 Rear of garden and house from an upstairs wing. Anyone for ice-cream? |  Westbrook Bay's "white sand" beach from a bedroom window |  Rear garden in summer - yummy office - just to show why I live here! |
Tapping sounds woke me from the electric blanket's cocooned warmth. Living by the beach, it's rare to hear noise, except sea and seagulls. Outside, perched on a garden birdbath, a red breasted robin tapped frozen ice for its daily water. White snow clouds blanketed skies and seas. Winds whipped snow-spray against my window. Some years ago with England cut off by snowdrifts, including Canterbury 20 miles away, a local TV crew shot us sunbathing on the beach! Today at last Margate has a "white sand beach".
News forecasts suggested -12 degrees. Seems great for a walk. We may never be on this planet again, so life is all about experiences, and living the moment!
Thermal socks, long-johns, vest, hat, gloves... Winter jumper, thick body warmer, snorkel ski-coat. Nothing like being prepared.
But I wasn't prepared for Jack Frost winds buffeting through every stitch. Despite a brisk beach march, first toes and fingers, then legs and arms, felt like joints of meat from the freezer. I wondered why icicles were in my mouth - until I realised they were teeth!
No-one else was out. I was alone, enjoying an exhilarating, freezing experience. Such contrast to Barbados last month, which feels like hot Heaven right now.
My wish for hot Heaven came soon. The best refuge in -12 degrees is the gym, I thought, not knowing I'd soon be helping others, stark naked.
Warmth returned slowly during 20 minutes fast walk on the running machine, 200 rowing strokes, and 100 arm-lifts. But not warm enough. Steam room, Jacuzzi, and sauna should bolster me for Jack Frost winds outside. I stripped off for the "Men only" sauna.
Memories came of Barbados heat, but clothed. 'Hello,' I said, to the only other naked man. He was about 50, and obviously used to have macho muscles. 'I'd rather be in Barbados. What do you do?'
'I was a builder,' he said. He sounds depressed. 'But I've given it up. I've been depressed and am off sick.' It doesn't feel like just depression. I waited for him to talk. 'I get aches and pains all over sometimes, and dizziness. Doctors can't do anything.'
Sounds familiar. ''Do you also have very low energy?' I asked.
'Terribly low. Most days I can't get out of bed until 3pm. The psychiatrist thinks I'm lazy.'
'Have you said your prayers?' I asked, trying to lighten the tone.
'I don't believe in God,' he replied. 'Why should I say prayers?'
'Because when you're so ill, anything is worth trying,' I suggested. He looks genuinely surprised. 'Have you been assessed for ME or CFS?' I asked in a caring voice.
'Doctors won't assess that. They think I'm mentally ill, and gave me a social worker to get me to work.' Some doctors need a doctor... ''Doctors don't understand me.' I've heard that before... 'I don't have enough physical or mental energy for most things. I struggled to get here today. I've used so much energy, I'll be flat on my back all day tomorrow.' He gave a huge sigh. 'I'm about to give up on life.'
Oh dear, a suicide case in a naked sauna..? I'll double-check. ''When you say you're about to give up on life, do you mean you don't want to carry on any more?'
'Yes. There's no point in living.'
Sounds like it could be serious. My response was interrupted. The sauna door opened and a second naked man, entered (third including me). He sat between us, amid awkward silence until I asked his job. He's a schoolteacher, 38 years old.
Hmm... It feels right to continue the conversation... But not mention suicide... 'Would you mind if I mention how to help ME or CFS, you know, chronic fatigue syndrome?' I asked the builder. 'I used to have a Harley Street clinic. ME and CFS are two of my subjects.' The schoolteacher looked up, alert. Hmm, he's interested too! Interesting...
'I'd be very interested,' said the builder.
'So would I,' said the schoolteacher. 'My best friend has CFS, and doctors have done nothing to help. She's almost disabled.'
What wonders God or our angels perform connecting us to others in need. Maybe they even planted the seed in me to be the only person walking in icy beach winds. If my bones hadn't chilled, I wouldn't be sitting naked in the sauna, about to help two disabled people.
It took half an hour to explain possible ways forward. (See links below for some of my suggestions.) 'It doesn't mean these things will cure you,' I said. 'It takes time and energy, both of which you may not have, so you'll need a helper. But many have been cured. Dr Sara Myhill can arrange tests, and send a medical letter to your doctor to explain. Most "freedom from ME" staff were disabled with ME/CFS and now seem cured.'
As I left the sauna, the builder especially couldn't thank me enough. 'I don't believe in God,' he said. 'But I think God sent you to save me. At last there's hope. I don't need to kill myself now.'
After 30 minutes in the hot sauna, I dressed and left. I glowed red all over, enough to protect against the white winter outside, with or without clothes.
NB. If you know someone with chronic fatigue or CFS, please read these links in the following order.
http://www.cfids-cab.org/MESA/ccpccd.pdf (Read pages 11-26 first - do an initial self-diagnosis)
http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Summary_of_my_approach_for_CFS_/_ME_sufferers. (Overview)
http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/ (Lab tests for mitochondrial function etc and an explanatory letter for your doctor)
http://www.freedomfromme.co.uk/ (For support with recovery)
If you are disabled with chronic fatigue or ME, find someone to help you read relevant pages, complete extensive assessment forms, and implement recovery programs. Good luck!!
News forecasts suggested -12 degrees. Seems great for a walk. We may never be on this planet again, so life is all about experiences, and living the moment!
Thermal socks, long-johns, vest, hat, gloves... Winter jumper, thick body warmer, snorkel ski-coat. Nothing like being prepared.
But I wasn't prepared for Jack Frost winds buffeting through every stitch. Despite a brisk beach march, first toes and fingers, then legs and arms, felt like joints of meat from the freezer. I wondered why icicles were in my mouth - until I realised they were teeth!
No-one else was out. I was alone, enjoying an exhilarating, freezing experience. Such contrast to Barbados last month, which feels like hot Heaven right now.
My wish for hot Heaven came soon. The best refuge in -12 degrees is the gym, I thought, not knowing I'd soon be helping others, stark naked.
Warmth returned slowly during 20 minutes fast walk on the running machine, 200 rowing strokes, and 100 arm-lifts. But not warm enough. Steam room, Jacuzzi, and sauna should bolster me for Jack Frost winds outside. I stripped off for the "Men only" sauna.
Memories came of Barbados heat, but clothed. 'Hello,' I said, to the only other naked man. He was about 50, and obviously used to have macho muscles. 'I'd rather be in Barbados. What do you do?'
'I was a builder,' he said. He sounds depressed. 'But I've given it up. I've been depressed and am off sick.' It doesn't feel like just depression. I waited for him to talk. 'I get aches and pains all over sometimes, and dizziness. Doctors can't do anything.'
Sounds familiar. ''Do you also have very low energy?' I asked.
'Terribly low. Most days I can't get out of bed until 3pm. The psychiatrist thinks I'm lazy.'
'Have you said your prayers?' I asked, trying to lighten the tone.
'I don't believe in God,' he replied. 'Why should I say prayers?'
'Because when you're so ill, anything is worth trying,' I suggested. He looks genuinely surprised. 'Have you been assessed for ME or CFS?' I asked in a caring voice.
'Doctors won't assess that. They think I'm mentally ill, and gave me a social worker to get me to work.' Some doctors need a doctor... ''Doctors don't understand me.' I've heard that before... 'I don't have enough physical or mental energy for most things. I struggled to get here today. I've used so much energy, I'll be flat on my back all day tomorrow.' He gave a huge sigh. 'I'm about to give up on life.'
Oh dear, a suicide case in a naked sauna..? I'll double-check. ''When you say you're about to give up on life, do you mean you don't want to carry on any more?'
'Yes. There's no point in living.'
Sounds like it could be serious. My response was interrupted. The sauna door opened and a second naked man, entered (third including me). He sat between us, amid awkward silence until I asked his job. He's a schoolteacher, 38 years old.
Hmm... It feels right to continue the conversation... But not mention suicide... 'Would you mind if I mention how to help ME or CFS, you know, chronic fatigue syndrome?' I asked the builder. 'I used to have a Harley Street clinic. ME and CFS are two of my subjects.' The schoolteacher looked up, alert. Hmm, he's interested too! Interesting...
'I'd be very interested,' said the builder.
'So would I,' said the schoolteacher. 'My best friend has CFS, and doctors have done nothing to help. She's almost disabled.'
What wonders God or our angels perform connecting us to others in need. Maybe they even planted the seed in me to be the only person walking in icy beach winds. If my bones hadn't chilled, I wouldn't be sitting naked in the sauna, about to help two disabled people.
It took half an hour to explain possible ways forward. (See links below for some of my suggestions.) 'It doesn't mean these things will cure you,' I said. 'It takes time and energy, both of which you may not have, so you'll need a helper. But many have been cured. Dr Sara Myhill can arrange tests, and send a medical letter to your doctor to explain. Most "freedom from ME" staff were disabled with ME/CFS and now seem cured.'
As I left the sauna, the builder especially couldn't thank me enough. 'I don't believe in God,' he said. 'But I think God sent you to save me. At last there's hope. I don't need to kill myself now.'
After 30 minutes in the hot sauna, I dressed and left. I glowed red all over, enough to protect against the white winter outside, with or without clothes.
NB. If you know someone with chronic fatigue or CFS, please read these links in the following order.
http://www.cfids-cab.org/MESA/ccpccd.pdf (Read pages 11-26 first - do an initial self-diagnosis)
http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Summary_of_my_approach_for_CFS_/_ME_sufferers. (Overview)
http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/ (Lab tests for mitochondrial function etc and an explanatory letter for your doctor)
http://www.freedomfromme.co.uk/ (For support with recovery)
If you are disabled with chronic fatigue or ME, find someone to help you read relevant pages, complete extensive assessment forms, and implement recovery programs. Good luck!!
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