Just back from a blood donation session. Why, I hear you ask, is that worthy of a post here? Because last time I went, my haemoglobin levels were three points below the new minimum levels set by the EU for a standard donation for a male, which was doubly disappointing since I'd signed up for the trials for a new system - double red cell donation - which is being run by Tayside H.A. and a couple of English ones, where the blood is taken, centrifuged to remove red blood cells, mixed with saline and then returned to the donor with the white cells, platelets and plasma intact, before another similar volume is dealt with similarly: the concentrated red cells from a single donor are particularly useful in cases of bone marrow problems, or the various varieties of anæmia.

 I've worked quite hard to raise my haemoglobin levels, and it's obviously been very successful: fifteen points up, which is a full seven over the 14.0 required for DRCD. No problems during the procedure, either, despite the fact that it's longer and more complicated than the standard system, and requires being hooked up to a machine.   

Thats really good news Ron, nice one!!

Excellent news about the haemoglobin level / overall fitness Ron. A standard to aspire to!

Well done Ron.  Why does the red wine work    Tannins?

I am a donor and whilst we don't have the trials Ron is subscribing to we do have Plateletpheresis as well as normal donation, whereby your platelets are removed and you get the rest of the gubbins back.  I tried to sign up for that but did not meet the minimum weight requirement.

Honestly Guys, blood donating is not painful, you make it up again quickly, you are surrounded by pretty girls in Nurses uniforms and you get a cup of tea and a Jammy Dodger afterwards!

I've just checked blood stocks and some groups only have 5 days left so if your age and circumstances qualify you why not give it a go?

(Wasn't there a David Bowie song called 5 Days? - Great riff!)

Edit, it was 5 Years!  No riff but great song

Over the last year or so, I've come to drink only Redbush tea apart from the breakfast cuppa, which remains Assam.
I'm afraid I don't drink nearly enough water, but have made an effort to eat more fruit. As for the Gym   ....but as a non-driver I walk, in a working week, about 20 miles or so. I've tried cutting down the amount of bread/ pasta I eat and have lost about a stone this year.
Red wine's not a problem, although I prefer white.

strinasacchi,
Welcome back. I am glad you had good performances of Bach's Brandenburg concertoes. I know how uplifting it is to play well.
_{I am not a snob and play with everybody.}

Ron Dough, Many people will be helped by your blood. Now you have to restore your strengh. Did they tell you what to do? Do you have to rest?

Pleased to read your good news, Ron. I always drink Redbush tea these days, it suits me as I don't have milk anyway and dislike strong tea - and there is the added bonus of it being naturally decaffeinated so I can drink it in the evenings.

But last time I tried to give blood I had to admit to having occasional palpitations and they decided they couldn't take my blood. I still have palpitations now and again so there's not much point in trying again.

On a happier note, I've at last got round to replacing the old plants in the pots at the front of the house with fresh summer bedding from our local plant nursery. I'm 2 months late doing it so as well as buying some rather straggly busy-lizzies (been in their trays too long but with tlc they'll soon fill out) I treated myself to a couple of large, planted pots of pelargoniums and petunias etc in glorious pinks, purples and reds. I should be in the Garden Shed...