The sigmoidoscopy went well, apart from the hanging about. I was offered the choice of sedation or gas and air and selected the latter with some trepidation. It had served me well when I was in a lot of pain before my emergency operation. As it happened, though, I didn’t need it. The procedure, by a woman doctor, went without any pain, though some discomfort. My nurse, Katie, was lovely – very friendly, relaxed and very good at distracting me with questions about what I did in my spare time. I had a mug of black tea and some bourbons afterwards, and felt fine.

I have to admit the preparations were not something I’d want to do every day. It seemed to go all right, and I was just near enough the loo. There wasn’t the anxiety about getting to the hospital without wanting to go again, though I was nervous. Dot said I looked terrible, but that’s probably normal.

Afterwards we were both very tired and watched quite a bit of TV before going to bed relatively early. Today I went for a walk of just over two miles as well as writing up the PHS minutes, writing several letters and e-mails and selecting pictures for a book on Scotland. And so ends November. We are waiting for the Robinsons, with whom we are having a meal at Prezzo.

Oh, I should have mentioned, the sigmoidoscopy showed nothing abnormal. Apparently I need to drink more water, though.