Pastures New…

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Saturday 14 May, 2016 by Uncle Spike

I set out three years ago knowing diddly-squat about blogging, or even what a blog to be honest (seriously), and now I find myself at a crossroads where a new direction has beckoned.

As with many bloggers, apart from the seasoned and the professional, these chapters in our lives come and go. I gave it my all for much of the time, and personally I am extremely pleased with the eventual result. Uncle Spike’s Adventures, after nearly three years (although only semi-seriously from September 2013) has amassed over 531,000 page hits from 2280 posts and a list of some 2858 followers. Not bad for a complete novice at the outset, and way way beyond my expectations.

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It’s been a blast, a thoroughly enjoyable adventure; but now I increasingly find my time limited to 15 minutes a day online; perhaps a smidgen more. Suffice it to say, that is not enough to do the blog anywhere near the justice I had originally intended – as is probably very clear to the more regular followers.

So what now? Well, work mainly; sad muppet that I am. Life has hit a busy patch for a few years, that’s all; such is life! However in trying to stave off ever-creeping senility, and to maintain some sense of work-life balance, I have opted for a two-headed approach, and I shall share these self-promises with you now:

MUSIC

I wanna learn to play an instrument. Yes, WTF…. this old codger has already splashed out on an acoustic guitar, and is determined to learn the basics through online tuition. I’m an incredibly stubboırn mule (as those that know me personally will assuredly testify), and always always relish the chance to do something ‘new’ to the absolute best of one’s ability. I have no intention of doing anything other than strumming a few chords to myself on a summer’s eve on the open top floor balcony; playing to the stars perhaps…. literally 🙂 With such limited time, it’ll be my new focus, but of course at the cost of regular blogging – something has to give; I sleep so little as it is!

WRITING

It happens sometimes, but never as often as I wish… however, I love to write, as some will no doubt recognise by now; nothing publishable by any stretch of the imagination (too much additional work), but just putting words on screen to verbalise my thoughts. This I intend to do via my blogging just once a week, perhaps even bi-weekly instead of daily (or more), but I think my ‘photo’ posts will cease (if I can wean myself off ok), and instead I’ll migrate back to my telling the tales of life as I see it.

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So this…. this is my final daily post from Uncle Spike’s Adventures, part one. I aim to return soon with the first of my slower, more literary postings (albeit similar subject areas to my previous offerings of course; just with more substance).

For those who have regularly followed, thank you so very much. Your encouragement and comments have always been a great personal reward. My email remains open (uncle.spikes.adventures1@gmail.com) should anyone wish to keep in contact. In addition to all my blogging friends and acquaintances who I have been conversing with via WordPress comments on our respective blogs, I have gained a few extra-special blog-founded personal friends with whom I now have regular contact on my personal BookFace account and via email – that is my personal legacy of my time blogging, a gift I never dreamt of.

So, with my very best wishes to all. See you soon.

SPIKE

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