Good morning Michael and all GN's on a dark but quiet morning in North Yorkshire. I am having an upside down morning and working backwards so to speak! I got in last night with my back very painful and full of aches and pains everywhere. Sat down to enjoy Downton Abbey as a calming thing to think about before bed, and about halfway through I think fell asleep! On the plus side I did have quite a good sleep and feel the better for that and more alert this morning, on the minus side it meant that I was sat up in the chair, and woke about 4am, cold and rotten back, but even hobbling into the bedroom meant that I was now wide awake. Got into bed to warm up and hope for a little more sleep, but the brain was already in gear for the day, and wouldnt stop thinking and planning so after about half an hour I gave in, put the light on , radio 3 unwind very quietly - which had lots of lovely birdsong which was good - and started putting all the hopes and plans down on paper. So late coming on here as my first priority today has been to get dressing gown and slippers on, strip the bed and collect up bits and pieces and get the washer going. Hopefully by the time it is light, the washer will have finished and I will be able to get it on the line before I go out. Well that is the plan, we shall see what actually works later.
Yesterday was a mixed day. I was pleased that the dustbin men came for the recycle things as I had several bags precariously balanced for them to take away, at least proof that no matter how little seems to have gone I am clearing bits out. Then I tidied up a little and got ready for a trip down town on the yellow peril. Quite windy but no sign of rain, and I managed to go along all the stalls, but not a lot bought, and the stall that I usually get basic things from and sometimes bargains had absolutely nothing for me and the man on the stall watched me browse and then go buy without buying anything and looked a bit amazed! I did all I could on the market , met a lady who was using those tall walking poles and spoke to her about them and said she found them much better than ordinary walking sticks, I have been trying to avoid getting anything, but have had to acknowledge that now I really struggle to walk even a short distance and so reluctantly decided to begin a bit of research. She was very pleasant and helpful, telling me that she had been the same, trying to avoid getting any, but that she was much more secure walking with them and had gone back to doing more of her usual walking, which she had been cutting down and down. So it was good to hear how someone had found them, and in return I was able to tell her about a couple of good stalls and recommend Nero's or going down to Strikes for coffee, as she was not a local, and so we may meet again in future. With that food for thought, I carried on with shopping, despite the usual stupid market visitors who meander about with phone clutched to ear, mooching about, which is fine, but getting in the way of those of us who have places to go and people to see! The paths seemed particulary uneven and jarring and my back was already complaining before I set off so I was glad to reach the haven of Neros for just a coffee and a chance to sit in a seat that was comfortable. Really struggling to walk and in quite a lot of pain, I slowly went along the cafe , but no luck with any comfortable seat or empty table and so I had to pick a lady who was sat alone at a table with a decent chair and ask if she minded me joining her. She was fine and moved her things to let me sink down thankfully and for some minutes I just sat, trying to let my flipping back and legs ease off with the pain, and watching the queue at the counter being quickly served, but filling up as fast as someone was served. I just couldnt face standing at that time, so had to watch out for the lovely young woman to come out to clear tables and managed to catch her eye. She came straight over and took my cup and then got it organised and brought it over for me, for which I was very thankful. Sat there checking messages etc and planning my next move, but as my back improved not one bit, I decided to give Tesco a miss and get home as I had all that was really important. Duly got home and as it was still bright and windy shoved some washing in whilst I organised something to eat for lunch and then when it finished took it on the the yp and managed to get it all hung out but with difficulty. Struggle to reach the line when I am like this.
In the afternoon I managed to ring my brother and see if he had received his card and for once surprise, surprise the 2st class post actually worked and he had it. We caught up with news and views, and my sister in law has just had a hip replacement 5 days ago, so she is glad to have got through that, but of course my brother has to be chief cook and bottle washer at the moment. So , of course , they are not doing much right now, but I am sure she will be pleased to have it done, not only less pain but she should improve over the winter months and then be able to get out in the garden with a bit more agility and less frustration. I also managed later to get in touch with my son, and hopefully we have organised a possible meet up date , although of course plenty of things may alter that in the meantime. So doesnt sound anything brilliant but it was good to have at least a couple of the very long list of things that need doing working out. I texted the cleaners to check if they were definitely coming today, but no reply so far. I am not going to the womens group today as it is making pompons and doing craft, none of which appeals,and have a long list of things that need sorting.
If the cleaners are definitely coming this afternoon, I shall get out this am and if it isnt raining take the chance to have a little drive into the countryside and see the autumn colours or go to sadly neglected Saltburn with my binoculars to see the seabirds etc. Then I have been making lists of what I want moving to where , which fingers crossed, if they come will make a good difference to the flat and begin to look civilised and tidy .If they say they cannot come for any reason I shall possible go to Harlow Carr,if they have a buggy free or stay out a bit longer if the weather is good. feel we have to make the most of any sunshine at the moment. Whether all this planning will come off who knows??
No emails or text from the hospital yet so hope they will contact me soon with more information and agree that I can go to the local place, thus saving myself a longer trip and more stress. We shall see what today brings. It is still pitch black outside and havent seen any weather forecasts yet, so it is all rather up in the air at the moment. See how the combination of weather and my back and legs work and have to fit in with them. Right now feel very cold and creaking, but will no doubt improve when I have had the shower and got driessed. Yesterday besides the market, there were 3 different groups of workmen doing things to shops and one lot were painting the place, which seemed totally stupid on a busy market day, and I bet that someone has been annoyed to find marks on their coats. Of course the wind didnt help much either. So it is getting time to hobble into the kitchen and see what appeals for breakfast.Still enjoying the shreddies at a cheaper price and maybe try something new, or as it is a chilly morning a boiled egg might be fancied. I will return later clean and ready for the off to read your posts.
Hope you got your early bus Mick and met a friend or two. GrandMattie you had quite a kerfuffle with the po didnt you? I feel rather sorry for the post office staff at the moment , as they are dealing with all the odds and sods that they are used to but have many extra people joining the queue as they can get cash from them and other things that they used to go to the banks for. As people are not used to using them they can take quite a while to get through, and more timeconsuming that a simple request for stamps or to deal with parcels. No doubt it will settle down soon but the lack of banks does really annoy a the moment.
Well I hear the washer chuntering a bit, might need resorting a bit , and sometimes the duvet can get itself into knots. So on with the motley and hope that the shower can work its magic and help my back . A very little lighter now so I can see the outline of the tree, nothing much moving so far.Still got more ironing looking at me from the basket, but as long as everything is washed and clean it will have to wait.
Hope everyone has a good day and manages to do something they have wanted to get sorted for ages. Enjoy yourselves and watch out for the halo shining on you virtuous souls who are already up to date and tidied. You might need your sunglasses for the glare!!
Freedom of the City of Portsmouth for RNLI staff
Charities report donors giving rubbish to their outlets 🙄
It’s Tuesday and I have a few grumps
