The cough was bad last night so in order not to disturb T, I decamped to the spare room. Eventually dropped off about 3.30 a.m. although I was aware of a tremendous downpour and strong winds at some time in the middle of the night.
Off up north again today. Weather was good most of the way. Only fly in the ointment was that an accident had completely shut the M6 between junctions 16 and 17. The Highways Agency website had indicated that normal conditions would be restored by 2 p.m. which would have been fine if it had been accurate. They obviously had more problems than they anticipated because I reached the end of the queue at about 1.45 and eventually passed the scene of the accident at about 4.30 p.m.
I tried a brief sketch in the queue but it wasn't really practical as the traffic edged forward every couple of minutes. Have now discovered that the paucity of internet connection again means I can't upload.
Dad seems to be reasonable although his response time is slow and it's not always clear if he's heard what has been said or is just thinking about it. J, one of his carers thinks he might have had some more TIAs.
Reablement team member L arrived. Turns out she used to get involved with her dad's roadside recovery business and has some interesting stories to tell.
Now I'll try and publish this. (8/1/14)
16/1/ 14 Back in reach of proper communication and I find it wasn't published!
Thursday 16 January 2014
Monday 6 January 2014
Christmas is officially over
A slow start this morning after a late night, or should I say early morning last night. By the time we'd cleared up and showered it was 1.30 so no alarm 'til 8 this morning.
I had a few errands to run in town so walked to the shops.
This afternoon T went off to play tennis so I had agreed to cover at my f-i-l's. Just as I was gathering all the bits and pieces, including a new heated towel rail courtesy of Lakeland (www.lakeland.co.uk), the heavens opened and we had another deluge. Fortunately it was intermittent and I managed to take things to the car without becoming too soaked.
TS had just mad f-i-l a cup of tea and then went off on her break. About 5 minutes later f-i-l is complaining - he's dropped his biscuit in the tea cup. So soggy it all falls apart and can't be eaten.
T arrives. Her tennis party had started playing and then decided to give up when the rains came.
We dismantled f-i-l's Christmas tree and other decorations. Christmas is now officially over.
F-i-l was in a bit of a funny mood today which didn't impress T.
Towel rail constructed and it fits - just - in the gap left by the removal of the old hot water cylinder. Now we can arrange for a new socket to be fitted.
While working on the XP PC it decided to crash. One of the solutions was to run CHKDSK. I'd forgotten how long it takes from start to finish - over two hours. Probably time to consider a new PC.
Spent some of the time doing a sketch. New sketchbook, this one with rings so it will be interesting to see how practical it is.
Off up north tomorrow and my throat is feeling worse so I'm heading for a shower and bed.
I had a few errands to run in town so walked to the shops.
This afternoon T went off to play tennis so I had agreed to cover at my f-i-l's. Just as I was gathering all the bits and pieces, including a new heated towel rail courtesy of Lakeland (www.lakeland.co.uk), the heavens opened and we had another deluge. Fortunately it was intermittent and I managed to take things to the car without becoming too soaked.
TS had just mad f-i-l a cup of tea and then went off on her break. About 5 minutes later f-i-l is complaining - he's dropped his biscuit in the tea cup. So soggy it all falls apart and can't be eaten.
T arrives. Her tennis party had started playing and then decided to give up when the rains came.
We dismantled f-i-l's Christmas tree and other decorations. Christmas is now officially over.
F-i-l was in a bit of a funny mood today which didn't impress T.
Towel rail constructed and it fits - just - in the gap left by the removal of the old hot water cylinder. Now we can arrange for a new socket to be fitted.
While working on the XP PC it decided to crash. One of the solutions was to run CHKDSK. I'd forgotten how long it takes from start to finish - over two hours. Probably time to consider a new PC.
Spent some of the time doing a sketch. New sketchbook, this one with rings so it will be interesting to see how practical it is.
 |
| T hard at work |
Off up north tomorrow and my throat is feeling worse so I'm heading for a shower and bed.
Sunday 5 January 2014
It's party time
A cold and frosty morning which, combined with the recent rain, makes for a very squelchy lawn, but at least it's dry and sunny.
We're having a few of the family and friends round this evening so need to clear some space and therefore it's time to take the decorations off the tree and dismantle it. Shame as it was probably the best decorated we've had. Many of the ornaments have been given by friends or obtained in places we've visited so there are a lot of memories.
Phone call from our friendly fencing contractor Leon (http://www.tylersfencing.com/) saying he could come over this morning and put in two spurs to support the sagging fence posts. He and his colleague arrive about ½ an hour later and the job is soon done.
I nipped down to the shops to pick up a few things for the evening.
Afternoon spent getting ready for the party. I'm given the task of preparing Kim's game - 21 items to be shown on a tray for a minute and then hidden. Everyone's then given 3-4 minutes to try and write down what they've just seen.
Tried to make contact with my dad without success so had to leave a message on the answerphone. I'm sure if there was anything untoward I would have heard from one of the carers.
There's a few minutes respite before people start to arrive so it's time for today's sketch.
Great time this evening - Grandmother's dinner to begin, then food including a lovely vegetarian Biryani brought by J and some wonderful puds, the sock game, new game from D & J and the drawing game. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and now it's time for the clear up.
We're having a few of the family and friends round this evening so need to clear some space and therefore it's time to take the decorations off the tree and dismantle it. Shame as it was probably the best decorated we've had. Many of the ornaments have been given by friends or obtained in places we've visited so there are a lot of memories.
Phone call from our friendly fencing contractor Leon (http://www.tylersfencing.com/) saying he could come over this morning and put in two spurs to support the sagging fence posts. He and his colleague arrive about ½ an hour later and the job is soon done.
I nipped down to the shops to pick up a few things for the evening.
Afternoon spent getting ready for the party. I'm given the task of preparing Kim's game - 21 items to be shown on a tray for a minute and then hidden. Everyone's then given 3-4 minutes to try and write down what they've just seen.
Tried to make contact with my dad without success so had to leave a message on the answerphone. I'm sure if there was anything untoward I would have heard from one of the carers.
There's a few minutes respite before people start to arrive so it's time for today's sketch.
 |
| Ready to party! |
Saturday 4 January 2014
No golf today - what a surprise!-
No surprise to find that the golf course was closed today. More rain overnight and it continued off and on throughout the day.
So a chance to continue catching up with paperwork and do some housework!
Did have a brief walk into town to pick up some batteries and managed to stay dry.
Eventually managed to speak to my dad. He'd only just managed to reach the phone when I finished leaving a message on the answerphone. One of the reablement team was with him so it made it easier to communicate. He had managed to make himself a cup of coffee and get up stairs so that's good.
Not sure if the proportion of the feet to the rest of the body is right on this one.
Just realised that I've come to the last page in my A5 sketchbook so I'll have to track another one down for Monday.
So a chance to continue catching up with paperwork and do some housework!
Did have a brief walk into town to pick up some batteries and managed to stay dry.
Eventually managed to speak to my dad. He'd only just managed to reach the phone when I finished leaving a message on the answerphone. One of the reablement team was with him so it made it easier to communicate. He had managed to make himself a cup of coffee and get up stairs so that's good.
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| T on the phone to M |
Just realised that I've come to the last page in my A5 sketchbook so I'll have to track another one down for Monday.
Friday 3 January 2014
Steadier in the North; Thunder and lightning
Fortunately my dad seems a bitter more with it today so there's been no need to have him admitted to hospital.
I had a panic email from the golf club manager who couldn't open one of the doors because I had his key! Popped up to sort him out. The course is closed because of all the rain overnight. I'm surprised we've managed to keep it open this long. There were only two entrants for the 3 club competition on the 1st although the scorecards weren't yet available from the collection point at the bar.
Back via the local supermarket to buy a new kettle for my f-i-l.
After a morning of bright sunshine we suddenly had very black skies and a flash of lightning followed very shortly afterwards by an enormous crash of thunder. Then it brightened up again. Fortunately we haven't had it as bad as in the south west.
Afternoon spent trying to solve the problems with my dad's medication and catching up with some paperwork.
Tried a sketch of the back garden while I had a cup of tea.
It was getting very gloomy and eventually became too dark to see properly - inside or out.
I had a panic email from the golf club manager who couldn't open one of the doors because I had his key! Popped up to sort him out. The course is closed because of all the rain overnight. I'm surprised we've managed to keep it open this long. There were only two entrants for the 3 club competition on the 1st although the scorecards weren't yet available from the collection point at the bar.
Back via the local supermarket to buy a new kettle for my f-i-l.
After a morning of bright sunshine we suddenly had very black skies and a flash of lightning followed very shortly afterwards by an enormous crash of thunder. Then it brightened up again. Fortunately we haven't had it as bad as in the south west.
Afternoon spent trying to solve the problems with my dad's medication and catching up with some paperwork.
Tried a sketch of the back garden while I had a cup of tea.
 |
| View out to the back garden |
Spoke with my dad who seemed on the ball and very aware of what was going on. N, his wife had an episode at the residential home yesterday so was in bed when my brother took him over. Hopefully we'll get him over next week when I go up.
Badminton this evening. Just four of us so a good hour's run around and some great fun games. Not helpful for the sciatica though.
Should be playing golf tomorrow but yet again more rain is forecast. We shall see.
Thursday 2 January 2014
Here comes the sun (briefly)
Apart from a plaintive call from my f-i-l just as I was going to bed (he quickly settled back down), another quiet night.
He was much steadier on his legs this morning although his eyes were still gummy so I made an appointment to see a GP.
TS, the relief carer, arranged through Country Cousins, arrived at mid-day. Very competent, even to the extent of remembering f-i-l's peculiarities having not seen him for over 7 months.
Text from our good friend B saying that her husband A has been admitted to St. Bart's as he's very confused and doesn't remember her name. Probably a result of the morphine he's taking for cancer pain relief. Let's hope they can sort it out.
The weather was a big change from yesterday, brilliant blue sky for most of it,with rain returning about 4, just as T & I were going back to pick up my f-i-l to take him to the doctor. Turns out he has conjunctivitis for which he's had some eye ointment prescribed. Took him back and tried a quick sketch while the two Ts were making sure all was in order.
Phoned my dad who didn't sound in a very good state saying the he was going to have to go to hospital but couldn't say why. It happened that one of his regular carers phoned to explain that she had found him unable to move and quite disorientated and had suggested that he might have to go back to hospital. Not sure what the underlying problem is. She'll call an ambulance tomorrow if the situation hasn't improved. Spoke with my brother to let him know what was happening. He's going to go up to see him.
Caught up with the latest episode of the Christmas University Challenge and took a few minutes for another sketch.
As I was finishing it I realised that I'd put one of the chair legs in the wrong place! So much for initial observation.
He was much steadier on his legs this morning although his eyes were still gummy so I made an appointment to see a GP.
TS, the relief carer, arranged through Country Cousins, arrived at mid-day. Very competent, even to the extent of remembering f-i-l's peculiarities having not seen him for over 7 months.
Text from our good friend B saying that her husband A has been admitted to St. Bart's as he's very confused and doesn't remember her name. Probably a result of the morphine he's taking for cancer pain relief. Let's hope they can sort it out.
The weather was a big change from yesterday, brilliant blue sky for most of it,with rain returning about 4, just as T & I were going back to pick up my f-i-l to take him to the doctor. Turns out he has conjunctivitis for which he's had some eye ointment prescribed. Took him back and tried a quick sketch while the two Ts were making sure all was in order.
 |
| RESdN |
Caught up with the latest episode of the Christmas University Challenge and took a few minutes for another sketch.
 |
| Towards the dining room |
As I was finishing it I realised that I'd put one of the chair legs in the wrong place! So much for initial observation.
More rain forecast for tomorrow!
Wednesday 1 January 2014
Hello 2014
Happy New Year!
May it bring you peace and happiness.
Another quiet night at my f-i-l's, he didn't call for me although I could hear him coughing.
As I mentioned yesterday, I was up earlier than usual as I went off to the golf club to unlock. There was one hardy member and her guest, setting off in the gloom to try and complete their round before the rains came.
And did they come. It didn't stop for about 9 hours. Can't see many having braved the elements to win a crystal tumbler.
F-i-l a bit more shaky today. Not sure if that was as a result of having kept himself awake with coughing or some other reason. Still, managed to get through the morning and lunch without any major drama. He did get upset when he saw newsreel footage of Hitler and Mussolini and a dramatised scene in 'The Eagle has landed' showing the transportation of Jews. I think it brought back his experiences from WWII days.
T appeared at 2 and I disappeared back home about 4. Caught up with an episode of the Swedish drama Arne Dahl. I've been hooked on these Scandinavian dramas ever since Forbrydelsen a.k.a. The Killing. Mind you, my Danish and Swedish are still almost non-existent! Restarted the episode and paused so I could do a sketch.
Phoned my dad. Seems he's not had a good day. Only wish we were closer in distance but I can't see him wanting to move south.
Now back at f-i-l's to cover overnight for the last time for a few days as the relief carer arrives tomorrow.
It's raining again!!
May it bring you peace and happiness.
Another quiet night at my f-i-l's, he didn't call for me although I could hear him coughing.
As I mentioned yesterday, I was up earlier than usual as I went off to the golf club to unlock. There was one hardy member and her guest, setting off in the gloom to try and complete their round before the rains came.
And did they come. It didn't stop for about 9 hours. Can't see many having braved the elements to win a crystal tumbler.
F-i-l a bit more shaky today. Not sure if that was as a result of having kept himself awake with coughing or some other reason. Still, managed to get through the morning and lunch without any major drama. He did get upset when he saw newsreel footage of Hitler and Mussolini and a dramatised scene in 'The Eagle has landed' showing the transportation of Jews. I think it brought back his experiences from WWII days.
T appeared at 2 and I disappeared back home about 4. Caught up with an episode of the Swedish drama Arne Dahl. I've been hooked on these Scandinavian dramas ever since Forbrydelsen a.k.a. The Killing. Mind you, my Danish and Swedish are still almost non-existent! Restarted the episode and paused so I could do a sketch.
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| Arne Dahl characters |
Phoned my dad. Seems he's not had a good day. Only wish we were closer in distance but I can't see him wanting to move south.
Now back at f-i-l's to cover overnight for the last time for a few days as the relief carer arrives tomorrow.
It's raining again!!
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