Uncle Spike
52Born in the UK in the mid ’60s, I have had led an interesting and full life.
But before we get into all that, I also have a page called BLOG GUIDE if that’s what you are looking for. It’s sort of a one page guide around Uncle Spike’s Adventures, whereas this one is just my potted history…
Educated to age 16, just. Since then, I’ve lived/worked all over and tried my hand at many occupations and professions; from gardener to very unsuccessful insurance salesman; from warehouseman to mainframe computer programmer; from shepherd to chauffeur; from househubby/parent to IT analyst/manager. As you sit there reading this, I’m having a bash at fruit farming in Southern Turkey, blogging and somehow I’ve also become a proof-reader for academic papers, conference articles and post-grad theses. It’s a curious mix I’ll admit.
Survived a reckless decade of self indulgent wantonness, just. But in hindsight, what a cracking education in life and humanity. Travelled extensively for 35+ years. Definitely not change adverse; relish the challenge of reinvention. Thrive on adventure, whilst happy at home or wandering around the garden with a mug of coffee in hand. Always the handyman, with a trail of DIY building endeavours in my wake, mostly successful, but a few train wrecks along the way too. Not a bad landscape gardener though, and passable as a farmer.
After a few disastrous engagements when I was young, I was married for 15 years, but then widowed just before I was 39. Now happily remarried to a terrific lady; a Turkish academic with a successful professional background, but a keen sense of humour and two feet firmly on the ground. We have a bilingual smart-arse lovable kid, with more brains than us both combined; a constant source of amusement, challenge and financial burden. For a while he had his own blog too, although schoolwork keeps him busy these days, he rarely finds the time to look at it – one day perhaps.
Having ticked off the half-century thing, I’m still always busy, constantly reinventing my world. For fun (?), I’m a part-time MAMIL, fighting the love-handles of middle-age through middle-distance road cycling. Being honest, I reckon I’m pretty content with life.
So, these are the ramblings of Uncle Spike…
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Such a sweet and neat about me. Loved your honesty, bit of humor and the strength that shows through it. Keep it up Uncle Spike 🙂 Wish you lots of adventures and fun in the future.
PS. Gonna look at your son’s blog. Hope he s studying good. Take care 🙂
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You have an interesting blog 🙂 looking forward to reading more from you 🙂
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Hey Spike, how’s the blog going? Kind of quiet on your end.
ballerina95 / Philippines
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Hey you… 🙂
Been very quiet I’ll admit. Life is busy, but has changed considerably here; however, we are safe and well.
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I just found a comment of yours on someone’s blog, and it said that you had been “told off” by a reader, regarding your satandards of etiquette on this page. I had to come over and have a look. I expected to see images of hordes of naked, writhing bodies, or a racist, ageist, sexist, gingerist, anyonewhodoesn’tlooklikeyouwalklikeyoutalkklikeyouist, homophobic rant, but all I find is an interesting discription af an apparently interesting man.
However, I’m not disappointed…
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Haha, yes Jane, remember that…. strange person indeed. Anyway, yep, still here, still blogging as/when I can. I have my views, try not to upset the world…. but sometşmes one can’t help it 🙂
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I occasionally go the other way and try to upset the world with my radical views, but it turns out they’re not radical; everyone agrees with me – which just goes to show what a great community we have on WP 🙂
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Nice to meet you, Uncle Spike. I am glad I found your blog. I have a feeling I can learn a lot from you. 🙂
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Thanks Sonia. I learn so much from others 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by my blog. I’m very excited to have stumbled across your blog that way. Your adventures look amazing and I have to say: fruit farming in Turkey sounds very interesting. Turkey is on my list of must-see places.
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Aww, thanks Christina 🙂
Yes, life here is certainly different, good and not so good of course. The blog has many different categories on the menu bar, and sub-categories that’ll you help you dig through any particular areas of interest.
Have a peaceful and fun day!
SPIKE
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Thrilled to have stumbled across your blog and greetings from a New Zealand farmer in the Midwest of America.. cecilia
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Wonderful to welcome you to my little corner of the world Cecilia 🙂
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An interesting life, to be sure. Sorry about your first lost but happy for your current happiness. Go with the wind.
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Life deals us a deck of cards, so yup, we just have to go with the flow
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yikes! did a quick scan through your blog, and how on earth can one keep up with you? lots of interesting subs . gardening, cooking etc…will give it a try 🙂
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Thanks Bea – total scatterbrain I guess; hence my blog jumps about a bit too 🙂
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As the Midgardians in these parts say, “Howdy.”
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Howdy works for me too… same in return.
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Superb introduction and summary of your life. Love how you’ve lived it to fruition and then some.
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So far the show’s been a good one (mostly) Ruth, but hopefully just at the interval about now 😀
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What a great adventure. Look forward to reading and seeing more.
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I am really happy that found a so intersting person…
But most of all i am jelous that you live in Turkey….
I love so much this country … for the reason that the other grandparents of me borned there,……
I wish you the best for you and your family!!!!
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Thank you… we all hail from many different places.
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[…] the latest Rooster News. Brian is the new talking bird….all the way from Uncle Spike’s farm in Turkey…. (formerly Duke’s Diaries) read […]
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Hey Uncle Spike, you have had an interesting life! Thanks for stopping by the Twissel blog – nice to meet you!
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Thanks Jan 🙂
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[…] Uncle Spike because you are in neighbouring Turkey and I love your take on life […]
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So happy I came across your blog via a mutual blogger! I love the eclectic feel of it and am really enjoying your writing. Looking forward to reading more! 🙂
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Very kind Christina, thank you. So spill the beans, who was the other blogger? Love how interconnected we all are in this little community. Anyway, welcome aboard 🙂
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Oh gosh I can’t remember, but I’ll let you know if I do! I believe you made some comment on her (it was a her) blog and I clicked on your icon and it took me to your page. Very glad it did!! 🙂
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Funny old world. I’m the same, wander about clicking this and that and never know where I came from. Bit like the story of my life, lol.
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Thanks for the like and hope you follow me over at http://www.blubyrd.wordpress.com.
Have a blessed day!
Lia
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Interesting and Wonderful life indeed.
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Thanks, I try not to do normal.
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Even Your normal itself is cool I guess 😀
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Having a good wife is the one main factor in having a content life. Lucky boy!
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The only.
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Hi, Linda from Laughing Through Life was my guest author, and she gave you a shout out! I hoped you might share it with your readers. Here is the link http://wp.me/p5jxvv-tW Thank you!
Janice from Reflections blog
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What a delight Janice, thank you 🙂
I’m a firm believer in guest blogging, so that’s even more special to see this come through via a guest post.
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Thank you for liking my Wordless Wednesday post! 🙂
See you another time.
Mitsu and the Homestead Colony cats
>^;^<
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You’re welcome – they looked so cute both in there together 🙂
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I think they were waking up from a nap and were giving me the stink eye. 🙂
Mitsu
>^;^<
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Discovered your blog through another blog and loved your writing. Do stop by our blog at http://www.gypsycouple.com if you can 🙂 We are new bloggers ourselves and feedback and likes always help
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Will do… in the next couple of days, promise 🙂
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I’ve just become a
Dooley. Well I typed spikey and the word came up as
Dooley! Chuckle! I think I am going to enjoy it. I am fairly new to blog GE sphere but totally addicted. I am doing 101 uni course this January so I am on a huge learning curve. I would love half as many followers as you have. We are in good old UK living the good life, please stop by if you have the time. What is your theme BTW it’s so neat?
Roz Hill
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Thanks Roz. Theme is Griselle, or summat like that – it’s a freebie that I have tweaked every which way possible. As for followers, your time will come – we all started out with a big fat zero 🙂
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Hey Uncle Spike!!!
Welcome!!!
Thank you much for your time to follow!!!
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No worries… you post good stuff 😀
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Hi uncle. Good to meet ya😔
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Likewise…
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Happy new year and best wishes to you and yours for health, happiness, peace & prosperity in 2015!
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