Resting and Raised......

 
Foot now feeling a bit better each day now I'm barely using it. A little potter then a lot more leg raised sitting. 

Sunday Son came over with "get well cake". The weather was lovely so we sat in the garden. 

Monday was already about 23°C by 10am so coffee morning outside needed a little help. Umbrella over the table for some shade and ice packs under the biscuit plate, ice packs inside the cold water jug

and ice cube bags around the milk jug. Everyone was under strict instructions to eat the chocolate fingers quickly hahaha. 

Before everyone arrived we had the delivery of the new boiler and tank being installed later in the week. 

After everyone had left Daughter arrived and left the dog while she went off to the choir group she helps run. Hubby picked her up after choir and they went to look at the car he'd put on reserve. They came back smiling, Daughter has a new(to her) car that she can collect in a couple of weeks as it needs a little body work put right first. 

Wednesday early start as the boiler man arrived at 8am. Hubby had already cleared that whole corner of the kitchen and all the airing cupboard which he was very grateful for. 

First thing was turning all the water off. Second thing was covering all the carpets on stairs, hall and landing with a non slip tacky plastic. Kitchen floor he covered with thin mats. Very thoughtful and customer focused attitude. 

There's been lots of banging and drilling, up and down stairs to each radiator and in and out of the loft. He's needed an open front door and an open side gate and back and forth to his van. Cold water went back on after a couple of hours so at least we could flush the toilets and fill the kettle (important stuff right?).  

I was needed for some dog sitting, but because of the chaos at home I went to Daughter's for five hours (still sitting with my leg raised). Another really hot day so we stayed inside and while I read she slept. 

Thursday and the boiler man was back, 7:40am this time and soon after an electrician arrived, a little confusing as they are both named Jack. Water went off again. 9ish cold water back on so not too bad. Now a third guy has arrived, he's called Leigh. Noisy banter and they are constantly moving all over the house...... I've gone back to my book. 

On a day that reached about 24°C we had to have the lounge gas fire lit twice and then all the radiators on up high for about half an hour phew. 

About 3pm-ish after electrician Jack and Leigh had left the first Jack took Hubby round to check everything, show him how the new boiler works, explain all they'd done with the tank, wiring, loft changes and how they had flushed through and replenished all the radiators with whatever they need replenishing with. Jack then moved old tank, boiler and bags of rubbish neatly beside the garage on the drive for collection by their refuse company then he left, all done! 

Friday back to Doggy Day Care, back at ours. Another easy day that thankfully wasn't so hot. Hubby took the dog home home just after 6pm when R told us she was home and said we weren't needed for Saturday as she's home.

When Hubby has finished cutting up the airing cupboard shelves to fit round a few new pipes we'll be back to normal, whatever normal is!

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I'm New to Northumberland........

 

One week after my fall and some bruising has come out on my foot and it's quite a bit easier to walk on. Thankfully I managed to convince Hubby I was fine to leave so he could meet up with his old school friends which had been planned some time ago. 

Sunday Daughter sent a message and Son popped over both giving their love this father's day. Daughter is performing all day in Kings Lynn and I hope it's not as wet there as it was here. While on our second cuppa conversation between father and Son moved to finding Daughter a replacement car (all three have been looking for a long time) and as luck would have it Son then found one that not only looked ideal but it was in one of our local dealers. Last mouthful of tea and off they went. Unfortunately it wasn't on the forecourt as it had only just come in and still in their prep area which isn't open on a Sunday, so Hubby put it on reserve and booked to view as soon as we get back together with Daughter who is away again till then too. 

Monday 8am we set off, heading north. One stop at Rutland Water for a cuppa and loo and the weather was warm and sunny enough to comfortably sit outside (which was lucky as the little tea shop didn't have inside seating. 

We had a varied journey of clear runs, traffic jams, road works and at least three heavy downpours to drive through. We reached Seahouses at 3pm. FriendsL&K were already there. We had a good catchup in the bar and eventually friendsL&M arrived. We had booked to have dinner at the hotel and it was all good. 

Hubby and I decided to have a little walk after dinner. This is the view from our hotel bar and restaurant areas as it's opposite just across the road. 

Only disappointment was discovering my misunderstanding of checkout day. I was told 17-23rd so assumed we checked out on Sunday 23rd, however we have paid for 23rd and therefore checkout 10.30am 24th! We could rearrange next week's coffee morning but Hubby has also booked to view a car with Daughter Monday afternoon and our new boiler is being delivered Monday too, plus next Tuesday also has important stuff booked. So we will head home a day earlier than the others.  

Tuesday after a good night's sleep and very good breakfast we sat for a while in the lounge and debated what to do as it was raining. We decided to have an easy day after all the driving done the day before. So after the rain stopped we walked into Seahouses main high street to see what they had. I managed the short walk there (about 20 mins at my slow pace) and we stopped in a tea shop when I really needed to. After our break we set off again looking for information about the local boat trips. Hubby could see I was struggling so told the others he was walking me back to the hotel while they went down to the harbour. Back in the bar/lounge they told us there was only 4½ hour boat trips at £45pp. So they had checked with the coastguard and have the tide times and planning on driving over the causeway. 

Our evening meal was in a local Italian restaurant we had seen earlier, we all enjoyed everything we ordered. FriendsL&K had walked and Hubby drove the rest of us, I couldn't have walked it again. 

Wednesday we had breakfast and friendLW said she had been ill all night but felt a lot better now. As planned we drove across to The Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

This is us crossing the causeway about 11:30am. 

FriendsL&M came in our car and so did their wheelchair which M wasn't using so I did as my foot had suffered from doing too much the day before. FriendLL had her disabled parking badge so we parked for free, then visiting the museum and priory I got in on the concession and Hubby was free as my carer. 

The Museum was interesting and fully wheelchair accessible as was this church. I love stained glass windows. 

Pushing me over the grass areas within the priory ruins was a little more challenging. 

We had a pub lunch and then another walk/push around. We headed to the castle, however when they all saw the downhill road and then the steep rise up as the castle is on top of the hill it was decided not worth the effort for FriendM's healing knee replacement and Hubby pushing me. So we chose to head back towards the carpark stopping at another cafe for a cuppa and cake ready for heading back about 4:30 pm when the tide had cleared the causeway again. 

Once back they all went to their rooms to rest and I stayed in the lounge reading. Hubby joined me soon after and then we heard FriendsL&K were not coming down again as LW was unwell again. So four of us had dinner in the hotel again. It was turning out to be a bit of a geriatric trip and I could see that Hubby couldn't relax. 

Thursday and although we were both very nearly awake we had to leap out of bed about 7:20am when the fire alarm went off. Hubby got clothes on first and while I was dressing he opened our door just as the alarm stopped and heard it was now under control, panic over but no going back to bed after that. Obviously the thought of needing to evacuate when I'm hobbling worried him and that helped Hubby decide and he told me he thought we should go home, I agreed. So we packed then went down for breakfast and to tell the others. 

We all gathered in the lounge after breakfast and said our goodbyes and we left with them at the window ready to wave as our car went by. 

When we fancied a stop we followed a brown sign which actually took us further off route than expected but we did find Ripon Walled Garden which supports the Help For Heroes charity and had this amazing knitted tank! Hope you can zoom in and see it's all knitted! Tea and cake was good too. 

We didn't make anymore stops and listened to the England v Denmark game on the radio and arrived home at half time. After that it felt like a normal Thursday at home and even did our usual online quiz. 

Friday I'm back to sitting with my legs up and resigned to the fact this healing is going to take time. 

We both liked what we did see and all the countryside we drove through so Northumberland is still new to me but I'm sure we will go back and try again. 

See you (probably still sitting here) next week.

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Oops and Ouch.......

 
Saturday started with friendM sending me a message asking if Hubby could help with her TV problem. Hubby had installed her small TV in the bedroom and just the other side of the wall in the lounge her partner had installed her new larger smart TV after he had painted the walls. Now she can't get either of them to tune in properly. We both went to see her. Turned out both tv's were now linked to each other and neither were in the aerial socket. There was no sign of the cable that should have come with the new one, so Hubby made up a new one, the connection was made though not ideal. He went out to the car to put his tools away and spotted the cable he needed abandoned in the porch! All done now. 

Son and fiancé took us out to dinner Saturday late afternoon. A local rustic pub in a beautiful river location that benefits from daylight to appreciate the view. Butt & Oyster, Pin Mill

This is the table we were given and the tide was right out, but there were a lot more boats in the mud than in this photo (I took the photos from their pub gallery. 

Not by choice of course, I made a dramatic entrance into the main bar area, as I said it's old and rustic with flag stone flooring, and I missed the small step so arrived in an undignified prone position on the floor. Ouch ouch ouch! Son and a customer got me up and with support from Hubby behind and staff that made the nearest bench comfy for me sit down. Our table was near enough for me to hobble to and it felt like the only injury was my right foot. I felt bad that I ate very little of my dinner as Son was paying but they all enjoyed theirs and all had deserts too. Back to ours for a cuppa afterwards which was lovely. My foot was very very painful getting back to the car and then from the car to the house, I couldn't put my weight on it at all. 

Stairs are the worst of course, but with a lot of help from Hubby and my mum's old walking stick I made it up to our bed and down again in the morning. I did think about going to A&E but there's no swelling or bruising so don't think it's a fracture just a very bad sprain, so I'm using the recommended RICE (rest ice compression elevation) treatment along with paracetamol. 

Unable to move around Sunday Hubby downloaded a film for afternoon watching 

Hard to believe the original film was 1986.

Nothing much to write about as I've sat with my leg up and done little else. Coffee morning I asked neighbourL about my foot as she's a chiropodist and by the way I described what hurts she doubted I'd broken anything and said even if I had they wouldn't put a cast on just recommend RICE which I'm doing anyway. 

Wednesday update and I'm walking without a stick (just to the loo and back really) still painful but one I can tolerate.

Lovely unexpected visit from Daughter Tuesday lunchtime. She is taking her Tudor self round the primary schools at the moment and Tuesdays early morning group and much later afternoon group left her with a big gap which she filled chatting here. 

Thursday I had a Hospital appointment for recent CT Scan results. The clinic area is quite near the outpatient entrance so I walked with Hubby to hang onto. The consultant said they'd seen a little something that needs a biopsy, it may be nothing to worry about of course, but better to be cautious. He said I needed a blood test and that is far enough away for Hubby to insist on getting me a wheelchair, I'm glad he did. Possibly due to walking badly for days I've now got a nasty pain in my lower back! Thinking we are going to have to take a wheelchair on holiday.

Friday Daughter and R came over with the dog (Daughter also has a poorly knee, so we swapped sympathies). R was supposed to be doing research for the next play she is writing but kept getting distracted. Daughter and Hubby sorted her roofbox, coming out from the top of our garage and fitted to her car roof bars. She won't need it for another week but just before we get back. So good to see them both especially R who we see a lot less of now. 

Of course I can never praise Hubby enough, he is doing everything including all the packing (wonder what I'll be wearing)! Next post should be from Northumberland.... unless I'm having too much fun hahaha!

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Finally........

 
Saturday Hubby went over to Son's house and helped him finish his side path. They came back here together and what was Hubby's car is now Son's car. We still have my car which is getting tired but we'll keep it going for as long as possible as it's a good workhorse. Unfortunately the new car, which I thought we were picking up Tuesday, has had yet another delay and that's now Friday! 

*private note just between us..... Hubby has a lot more patience than I have, I desperately want to tell the dealer what I think about an expensive purchase we expected in February, but I won't. Can't spoil it for Hubby. 

The very wet spring has made everything grow like mad, so Hubby is frantically chopping, bagging and taking to the tip. He filled our brown bin and was really pleased when the new bin arrived and they took the very split and full old one away, so he then filled the new one, added to our three compost bins and filled three big garden bags ready for the tip this afternoon (and it's only Tuesday).

He's now working on these two bushes at the front. 

He's booked to do Daughter's big hedge tomorrow and he's offered to do an enormous hedge for FriendM (she has been doing my nails for years).

Actually our big front hedge wasn't finished last time as our neighbour had cars parked. 

Our usual Wednesday night saw the return of FriendsT&F, friendT has been unwell for a while so it was really nice to be the six of us again. We went from Prezzo to The Grosvenor as usual but their monthly quiz night is now so popular there wasn't a free table for us to sit at, so straight out the door and down to the snooker club. Made a nice change. 

Thursday, I had the second shingles jab at noon and five hours later not too bad at all..... hope it stays that way 🤞

Was quite sore overnight and of course I couldn't turn onto that side but did get a little sleep. 

I created our family tree more than 20 years ago, unfortunately I lost access to that software and the data file wasn't compatible with other software available at the time. Thankfully I had printed it all out. 

Much later Daughter registered an account on Ancestry and we've both transferred what I had and done a lot more searching when time has allowed. 

This week Daughter received this document as a records group had matched info with our tree. 

IBMT = International Brigade Memorial Trust

YCL = Young Communist League

Maurice was my dad's brother, two years older. We hadn't got exact date of birth or death before so another useful piece in our family jigsaw. 

Finally Friday morning we picked up our new car. 

We had as a little ride down to Shotley, which is a gentle run, only about 20 miles round trip, giving Hubby time to play, although it's very similar to Hubby's previous car. 

Unfortunately Friday afternoon I felt a bit yuk, which was probably due to the jab and poor sleep. Hopefully it will pass very soon.

Enjoy your weekend.  

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Summer Could Be Soggy........

 

Raining again but enjoying the view, especially that display of foxgloves. 

Saturday evening Daughter, O and I went to our favourite theatre to see this. The Chainers is the amateur youth drama group R started with here and she is now a professional actor with Red Rose. She is also now the director of this group. Unashamedly proud grandma bragging! 

This was the first immersive theatre experience I'd been to so wasn't sure what to expect. The crew were on an airship of sorts and we were invited onboard. There were games and puzzles to take part in and crew members wandering amongst us telling their tales. The ship landed and we followed the crew into the main hall with bench seating all around. During their story they recruited from the audience to join them. There were some very funny moments and a few dark moments in the well balanced script. 

At the end, as director, R comfortably led the Q&A ensuring every cast member joined in with the explanations and answers (I'm still grandma bragging).

Sunday morning when the rain had stopped Hubby collected our first little crop of ripe cherries. Always a bonus if we get there before the birds do, although I don't mind sharing. 

Sunday afternoon I had a hospital appointment for my regular CT Scan. I so appreciate still having them annually even though it's now three years clear. We were also grateful that being a Sunday there wasn't much traffic and lots of space in the car park. So we got there early and seen early. Fingers crossed eh? 

At last week's WI quiz Hubby won twice in their raffle and both times he picked up unopened jigsaws. He's completed the first one (I helped a little).

The second one is larger and looks much harder, but I'll show you when it's done. 

Daughter was taking O to Colchester so I went with and after we dropped him off we went into Wivenhoe (a small Essex town) as a friend of mine is exhibiting some of her work there. We both enjoyed looking at all the works in fabric with hand and machine embroidery and my friend did the ones with these tiny delicate bees, I came away with two of her cards. 

Daughter and I then found a very busy teashop, which is always a good sign, and we were lucky to get a table in their tiny suntrap courtyard and had a yummy lunch. 

We had a walk around and lingered a while at the pretty Waterfront. 

We had our usual Wednesday night out and Thursday night friendM and I had another meal out with friendHM and friendJB, we don't see these two very often but always try to celebrate together when one of us has a birthday. 

The odd thing that night was on a table very near to us I thought I recognised the young chap but couldn't think where I knew him from. It also felt like he kept looking at me, but of course I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't kept looking at him. 

Friday morning got some good news, the new car we had ordered last August and should have received in February is finally here at the Ipswich dealer's and we can pick it up Tuesday! 

Lunch time Friday, in heavy rain, we drove into town as I had an appointment at Specsavers Hearing Clinic to have their micro suction wax removal. Thankfully not painful just noisy and some odd feelings. Immediately my tinnitus seemed a lot louder but that settled down. Not sure my hearing has improved though because during the evening when Hubby was talking about Christmas gingerbread houses I really thought he'd said gingerbread trousers! 

Gosh 1st June but twice this week we've needed the heating on.

I hope you can stay warm and dry this weekend.

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