Befallen

What is left of the tree

Storm Austen struck last Friday. Oh, how it rained. We need rain so badly; but so much in such a short time does nothing to solve the drought of the summer. My tree in my courtyard garden shed so many branches out of stress in the drought and then those remaining got ripped off with the winds from Storm Austen. I arrived home early on Friday evening to find the tree branches across the wall and in the road. So on crutches, I managed to drag the felled bits into the garden where they have stayed intact and awaiting attention. 

This was not the only bad thing to befall me this week. The morning I was expecting my friend, Vandana, to visit, my toilet got blocked. My DIY skills swung into action. I tried to pump air into the toilet to release the blockage. I had a pump on hand as my grandson had put the entire toilet roll down the pan a number of years ago - hey ho. This had the same effect but was more grungy. I swear the stuff that came up was not the same stuff that had come out of me! Try as I might, the sludge would not go down. I added "Draino" and that created a bubble bath above the sludge. Argh... Vandana arrived to witness the horror. With help, especially from Richard, I am now blockage free and I watch with contentment; the water gurgles down freely once more. No pictures available! Panic over!

Stoke Bruene

Seeing Vandana after such a long time meant we talked about the old times!!! These were not all happy memories but we have both moved on and she can now laugh about our "wild night out" sitting on a bench waiting for a bus in a small town in Spain. Our excursion to Stoke Bruene, a picturesque village on the Grand Union Canal, was a trip of hilarity. The rain came down so we sought shelter and played Cheeses - a type of skittles - in the Boat Inn. The competitive part of me slipped out once more for which I apologise.  We made so much noise laughing, a couple sitting in the next room in the bar commented on it in a nice way as we were leaving. 

Vandana In action

This weekend, I went down to Kent, accompanied by Sophie, to see the doctor about my leg. I am relieved to say I no longer need a boot but I do need crutches for a while more. for anyone who has had the joy of wearing a surgical boot, you will know the relief of not having to battle with velcro. Velcro struts hold the neoprene sock in place and then velcro straps hold your leg and foot in place but putting the boot on is a fight because the wrong bits get stuck to each other. The other frustration is wearing a coat and using crutches. The arm rests fit jumpers but not coats. Again it is a fight to get sorted. Inevitably, one or the other crutch falls to the ground while I am trying to get into my handbag or use keys. Still, onwards and upwards. I am moving forward and not falling over - thanks to the crutches!