Firstly, apologies for leaving this hanging for so long

I had a call from Mike (Vamps) out of the blue the other day which really touched me (i'm already 'touched' as some of you have already guessed!

) and was much appreciated by all here, and reinforced my view that the OOF Spirit really is alive & well and something really special!
I am pleased to say that Steven is doing well although he has an infection in his right hand which is proving difficult to get rid of and sadly he will have a permanent legacy from the attack with some loss off dexterity in the fingers of his right hand and numbness due to the large amount of lost flesh & muscle there. He has asked me to pass on his sincere thanks for all your thoughts & good wishes and myself and Sylvia his mum add ours to his also.
I won't be around as much for a while as I have ongoing health issues of my own but will be lurking from time to time and no doubt will be sticking my oar in & putting my foot in my mouth if a post catches my attention

In closing, I must say that it is both a Priviledge and a Pleasure to know all of you and also to be a member of the great family community that the OOF undoubtedly still is! Kindest regards, Phil