eddis, first visiting Antrim Castle Gardens for lunch and then Portglenone Forest, famous for its bluebells. Wild garlic in the foreground and bluebells deeper in the forest:

We also visited her sister and brother in law at the family home in Portglenone. It was lovely to meet them after hearing so much about them.

Today is Sunday – match day at Donaghadee. I am a reserve player so I go as spectator unless needed. This is good news as we have had a run of hot, sunny days and I am not keen to be out in the sun for four hours. As spectator, I'll probably stay for 1.5 hours.

11 May