Saturday 14 February (Valentine’s Day) – Brighter day, dry but quite cold. I sorted out much of the charity money in between watching Winter Olympics and various other things. Presented Dot with a Valentine card, and she had sent me a Jacqui Lawson version. Did avocado and egg for lunch, then duck in hoisin sauce, which has become one of Dot’s favourites, for supper. Also had some champagne, which is the first alcohol I’ve had for more than a month (in preparation for my scan yesterday). Didn’t seem to do either of us any harm – in fact we both felt better when we went to bed than when we got up.
Had brief chat with Des and Chris as they passed with Charlie. Norwich beat WBA 3-1 to get into 5th round of FA Cup. Toure scored again. Dot cleared up part of utility room, and I cleared up her clearing up. Scotland beat England in the Calcutta Cup. Felt very Scottish.
Sunday – Backward step for weather – first rain, then quite a bit of snow, but it didn’t lie (lay). Also cold. Didn’t go out. Dot got up before me for the first time this year, though by then she had been brought a cup of tea and breakfast in bed. I finished the charity money, and we watched Winter Olympics as usual – our second gold medal (in mixed team snowboard racing). Also part of curling (not so good) and the second half of Wales v France, with France winning very easily. Felt French. Dot not feeling very hungry so I made her baked beans on toast, while I had egg and fried potatoes. Had quite a long chat with David and Chrissy, who has had root canal work. Watched Songs of Praise and went to bed fairly early.
Monday – Mainly dry, but quite cold. Revolutionary sort of day, I suppose. Had quick bath and then took Dot to Morrisons for short shop: she managed by using the shopping trolley to support her. Took a photo and put it on Facebook. Lots of responses. We changed the sheets and duvet cover and returned to our normal method of sleeping – together, with me nearest the door (in case I need to escape). We both still have a cough, but thought we could manage.
I tidied up the bed in the spare room and then spent nearly an hour putting some leaves in our brown bin, then putting the bins out for emptying. During clearing up indoors I broke a glass and so had to wrap that up in a box and label it. Felt very tired after all this. We tidied up the house generally to fit in with our new arrangement! Cooked salmon, which went down quite well. Watched some of Winter Olympics and Call the Midwife, as well as an old episode of Ice Road Truckers and Would I Lie to You?
Tuesday – Dry, some sun but cold. Dot still has quite a bad cough, but mainly morning and evening. Breakfast in bed. Interesting podcast on what happens when you die. Read the rest of How the Church Lost the Way – not brilliantly written but some fascinating insights. Watched quite a bit of Olympics. Got bins in. Dot getting around more easily. Long phone call from Fred about getting a ticket for Leeds cup tie and celebrating Joyce’s 80th next month. GB men’s curling team falling apart (but they got through – Ed). Some good speed skating. Dot made pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. Very nice. I cleared up – in bed quite early. Des brought Private Eye round. Checked route to funeral and moved car on to road to make room for Bridget.
Wednesday – Very cold, but mainly dry. We’re both gradually improving, and we got loads more responses to Dot’s Facebook pic. Today she did quite a bit of tidying up, and we washed a duvet cover and a sheet, among a few other small things. Slight problem with washing machine, which lost a bit of water. Not sure why. Had a quick FaceTime with David, who was in a car park, having taken Nova somewhere. Des got us fish and chips because it was Ash Wednesday. Not sure I always follow his line of reasoning. For some reason, I’m going off fish and chips. More Winter Olympics – quite good curling. Also watched second episode of Call the Midwife. Don’t feel great, but probably well enough to go to John’s funeral tomorrow.