Firstly a HEART-FELT APOLOGY.

In August 2016 I vanished from social media without saying goodbye. Having built up your trust via Facebook, my blog here at tomturns.com and the AcolyteTurner YouTube channel, I abandoned you. I hope that after reading this you will forgive me and welcome me back to your social media circles.

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Those that have ‘followed me’ over the past few years may be all too aware that I suffer a number of health problems, though not all of my ‘complications’ are known to you. I have for many years been fighting a deteriorating condition in my left foot and ankle. 18 months ago I was lucky enough to be referred to a good surgeon who started to lay plans for restoration surgery. Sadly, last year, he gave me the frightening news that he felt he couldn’t make a repair and that my best option was complete below-knee amputation.

In the lead-up to this devastating news, my wife and I had been making changes to our home, along with a small extension (I believe they call this an ‘addition’ in many countries that aren’t at the centre of my universe), in order to provide a safer and more accessible space for us. This renovation work went horrendously wrong, due to problems found underground, and eventually led to me being unable to safely access my beloved workshop.

In a nutshell, the combination of leg amputation and no workshop pushed me ‘over the edge’ and I turned my back on virtually everything ‘wood related’. This probably wasn’t the best and most adult action, but hey it’s my life 😉

So, here we are in February 2017. Our renovation work is ongoing; due to all the problems we ran out of money. However we have (most) walls complete, a poured concrete floor and a new roof over our heads. The rest will come with time.

THE GOOD NEWS!

Following a further series of CAT scans and tests, specialists have now decided that they can save my ankle (phew! was that a relief – I am rather attached to my leg!) and hopefully the operation will happen very soon. The downside to that though is that I will be off my feet for around 6 months. Between now and then however, I am spending as much time in the workshop as possible and look forward to sharing my efforts with you again soon. I promise that I won’t vanish again, even if I am once again unable to turn.

During my ‘disappearance’ I received a great number of enquiries about my absence which lead to a wonderful show of support and good wishes from many. A HUGE thank you to everyone of you, you may never know how much I valued your comments and how much they have helped in getting me back here again now.

Many of you may recall that I bought a new lathe (Jet 3520b) last year and also an Axminster AT1416VS midi-lathe. I only had a few hours use of the Jet, and never even turned the Axminster on until this month. I shall review them and comment on their merits as soon as possible.

A final apology must go to Stephen Ogle and Erik Anderson (The naked Turner). Both put a good deal of effort into information for my regular (and greatly received) Featured Turner articles on tomturns.com. I promise that they will appear soon now that I am back ‘in the real world’.

Once again – a sincere apology to old friends, but also a ‘welcome’ to new!