8 th.March.

Thursday, 08 March
Day two on Zyban.
Have had a fantastic night’s sleep, woken up to a gloriously sunny afternoon.
Pot of tea, sat in chair sneezing several times.
I chew and swallow whatevers drained into the back of my throat and then coughed a few times, as if to clear throat.
I’m sat now, able to breath through my nose; which anyone will tell you who has had their nose damaged, (broken four times), is a rare occurrence.
I actually feel good yet have little or no energy.
I have my usual three rollies with first pint of tea, each one tasting slightly,
of what I cannot discern but a definite taste none the less.
Second pot of tea and I sit writing this.
I venture to the toilet and take a glance downstairs at the front door.
There appears to be a greetings card in the letter box, I investigate and gather.
Sat back in my chair I open and look at the contents, two birthday cards, one to my favourite aunty and one to cousin, several stamps and clear instructions, POST NOW!
I had better do as I am instructed.
I have never in my life been able to remember anniversaries and therefore seldom send cards unless prompted to do so;
hence the delivery this morning.
I should go into the village to collect my money, the washing needs to be done and there is a growing pile of rubbish near my chair, backitchen could do with some attention also.
I take my second tablet, remembering I have to keep off the booze while taking same, making a walk into the village, followed by a pint out of the question.
I listen to the birdsong of the meditation sounds and look out of the window at the sunshine, would be a crime to stay inside today and I do need some exercise.
Perhaps later.

The course of tablets is scheduled to last a number of weeks, 7-9, depending upon results and lack of side effects.
I feel confident this time I will get a result;
I may be a non smoker by the time the holidays come around.
I pause to write a suitable greeting on the cards.
I light up my fifth rollie; breakfast almost over.
The feel good sensation may come from the tablets; they are an anti depressant, apparently given to soldiers returning from the Vietnam war.
It was then that doctors found a large proportion of patients were giving up smoking!
A cool breeze blows through the open window and is welcomed;
fresh air, a rare commodity indeed.
The leaflet which came with the tablets reckons day eleven to be a cut off day,
my doctor thinks I’ll have stopped before I see him again next week.
Will see.
I take deep breaths through my nose, filling my chest up slowly.
The breeze stiffens and clears the smoke from the room, I again consider my options for the day light hours.
I really should clean the place up!
If I stay in I’ll be sat with P.C. till seven so I decide I will go for a walk after making myself presentable.

A fatal smash has claimed the life of a motorcyclist in North Yorkshire.
The rider was killed after his Triumph bike collided with a Nissan Micra car on the B1257 yesterday afternoon.
It is the first crash on the B1257 this year - the road annually claims the lives of many riders.
R.I.P.

A disgraced Tees councillor who dishonestly claimed £6,500 in benefits has escaped prison.
Surprise, surprise.

Am feeling a little peculiar, slight tingling sensation and volume of tinnitus has noticeably increased, also presence of acid.
I relax and listen to the sounds familiar in their structure but unheard previously.
I decide to take the car and get my business out of the way.
Went out for car and returned to pick up cards, got into village, cards posted and business sorted.
Home for five.
I remove contact lenses and revert to spectacle wearing, much easier to see work.