Tuesday, February 3 – Grey and uninviting. So at Dot’s suggestion I rang the surgery instead of going there and was able to book a blood test on Thursday at Dussindale – coincidentally Dot has an appointment there slightly earlier for something quite different. I had eventually realised that the Hospital had been expecting me to make these arrangements. I also contacted Sonata to get our alarm upgraded, after paying their call-out fee which had for some reason arrived by post instead of e-mail like everything else from them. I wasn’t feeling great still; so Dot suggested I postpone shopping till tomorrow, when Anne was visiting and could keep an eye on her. So that’s what’s happening.
We had lasagne and watched half the cup semi-final between Arsenal and Chelsea, which was so boring we didn’t watch the second half and didn’t care who won. Later we watched two episodes of Silent Witness on iPlayer because I had omitted to record the first of the new series – then realised it was one we’d seen before. iPlayer can be useless sometimes. I did remember bits of the first bit, but Dot didn’t (which is unusual); so she wanted to see it all. She is doing very well and manages most things on her own. It remains for us to get to Dussindale on Thursday. I am definitely feeling better, with the occasional doubt. Very late in bed.
Wednesday – Occasional glimpse of sun. Dry. Latter stages of cold. Occasional outbursts. Anne came round to see Dot at about 11, and I drove to Morrisons to stock up as usual, though I didn’t feel much like it. Annoyingly lost Lowry bag (slipped off trolley, I guess). Asked at customer services and then searched shop without success. Anne had just left when I got back, and Dot checked that she could reach the car for tomorrow (and get in it with the new handle thingy). Mark came out to speak to her, which was nice. He had been enjoying PM’s discomfiture at Question Time over Mandelson issue.
Took pic of Dot by car. Then brought shopping in and sorted everything out. Actually I didn’t finish sorting till just before bedtime, because Bridget came to clean and disrupt. Dot and I watched new Silent Witness that we meant to watch yesterday. Very good. After light supper (sea bream in pan) we watched concluding episodes of After the Flood, though the endings of these things are rarely completely satisfactory. David FaceTimed and we had quite a long chat, shared with Sophie’s cat. Sort of a cat chat, or a chat chat, as the French might say.
Thursday – Uninviting weather: damp and chilly. Had to be up early to get to Dussindale surgery for two appointments: Dot for bone density discussion at 9.30 and me for blood test at 10.20. Despite unexpected road closure at Thorpe we got to the surgery, which I had researched on Google Earth, at 9.29. Waiting room nearly empty. Dot went in almost on time, and I was called in about five minutes later. Many tubes of blood taken by Olga, who was friendly in a severe sort of way, and vice versa. When I was finished Dot was waiting, and so we arrived home before the actual time of my appointment. Dot had no problem with getting in and out of car using the assist handle. She also didn’t need support frame as long as I was there. Did some puzzles and had a bath followed by avocado and egg. Didn’t feel too great in afternoon but after salmon supper went ahead with Cake and Compline in evening, which went very well: Archers, Vicky, Claire, Judy, Nikki. Nikki lingered on and was very helpful as usual. Dot sneezing a bit – worrying.
Friday – Weather continues miserable – grey and wet. Dot’s coughing and sneezing continues, but she says she doesn’t feel too bad. Nevertheless we are still sleeping separately, partly because I’m still coughing and sneezing, though I feel better most of the time. Rang Ray, who sounded very down. Think I helped a bit. Eleanor came round for a while through the rain and got the Whole Story from Dot. Des also called in and took away papers. Chris has been quite ill after visiting grandchild in Lichfield; Des not great either but he got us fish and chips. So no street meet or indoor substitute. David FaceTimed and we had quite a long chat about wokeness and various other things. Later on in evening watched Call the Midwife and Death in Paradise.
Saturday – Odd bouts of brightness, but mainly grey and wet. On the plus side, Norwich City beat Blackburn 2-0, and on the minus, Spurs lost and Dot seems to have a worrying version of what I’ve had. Lot of coughing and reverting to separate bedrooms. I’m still coughing and full of whatever it is, but managing to make meals and look after Dot. Obviously better than I have been. Did washing, dried it and put it away, probably not quite where it should be. Managing to keep house fairly tidy. Emptied bins. Made the mistake of watching rain-drenched rugby match which Scotland lost to Italy in Rome, then some incomprehensible Olympics snowboarding. I hate snowboarding. Did catch a decent downhill. Also watched first part of documentary about insane guy who is swimming round Iceland despite being prone to seasickness and getting hypothermia after two hours. Couldn’t help liking him. But why? Life is a mystery. Well, his is.