Watching a programme about the Coronation. Reminded me of a bit of family history recounted to me by my elder brother. In common with many families at the time, 1953, we had acquired our first television with a view to watching the broadcast of the Coronation ceremony. However, with a singular lack of foresight, our Dad had booked a family holiday in Ramsgate for the very week in which the event was due to take place! Being only 5 years old at the time I was probably blissfully unaware of this disaster in domestic planning (or lack of it!). Little did we know then that anything devoured by television cameras would be regurgitated ad nauseam, until we don't give it a second look, but let the TV prattle on while we blog, tweet, post or sleep to our hearts' content.

Recliner chair delivered today. It is very comfortable. The best feature though is the way it raises to bring me into a standing position. Getting up from any chair requires much effort now and as my leg and hip muscles are weak, so assistance is very welcome. Mary took me to Bluewater where I picked up prescriptions from Boots, including one from the dentist for some special toothpaste as he thought my condition may make brushing my teeth more difficult. Given the bad press dentists have enjoyed this week it's good to know there's one, at least, with a generous nature. Collected my specs from optician's. The assistant had them ready before I reached the counter. Time was when I would have taken this as a compliment but now I know it's because she recognised the mobility scooter!

Just re-read my post from last Thursday. Of the gadgets I bought only the dressing stick proved to be of any real help. It is good for pushing socks off at the end of the day, pulling on trousers and lifting shirt or jacket over left shoulder. The fork is no good at all, being less efficient at cutting and stabbing than a standard fork.
I've also tried one of those devices to aid putting socks on, but it was not much help. It really requires two hands to get the sock onto the funnel and two hands to pull it over the foot. My left hand no longer has enough power and grip to manage either of these things, so the sock-puller is fine in principle but fails in practice in my case.
I think the 'try before you buy' policy is the best for any aids.

Back again. Changed thinking over the past few days, not really understanding why. Seem to be coming more aware of the things I can no longer do and the stark fact that there's no way back. I'm not able to do things and I'll only be able to do less and less. I really need to focus on what I can do and take joy in in that, but that's not coming easy at the moment.


Decided to stop work. Intended to carry on until July but reached the point of not being able to summon the mental and physical energy required to cope with the stress of the job.


So weather fine, Wimbledon to look forward to, and a lifetime (!) of leisure ahead. With, of course, more blogging.

Didn't get the chance to post yesterday. Had a visit from Nicola, Physio with the local Rehab Team, first thing then went in to school after dropping Monica at Mary's house in Hartley. Hot day and work was tiring. Drama at the end of the day when a parent mislaid her autistic daughter. Eventually transpired that the 5 year old, having given her Ma the slip, had made her own way home crossing a busy dual-carriageway in the process! Made my way back to Mary's and spent an hour there enjoying the company of Henry & George. Felt cream- crackered by the time we got home. But after fish & chips with a glass or two of local (Tenterden) Rose, I stayed awake for the rest of the evening to enjoy William Shatner chairing HIGNFY,extremely amusing, and Episodes.

Thursday. No work today. Got up a bit later, leisurely shower, breakfast, and then off to see the Physio at DVH. She checked my splint, and seemed impressed, saying it was 'quite funky' (obviously a technical term) and lighter than the one she would be able to provide! We then picked up a parcel from the Post Office, which contained some gadgets to help with daily living: a dining fork with a shaped tine for cutting food, a button hook and a dressing stick which has a range of hooks on either end to help with manipulating clothing. We came home, after a visit to the car wash, to sit and enjoy the warm sunshine on the patio. Monica found my Panama hat so I wore it for the first time this year. Very pleasant to sip a pint of Young's bitter, a ,gift from the landlord of the Malt Shovel. The garden looks lush at present. Lots of daisies on the grass which have all appeared since Toby mowed it on Tuesday. Mice had been at the bird seed in the store again. We topped up the feeders, scattered seed and peanuts on the bird table, then put the seed sack in a bucket to make it more difficult for rodents to access.

Wednesday

Mid-week weekend - no work tomorrow!Wine with dinner tonight Coteaux du Tricastin. Hot day. Did lots of things but too tired to write about them now. Will catch up tomorrow.

Tuesday

A sunny May evening, which makes a change, possibly the first this year. Arrived home to find that a rail has been fitted to the newell post at the top of the first flight. Another gadget to improve my safety. I recently had (after years of longing for one)a handy bar added to the car. Pity it's only another safety device rather than the real thing! A news report gave an account of how tolls are to rise at the Dartford Crossing. This, we are told, is to pay for the introduction of barrier-free booths in 2015. I wonder how Local Resident charges will be affected? New scanner arrived today but I won't be able to install it until Thursday, which is now shaping up to be a busy day. Toby returned to Dubai today, it was good to spend some time together over the weekend. Salad of Toulouse Sausages for dinner, a summery meal from a Rick Stein recipe. Ate too much!

Monday May 21

Week starts with a long day. Morning traffic at Dartford Crossing very light. Busy day at the chalk face. It's tiring ranting at Gove and his misguided philosophy to privatise education in the UK. Messages on landline about physio, lifts and a reclining chair. But better still, a bottle of 1990 Jean Cave Armagnac as a gift from Toby. What a treat!