Fairy Hanny

Lost … and Found!

Do you ever feel lost in the world?

I know I could say yes because right now I am sitting at my desk in Hawana, Salalah – where is that?

Any, recently I have felt a little lost in life. I ‘retired’ five years ago and went back to England. Sadly my income/pension didn’t quite cover the cost of living in the UK. So I did some extra tutoring, a bit of teacher supply work, and even did shelf stacking at Tesco! But it wasn’t enough, and I found myself down at the pub or the off-licence on too many evenings.

Plus I felt I was priced out of the UK housing market.

So I came to Oman to teach Maths and Physics, on what I call my ‘retirement package’. What do I mean by that? Well for almost 20 years I worked in boarning schools in the UK and China. That meant averaging a 70+ hours working every week. At one school in Sufolk I worked 13 days with a couple of afternoons off in that time.

Now I have a 40 hour week, 7a.m. to 3 p.m., but only about half of that is teaching time. And I have a tax free salary and a pension going into a UK account.

I know I will have to do a real ‘full’ retirement soon.

And that was when I was lost again!!

What to do next?

Photo by Carsten Ruthemann on Pexels.com

So after school today I hung round and did some digging and found I can afford to by an apartment back home on Merseyside, or a place in Spain in the mountains, or even buy a boat and live on the Norfolk Broads or Cornwall!! [Check out Rightmove UK, Idealista spain, and Boats for Sale]

Now I have regained a focus and feel inspired to finish writing my next books!

Then when I got home I found this email link from Daily Motivation.

“No matter which path you take or how far you move forward, you will encounter dead ends that test your patience and trust.

But remember, no amount of overthinking or doubt can change what is meant for you.

Staying rooted in trust allows you to remain in a state of calm while the outcomes are still taking shape.

The fiercest storms eventually pass, and situations that seem impossible often resolve themselves.

Out of nowhere, the exact opportunity you needed appears.

Do not let anything shake the trust you have in the process of life.

Things have a remarkable way of working themselves out.“

Be Happy – sometimes things just come together.

Happy to be alive

Turkey, August 2024 I was rushed into a Hospital in the middle of nowhere. My blood pressure was stupidly high and I had 7 litres of excess fluid built up in my body. My ‘resting’ heart rate was 190 bpm. I was close to having a heart attack or stroke so they put me into ICU. No family. No friends..

They saved my life and I am happy to be alive. It turns out that Covid 19 has damaged my heart muscle so it is no longer 100% efficient. But I’m still here!!!

When I saw this post from Daily Motivation I just felt I had to share.

“One of the most important aspects of healing is returning to the small joys that once brightened your world.

While some things may have changed, it’s important to give yourself permission to create space for little moments of lightness in your day.

These simple joys remind you that, even after years of struggle, your playful spark still lives within you; you just need to nurture it.

Reconnect with the playful side of yourself.

Allow these moments to lift the weight of expectations and responsibilities, even if only for a few minutes.

Feel the excitement of doing something purely for the sake of joy, not for gain or obligation.

Life is not only about constant striving; it is also meant to be fully savored.“

Show up, even when life feels messy.

Show up, even when life feels messy.

Even when doubt and fear come up.

Those emotions are part of being human.

But you must not forget the incredible resilience within you, the human spirit that has the capacity to endure, adapt, and achieve extraordinary things.

You may stumble. You may make mistakes.

But your power lies in the very act of showing up.

With determination and consistency, new doors begin to open and opportunities you couldn’t see before start to take shape.

Do it – even when it’s hard.

Every small step rooted in courage will eventually lead to results beyond what you can imagine right now.

Daily Motivation 15th March 2026

Fairy Hanny Rides Again!

So I was sitting here at my laptop, editing two of my current works of Art. However I just lost focus on both books. I finally found the antagonist behind Inspector Flaanges mystery in Death at the Dick factory, but the prose was just so turgid.

Then I went on to edit St. Neds, the story of a Physics teacher at a boarding school in Suffolk who becomes friends with the Avatars of some Sloths and a Proboscis Monkey, as they ride their vintage motorcycles causing havoc and concern!

That didn’t get me either.

So Hanny crept in! She was there reminding me how much I love the limitless style of the life of a Fairy that lives on Uranus, and gets involved in Time Travel with Mad Tom of Bedlam. She whispered in my ear – ‘ you need to explore the Arthurian legends, and Robin Hood; both great for writing about silly quests!’

And now she is on her way to visit King Arthur and the Knights in White Satin, at the Castle in Albion – that’s West Bromwich.

And as I explored this theme and ignored the others I got a message from Daily Motivation, which seemed approriate. I have attached it here to ponder as I wonder through the great blue yonder of my mind!

“No matter which path you take, it will carry its own beauty and its own struggles.

Even the right decisions may sometimes bring doubt, confusion, and fear.

Every choice comes with a cost.

As you navigate the uncertainty of what lies ahead, celebrate the small wins and practice gratitude for what you have.

The lessons and the joys are found in the becoming.

There will be times when you question whether you made the right choice.

That’s when you need to tune into your heart and choose what feels true to you.

Support from others can comfort you at times, but ultimately, this is your journey.

No one else can walk it for you.

Trust your own quiet inner voice over the noise of the world.”

Buenas Dias Fairy Hanny. Mucho gusto!

Aunty Mary

When we were kids we used to sing this song, to the tune of an old British Army Marching tune (I thought it was the Gay Gordons but I was wrong and will try to find it!)

“Aunty Mary,
Had a Canary,
Up the leg of her draws.
She pulled them down,
And found half-a-crown,
Up the leg of her draws.”

Of course we laughed. But when my Aunty Mary came to visit I was always curious as to whether she still had that canary, and was it still safely hidden within her underwear. One time when she was leaving she gave me a parting gift of half-a-crown and I was highly suspicious of its former whereabouts!

[For youngsters – half-a-crown was two shillings and sixpence, written as 2/6-; in modern Britain that would be 12½p, though the ½p went out of circulation in December 1984 as it cost more to manufacture than its face value! ]

Friday 4th July

Happy birthday to the ungrateful colonials! It’s ironic that almost 250 years after becoming a republic without a King, they have elected a man who would be King! (Apologies to Rudyard Kipling).

Sitting up late last night, chatting away on social media, I think I have a ‘date’ when I get back to Oman. An attractive Indian acquaintance. We shall see…

Not a lot happening today. I finished reading The Thursday Murder club book. Some sad bits in it. I am still impressed that I can become so involved with characters in books and films and they bring tears to my eyes. Does it happen to everyone or am I just a big softy.

Soft Lad, my Dad used to call me when I messed around.

I fell asleep while reading on my bed. I had a weird set of dreams in which I dreamt I was dreaming and couldn’t tell when I was in the real world! The real world is Room 207, Sanur Augung Hotel. I eventually raised myself and went out. The traffic down at the junction is truly terrifying. No lane ever completely stops. It appears that turning left is always open – they drive on the left ere in Indonesia.

I finally went into the Chinese restaurant and ordered Ayam Goreng – Fried chicken. I wouldn’t recommend it. The fried chicken tasted burnt; it was served with chips and a side salad. As an added annoyance a kitten came over to my table and climbed up, watching me eating. I managed to ‘relocate’ it… I liked the restaurant, not so busy inside and prices are reasonable. It’s easy to get a main course for less than £2. The also have the 330ml bottles of Bintang for 25000 rupiah. I checked on my currency converter and it said that was £1.13. Back at my home in Oman, a similar bottle at Sandyz Beach Bar would be about £7. I can see why people retire to this part of the world.

Back at the hotel I was tired but not sleepy. This is day six of being in Bali and there is still that mix of late nights and jet lag.

I was getting into bed at midnight when Aisha came online from Kazakhstan. We are old friends and lovers, though these days I don’t know what she wants from me. I have invited her on holiday to Oman, as yet not taking the opportunity.

After a chat with Aisha I started reading the next book, and became aware of some very loud music. I thought it was from one of the neighbours so I went onto the balcony to investigate. Apparently it was coming from a nightclub located the other side of the main road. The thumping went on to 3 am, by which time sleep was beyond me. Anyone ever get that?

I realise it is Friday night and no doubt it will repeat tomorrow, I think the trick here is to drink lots of beer and fall into bed!

Not a word typed up yet. I promised myself to work on two books while I am here. I have to get the penultimate draft of The Death of Mr Dick, and complete the first draft of St. Neds (I have the handwritten notes with me.)

Motivation.

No sleep at all so let’s segue into the next day…

Thursday 3rd July.

I didn’t go out exploring anywhere!

I got up about 0930 and had breakfast here in the hotel. Continental breakfast – two slices of toast with jam and butter, plus a cup of very strong coffee – thick as mud.

I have spent most of the day reading and doom scrolling – I think it’s called a hangover The news today said that a ferry off Bali sank and there are 60+ people missing. Janet was sweet enough to send me a message to see if I was OK. Popped back to Sunshine 88 at 6 only to discover the chef doesn’t arrive until 7, so an hour of drinking on an empty stomach first!

My internal debate today is whether to buy a car when I get back to Oman. If I am to hire a car for another two years it will cost me between £6k and £7k. If I buy one for about £4000 and sell it in a couple of years for as little as £2000, it means that over the time I will be about £4000 better off. Seems like a no brainer, though I need to find out about tax, insurance, and MOT etc.

It was raining this afternoon and I noticed the swimming pool was empty as nobody wants to get wet… I know that really they can’t sit out on sunbeds but swimming should not be an issue.

I used Google translate at the restaurant and got this;

Ayam – chicken

Babi – pork

Pedas – spicy

Nasi – rice

Sapi – cow

Ayam goreng – fried chicken

Bistik – steak

Nasi goreng – fried rice.

The last one made me smile. When I worked at the Royal Hospital School in Suffolk, every now and again the menu would say ‘Nasi Goreng’ which sounded really exotic. It turns out it just means fried rice. Yet another example of how we can be fooled by language.

“£350 million a week for the NHS” must be one of the biggest lies in History.

Wednesday 2nd July.

Happy birthday to me!

I’m not sure if this makes me a sad old man or an individual – I woke up alone in room 207 of the Sanur Augung hotel, Denpasar, Bali to celebrate completing my 68^th orbit of the planet. Lots of happy birthdays popped up on Facebook and LinkedIn, though less than last year. I don’t think quite as many real friends pay much attention to Facebook these days.

No contact from any of my boys so far – I thought that at least Alex would make an effort. But then, I am 7 hours ahead of UK time and they do tend to get up late morning.

I managed to sleep 9 hours last night so that is probably the jetlag done. Had breakfast at the hotel and opted for the ‘Continental’ which turned out to be two pieces of toast cut in triangles, with a pat of butter and some strawberry jam. Not sure which continent they are referring to!

I sat down by the pool reding for a while, well into the Osman Thursday Murder club. Apparently the books are being made into movies with Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Celia Imrie and Ben Kingsley. It will be interesting to see how the screen characters match my imagination. I remember watching the first Lord of the Rings movie and feeling my lifelong images of Sam and Frodo were wiped from my memory.

Got into the pool and did twelve lengths this time. A small Indonesian girl had a water gun and decided it would be fun to shoot me when I got close. I’m not sure whether her mother explained to her what ‘Fuck Off’ means. She will live and learn. I noticed that the pool is not used much between 1300 and 1500 – probably locals not to keen in being out in the full sun, which means I now know the best time to get some lengths in!

Didn’t eat much during the day. I notice my feet are still swelling because of the water retention. I am having to try and eke out the medication until I can get a new prescription. They still have not supplied me with my new Insurance card; if I fall badly ill again due to this failure I will be taking legal advice. Imagine travelling around southeast Asia without proof of current medical insurance!

I decided to try another local restaurant just down the road from me. It’s called Betewe – not sure how to pronounce that. That have an electronic sign saying open to 9.30 pm. I went along at 5.45 pm only to be told they would be closing at 6! I pointed to their sign – “That’s only on Monday for Jazz night.”

So back down to KFC for another uninspiring meal.

Tomorrow I will go looking for other local restaurants. I spotted a Chinese one a couple of streets down – go for that tomorrow.

Back at the hotel drinking those big bottles of Bintang…

Happy birthday to me.

Tuesday 1st July

It’s my birthday tomorrow.

Nobody helps me celebrate so I do my own thing. I remember Jane organised a fantastic party for my 33^rd – halcyon days. Last year I went to spend my birthday on the QE2 in Dubai. For my 60^th I went to Grenada and spent the day at the Alhambra; we used to go to a pub of that name way back in the 70’s when I was a student at the Lanchester Polytechnic, Coventry.

The Alhambra was fascinating.

But today was one of those none days.

The jet lag and beer have hit again so didn’t wake up until 11 am. Felt ghastly – what a lovely word! It took a while to get going but a hot shower and some clothing set me off to check out last night’s cash machine again. Still nothing for either card. Am I fucked? Is it the machine?

Did another tourist trip to KFC, bought a meal which included a fish burger and I know I will never order that shit again! Found another cash machine close to KFC and came out a millionaire! This one worked with my UK bank card so I took out three million rupiah!

I am a millionaire!!!

It turns out it was actually £135.60 according to my online banking.

But still – millions!

100,000 rupiah is about £4.50.

I can dream.

I decided to head back for a swim – the pool was full of little kids, so no way. Back in Oman if I ever get in for a swim and there are little kids about I become some sort of magnet – they keep swimming close to me and blocking my lane and being annoying little cunts. So I sat reading the Thursday Murder club book instead.

My legs have felt really wobbly today; not sure if that is because of walking for four hours yesterday of my heart condition. We will see. Shaking when walking downstairs…

I think my birthday should start a new fitness regime – 68 tomorrow. (You know I just typed 58 – a Freudian slip, a failure to admit, or just insane?)

Walking here at night is disturbing – uneven pavement s and limited street lighting. I have no doubt I will get used to it. And crossing this road is taking you life into your own hands – maybe there is a technique to it.

As I write this I am listening to a Led Zeppelin classic Since I’ve been loving you, and thinking of the girls and ex-wives and Aisha. Some day I will get it right!

I only packed one book and then bought two others at Muscat airport. The one I brought is by Tony Robinson and is called Unlimited Power. I have read about half of it then got distracted and put it to one side. I need to start again at page one – it’s full of great stuff.

The Osman and Seymour are pulp fiction (great movie) and I will probably leave them here, or give them to someone. I can see this is an interesting place to hang out. The more I read by these ‘professionals, the more I realise I need to refine my writing style. Yes, I have three books on Amazon but they are not supporting me financially!

So I brought my current projects with me.

Death of Mr Dick. The proprietor of a company that manufactures and imports ‘marital aids and grot mags, is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Inspector Hunter Flaange to solve the mystery.
St Neds. Dr Graham Boreham-Quigley and his life at a boarding school in Suffolk.
The Phuket Incident. Another Flaange story about a murder in Ipswich and its link to a bizarre holiday in Phuket. DS Jason Belvoir can’t say Phuket.

Sitting here I am also considering the courses I have to upload to Thinkific, the o Maybe Aisha? Online tutee, the Maths worksheets which could become a book, the Maths PowerPoints which could become a course…

I need a business partner/secretary. Maybe Aisha – would she be interested?

As I sat at the poolside I realised I was the only one with a Physical book in my hand – everyone else is on a smartphone.

Is that the world today?

Monday 30th June

An interesting and embarrassing day!

Of course woke with a mixture of jet lag and a hangover. It turns out the beer bottles here cost fifty thousand rupiah, which is about £2,20, and each one is 620 ml. A pint in the UK is about 570 ml and costs between £4 and £5, unless you’re a knob who lives in London and happy to pay £7 a pint; still they get paid more in London and pay £1000 a month to rent a box room in a terrace in the East End.

Breakfast was cheap. I asked for a ‘continental’ breakfast, which was interpreted as two slices of toast, scrambled eggs, butter and a sachet of jam! But it was only 70p so I am not complaining.

Nobody in the pool at midday, though it was very busy when I got up at 8. The other great thing to note is that there Arnt any towels on the sunbeds. Last year when I was on holiday in Turkey, the sunbeds were all ‘towelled’ by 0800, though nobody was on them. I think European travellers can be cunts sometimes.

Mid/late morning wandered down the road to KFC – I know, crap traveller. Long queues but I eventually got chicken and chips … Took my life in my hands crossing the road. Apparently this is one of the main roads north out of Denpasar and is always busy. Went to K Circle and bought a six pack of Bintang, the local beer. I probably should have gone back to the hotel and put it in the fridge, but no – Peter is more sensible. Headed off to the beach with it in my backpack. Walked for miles along the beach – I need to go back and sit down to listen to the waves.

Photo by Asad Photo Maldives on Pexels.com

After a convoluted walk I eventually found my way back to the hotel. It turns out KFC is one of my landmarks – bizarre.

Jumped into the pool and swam ten lengths. It’s about 10m so happy; 2m at the deep end. Nobody else in the pool. It appears the hotel fills up mostly with Indonesians and they don’t swim in full sun, Mad dogs and Englishmen…

Back to Google Maps – is there a bar nearby? Well yes there is and it is called ‘Sunshine 88’ and it is right next door to the hotel. Turns out to be a karaoke bar, but they serve food and beer. My first time for listening to Indonesian Karaoke. Some great singers and the girls who work there help to dispel the myth of the petite Asian woman!

At the end of the evening I went to pay with my card – ‘we don’t take cards. Cash only’. I didn’t have enough cash!’ One of the girls offered to put me on the back of her scooter to take me to a cashpoint; I don’t do two wheels anymore – still suffering from the motorbike accident in 1982! So I walked down the road to a cashpoint. Neither of my cards would let me have any money! Both rejected. Which was weird because I had used my NBO card in the supermarket and KFC, without a problem.

Embarrassing.

We went back to Sunshine 88 and there was a guy out there who helped as an interpreter. I offered £15 which was something like ninety thousand rupiah more than the bill. They accepted.

Will I go back?

Probably – beer is less than £3 for a massive bottle and the food was good!

Back at the hotel I did an online chat with my bank. My card is fine, no blocks on it. Must be a problem with the ATM.

Also noted the card runs out at the end of July so how can I get my replacement?

Another mini hurdle!