A few bloggers have messaged me with concerns for Tom from Angola.( http://hippo-on-the-lawn.blogspot.co.uk)
He's gone off the radar many months ago since he got home after extensive surgery on that infected leg of his and people have been rightly worried about him since he returned home to Africa.
Well, I have heard from him and I hope he doesn't mind me reporting that things remain a little grim health-wise but he still possesses that gung ho " spirit that won the war" mentality that has saved his life on numerous occasions
I would be wrong if I say I wasn't worried about him.....I am ....he's become a dear friend over the years ( if you suggested to me that an ex bomb disposal expert dipsomaniac mercenary living in Africa could be my friend , I would have laughed in your face) so I hope things can be sorted out....
But I am worried..... Angolan heath care is ,.......well.......pretty shite
Tom and Auntie Gladys on his visit to Trelawnyd last year
How surreal is that
I've been wondering how he is, and hope he will heal completely. Great photo of him and Auntie Gladys.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad one of us in in touch. Do keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteThat is sad to hear, John. He is a very interesting fellow and I do hope that he will improve.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience it has been for most of us on Blogger to meet and share our ideas with people we would never had the opportunity to converse with in the real world. Your connection with Hippo shows how people of all backgrounds can get along and care about each other.
Thanks for the update, John. I've been wondering and vaguely worried. Plus, I miss his commentary! Hope he finally heals...
ReplyDeleteThank you thank you John, I was quite worried about him too, the bugger
ReplyDeleteJenny (from the land down under)
Good to have a report, even if the news isn't all that positive. I was just thinking about him the other day and wondering how he was doing.
ReplyDeletethanks for the update. For someone who lives vicariously through the blogs, I often wonder whether the hippo won!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that John. Please do send him my very best wishes when you next contact him. We all miss him here in blog world, I've visited his page from time to time to see if there's any activity. Alas...
ReplyDeleteSo strange to see this post. I was just thinking of him the other day.
ReplyDeleteThank You for the update. The news isn't that great but hopefully he will get better.
cheers, parsnip
Thanks John for letting us know; I have been worrying about him, with reason it seems. I actually found your blog while reading Hippo's some years back. Do you know if there is anything that can be done from afar to help him out?
ReplyDeleteI've been worried too, and just yesterday I thought about sending you a private message to ask if you had had any contact with him. Thanks for the update. Please pass along all our best wishes. I miss him. :(
ReplyDeleteThank you. Keep us posted - and I love that photo.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear he isn't doing well. I enjoyed his posts and had wondered what became of him. Hope you convey these many good wishes to him--I'm sure he would be lifted in spirits at least.
ReplyDeleteThanks John. I dip in to his blog periodically to see if there is any news. I am glad you keep in touch but the health situation does not sound good...pass on all our good thoughts when next you correspond .
ReplyDeleteThanks for answering my question John, but sorry to hear the not so good news. Tom, if you read this…..I and many others are rooting for you as you can see and missing your posts…get well soon.Hope the family are all OK.I might have to find another " amusing" card for you! XX John, have you got his address ? (Don't think " Tom,Angola " will hack it.)
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize Tom had visited you ! all good wishes for him x
ReplyDeletei too have wondered and worried about him. if anyone can hang in there and pull through it is that old german. i miss his posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update John. x
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating man, I've just read his blog for the first time since seeing your post, gosh, I hope he gets back online soon.
ReplyDeleteGood to have an update on Tom. I check his blog daily for news and was getting increasingly concerned about the lack of news.
ReplyDeleteHippo, I think of you every time I walk past the Bethel Street Police Station in Norwich, so that's nearly every morning. Looking forward to hearing some more tales and news from Angola soon. Rachel
ReplyDeleteThanks John for doing this post today.x
Thank you for the update. Like you, I am relieved to learn that Captain Gowans is okay. No doubt his creative juices are fermenting - ready for a new string of highly readable blogposts that will make our own offerings seem so ordinary.
ReplyDeleteHerzliche grüsse to Hippo. I miss his gung-ho attitude and his fascinating stories. Thinking of you, Tom. xxx
ReplyDeleteI hope he does well, the right attitude can take you a long way in this great adventure.
ReplyDeleteI thought of him when I posted a picture of a huge brass hippo on my blog. I didn't know he visited...did you share?
ReplyDeleteUpdate and bio appreciated, John. thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt is health care in the countries of Africa which should make us appreciate our brilliant N H S
ReplyDeleteThanks John for the update, I do hope he improves.
ReplyDeleteNice to have an update, but I wish he would return to the UK and get the good old NHS to give him the care that he deserves.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of him and Aunty Glad ... yes it is a bit surreal, but also wonderful :-)
As a lurker I was hesitant to email you to ask about Hippo. Glad others weren't so shy. I do hope you can help us keep up with him at some level until he feels like posting.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that Hippo is hanging on, but hope he gets good medical care soon.
ReplyDeleteI followed his progres and was happy to see that he was well and home so now i am sorry to hear he is ones again in ill health. Sending him good wishes and hoping he may come back to uk for better care.
ReplyDeleteI wish him well.
ReplyDeleteI did wonder what had happened to him...I check his blog occasionally to see if he has posted anything. Thanks for the update John and pass on my warm regards when you again have contact. I hope his health improves very soon.
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland, NZ
Thanks for the update. I checked his blog just the other day and wondered if he was ok.
ReplyDeleteI often think of Tom/Hippo and as others have mentioned, check his blog from time to time. I was rather hoping the reason he wasn't blogging was because he was too busy with successful restaurant.
ReplyDeleteMy very best to him.
Thank you John, this is really good information that I have longed for a long time. I too have worried about him imagining all sorts of horrible things. I love Hippo and it is through him, I found you.
ReplyDeleteAll the best regards to him and all best wishes when you talk to him!!
Just catching up after being off line for a while, and found this post. Would you be kind enough to send best wishes to Tom, I check out his blog at regular intervals, but was always disappointed with the lack of news/post. Can we not get him back to the UK for a while for better treatment??
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