Friday, January 23, 2026

The surprise offer.

This morning I receive a letter from the local health authority informing me that I'm eligible for a shingles vaccination. They've given me an appointment at the health centre this coming Monday. The offer comes as a bit of a surprise as I'd never considered having one. The letter delicately informs me that the vaccine ' is beneficial for those who reach a certain age'. 

The weather continues to be wet and windy and grey. It's rough enough for the fulmars to remain firmly anchored to their nests on the cliff edge. 

When we get there the bakers shop is already busy. We wait in line behind three builders who are torn between ordering a breakfast steak and haggis pie ...


... or a vegan haggis, neeps and tattie offering. The steak and haggis pies win out.


Burns Day biscuit production is now at full tilt. By the end of the weekend the Valentines Day variety of the all purpose biscuit will replace them. The year is racing onwards.


Windows that were dark at the start of the week are now blazing with light as more and more students return. I'd reckon 60% have already arrived and the rest will show up today. The railways have chosen this week to upgrade the track between here and Edinburgh. This means anyone hoping to take the train all the way from London will discover they're moved onto a bus at Waverley for the final hour north. You've got to feel sorry for those that are experiencing their first winter here. They leave the gentle weather of southern England and find themselves in a town with freezing temperatures and gale force winds. Our Texan tenants for the house in town arrive today. 'The Font' is heading there to turn the heating up to maximum.

7 comments:

The Life of Riley said...

My doctor last year recommended I consider a shingles vaccine based on my family history and recent medical papers. I'm too young to get the vaccine for free, but before you say no, to your free offer, Google reliable health sources about studies showing the vaccine reduces the chance of dementia occurring and perhaps progressing to make an informed decision.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
As a retired medic I can say that vaccines, on the whole, have been a positive for society. The shingles vax push has me hesitant (although there claims of other benefits as mentioned by LOR): in the ten years I was linked to an age-care facility, I saw precisely four cases of shingles. Sixty residents, (moving popn, so maybe closer to a hundred different people), over ten years... four cases. In my personal connections over continents, I know one person who has had shingles. One. All that before this thing appeared, so I admit I struggle to see the need for blanket enforcement. If there is family history, or pre-existing factors, then definitely go for it.

As for the bakery, I'd be tempted by the spinach roll... YAM xx

Travel said...

My father has Shingles one summer, my Mother had to drive them home that September, it was debilitating. I have had the vaccine. As we gain wisdom, more vaccines are recommended.

Camille said...

Shingles are beyond painful and debilitating. Have witnessed several friends and family deal with it over the years. I've received the updated, double shot which is given six weeks apart. Worth it.
What a lovely stained glass window.
We're about to experience the polar vortex during the upcoming week with subzero temps arriving by tomorrow morning. As the article mentioned, trees don't actually explode but they can split and crack open with noisy pops and groans. We've lost a few fruit trees to such a phenomenon.

Stephanie said...

Another vote for the shingles vaccine. We've been vaccinated at the recommendation of our physician. I've also witnessed family and friends who have been afflicted; the pain can be excruciating. I once had a mild case and that was painful enough.

jabblog said...

Better to have the vaccine rather than the disease, which is painful, debilitating and takes a long recovery.

Sharon said...

I had the two part vaccine after a friend was debilitated with shingles. I lost two young Crab Apple trees in 2024 from the trunks splitting top to bottom. The rabbits enjoyed chewing on the exposed inner tree. We are expecting the volar vortex to arrive this weekend. Wind chills -30C or colder. North shore of Lake Ontario.