What's on the workbench!

[kitbasher]

 

[McColm]

Thanks,  like all of my builds apart from a few commissioned ones I tend to change the design if the parts don't fit or in the case of the PV-22A this is now a EV-22A AEW platform with the SearchWater radome fitted to the loading ramp in the inflated position without the arm.
The Westland Sea King will return to the HAS.Mk5A , although a few of the windows have been blanked over

[McColm]

Friday 21st May 2021

Hi Guys,
With free wifi connection at Lonsdale ward  Kings College hospital London. This gives the opportunity to read all the messages, topics and comments. I'll have to ask if they will allow me to build a starter kit.

[McColm]

Friday 4th June 2021

According to the Temporary Housing Officer of Greenwich I am to make my own way to Studio 710 Staycity Deptford Bridge, Lewisham London SE8 4HH, it's close to Deptford DLR Station. What the person should have done was to contact the hospital who would have booked the transport for me and my paperwork signed off so I can send my sick notes to my employer and get paid. I sent an email explaining this.
Yes my Universal credit advance has been paid but that has to last me for the whole of June. Then there's my work coach who wants me to be available for interviews and find work, even though I am on sick leave as this will effect my allowance.
Although I can bearly walk unassisted,  I can't lift anything apart from my mobile phone,  tablet or carrier bag so shopping is going to be interesting, the one bed hotel room has ensuite, kitchenette and a dining area. Looking at the pictures it isn't designed for people who have been poorly or need a bit of assistance getting up from the toilet (apart from the seat there's nothing to hold to pull me up). At least there's a microwave, kettle and toaster plus fridge. There's also a laundry room. A another new adventure,  oddly the hostel that I stayed in is about a twenty minute walk up the road so I know the area. How long I will be here,  I haven't been told but I do know that I am on the priority housing list,  so I hope it's a bungalow!

Plan B
Still here due to miscommunication .

[kitbasher]

Can you get Foodbank support?

[McColm]

Can you get Foodbank support?

I think so but I will ask a friend who uses the food bank how to do it.

[McColm]

Friday 4th June 2021

Well Iunch had just arrived when a porter came to collect me to take me down to the waiting room for the Hospital Transport Department. I know many rules were broken but my boyish smile won them over.
Even as I was finishing my fish and chips with garden peas and apple juice an ambulance/minibus was waiting to whisk me plus two other patients back to their homes.
Staycity is a 3 star hotel it looks posh but closer inspection especially the shower looks as though it needs a good clean. I have two single beds pushed together,  ensuite bathroom,  kitchen facilities, a TV which I think needs new batteries for the remote, cutlery,  plates and cups,  an ironing board no iron,  a dishwasher, fridge and two electric hobs, microwave and a small table. Plenty of electrical sockets and a bin. The free wifi connection works although the smoke detector keeps bleeping but I am getting used to it. Even air conditioning. Good job that the lift works. It's not designed for anyone that doesn't have any strength in their arms, but the heated towel rail makes an idea climbing frame.
I just need some milk,  cereal,  margarine, bread and eggs. Ketchup and a tin opener. A pan/pot and kitchen towel . I might not be in the same league as Captain Canada when it comes to cooking and yes no alcohol due to my medication.
Small steps

[kerick]

Sounds like you need a person to drop in a couple times a week to help with shopping and laundry and stuff until you get more strength back. Is there such a thing available?

At least you're out of the hospital so that's good news!

[McColm]

Sounds like you need a person to drop in a couple times a week to help with shopping and laundry and stuff until you get more strength back. Is there such a thing available?

At least you're out of the hospital so that's good news!

I think online shopping or home delivery would be a better option. There is a Co-Op store but the prices are very high, it's about my limit in walking distance. Two carrier bags is all I can manage at the moment.

[McColm]

Thursday 10th June 2021

Footnote
My mum sent me a Samsung Galaxy Ace with no instructions,  it's a SIMs free mobile phone,  unfortunately it doesn't want to connect to the EE network but I have managed to send a few texts and get linked to Wifi. The clock keeps gaining time as well, apart from these glitches it's a good little phone.
Meanwhile I have started to build the 1/72 Revell Ka-58 Stealth Helicopter and the 1/72 Airfix Westland Sea King HC4. Which are roughly the same size. My original plan was to kitbash the Sea King with parts from the Ka-58 kit but I think that I will build them separately.

[McColm]

Sunday 13th June 2021
It's been 10 days since I was discharged from Kings College Hospital and a lot has happened,  thanks to Nick I now have a mobile phone that keeps good time and I am able to contact the outside world on the EE network. I'm for the  KISS  ( keep it stupidly  simple) system any day.
I have conquered the German microwave and watched a few YouTube videos on how the electric hobs work. I admit that I don't go for a walk outside the hotel every day but instead substitute this for climbing up and down a flight of stairs.
I still get extremely tired after every task I set myself but as I have all the time in the world I have seen small improvements. Yes I am self conscious on how I walk outside the hotel and try my best to look as though it's normal, it takes great concentration,  hence the catnaps afterwards.
Model building takes my mind off the aches and pains of a 54 year old coming to terms with his new environment. My next task is shopping at the local Tesco store,  it's slightly further away from the co-operative store but it has more household items that I need.
I also have been catching up on films,  but tend to fall asleep within the first 15 minutes which means watching them again when I can't sleep at 2am in the morning or TV series on Amazon Prime. I'm now into The X-Files season 1.
Most of my bruises have now disappeared,  leaving the scars to heal and that's another thing.  Before I was admitted to Hospital I could go without having a shave for two-three days now stubble shows after a day. The battle of the grey hairs taking over the brown and in some cases blonde hair on my head has almost won which I don't mind at all.
It's just weird being alone,  until Boris lifts the restrictions and I can have visitors or guests in my room.
Next week will be tackling the laundry and sorting out my socks!
Thanks for your messages and support,  it's really appreciated,  predicted text wasn't my fault honest.

[NARSES2]

Progress, but don't push it to fast.

[Pellson]

It's great to hear that you're improving. Take care, let the ideas flow and time will work to your benefit.

[McColm]

Thanks Guys 

[McColm]

Thursday 17th June 2021

It's almost two weeks since I was discharged from hospital and a lot has happened in the second week. My walking has improved and the distance I can walk without taking a breather has doubled.
I went for a walk to the nearest Post Office only to find it's shut due to refurbishment work which took me past Deptford High Street and there was me complaining about walking to the local Tesco's store.
I have found a larger Post Office in Greenwich,  but I will take a bus. It's handy being next to Deptford Bridge DLR and Overground Station. Bus stops on both sides of the road.
I went to Peckham Pantry  Food Bank yesterday with a friend and became a member. It's £4.50 fee to get 10 items. 3 Red and 7 Blue worth about £15-£20 in the shops of food. When I got there they were expecting a delivery but with a smile I managed to get a few extra items.
There's other Food Banks that are free but there's a catch if they are Church run you have to attend the Sunday service.
Time to break out the stock cubes and pasta, man can't live on baked beans on toast for four days or more.
One thing that I have noticed is that the benefits don't get paid when you want them,  they tend to leave it up to the last day of the working week.
So I'm off to the main Post Office in Greenwich,  I haven't been on a bus for ages.