Sunshine on Leith, Blue Jasmine and more

That's my six weeks of waiting over. I've had my scans, the team will have viewed them last week and had their chat about my little tumour - wish I'd been invited - and this afternoon I see Mr Speake to find out the next step on our journey together. Lets hope he's had a good night's sleep and is on the ball. I think I will be his last patient today, hopefully nobody will have upset him.

I'm finding it very difficult to concentrate, especially for the last week, as I get closer to finding out what the future holds for me. Which is partly why I've not blogged for a few days, and partly because of laziness of course, and always finding other important things to do instead. Mind you I did get all my windows renovated last week, so I suppose that's some kind of excuse.

I can't say that it's been easy but I remain optimistic and still expect to make a full recovery. Things are going to take longer than I had expected, as I keep getting fed new information, drip by drip, and I can now only hope that by this time next year I will be able to recommence my travels.

If Mr Speake does operate to remove the tumour I will require eighteen weeks of chemotherapy, beginning in December, taking me up to May 2014. I will then need to wait at least two months before they will look at reversing my colostomy, and a further two months before I will be allowed to travel by plane. So looking at very late 2014. Not the retirement of my dreams. Patience required and I'm not blessed with buckets of that virtue. Will have to develop some. Wonder where it grows?

Meantime I've kept occupied with some cultural activities. I went to see Sunshine on Leith with John and Emer yesterday. Great movie, had me in tears by the end, though John insists I was in tears half way into it. Mind you he does admit to a little tear in his own eye too. Superb performances from all. Jane Horrocks does a superb version of Sunshine on Leith. Surely one of the great Scottish love songs, and certainly the best supporters song of all time, without exception. Nice to see Peter Mullan showing his soft side - he does have one you know- and he sings Oh Jean almost as good as the boys themselves, with a bit of Tom Waits effects thrown in for good measure. The four young actors playing the main parts are clearly stars of the future, with oodles of talent and looks.

The stars of the film are The Proclaimers back catalogue, great songs, so many of them, too many to list, so go listen, or best still see the movie. I will go again and certainly buy the DVD when it's released. Morningside here in Edinburgh gets a few mentions. One of the Proclaimers used to live a few doors along from me, here in Morningside. I may have mentioned this before but no harm repeating things, I once or twice sold him a Socialist Worker. Never got his autograph though. Silly me.

The other star of the film is of course the City of Edinburgh. Makes me feel so happy to know that I can walk into that scenery whenever I feel the need. It's simply stunning, beautiful, unbelievable. If you've never been to Edinburgh this is probably as good a view as you will get without actually coming.

Great scene outside The National Gallery at the foot of the Mound as the whole world joins in on a version of  I'm Gonna Be. A nice wee earner for the Edinburgh tourist board, not that it needs one. Our pubs look good too, though I couldn't identify any of them. Don't know if John or Emer did?  Go see it is my advice. As good as Mamma Mia, if not better. Greater songs for sure.

I've also been to see the new Woody Allen movie Blue Jasmine which is definitely worth seeing, if only for Cate Blanchett's performance. Oscar bound methinks, she is. But she will have to control that drinking and talking to herself in the park and on the streets. Children get upset with that kind of behaviour Cate!

I've read some books too but will tell you another time. Some crackers too.... I'm listening to The Proclaimers singing Oh Jean as I finish this post..... and only four songs came from the album Sunshine on Leith, I think five came from This is the Story, including the opening song, Sky takes the Soul.... there are 21 songs altogether in the movie.