Xmas is almost upon us and I am sitting here wondering where the previous 11 months have gone, but when I look at this year's diary, I can see how busy it's been. Lots of good things and a few not so good, but that's life when you get to my age I guess.
I'll start with a quick health update. I'm doing well. This month I have the clips and other bits holding my head and abdomen together, taken out and then it'll just be a check at some juncture by my surgeon Mr Toma, (who was absolutely brilliant), and I'll be well on the road to full recovery.
I can't thank everybody enough for the multitude of Get-Well messages that have come to me through various sources, and it was a lovely surprise to hear from Billy Joel who also has hydrocephalus and hopefully we will meet up for a coffee during the March tour in America.
Progress is good, although I have had to cancel most of my plans for December. I cannot travel to London and so for the first time in 25 years, I am not able to do my Xmas special with my great friend Simon Mayo. Hopefully we can do something early in the New Year.
The only things I am able to do are those which are local and so the Saving Strays Xmas concerts in Norwich and Ipswich are going ahead and I'm really looking forward to them.
So, for the time being it's all about sitting at home being looked after by my wonderful wife, Nurse Rachel, my mother-in-law Matron Pat and the Doctor Dogs and Carer Cats.
I have made a huge list, (yes, the lists are back), of everything I would like to achieve over the next three years, and somehow I will achieve as many as humanly possible.
Melancholia continues to do well and also Erik Jordan is currently working on the mix of Return to the Red Planet for its late Spring release.
There'll be a lot to report in January and February and I'm really looking forward to 2026, especially when I look down at my list!!
Have a wonderful Xmas and a positive, healthy and exciting New Year… with much love from all of us human and furry Wakemans xxx
Cheers Rick