Philip (Phil) England

THE FEAR OF CHRISTMAS Christmas comes but once a year...., thank goodness for that! Ever since my Mum passed away, and a number of friends including Huw from Cardiff, John from Bridgend, and a few others; the magic has vanished from what is supposed to be a joyous time of the year. For a number of years now I've had something to look forward too, dog and house sitting down in Wallington in Surrey. This year however its not happening. A trip to the big city seems to have become a big part of making Christmas something. So what am I embarking on?, a trip to London for a few days, taking one of my friends with me so we can explore. A Christmas at home means I will need to attempt some kind of festive meal.  My roast potatoes leave a lot to be desired I have to say. For the past few weeks, I have been trying to perfect my roast potatoes, I think I am close. Here's the method! Part boil with onion in a pan.  Heat up the roasting tin with oil and some garlic. Drain the potatoes and b

 This week is Mental Health Awareness Week , and today I am talking about ' Anxiety '  https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/phil-england/episodes/Mental-Health-Awareness-Week-15th---21st-May-e2452jb Like many others, I've had an issue with anxiety for many years, but during the pandemic and the various lock downs its been ramped up, and currently am not ready to face the issue head on. There is help out there, so please do a search online to find out what help is available in your area. Video version is on YouTube https://youtu.be/NKMrBPP3siY I'm looking for people to talk to about this issue, if you want to take part, message me on here or email podcasts@itsmyvoice.me.uk If you are part of a mental health charity and would be willing to have a zoom chat with me so I can make a vlog / podcast, please get in touch podcasts@itsmyvoice.me.uk

  Sunday 5 th June Woke up in pain all over today, and to some bad news. A friend of mine that I met at a Cuppa & Chat group had passed away in the night at Morriston Hospital. Nothing prepares you for that news, its like getting punched when you open a door. The older I get; the more people seem to be passing. At school no one warned you that when you get older people you know, even around your own age, will pass on. I am feeling depressed, helpless, fed up and wondering who’s next? My father isn’t getting any younger, next year he will be 80, he seems to be full of energy and always on the go, I am sure I don’t take after him, my sister seems too though! I spilt boiling water when making my morning cuppa this morning, missed the cup, I have been doing that an awful lot of late thanks to my left eye being all a blur. A bit of good news today, finally, England have one the first test in the cricket, its best of 3, they were playing New Zealand.

Really fed up with my left eye. Floaters and blurriness.  Went to the hospital on Monday, had eye drops and then pictures taken. Went in to get eye examined. The specialist confirmed that there had been a bleed at the back of the eye, but couldn't see the source of it, so decided not to zap with laser to fix the issue. My eye seems to be producing lots of gunk, keep having to wipe clean, some mornings have to unstick my left eye. Using gentle eye drops which seem to help. A further appointment for Monday 13th December has been made, so this blog post will be updated further then. Now, the eye problem is diabetes related, on the Friday before I saw the diabetic nurse, good news, blood sugars are down close to where they should be, it is still the intention to get me off the Insullin as soon as is possible. Also my cholesterol is in a good place.  While in with the nurse, I chatted to her about how I was feeling. Told her that I am fed up, and that I can't bring mysel

Phil's Video Blog 227 - https://youtu.be/ijBjcLb7pjg On this video blog a look at what I got from Home Bargains yesterday.  Looking ahead to later this evening (Saturday) and a moment of cuteness. NOW, why not check out some designs that I have created if you suffer with Chronic Pain or Fibromyalgia Chronic Pain - visit https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/90959680?asc=u Fibromyalgia - visit https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/90962177?asc=u You can get the designs on a tee-shirt, hoodie, bag, badge or even a mug! Don't forget my radio shows , which you can listen again via www.radiocatchup.site Saturday Breakfast - 7am til 10am via www.moorlandsgold.co.uk In The Groove, Saturday - 10pm til 11pm via www.islandsfm.org In The Groove, Sunday - 11pm til 12mn via www.broradio.fm Check me out on the socials: www.philengland.com/socials has the full links www.facebook.com/philengland www.twitter.com/philengland1 Skype @philengland1 Instagram @england_phil TikTok @philengland2020 Sp ecial p

Phil's Video Blog 226 - https://youtu.be/Gya40faqmcw On this video blog I've turned my pretty lights on!  and what do you get if you star a Yorkshire Terrier and a balloon in a TikTok video? NOW, why not check out some designs that I have created if you suffer with Chronic Pain or Fibromyalgia Chronic Pain - visit https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/90959680?asc=u Fibromyalgia - visit https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/90962177?asc=u You can get the designs on a tee-shirt, hoodie, bag, badge or even a mug! Don't forget my radio shows, which you can listen again via www.radiocatchup.site Saturday Breakfast - 7am til 10am via www.moorlandsgold.co.uk In The Groove, Saturday - 10pm til 11pm via www.islandsfm.org In The Groove, Sunday - 11pm til 12mn via www.broradio.fm Check me out on the socials: www.philengland.com/socials has the full links www.facebook.com/philengland www.twitter.com/philengland1 Skype @philengland1 Instagram @england_phil TikTok @philengland2020 Special pag

Phil's Video Blog 224 - https://youtu.be/Fr1kM-1xanI What a week for horrible weather its been!, and it is turning yucky again today, as I type this at home in Swansea! Halloween is here, kids going out to do 'Trick or Treat', but with Covid cases still on the rise, think to yourself, is it wise? Plus a plug for my new show that starts on Islands FM on Saturday 6th November - check out www.islandsfm.org NOW, why not check out some designs that I have created if you suffer with Chronic Pain or Fibromyalgia Chronic Pain - visit https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/90959680?asc=u Fibromyalgia - visit https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/90962177?asc=u You can get the designs on a tee-shirt, hoodie, bag, badge or even a mug! Don't forget my radio shows , which you can listen again via www.radiocatchup.site Saturday Breakfast - 7am til 10am via www.moorlandsgold.co.uk In The Groove, Sunday - 11pm til 12mn via www.broradio.fm SOON In The Groove, Saturday - 10pm til 11pm via www.is

Forgetting names. Losing words. Having trouble concentrating. You may have heard the term “brain fog” to describe these issues. Brain fog is a common — and often upsetting — symptom of spondylitis. What Is Brain Fog? In short, brain fog refers to mild cognitive impairment. It results in a whole host of cognitive issues, from forgetfulness to general mental sluggishness. Brain fog is not specifically a medical condition, but rather a symptom. It has been connected to certain inflammatory conditions, including spondylitis. Inflammation is thought to affect the brain and prevent it from reaching a full state of alertness. Many people associate forgetfulness and cognitive problems with serious medical conditions like dementia, which can be scary to consider on top of a spondylitis diagnosis. However, the cause of the brain fog is usually something else. One member wrote, "I thought it was the beginning of dementia. Now I see it’s not. Spondylosis is the cause." The Im

  Mental Health & Covid-19 With the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns easing and the continue rising of cases in some areas of the UK, it is natural to feel stressed, to feel anxiety and confusion. First of all, it is ok, more than ok to have a cry. Crying is a good way to release pressure, and to help get things out in the open. No one is weak if they cry, and don’t let anyone tell you any different. I have been suffering with depression for years, not being able to fully shake it. I have found talking to friends a good way to help. At the moment I feel the NHS is under more than enough pressure with things to deal with. There are a number of mental health charities out there that can give help and advice, such as Mind. You can contact them via social media platforms, as well as going to their website at https://www.mind.org.uk and this page can make sure you get the right help that you need   https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool Back in 2020, around about

Phil's Video Blog 223 - https://youtu.be/w3PAhPkir5s this is also in upscaled UHD/4K In this video blog a bit on the dreaded man flu.... it seems to have gone! Last two covid tests were negative! Some pictures - pies for the microwave.... yuck, just no!, plus my mind is like an etch-a-sketch! NOW, why not check out some designs that I have created if you suffer with Chronic Pain or Fibromyalgia Chronic Pain - visit https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/90959680?asc=u Fibromyalgia - visit https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/90962177?asc=u You can get the designs on a tee-shirt, hoodie, bag, badge or even a mug! Don't forget my radio shows , which you can listen again via www.radiocatchup.site Saturday Breakfast - 7am til 10am via www.moorlandsgold.co.uk In The Groove, Sunday - 11pm til 12mn via www.broradio.fm SOON In The Groove, Saturday - 10pm til 11pm via www.islandsfm.org Check me out on the socials: www.philengland.com/socials has the full links www.facebook.com/philengland ww

Living with spondylitis, a type of inflammatory arthritis, comes with a long list of  symptoms . Alongside characteristic symptoms like back pain, a common complication of spondylitis and other inflammatory conditions is  cognitive impairment , or “brain fog." This includes mental changes like temporary memory loss, forgetfulness, and difficulty remembering words and phrases. Forgetting what you were about to say can be embarrassing, and not being sure if you took your medications can be scary. Luckily, there are some ways to manage memory loss and live better with spondylitis. What Does Memory Loss With Spondylitis Feel Like? As with any spondylitis symptom, each person experiences memory loss differently and to different degrees. Some MySpondylitisTeam members have shared that they feel as if their minds are in a confused fog, like one who wrote, “I have memory loss and fogginess.” Another member described her memory loss and brain fog as affecting mostly her short-t

Disabled people have been routinely forgotten during the pandemic, and are still some of the hardest hit.  New Scope research shows only 2 per cent of disabled people feel safe about the lifting of restrictions today, on what’s being dubbed "Freedom Day". It’s not right that some disabled people are yet again being left behind by Government. The Government needs to make sure that the most at-risk disabled people can get the support they need to stay safe. To the disabled people, the shielders, the should-have-been-shielders, the parents, the carers and families.  We’re still with you.   💻  You can get support on a range of issues on https://www.scope.org.uk/coronavirus-information/ ☎️  You can speak to our helpline advisers by calling 0808 800 3333. We are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm. 💜  We know it’s been an unbelievably hard year and a half. But there has never been a more important time for disabled people and allies to

Since the Covid-19 situation started, my mental health has been all over the place, a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. Now that things are looking like they are easing I am scared, frightened to be mixing with people. The friend I am in a bubble has noticed that I have changed. I am not sure I can mix with people again, my mind is not up to it, I am not sure I know how to properly anymore.  As daft as it sounds, I think being social for me is out of the question. I am scared to be social in person with people out in the world. Scared I will catch something, scared I can't get on any more, scared I can't live life again. I feel like I will be trapped in my mind when everyone else is venturing out in to the wide world to live again. I have breathing issues, blood pressure problems and depression, all of which Covid has impacted and amplified. Attempting to go to shops to get fresh produce that I really like to choose my self has led to shortness of breath and panic attacks

 Now I am not one to panic or worry but..... nahhhhh, who am I kidding PANIC! WORRY! PANIC SOME MORE..... 😱 I have just read this on Twitter The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine has been suspended in the Republic of Ireland Ireland’s health ministry NIAC recommended the move following reports of serious blood clotting events in adults in Norway, BBC News reports. Meanwhile, WHO said countries should not stop using the vaccine due to there being no link between Oxford-AstraZeneca and an increased risk of developing a clot. The Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland said it would "closely monitor" the situation. Photo via @Reuters @BBCWorld News said, In a statement, Northern Ireland's Department of Health said it administers vaccines under the "expert direction of the MHRA". It said it had received guidance from the MHRA in light of the vaccine's suspension in the Republic and that the "roll-out of Northern Ireland's vaccination programme will

I was standing in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil, with my walking stick in hand, looking out the window, I had a feeling of emptiness as I stood. I made my tea, went out in to the hall, cuppa in hand, sat on the sofa feeling down, until Smokie jumped up and meowed at me then started purring - bless him. I have a friend, Su, who has lost her cat Minnie. Seems she may have wandered off, but I have noticed a number of black cats that have gone missing lately around Swansea. I have been talking to Smokie, and thinking. I do think Smokie needs to be with her. At Su's Smokie can go outside to frolic in the 🌞 sun and be company for her.  While it pains me to have to give him up, I feel it will be best for him in the long run. He has his toys and his boxes what would go with him, with familiar smells on them, I could still spoil him lots.  I think I need a dog so I have a reason for going out and get gentle exercise. I have tried twice to put Smokie on a harness, wasn't a

I read on a friend's Facebook wall that "life as we know it ended last March, and will never be the same again", this is a negative way of looking at it. I want to shake my world up, get things sorted health wise so I can claw my life back and start doing long walks again, hence why I'm looking towards India for their health care Life as we know it may have ended, but soon enough with the vaccine and science life will be back, and may be better than before.  This time has given us all time to look at our lives and take stock. I did an online journalism course and got a pass grade, bettering my self in the process. Look to the future, life is what you make it. Learn something while we are all restricted, better yourself for your future. The future is yet to come, make it a positive bright one. Things seem gloomy right now, but that will change, the cloud cover will clear. As George Burns said 'I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the