Nine Feet Underground

The day in prospect seems even quieter than yesterday.  There's quite a lot of boring admin I need to do and also planning for something I can't bring myself to plan for, even though it is inevitable.  Depending on how Monday pans out, I'll start it then. In the meantime the usual weekend chores, Radcliffe & Maconie, and reading the weekend papers. I made an unplanned trip to the shops owing to an error on my part yesterday, which did at least give me the chance to chat with one of the checkout women I know. She was asking if Q was still in Australia and about E. Ate breakfast on my return and got washing on at the same time. Multitasking!! During the day I had some calls with Q who's travelling back to Perth with family members.  In the afternoon, big sis phoned and we had a catch-up on our respective news.  Our evening plans changed unexpectedly (the motto over our front door is going to say 'Expect the Unexpected' - mind you, if you expect it, then surely...

A fairly standard Saturday: usual stuff to do enlivened by convos with Q and a brief video call with some of Q's family members.  They were in a pub in a place called Mingenew , which is not pronounced as you might imagine, thankfully. Not only that, I will refrain from making any of the obvious jokes.  A close shave indeed. Later in the afternoon, as the sun sets on Western Australia, I attempted to settle down to read the papers, starting with an interview with Ian McEwan discussing his latest and, perhaps, most personal novel, 'Lessons'. I say 'attempted' because in a house currently teaming with people it's difficult to find peace and comfort at times.  Mind you, I wouldn't have it any other way, a house bustling with life is an antidote. Earlier in the day, I learnt from son #1 that they are all off out tonight (all except son #3 and his gf), so once they all start getting ready I take the opportunity to listen to another album from end to end, this tim...

Don't think there'll be much to say about today as it's probably going to be a case of 'all work and no play' Naturally, I walked first thing and during the walk, I had a call with Q: she's travelling by car over the next two days to a place called Yalgoo, to see the wildflowers which are apparently a thing that excites global interest. Looking forward to seeing the pictures. The first stop on the road trip is a place called Moora where they're stopping overnight so that the full adventure party can meet up before heading further north and east tomorrow. Mid-afternoon Q and I chatted before she went to sleep as she's an early start tomorrow.  One week to go.  I made good progress at work today, so when it's time to shut down the PCs, I'm feeling accomplished and it's been a good week. Tonight, seven of us are off out for a meal in Nando's, the magnificent seven being my three sons and their gfs plus moi. This is probably an embarrassing c...

Up early for the cleaner and first carer.  After the first carer had left I got ready for my walk - while I'm out, she'll clean my office.  Chose to do the longer walk again today and on my return had a chat with Q before making breakfast and beginning a long day of work. I'm keeping a secret, that I no longer need to keep secret since by the time I publish this it will have happened. Son #2's gf is flying here from Costa Rica a day early and she intends to surprise him by arriving today, unannounced! It should be interesting to see his reaction. 😀 Various things happen, the vast majority of which are work-related, until around 12:30 p.m. when son #2's gf arrives!  He certainly was surprised! I should also mention that son #2's gf brought me a wonderful present - a fully illustrated photo book on Costa Rica, the land, the people and the wildlife.  Thanks so much 😍 Managed a brief afternoon call with Q (her bedtime) and then returned to work to draw some more p...

Began the day with a Q-chat, earlier than usual, before the first carer arrived.   I walked later than usual, even though I got up early. Why's that? K, the first carer of the day was having trouble setting up E's feed pump and as I'm reasonably familiar with the error codes and set-up, I tried to help.  I'd not seen today's error before, but eventually, we worked out what was wrong after changing almost everything.  Time to walk. Despite being late I ended up walking further / for longer than usual, setting myself up nicely for breakfast and work. Once work started, I didn't really stop until this evening, apart from lunch and the odd phone call, or two. Now work is over it's time to start doing the bins, ready for later / tomorrow. All work and no play... Apart from the odd cough which comes and goes, E seems stable at the moment, though as we all know, it's just a matter of time. I'm trying to talk with her, and spend moments with her when she...

After the highs of yesterday, down to earth with a bump: back to work. (There's always more!) Got up early and went for a walk after the first carer visit. After my walk I had a call with Q who's in a shopping mall in Perth, then time to make breakfast. The usual things.  Time to start work, as I've got a lot to do today and it begins with my usual 9 a.m. project huddle. Huddle,  buddle, toil and truddle. Something like that. It appears I've been confusing some of my friends with my whereabouts (cue jokey exchange from 'Carry On Screaming'). Time. Space. Relativity. That kind of thing. Well, I can categorically tell you that I am here right now. Or at least I was when I wrote this.   “A very short space of time through very short times of space” The community matron called to just to say that as I'd seen the palliative care nurse last week, he'd not be popping in until next week unless I have to call him for any reason. Mid-afternoon I had another call w...

A different Bank Holiday Monday is in prospect, more on that later.  Before I can enjoy that I have a bunch of things to get done, unusually not involving washing.  I'll not go into details, but there's been some final painting-related DIY to complete, a quick shopping trip and a few other minor tasks that need to be done today. The plan is that a friend will pick me up around 11:30 and then we'll head off to the Wokingham Festival.   There are a few bands and artists playing today, mostly that are new to me, but the headliners are Focus (yes, that band) who I've never seen live but am intrigued to see what they are like 50-odd years later. Given I will be out for most of the day, this may well end up being a brief post. I'm home!  The festival was great fun. Very chilled. Great music. Great food. Great company. I might even have to go next year!  The musical highlight was Focus's performance. I didn't know what to expect of Focus, especially since only Thi...

A slow start to today, for a change.  Began with a call to Q as she drove to Sydney airport through the tunnels under the city. She's flying from Sydney back to Perth today, which takes almost five hours (it's over 2000 miles) and will spend the rest of her holiday thereabouts.  The good thing is that Perth is only 7 hours ahead as opposed to 9 hours ahead in Sydney. Yesterday evening I got an invitation from friends to go to the Wokingham Festival on Monday, at which Focus are the headliners. Times are strange at the moment, nevertheless, I've gladly accepted such a kind offer.  Our GP has told me I need to get out and look after myself during this period and so I'm making an effort to do so.  There's also a Robyn Hitchcock gig coming up in September and I've booked a ticket for that (it's midweek, so it shouldn't affect any other plans I may have), subject to the current uncertainties. The plan for today is to take it relatively easy, subject to some t...

Another lousy night's sleep, so I figure I might as well get up in time for the first carer call of the day.  Got lots to do today anyway. Before going shopping I put the washing on and so the 'getting things done' begins... During my shopping trip, I decided to check out the barbers, in case there wasn't a queue. The cut isn't urgent and I don't have time to sit and wait. Luckily, I'm next.  A young woman cuts my hair, which adds to the pleasure of the process. It turns out she's Polish, amongst many other things I learn during the brief time it takes to apply a grade one all over what hair there is.  Generally, I'm quite good at chatting during a haircut, but today I could barely get a word in. She spoke non-stop. It made me smile as it's rare for me not to get a word in. She did a good job (it's not difficult!) and it made a good start to the day. Whilst publishing yesterday's post I notice that I'd passed the 1000 post milestone o...

I've got a lot of work to do today, so this post will be brief! Early morning the GP called to discuss E's care at home, but also to check up on me. She suggested I need to plan a break and make sure I'm taking care of myself. I am trying. She also sent me the numbers I need to call in the event the end happens as well as suggested I ought to start planning what will need to be done when that happens. She said that doing the planning now is a good idea because when it does happen, life will be chaotic.  Back to work. Expect the unexpected!  Just before lunch, the phone rang again and this time it was the Sue Ryder Community Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care (CNS). That's her full title, but I'll not write that again. Probably just stick to PC Nurse. Back on track. She was calling to arrange a visit this afternoon to see E and me. Arranged for later in the afternoon. A brief interlude for lunch, then back to work. Mid-afternoon the PC nurse arrived. She me...