Hello there. I last posted in Jan. It’s definitely been a time. I am posting from onboard a train somewhere Switzerland. We decided in a crazy moment to take the kids interrailing for nearly a month and we are nearly at the end of it with our next stop being our last, in Strasbourg

It’s been really well organized by Jo and the kids have been mostly good. As with all things they have had a fair few grumps and strops. It’s been worst when we have had a single hotel room for four, the air BNBs have given us a bit more space, which is always good for arguments.

Still they have enjoyed it I think (and they say) and it’s brought Graces country count up to 11 which she is very pleased about (Avery missed a trip to Scotland so is on 10. He missed it because he wasn’t born…. A poor excuse).

Highlights have been the ruins at Nimes, swimming at lake Como and in Switzerland. The apartment and vibes in Antibes were wonderful too. It’s been a bit hot with the summer being at 36 in places, but we avoided the wildfires as we were on the other side of France.

Anyway it’s been good and travel is great for experience and learning so very keen for the kids to do it. No chance to practice my Spanish mind, but you can’t have everything.

Life has been busy, with work taking up a lot of time (in a good way). We continue to grow as a company and Patrick and I are doing a lot of talking at events, so all seems good, especially around AI and the like.

Outside of travel the kids are well. Grace is going up to year six and Avery year four. They are both growing and it won’t be long before Grace and Jo are the same height!

In terms of health I am still having infusions every month, and these are pretty much the same 27 or so in. My bloods are stable and where they should be (other than the immune system, which is why I’m having the infusions).

I have also (finally) had a referral from the ENT specialist about the cold I’ve had for two years. It’s been resistant to antibiotics and everything else and is pretty well embedded. It hasn’t caused any weakening of the nose though, which is something. (No smell for two years, muted taste, it’s been a bit tiresome, but there’s worse problems). The assessment is in September so let’s see what they recommend. It would be nice to be able to wake up and smell the coffee again… ;).

So all good really. I just wanted to update. It’s been 13 years I’ve been diagnosed and I’m still in good shape, so if you have SMZL don’t fret too much. You can have it for years.

Also I was thinking about doing another month long walkathon, more than 100 miles aim for the month. A whole group of great people did this three and a bit years ago and it was a great charitable fundraiser. Last time we walked to Mongolia (5842 miles) and raised over 13000 pounds. It was over three years ago now and we did it near the summer but I was thinking of doing it in September or October maybe. Would anyone be in, do reach out if your game. Just an idea for now?

Thanks for reading.