As Time Slips By

My garden table. -3c

My flowers!

We are already into the second week of the New Year. I wish I had something Earth-shattering to report but I don’t. Shadow is still hanging on. She no longer barks at visitors but she is having little walks now. I know this sounds strange but I think she has visibly aged after her funny turn. When she came to my place this week, she managed the stairs so that was an achievement.

I am still hanging in there too. I want to make plans but I don’t know when I will be having the operation on my heel. If I had a firm date, that would be a good start. I feel a bit like the condemned man, I know that I will not be able to get around for a while when my leg is in plaster. Swimming will not be possible and cycling is out too. I am doing press ups to build my upper body strength ready for the crutches. Other than that, I’m not sure what I can do. Added to my concerns is my other heel is getting worse and it hurts. I don’t want my “good” leg to fail me. The longer I wait, the more likely this will be a problem. I have just got a message from the NHS that they the waiting list to have an initial consultation is 24 weeks! It won’t be an option to have both legs done at once like I did with my knees!

New Year and new resolutions… I am writing a book… watch this space. After Assad fell from power, Naser wanted to tell his story. This tale has car chases, shooting and conspiracy. I am thinking more James Bond than Mills and Boon. It is a work in progress, as am I.

I rather think that multiple I got the VIP treatment when I was filling up my car. Outside temperature was -3c. I pulled up at the pump, presented my loyalty card but the machine wouldn’t read it. A man came over from his car and helped me. I put my credit card through the machine, went round to put the nozzle in the fuel tank, then I found I couldn’t open the cover. It was frozen over.

While holding onto the nozzle with one hand I tried so hard to prize it open. No way would it move. A lady from the kiosk came to my aid with some antifreeze. She realised the floor was like a skating rink and then went off to get a bucket of sand too. This has to be because she recognised me as an old, incompetent dear. Clearly I am a work in progress!

So here I am in Brighton at Sam’s house with a pile of his friends. What a busy day it has been. I left home when the temperature was -2c and over the day and the trip via Guildford the temperature rose to 8c at one point. For a long time I thought I was driving through Narnia where it is always winter!

Sam and Anne

Mun and son!

At Anne's place

The pub watching football

Today - Sunday - has been a day of lovely connections, Claire in Guildford, Anne in Brighton, and I now have new friends too – Sam’s friends. He made a wonderful veggie curry and we had Chateau Dop (created in Cosgrove) as the accompanying wine. Thank you Peter! This was the day of a liquid diet  - four coffees, two beers and a wine! Time for bed, me thinks.