Monday 20 Nov – Woke up feeling very ropey in varying ways. Had indigestion for some reason, presumably the borscht. Also felt extremely tired all day, and my head was congested. Stayed in bed most of the morning, then got up and had some bread and jam while watching the cricket final – Australia beating India fairly comfortably, though surprisingly in view of India’s earlier exploits. This was thanks to Travis Head, who scored over 130.
After lunch Anne came round, and we all had a chat before I went to the chemist to pick up my pills (which had arrived at last) and Anne dropped off Dot at the dentist for a crown session. Quite an ordeal, I think. We watched The Newsreader episodes 3&4, which was good, and later a very poor England football performance against North Macedonia, 1-1. Have now finished antibiotics, but feel a bit sore. Not very encouraging, but am trying to remain positive.
Tuesday- overcast: bit of rain in the evening. Got Dot a drink in morning so that she was up on time for Linda, who arrived a bit early to cut our hair. Afterwards Dot walked into the city for a pedicure at Jarrolds, where she met Kim for some lunch at the wine bar. Meanwhile I was having a bath, which went reasonably well. Read a bit and wrapped Dot’s presents very badly. When she got home we watched a programme on the Princes in the Tower that seemed to rewrite history quite convincingly.
Dot had quiche for supper, and I had an omelette. Also took some probiotics to get rid of the indigestion; seemed to work. After supper we watched two very violent episodes of Boat Story, which were very good if you ignored the violence, which you almost could because it was so unreal. Meanwhile I have developed a dental pain and a pain in the back of my head on the right. What else could go wrong? Lucky to have Dot, but I’m worried about the effect it’s having on her.
Wednesday – trying hard to be positive, but it’s quite hard. Dot’s birthday, and of course I wanted to be feeling good so that we could do stuff. Weather sort of mixed. Got up and made Dot a cup of tea, and got her presents from where I’d stashed them in the spare room. Spent a lot of time opening presents and cards, which arrived later. Quite a few of them. Of course Dot had actually bought all the ones I gave her, but I did manage to contribute a card I had bought some time before.
After the openings we did puzzles, and it got quite late, but we managed to rouse ourselves in time to go to Gem for lunch. I was feeling quite shivery, but good enough. Had nice lunch – friendly waiter. Saw Kim passing towards end, and Dot left to meet her. I paid, and the waiter gave me a cake for Dot! Chatted with Kim, and David and Amy FaceTimed to say Happy Birthday. Afterwards their parcel arrived – lovely flowers and chocolate and a card. Dot took pic to send to David, who also sent link to his new site, which looks exciting. Later Oliver FaceTimed, and we had a chat.
I was feeling pretty shaky, and while Dot was at orchestra I tried to change the leg bag, but it was tricky, and the one I picked up was too big (long tube). Decided to leave it on overnight, then change to one the right size tomorrow. Had to change stabiliser too. Pretty fed up by now. When Dot came home had wine and paracetamol, which seemed to help. Her session had gone well. We watched Shetland together, and I collapsed into bed before writing this. Nikki rang much earlier to say she was coming to see us tomorrow.
Thursday – Chilly, bright spells. Nikki came round about 11 and stayed till just after 2pm. Really encouraging talking to her. Leanne rang her while she was here, and we arranged to watch The Chosen here next Wednesday. Nikki prayed for me before leaving. Dot dropped her off by John Lewis and then did some food shopping. I tried to write a sermon for Sunday, but didn’t get anywhere – felt shivery and eventually went upstairs and lay down. Bridget was still cleaning but worked round me.
Dot wrote her report for yesterday and had the usual trouble sending it. I sorted it for her. At some point Des came round and said he was going to Glasgow for a couple of days. Dot lay down with me for a while; then we had supper – smoked cod and an eclair. David and Amy rang up, and we spoke about his new website, which I like very much. Told Amy I liked her design. Afterwards watched last episode of The Australian Wars, about what happened to the Aborigines. Horrific.
Friday – Dull with quite a bit of rain. Dot did a lot of violin practice and also went to garden centre to get bird food. She had quite a chat with Mark outside. No street meet tonight. Weather too miserable and cold. Also I’d spent a long time writing a sermon for Sunday and had to lie down. Had a phone call from Steven, who sounded ok. Watched a couple of episodes of The Crown and the final two episodes of The Newsreader, which was ok but could have been better.