We arrive home with the food shopping. I'm distracted by the wonder of some purple crocuses, fully open, with golden stamens extended, growing in our front garden. I hear my name. It's Fran, Dave's wife & our neighbour. She's popping over to let us know how Dave's doing. He was due his op yesterday.
Apparently, early in the morning, he'd rung to let her know he was all begowned ready to taken to theatre. Shortly after she had another ring. They'd been unable to do the heart operation. He'd apparently got another clot in his throat, so they'd had to operate to remove that instead. Now they are contemplating letting him come home for a couple of weeks to recover fully before his being taken in again for the heart op. Fran's not believing it until he is safely back.
As for poor Dave, he is feeling very frustrated. On Sunday, a group in the ward apparently got together in the TV room to watch the football. As the tension mounted, & they all got excited, they erupted into cheers & boos as appropriate. An irate nurse appeared & told them they had to calm down & watch quietly. Needless to say at the next goal or near goal, they could contain it no more. Another cry went up. The nurse reappeared, switched off the TV & told them all to go back & lie quietly in bed. That was the end of the football for them.
Although I can see for people, all presumably with severe heart problems, such excitement is not good for them, even possibly dangerous - presumably that's why one hour visiting is so strictly observed much to Fran's frustration - it does seem unfair on the patients. If you're stuck in hospital any length of time - & Dave is in his seventh week now - you welcome any distraction, change from the normality of boredom & waiting, especially if most of the time you're not feeling too bad.
Wednesday 29 February 2012
Tuesday 28 February 2012
The review
As I said yesterday we rather nervously went along to our medical review in the afternoon. We gave ourselves plenty of time so there was no rushing to raise our blood pressures.
Again I was seen first. My blood pressure yesterday was regarded as very good, just the sort of level they were wanting. The specialist nurse then went down the list of all the blood & urine tests, one by one. From the stomach pains I've been having this year I had thought there may be something amiss, but no. Both my liver & kidney function had improved over the last year, despite my suspecting I'd maybe drunk more alcohol ie wine. They're even beginning to think maybe I'm getting over the Chronic Kidney Disease (for which there's no cure). Some results were a bit off the accepted norm but within my personal normal parameters. At the end of the day, the worst that could be said is that I'm a little overweight - hardly a surprise. I've never been very slim &, even on that score, they were reasonably satisfied. Since I've been on the thyroid tablets I've slowly, but steadily, been losing weight which is the right direction to be going. Personally I've come to my mother's conclusion. Having a bit extra doesn't harm. It gives you some reserves to fall back on if you are hit by serious illness & don't feel able to eat for a while.
The Fox was next up. His blood pressure was also good this time. Again the specialist nurse went through his results. As with me, some things were highlighted but proved to show it was a case of being a little out of the normal parameters but within his personal ones. One set of blood tests indicated the Fox was fighting off some infection at the time, which is probably why he's been feeling so tired of late. It's hardly surprising with the number of viruses that seem to have been around this winter. As with me, the worst that could be said is that he's a little overweight too, though neither of us is obese. His weight though has gone up. Quite why they have no idea. I suspect it's lack of exercise since his stroke. He is doing far less physically than he used to. The only thing they did suggest is that maybe the time had come for him to have his pneumonia jab & he was duly given some literature to read on the matter.
The thing that still bemuses me is how come I'm still in the unusual position of having almost as much good cholesterol as bad whilst the Fox's is nowhere the same level. We eat pretty much the same. The main difference is that I eat the chocolate he doesn't.
I'm seriously beginning to come to the conclusion these tests only give you an insight of how you are on a particular day. The medical profession doesn't seem to know half the time why changes occur, whether they be for good or bad. At times I'm left wondering how much better the practitioner of western medicine is than the average witch doctor or faith healer.
All of this meant we left the surgery with lighter hearts. And in the evening, after dinner, we opened a bottle of wine, a Chilean sauv blanc, & put on some Ella, just to celebrate our apparent good health, or at least good health for people of our advanced years.
Again I was seen first. My blood pressure yesterday was regarded as very good, just the sort of level they were wanting. The specialist nurse then went down the list of all the blood & urine tests, one by one. From the stomach pains I've been having this year I had thought there may be something amiss, but no. Both my liver & kidney function had improved over the last year, despite my suspecting I'd maybe drunk more alcohol ie wine. They're even beginning to think maybe I'm getting over the Chronic Kidney Disease (for which there's no cure). Some results were a bit off the accepted norm but within my personal normal parameters. At the end of the day, the worst that could be said is that I'm a little overweight - hardly a surprise. I've never been very slim &, even on that score, they were reasonably satisfied. Since I've been on the thyroid tablets I've slowly, but steadily, been losing weight which is the right direction to be going. Personally I've come to my mother's conclusion. Having a bit extra doesn't harm. It gives you some reserves to fall back on if you are hit by serious illness & don't feel able to eat for a while.
The Fox was next up. His blood pressure was also good this time. Again the specialist nurse went through his results. As with me, some things were highlighted but proved to show it was a case of being a little out of the normal parameters but within his personal ones. One set of blood tests indicated the Fox was fighting off some infection at the time, which is probably why he's been feeling so tired of late. It's hardly surprising with the number of viruses that seem to have been around this winter. As with me, the worst that could be said is that he's a little overweight too, though neither of us is obese. His weight though has gone up. Quite why they have no idea. I suspect it's lack of exercise since his stroke. He is doing far less physically than he used to. The only thing they did suggest is that maybe the time had come for him to have his pneumonia jab & he was duly given some literature to read on the matter.
The thing that still bemuses me is how come I'm still in the unusual position of having almost as much good cholesterol as bad whilst the Fox's is nowhere the same level. We eat pretty much the same. The main difference is that I eat the chocolate he doesn't.
I'm seriously beginning to come to the conclusion these tests only give you an insight of how you are on a particular day. The medical profession doesn't seem to know half the time why changes occur, whether they be for good or bad. At times I'm left wondering how much better the practitioner of western medicine is than the average witch doctor or faith healer.
All of this meant we left the surgery with lighter hearts. And in the evening, after dinner, we opened a bottle of wine, a Chilean sauv blanc, & put on some Ella, just to celebrate our apparent good health, or at least good health for people of our advanced years.
Monday 27 February 2012
Another week
And so, another week arrives, another damp grey day.
Angie should be coming along later. She didn't come last week as she was on holiday & we were at the hospital. Needless to say there's a bit more for her to do today. I'm contemplating asking if she does indeed have an hour to spare so we can use up some of our spare vouchers. We could do with having a re-arrange of one of our cupboards now we have some new lighter weight pans. She might as well give the cupboard a good clean out while she's at it.
I confess to being a little anxious about what these medical reviews will turn up today. I'm just hoping we've not go yet another thing wrong with us & it's just a case of tweaking our medication. We shall see.
Whatever it is, it can't be as dire as for Dave, our neighbour in Blackpool hospital. I gather from Fran, his wife, he was due to be let out for a couple of weeks to recover from the op on his throat. Then he was to return for the heart valve op. Instead Fran got a phone call saying that they were going to operate tomorrow. Apparently he's having problems with his breathing & passing in & out of consciousness. They've brought the second op forward as they daren't risk leaving it any longer. She reckons she will be relieved when it's all over, both ops done & he's on the road to recovery. But it is worrying that the second op is having been done before he's had chance to recover from the first & had chance to build up some strength & resilience for the second. We can but pray for him. And her.
Angie should be coming along later. She didn't come last week as she was on holiday & we were at the hospital. Needless to say there's a bit more for her to do today. I'm contemplating asking if she does indeed have an hour to spare so we can use up some of our spare vouchers. We could do with having a re-arrange of one of our cupboards now we have some new lighter weight pans. She might as well give the cupboard a good clean out while she's at it.
I confess to being a little anxious about what these medical reviews will turn up today. I'm just hoping we've not go yet another thing wrong with us & it's just a case of tweaking our medication. We shall see.
Whatever it is, it can't be as dire as for Dave, our neighbour in Blackpool hospital. I gather from Fran, his wife, he was due to be let out for a couple of weeks to recover from the op on his throat. Then he was to return for the heart valve op. Instead Fran got a phone call saying that they were going to operate tomorrow. Apparently he's having problems with his breathing & passing in & out of consciousness. They've brought the second op forward as they daren't risk leaving it any longer. She reckons she will be relieved when it's all over, both ops done & he's on the road to recovery. But it is worrying that the second op is having been done before he's had chance to recover from the first & had chance to build up some strength & resilience for the second. We can but pray for him. And her.
Sunday 26 February 2012
A Very Hungry Franchman
We had a spare hour to spend yesterday afternoon. For once we decided to indulge it in a bit of TV watching. Earlier in the week we had recorded "Raymond Blanc: the Very Hungry Frenchman" on BBC2. This week he visited Alsace.
We've been enjoying the series. It started in the Jura, the land of his childhood. We visited the area a few years ago. It brought back fond memories of the area & the cuisine. In particular we remembered one inn we dined at a couple of times. The owners Marysse, front of house, & Serge, the latter was chef, were so kind. The hospitality was warm. The speciality was ham cooked slowly in front of a huge log fire, in a rich wild mushroom sauce. Serge went each day to forage for the mushrooms in the surrounding woods.
The second week of the series took us to Burgundy, an area we've never visited but long fancied. Beaune looks like a fabulous city with its multi-coloured roofs. Our stay in the Jura was that bit too far away, though we were aware of the number of Bresse chicken available in the shops.Unfortunately the nearest airports are Paris, Lyons or Strasburg, all a long distance away. Maybe after seeing how the Fox copes with this holiday, we'll be able to think once more of such a journey.
The third week took us to Lyons, again an area we've never visited. Unfortunately there doesn't seem many properties to let in the area. So even though there is an airport, it's unlikely we'll be staying.
So yesterday we watched Raymond in Alsace, another area we've long fancied visiting. There seems some really lovely towns around - much more Germanic in style, reminiscent of the sort of building we saw on our Rhine cruise last year. Raymond commented on the sheer sense of hospitality & of partying shown by the inhabitants, and also the enormous portions they serve for meals. We remembered a chambre d'hote (equivalent to an English B&B) we stayed in once near Rouen. The lady of the house was from Alsace. We dined there. The meal was certainly multi-coursed, generously portioned & simply delicious. The conversation sparkled around the table, with much laughter partly in French, partly in English, even though we were a group of complete strangers. If that's typical of the welcome you get in Alsace it certainly sounds like a place we could fancy visiting. We still remember Pierre, the host & cook, & his wondrous smoked chicken & mushroom casserole, the outcome of a mishap but delicious nonetheless.
Raymond particularly enthused about Alsatian wine. We whole-heartedly concur. They are among our favourite whites, especially the riesling & gewurtztraminer ones.
By the time we'd finished the programme we were ravenous. Fortunately we had the chicken in the oven while we watched & it was nicely time to get the veg on before eating. We didn't have to wait long before filling our rumbling stomachs.
This week I observe Raymond is off to Provence. I wonder what memories that will provoke.
What really impresses us is how much Raymond brings out the different character & traditions of the different areas of France. And also his painstaking care to find only the best local produce & ingredients. Yesterday he was positively shocked when he went to the market in Colmar to find one butcher that only sold pork, a local speciality, from Brittany & another butcher who wasn't sure where his meat came from but, as his supplier was in Italy, he presumed Italy somewhere. In the end Raymond had to buy elsewhere, the only place he could find a butcher who sold locally reared Alsatian breed pork. Equally for his onion tart he tasted four different varieties before deciding which variety to use. That show dedication & passion. One of these days we're going to have to splash out on a meal at his restaurant. Such concern with detail promises a wonderful meal.
We've been enjoying the series. It started in the Jura, the land of his childhood. We visited the area a few years ago. It brought back fond memories of the area & the cuisine. In particular we remembered one inn we dined at a couple of times. The owners Marysse, front of house, & Serge, the latter was chef, were so kind. The hospitality was warm. The speciality was ham cooked slowly in front of a huge log fire, in a rich wild mushroom sauce. Serge went each day to forage for the mushrooms in the surrounding woods.
The second week of the series took us to Burgundy, an area we've never visited but long fancied. Beaune looks like a fabulous city with its multi-coloured roofs. Our stay in the Jura was that bit too far away, though we were aware of the number of Bresse chicken available in the shops.Unfortunately the nearest airports are Paris, Lyons or Strasburg, all a long distance away. Maybe after seeing how the Fox copes with this holiday, we'll be able to think once more of such a journey.
The third week took us to Lyons, again an area we've never visited. Unfortunately there doesn't seem many properties to let in the area. So even though there is an airport, it's unlikely we'll be staying.
So yesterday we watched Raymond in Alsace, another area we've long fancied visiting. There seems some really lovely towns around - much more Germanic in style, reminiscent of the sort of building we saw on our Rhine cruise last year. Raymond commented on the sheer sense of hospitality & of partying shown by the inhabitants, and also the enormous portions they serve for meals. We remembered a chambre d'hote (equivalent to an English B&B) we stayed in once near Rouen. The lady of the house was from Alsace. We dined there. The meal was certainly multi-coursed, generously portioned & simply delicious. The conversation sparkled around the table, with much laughter partly in French, partly in English, even though we were a group of complete strangers. If that's typical of the welcome you get in Alsace it certainly sounds like a place we could fancy visiting. We still remember Pierre, the host & cook, & his wondrous smoked chicken & mushroom casserole, the outcome of a mishap but delicious nonetheless.
Raymond particularly enthused about Alsatian wine. We whole-heartedly concur. They are among our favourite whites, especially the riesling & gewurtztraminer ones.
By the time we'd finished the programme we were ravenous. Fortunately we had the chicken in the oven while we watched & it was nicely time to get the veg on before eating. We didn't have to wait long before filling our rumbling stomachs.
This week I observe Raymond is off to Provence. I wonder what memories that will provoke.
What really impresses us is how much Raymond brings out the different character & traditions of the different areas of France. And also his painstaking care to find only the best local produce & ingredients. Yesterday he was positively shocked when he went to the market in Colmar to find one butcher that only sold pork, a local speciality, from Brittany & another butcher who wasn't sure where his meat came from but, as his supplier was in Italy, he presumed Italy somewhere. In the end Raymond had to buy elsewhere, the only place he could find a butcher who sold locally reared Alsatian breed pork. Equally for his onion tart he tasted four different varieties before deciding which variety to use. That show dedication & passion. One of these days we're going to have to splash out on a meal at his restaurant. Such concern with detail promises a wonderful meal.
Saturday 25 February 2012
Success at last
Alleluia! We've finally managed it! We're off to France in the spring. The holiday, including the flight are sorted out & paid for. Now all we have to worry about is the holiday insurance & the car hire. Apart from that, it's a case of discovering what's to be seen in that area & to dream.
This success has been a big lift to our spirits. It maybe helped that yesterday also turned into a day with blue skies. It would have been warm if it hadn't been for the bitterly cold edge of the wind.
I'm leaving doing anything more about the holiday for a few days respite. The Fox will sort out the car. Meanwhile we're trying for a few days of relaxation before the next onslaught of effort. Hopefully that final part of the process will go more smoothly.
This success has been a big lift to our spirits. It maybe helped that yesterday also turned into a day with blue skies. It would have been warm if it hadn't been for the bitterly cold edge of the wind.
I'm leaving doing anything more about the holiday for a few days respite. The Fox will sort out the car. Meanwhile we're trying for a few days of relaxation before the next onslaught of effort. Hopefully that final part of the process will go more smoothly.
Friday 24 February 2012
If it's not one thing, it's another
It seems the property is okay. The shower is flat & the owners will provide a seat for me to use in it. Perfect. Rather further from an airport than we'd hoped, but the Fox is convinced he'll manage it, even if we have to have a break along the way.
All ought to be settled. But no. Now we have another problem. The Fox goes to pay it with his debit card. It's not accepted. He realises he hadn't actually transferred the money into that account. He hastily does that. The money appears in the account. He lets the travel agent know. They try again. Still no use. They agree to leave it until this morning before having another go. This morning the phone goes. They still haven't been able to get payment. We'll have to go along with a cheque this afternoon. Meanwhile we'll have to find out why the bank is refusing payment.
I just hope the property doesn't go while all this happening.
We've yet to sort out the flight. It will have to be Ryanair. We're trying to work out how much luggage we need to take as they charge per bag according to weight. We're hoping if the travel agent does all the booking for the flight we won't have too much hassle when we come to the actual travellling. Ryanair are notorious for hidden extra costs, especially for disabled people. We really are not in a state to cope with them adding yet extra stress on us. We're telling ourselves we just have to accept there will be problems & be prepared with extra cash.
All of this hassle is more than either of us is in much state to deal with. Last night I went to bed before 8pm, took a sleeping pill & didn't re-emerge until a good twelve hours later. Nonetheless, by now, I'm already feeling more like going to sleep again than anything else.
We're both feeling off, without any specific aches & pains to put our fingers on. Maybe it's just as well we're due for the follow-up from our failed MOT on Monday. Maybe we have something physical amiss, medications need tweaking or something. Either way I'm trying to take things a bit quieter. Unfortunately that means putting more on the Fox & I'm not convinced he's up to it. Maybe we should use the excess respite vouchers but to do what? Angie can't make decisions for us, take all the stresses away, etc. She can't even cook meals etc when she usually comes in the morning. We'll think about it. Maybe Monday will bring some solutions. Or at least make things easier.
All ought to be settled. But no. Now we have another problem. The Fox goes to pay it with his debit card. It's not accepted. He realises he hadn't actually transferred the money into that account. He hastily does that. The money appears in the account. He lets the travel agent know. They try again. Still no use. They agree to leave it until this morning before having another go. This morning the phone goes. They still haven't been able to get payment. We'll have to go along with a cheque this afternoon. Meanwhile we'll have to find out why the bank is refusing payment.
I just hope the property doesn't go while all this happening.
We've yet to sort out the flight. It will have to be Ryanair. We're trying to work out how much luggage we need to take as they charge per bag according to weight. We're hoping if the travel agent does all the booking for the flight we won't have too much hassle when we come to the actual travellling. Ryanair are notorious for hidden extra costs, especially for disabled people. We really are not in a state to cope with them adding yet extra stress on us. We're telling ourselves we just have to accept there will be problems & be prepared with extra cash.
All of this hassle is more than either of us is in much state to deal with. Last night I went to bed before 8pm, took a sleeping pill & didn't re-emerge until a good twelve hours later. Nonetheless, by now, I'm already feeling more like going to sleep again than anything else.
We're both feeling off, without any specific aches & pains to put our fingers on. Maybe it's just as well we're due for the follow-up from our failed MOT on Monday. Maybe we have something physical amiss, medications need tweaking or something. Either way I'm trying to take things a bit quieter. Unfortunately that means putting more on the Fox & I'm not convinced he's up to it. Maybe we should use the excess respite vouchers but to do what? Angie can't make decisions for us, take all the stresses away, etc. She can't even cook meals etc when she usually comes in the morning. We'll think about it. Maybe Monday will bring some solutions. Or at least make things easier.
Thursday 23 February 2012
Didn't last long
I suppose it was hoping for too much, to sort out the respite vouchers and a holiday. I did think I'd found the place for us. In the afternoon we toodle along to the travel agents to book. That brochure company only sold property lets if it was accompanied by a ferry crossing.We couldn't go by air. The drive down to the south coast is just too far for us. Last time we did it it took over 12 hours!
So we're back to the beginning, though the travel agent thinks she may have found as an alternative. We're just waiting for the result of a few extra enquiries. Unfortunately it would mean flying Ryanair, not a prospect that fills me with much joy.
I've just about got to the stage of abandoning all idea of a spring holiday. Maybe it would be better to wait until we hear the result of my application for renewal of benefits.
Meanwhile I'm feeling pretty exhausted, not helped by a very ropey night. I started with pain-killers for my knees when I went to bed shortly before 10pm. By 2am I was progressing to pills to ease stomach pains (they're having another hiccough). It didn't help to have appetising wafts coming from Big Ears, our slow cooker, as the Fox prepared a duck curry for this evening
Later on we're intending to get off to the Farmers' Market- get topped up with meat for the month ahead. Then, with luck, it's an afternoon nap for me.
So we're back to the beginning, though the travel agent thinks she may have found as an alternative. We're just waiting for the result of a few extra enquiries. Unfortunately it would mean flying Ryanair, not a prospect that fills me with much joy.
I've just about got to the stage of abandoning all idea of a spring holiday. Maybe it would be better to wait until we hear the result of my application for renewal of benefits.
Meanwhile I'm feeling pretty exhausted, not helped by a very ropey night. I started with pain-killers for my knees when I went to bed shortly before 10pm. By 2am I was progressing to pills to ease stomach pains (they're having another hiccough). It didn't help to have appetising wafts coming from Big Ears, our slow cooker, as the Fox prepared a duck curry for this evening
Later on we're intending to get off to the Farmers' Market- get topped up with meat for the month ahead. Then, with luck, it's an afternoon nap for me.
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Hopeful
The day's looking up. I gave the council a ring about the respite vouchers. It sounds - no change that, the phone's gone - we will definitely be getting some more vouchers for the next financial year. They're even prepared to give us extra if we need them.
Now I'm hoping things will continue in this vein as I have another look for a holiday. We picked up another brochure which has at least one property marked as being potentially wheelchair suitable. And yesterday, I suddenly thought I'd google "Wheelchair accessible self-catering in France" & discovered at least one website with plenty of properties. I'm confident if I find something that appeals we should be able to get in & around the properties. They even provide wheelchair accessible transport to get you from the airport to the property if necessary, which means we could maybe think of being further away from the airport provided we're staying somewhere where we could arrange the hire of a car more locally. So wish me luck, that's my next job.
Meanwhile I've peeled some spuds ready for dinner. We're food shopping later on so it needs to be a quick meal. I'm on the freezer list at the moment & come to some smoked salmon. I'm going to add it to some scrambled eggs, accompany it with some mushrooms & tomatoes - breakfast for dinner in other words. Yum!
Now I'm hoping things will continue in this vein as I have another look for a holiday. We picked up another brochure which has at least one property marked as being potentially wheelchair suitable. And yesterday, I suddenly thought I'd google "Wheelchair accessible self-catering in France" & discovered at least one website with plenty of properties. I'm confident if I find something that appeals we should be able to get in & around the properties. They even provide wheelchair accessible transport to get you from the airport to the property if necessary, which means we could maybe think of being further away from the airport provided we're staying somewhere where we could arrange the hire of a car more locally. So wish me luck, that's my next job.
Meanwhile I've peeled some spuds ready for dinner. We're food shopping later on so it needs to be a quick meal. I'm on the freezer list at the moment & come to some smoked salmon. I'm going to add it to some scrambled eggs, accompany it with some mushrooms & tomatoes - breakfast for dinner in other words. Yum!
Tuesday 21 February 2012
Busy time
As you may have gathered from my silence, we seem to have had a busy few days.
It started with the dentist on Friday. We weren't there long - we both got a clean bill of health - but it was sufficient to disrupt the day.
Much of Saturday was spent trying to book our holiday. We finally thought we'd found the ideal place for us. Before committing us, I raised a few questions about access. We'd looked at all the pictures the had on-line, half a dozen or so. All looked flat except for a draught excluder at the entrance. That I can manage. But what about from the parking place to the building entrance? And is the shower big enough for a seat? They said they'd ring me back when they had spoken to the owner.
In the meanwhile I told the Fox & we started to get excited, even checking out flights to Nice. Bad mistake. They finally got back on Sunday afternoon. Apparently the parking area was above the property entrance. In between was five steps. So much for that place! Why can't they say that in the blurb? It's frustrating, & disappointing, when you find you can't get in even after spending hours trying to locate suitable properties.
So as far as the holiday goes, we're back to square one. We thought we'd try our second choice. I was going to go ahead & try to book that this morning to discover that it is now fully booked until late May & we were hoping to go in April, before I got too tied up with my struggle over my benefits. We'll have to have another look, another discussion, another decision. We're beginning to wonder if it's worth the effort. And yet I think we both could do with a holiday before too long.
Why I didn't get around to doing anything about it on Monday is because yesterday was spent at the hospital, the audiology department. The Fox is now supposed to be trying out sound therapy to see if that helps with his tinnitus. We're not convinced but he'll give it a go. He'll be getting another appointment in three months time.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Fox had chance to talk to Fran, our neighbour. We've still not seen her husband, Dave, around. It seems he's still in hospital in Blackpool. It's been over five weeks now & Fran is visibly tiring with the daily trips to seem him so far away. It seems they've decided he needs open heart surgery to replace a faulty valve. But first they had to operate on a blockage on his throat. This was done last Friday. Because of his various health problems, they had to do this without full anaesthetic. Dave was terrified. However, he has survived, if a little sorry for himself. Once he's over that op, they will operate on his heart. Meanwhile he stays in hospital.
We hear, too, that our friend, Den, who married Fran a couple of years ago, has now got a re-emergence of the cancer which caused him to have a section of both his ears cut off. It's apparently a result of his military service in the fifties, in the fierce sun of the Middle East without proper protection. National Service has much to be blamed for. We're now waiting to hear what treatment he is to have. He's anxious about leaving Fran on her own overnight while he is in hospital having an operation when she herself is in poor health at the moment & he is doing all the caring.
At last I feel I have chance to get back to some normality. I've duly stripped Basil Bush & made a fresh pesto for a pasta dish I'm making this evening with pancetta & chestnut mushrooms. This afternoon we'll probably get off to the Pub with PD. And there's that other sign of normality. I've got chance to chunter on to you lot & catch up on the blogs of some of our friends.
It started with the dentist on Friday. We weren't there long - we both got a clean bill of health - but it was sufficient to disrupt the day.
Much of Saturday was spent trying to book our holiday. We finally thought we'd found the ideal place for us. Before committing us, I raised a few questions about access. We'd looked at all the pictures the had on-line, half a dozen or so. All looked flat except for a draught excluder at the entrance. That I can manage. But what about from the parking place to the building entrance? And is the shower big enough for a seat? They said they'd ring me back when they had spoken to the owner.
In the meanwhile I told the Fox & we started to get excited, even checking out flights to Nice. Bad mistake. They finally got back on Sunday afternoon. Apparently the parking area was above the property entrance. In between was five steps. So much for that place! Why can't they say that in the blurb? It's frustrating, & disappointing, when you find you can't get in even after spending hours trying to locate suitable properties.
So as far as the holiday goes, we're back to square one. We thought we'd try our second choice. I was going to go ahead & try to book that this morning to discover that it is now fully booked until late May & we were hoping to go in April, before I got too tied up with my struggle over my benefits. We'll have to have another look, another discussion, another decision. We're beginning to wonder if it's worth the effort. And yet I think we both could do with a holiday before too long.
Why I didn't get around to doing anything about it on Monday is because yesterday was spent at the hospital, the audiology department. The Fox is now supposed to be trying out sound therapy to see if that helps with his tinnitus. We're not convinced but he'll give it a go. He'll be getting another appointment in three months time.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Fox had chance to talk to Fran, our neighbour. We've still not seen her husband, Dave, around. It seems he's still in hospital in Blackpool. It's been over five weeks now & Fran is visibly tiring with the daily trips to seem him so far away. It seems they've decided he needs open heart surgery to replace a faulty valve. But first they had to operate on a blockage on his throat. This was done last Friday. Because of his various health problems, they had to do this without full anaesthetic. Dave was terrified. However, he has survived, if a little sorry for himself. Once he's over that op, they will operate on his heart. Meanwhile he stays in hospital.
We hear, too, that our friend, Den, who married Fran a couple of years ago, has now got a re-emergence of the cancer which caused him to have a section of both his ears cut off. It's apparently a result of his military service in the fifties, in the fierce sun of the Middle East without proper protection. National Service has much to be blamed for. We're now waiting to hear what treatment he is to have. He's anxious about leaving Fran on her own overnight while he is in hospital having an operation when she herself is in poor health at the moment & he is doing all the caring.
At last I feel I have chance to get back to some normality. I've duly stripped Basil Bush & made a fresh pesto for a pasta dish I'm making this evening with pancetta & chestnut mushrooms. This afternoon we'll probably get off to the Pub with PD. And there's that other sign of normality. I've got chance to chunter on to you lot & catch up on the blogs of some of our friends.
Thursday 16 February 2012
Lack of comprehension among some
There are times when I am surprised by people's lack of comprehension.
Last Friday, when we were out at the Pub we announced we would not be there this Friday, tomorrow. We're off to the dentist.
"Why, when are you going?" asked Mr P, retired music teacher, now culinary entrepreneur.
"Late morning," we reply.
"It won't take all day surely."
"No. We're only having a check-up. But by the time we've been out, possibly stopped for somewhere for a spot of lunch, we won't want to be making the effort to set off out again to get here."
Mr P looks at us in disbelief.
I find this strange. His wife suffers with ME so I would have expected him, more than most, to realise how great the toll on energies even a small expedition can make when you are disabled or not in the best of health. Even PD has learnt to accept that with us! Maybe it's just, sat down, we appear normal, talk animatedly, so, to many people, there's nothing wrong with us, or they can forget any problems we may have. It's just I expect friends by now to know otherwise.
It doesn't help those problems go away though. And we have to be practical & work within our limitations. It's a fine balancing job to do things to a level where we can get some satisfaction out of life & what we do, and overdoing things so we're just too exhausted & pain-filled to do anything for days afterwards. Unfortunately I'm not sure ACOS, the service that assesses people for sickness benefits, appreciate the importance of maintaining that balance any more than some of our friends.
Last Friday, when we were out at the Pub we announced we would not be there this Friday, tomorrow. We're off to the dentist.
"Why, when are you going?" asked Mr P, retired music teacher, now culinary entrepreneur.
"Late morning," we reply.
"It won't take all day surely."
"No. We're only having a check-up. But by the time we've been out, possibly stopped for somewhere for a spot of lunch, we won't want to be making the effort to set off out again to get here."
Mr P looks at us in disbelief.
I find this strange. His wife suffers with ME so I would have expected him, more than most, to realise how great the toll on energies even a small expedition can make when you are disabled or not in the best of health. Even PD has learnt to accept that with us! Maybe it's just, sat down, we appear normal, talk animatedly, so, to many people, there's nothing wrong with us, or they can forget any problems we may have. It's just I expect friends by now to know otherwise.
It doesn't help those problems go away though. And we have to be practical & work within our limitations. It's a fine balancing job to do things to a level where we can get some satisfaction out of life & what we do, and overdoing things so we're just too exhausted & pain-filled to do anything for days afterwards. Unfortunately I'm not sure ACOS, the service that assesses people for sickness benefits, appreciate the importance of maintaining that balance any more than some of our friends.
Wednesday 15 February 2012
Brighter
I can't quite believe it. I got up today to discover a beautiful bright sunny morning. It's even mild for the first time in ages. Almost spring-like. Maybe there is going to be some end to this long, long, winter.
Maybe my sense of well-being is also encouraged by the fact I can be utterly lazy today. The Fox has prepared the meal - a slow cooked piece of brisket - so there's nothing I have to do. We don't even have to go out this afternoon unless we want to. PD is unlikely to ring in desperate need of a visit to the Pub - he's disappearing under grandchildren this afternoon with it being half-term. So I can just be lazy & get back on top of things.
Maybe too I'm still feeling a sense of well-being from the champagne we had last night to celebrate St Valentine's Day. I know I've ranted before about the stupidity of celebrating your love for one another just on the one day of the year, but it is a good excuse to be a bit extravagant & open a bottle of bubbly. I'm also enjoying the box of chocs the Fox bought for me.
All in all life is brighter. For today at least.
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Puzzled
This morning I rang the care agency to cancel next Monday's visit by Angie. We're off to the hospital in the morning & can't be sure we will be back in time.
This I thought was routine.
Just as I was about to put the phone down, I suddenly get ask if we have many vouchers left.
"A few," I reply.
"Well, you want to use them all up before the end of March. Otherwise the council will reduce the number of vouchers you get next financial year. Ask Angie when she is available to fit you in for a few extra hours."
The vouchers in question are for respite care. We use them to pay for Angie to keep the place reasonably clean. The Fox prefers to keep his energies for the more physical care I require, such as getting up from chairs, putting me to bed, taking me out to have a social life, being around in case I have need of help in the shower, cooking me a couple of meals a week, making me mugs of tea.
As far as I can see the council doesn't actually spends the money on the vouchers until they are redeemed at a care agency. Surely, therefore, if I don't use the vouchers, the council will find itself in the happy position of finding it's got more money in the coffers at the end of the financial year than they expected. Part of the reason we have a few left is the fact we didn't start getting the vouchers until a few weeks after the start of the financial year due to the timing of the Fox's stroke. They gave us enough vouchers for one hour's worth of paid help for a full year. The only weeks we haven't used the vouchers has been when we have had medical appointments, the one week when we were cruising along the Rhine & over the Christmas/New Year period.
The other odd thing is that the care agency has never guaranteed that Angie would always be the person giving the service. Indeed I gather from Angie, when she's mentioned to other clients she was having a few days off & the agency has heard about it, they have been very stroppy with her as it's against their rules. Too many people cancel, losing the agency money. So why this time, am I being told to arrange the extra shifts specifically with Angie rather than the agency's admin?
Or is the agency just seeing a way of getting extra money? We're not sure we want more than one hour's visit a week. It is tying & it's not as though we're that dirty!
I suppose I'll have a think about it & talk it over with the Fox & with Angie in a fortnight's time. Meanwhile I'll have to get around to applying for next year's vouchers. The Fox still does not feel he could cope with doing all the care on his own these days, post stroke.
This I thought was routine.
Just as I was about to put the phone down, I suddenly get ask if we have many vouchers left.
"A few," I reply.
"Well, you want to use them all up before the end of March. Otherwise the council will reduce the number of vouchers you get next financial year. Ask Angie when she is available to fit you in for a few extra hours."
The vouchers in question are for respite care. We use them to pay for Angie to keep the place reasonably clean. The Fox prefers to keep his energies for the more physical care I require, such as getting up from chairs, putting me to bed, taking me out to have a social life, being around in case I have need of help in the shower, cooking me a couple of meals a week, making me mugs of tea.
As far as I can see the council doesn't actually spends the money on the vouchers until they are redeemed at a care agency. Surely, therefore, if I don't use the vouchers, the council will find itself in the happy position of finding it's got more money in the coffers at the end of the financial year than they expected. Part of the reason we have a few left is the fact we didn't start getting the vouchers until a few weeks after the start of the financial year due to the timing of the Fox's stroke. They gave us enough vouchers for one hour's worth of paid help for a full year. The only weeks we haven't used the vouchers has been when we have had medical appointments, the one week when we were cruising along the Rhine & over the Christmas/New Year period.
The other odd thing is that the care agency has never guaranteed that Angie would always be the person giving the service. Indeed I gather from Angie, when she's mentioned to other clients she was having a few days off & the agency has heard about it, they have been very stroppy with her as it's against their rules. Too many people cancel, losing the agency money. So why this time, am I being told to arrange the extra shifts specifically with Angie rather than the agency's admin?
Or is the agency just seeing a way of getting extra money? We're not sure we want more than one hour's visit a week. It is tying & it's not as though we're that dirty!
I suppose I'll have a think about it & talk it over with the Fox & with Angie in a fortnight's time. Meanwhile I'll have to get around to applying for next year's vouchers. The Fox still does not feel he could cope with doing all the care on his own these days, post stroke.
Monday 13 February 2012
Dragging
Am I just getting old? This winter seems to have been long. I can't say it's been excessively bad.
Around here, we've not had the snow to contend with. It's been cold, very cold, but that tends to be the nature of winter. We have also had the grey, rather damp, days - too many of them. But there has been the occasional bright frosty day.
Whatever the reason this winter has seemed long. We're both suffering the physical effects - me with my aches, the Fox with the deadness of leg & hand. I'm beginning to understand why winter seems to be the time so many older people die. The majority seem to go either at the first onset of winter or as the season changes again to spring. The latter I suspect because by then you feel so exhausted having survived the winter.
I'm telling myself that part of the problem is that we haven't had as many holidays as usual this year. Most years we have a couple of 2-3 week holidays plus a few weekends away. Last year we had 10 days in Cyprus. That was more of an enforced absence from home while the bathroom was done than a time of rest & relaxation. What is more we didn't have a lot of warmth - we even met with snow. Then the Fox had his stroke. After that we've had one weekend in Stoke. Great as it was to see the family again, it didn't stop it being too early & too demanding for the Fox so soon after the stroke. Since then we've had one week, cruising down the Rhine. Then at least we did find some sunshine & warmth, but a week barely gives you time to start to unwind by the time you've recovered from the travelling.
This year we're hoping to do a bit better. First we're hoping for a fortnight in France. We're contemplating avoiding some of next year's winter with a break in warmer climes - South Africa or the West Indies for example. Whatever else we do we're certainly hoping to manage a bit more sunshine & warmth, above all a bit more relaxation away from the worries of everyday life.Maybe that way we won't feel we're dragging our way through winter as much as we are this year.
Come on spring. We're more than ready.
Sunday 12 February 2012
Church
I thought I'd go to church this morning. I haven't been for a while. I don't get on with the new vicar. Instead I've steadily read through the whole of Genesis. Before I started on the next book I thought I'd give my old church one more go. Maybe by now, the new vicar will have settled in more & have a bit more time for me & my needs. If I'm still wasn't happy with her, I would try another church a bit further away.
So what happens? We're back to freezing fog again. It has obviously rained a fair amount during the night & the Mean Machine, my electric scooter, doesn't like the wet. Is God trying to tell me something? Am I not supposed to go to church today?
Long ago, when I became disabled, I made an agreement with God. I would worship every Sunday, be at home or at church. If I was meant to go to church, God would ensure a parking space near the church so I could push myself inside. If I was meant not to go, bad weather would intervene. Sure enough most Sundays when my health was such that I would have been really overdoing things to get to church, the weather was bad. So is this some of the same?
Whatever the reason I stayed at home & started a steady read of another book of the Bible. This time I thought I would start with a book of the New Testament & St Matthew. I'm struck by how important ancestry was perceived - indeed it is in most earlier, largely non-literate societies even today - & how brief the description of the birth of Christ is in this version of the tale. I'll read on next week.
So what happens? We're back to freezing fog again. It has obviously rained a fair amount during the night & the Mean Machine, my electric scooter, doesn't like the wet. Is God trying to tell me something? Am I not supposed to go to church today?
Long ago, when I became disabled, I made an agreement with God. I would worship every Sunday, be at home or at church. If I was meant to go to church, God would ensure a parking space near the church so I could push myself inside. If I was meant not to go, bad weather would intervene. Sure enough most Sundays when my health was such that I would have been really overdoing things to get to church, the weather was bad. So is this some of the same?
Whatever the reason I stayed at home & started a steady read of another book of the Bible. This time I thought I would start with a book of the New Testament & St Matthew. I'm struck by how important ancestry was perceived - indeed it is in most earlier, largely non-literate societies even today - & how brief the description of the birth of Christ is in this version of the tale. I'll read on next week.
Saturday 11 February 2012
Two bean or not two bean, that is the question
It's an easy morning for me today. I had thought I would have a lie-in this morning as there's nothing much that has to be done. Maybe I could even catch up on some of lost sleep & consequently feel less tired. Needless to say that means I was up not long after 8am. Typical!
A quick shower was next. Quick showers take at least half an hour these days but once in a while it has to be done. And I do feel fresher for the effort.
The Fox is in charge of dinner today. He's getting his trusty wok out for a quick stir-fry. The only thing I can do to help is slice up the chicken breast ready to be thrown in. That's now done.
The recipe he's intending to do is called Chicken & Two Bean Stir Fry. This sounds like a misnomer to me. As far as I can see the two beans are some French beans & some mangetout or sugarsnap peas. (We're using garden peas as neither of us have much enthusiasm for the podded peas recommended.) But back to the point. To me a pea, even mangetout or sugarsnap, is not a bean. There are no other veg except some peppers & the French beans. Whatever the title I'm sure it will be a pleasant change.
Yesterday PD brought in a couple of booklets by Heston Blumenthal for me to have & try out. I've been flipping through some of them. I just can't see me doing them. I don't want my fish pie covered with sand. I don't see the point of liquidising a pea soup & then passing it through a sieve a couple of times. I like a few whole peas in my soup for texture. I'm certainly not going to invest in syringes & blow torches. Life's dangerous enough without these extra hazards lying around. I admire the thoroughness & enterprise of the man, but I'm not sure how much I fancy eating some of Heston's food. As a home cook, I'm certainly unsure how much I fancy tackling some of his home cooking recipes. Though the Scotch eggs do look good & not too faffy....
A quick shower was next. Quick showers take at least half an hour these days but once in a while it has to be done. And I do feel fresher for the effort.
The Fox is in charge of dinner today. He's getting his trusty wok out for a quick stir-fry. The only thing I can do to help is slice up the chicken breast ready to be thrown in. That's now done.
The recipe he's intending to do is called Chicken & Two Bean Stir Fry. This sounds like a misnomer to me. As far as I can see the two beans are some French beans & some mangetout or sugarsnap peas. (We're using garden peas as neither of us have much enthusiasm for the podded peas recommended.) But back to the point. To me a pea, even mangetout or sugarsnap, is not a bean. There are no other veg except some peppers & the French beans. Whatever the title I'm sure it will be a pleasant change.
Yesterday PD brought in a couple of booklets by Heston Blumenthal for me to have & try out. I've been flipping through some of them. I just can't see me doing them. I don't want my fish pie covered with sand. I don't see the point of liquidising a pea soup & then passing it through a sieve a couple of times. I like a few whole peas in my soup for texture. I'm certainly not going to invest in syringes & blow torches. Life's dangerous enough without these extra hazards lying around. I admire the thoroughness & enterprise of the man, but I'm not sure how much I fancy eating some of Heston's food. As a home cook, I'm certainly unsure how much I fancy tackling some of his home cooking recipes. Though the Scotch eggs do look good & not too faffy....
Friday 10 February 2012
Grey
We missed the snow again. Still the weather remains damp & grey, but at least not freezing any longer.
Great waves of exhaustion sweep over me. I'm having one of my low spells. Somehow I feel everything I try to do just crumbles in my fingers. The weather isn't helping. I'm not sleeping well so last night I took a sleeping pill. This has left me feeling even tireder, even more deflated & energyless.
This afternoon we're off to the Pub - maybe a bit of company will bring some cheer. But first we're making a couple of stops. The first is the fish shop for some cod - fish & chips for dinner tonight - then the butcher's for some chicken for the weekend.
I feel a need to have something positive to look forward to, but nothing seems to be turning up on the horizon, just more problems & worries.
I'm not even sure the Fox is doing too much better. The weather is bringing out both our aches. He's limping around more than he has for a while.
All in all there doesn't seem much joy.
Great waves of exhaustion sweep over me. I'm having one of my low spells. Somehow I feel everything I try to do just crumbles in my fingers. The weather isn't helping. I'm not sleeping well so last night I took a sleeping pill. This has left me feeling even tireder, even more deflated & energyless.
This afternoon we're off to the Pub - maybe a bit of company will bring some cheer. But first we're making a couple of stops. The first is the fish shop for some cod - fish & chips for dinner tonight - then the butcher's for some chicken for the weekend.
I feel a need to have something positive to look forward to, but nothing seems to be turning up on the horizon, just more problems & worries.
I'm not even sure the Fox is doing too much better. The weather is bringing out both our aches. He's limping around more than he has for a while.
All in all there doesn't seem much joy.
Thursday 9 February 2012
Beware
I noticed our neighbour out, putting salt on his doorstep & drive. I didn't think much of it at the time.
Later in the morning, when I'd done the ironing, I thought I'd best check how the birds were doing for food. I discovered why my neighbour had been out with the salt. The rain that had been coming down all morning. But it had been landing on a sheet of black ice, so translucent you weren't aware of its existence until you put your foot down on it. I continued my way across the yard very gingerly.
After that I popped into the garage for some wine. Nervously I looked at the step - definitely icy. Holding firmly to the door I stepped up, determined not to slide. Coming out, bottle in hand, I was even more nervous. I didn't want to break the bottle en route.
It was a relief to get back indoors - partially for the warmth, partially for the security underfoot. I can't see us going out today unless it turns warmer & there's no sign of that. The trip to the garage was far enough for me for today.
Wednesday 8 February 2012
Not a good start to the day!
Now the car has had its MOT, it is our turn to have out MOT. We duly go to the surgery. Things do not go well.
I suppose it started with having an appointment at 8.10am. We had it so early as, for me, it was one of those you have to starve for 8 hours minimum before blood is taken. I'm never at my best without a mug of tea first thing. The fact it was absolutely freezing this morning made the idea of a hot mug of tea to wrap yourself around all the more appealing.
Come the time to set off we discover there is a thick clear layer of ice on the car windows. We haven't allowed time to clear it. Nonetheless we try to scrape it off but it is too well frozen on. The Fox goes inside again for a pan of warm water. He swills it across the windows & the ice thaws. I get in the car. The Fox goes back in with the empty pan. By the time he returns the windows are already covered with great floral shapes as Jack Frost has visited. Fortunately there is a bit of a gap through which we can see glimpses of the world outside so we set off.
On the journey we both peer through the pattern, eyes stretched for any pedestrians crossing the road. There are a lot of young people on the road going off to school. Fortunately the surgery is only a few minutes away, but we drive slowly so arrive a little late.
We check in, relieved that that drive is over. The nurse calls us in. First she sees me.
Blood pressure too high. We continue on with the questionnaire.
"Do you ever feel down?" she queries. Seeing as I have depression I couldn't help pointing out that inevitably I do. I do have all the emergency numbers. I do know I should contact a GP & use antidepressants if I'm getting too low. I can't guarantee I will let anyone know. Part of the problem of mental illness is that you are not in your right mind to decide to do the sensible. Indeed the insensible seems to be the only logical sensible course of action.
Blood is taken. Water sample checked. Drinking, smoking, diet, height, waist, weight, all checked. She takes the blood pressure again - even higher.
"Do your ankles swell?" she asks. Again I have to point out I have been several times to the doctor as they swell. At the moment they only do occasionally, in the evening. The last time I saw the GP said swollen ankles were an inevitable result of not much walking & not to worry unless it is accompanied by breathlessness or chest pains, so I'm not pursuing it further. I may do it turns constant again.
A further check of my blood pressure - still rising.
On to the Fox. All the checks are done. His blood pressure is high too.
Her conclusion is we both need to see someone more qualified for a review. We need to have our medication checked to see if something else would be better for us. High blood pressure is not a good sign when you have had a stroke (the Fox) or Chronic Kidney Disease (me).
So now we have two more consecutive appointments later this month for reviews. By that time the blood results should be back too.
It's not been a good start for the day. We console ourselves when we get home with some toasted, buttered, crumpets for breakfast & a couple of pots of hot tea. We need to calm down after that visit!
I suppose it started with having an appointment at 8.10am. We had it so early as, for me, it was one of those you have to starve for 8 hours minimum before blood is taken. I'm never at my best without a mug of tea first thing. The fact it was absolutely freezing this morning made the idea of a hot mug of tea to wrap yourself around all the more appealing.
Come the time to set off we discover there is a thick clear layer of ice on the car windows. We haven't allowed time to clear it. Nonetheless we try to scrape it off but it is too well frozen on. The Fox goes inside again for a pan of warm water. He swills it across the windows & the ice thaws. I get in the car. The Fox goes back in with the empty pan. By the time he returns the windows are already covered with great floral shapes as Jack Frost has visited. Fortunately there is a bit of a gap through which we can see glimpses of the world outside so we set off.
On the journey we both peer through the pattern, eyes stretched for any pedestrians crossing the road. There are a lot of young people on the road going off to school. Fortunately the surgery is only a few minutes away, but we drive slowly so arrive a little late.
We check in, relieved that that drive is over. The nurse calls us in. First she sees me.
Blood pressure too high. We continue on with the questionnaire.
"Do you ever feel down?" she queries. Seeing as I have depression I couldn't help pointing out that inevitably I do. I do have all the emergency numbers. I do know I should contact a GP & use antidepressants if I'm getting too low. I can't guarantee I will let anyone know. Part of the problem of mental illness is that you are not in your right mind to decide to do the sensible. Indeed the insensible seems to be the only logical sensible course of action.
Blood is taken. Water sample checked. Drinking, smoking, diet, height, waist, weight, all checked. She takes the blood pressure again - even higher.
"Do your ankles swell?" she asks. Again I have to point out I have been several times to the doctor as they swell. At the moment they only do occasionally, in the evening. The last time I saw the GP said swollen ankles were an inevitable result of not much walking & not to worry unless it is accompanied by breathlessness or chest pains, so I'm not pursuing it further. I may do it turns constant again.
A further check of my blood pressure - still rising.
On to the Fox. All the checks are done. His blood pressure is high too.
Her conclusion is we both need to see someone more qualified for a review. We need to have our medication checked to see if something else would be better for us. High blood pressure is not a good sign when you have had a stroke (the Fox) or Chronic Kidney Disease (me).
So now we have two more consecutive appointments later this month for reviews. By that time the blood results should be back too.
It's not been a good start for the day. We console ourselves when we get home with some toasted, buttered, crumpets for breakfast & a couple of pots of hot tea. We need to calm down after that visit!
Tuesday 7 February 2012
What a disappointment!
We go to the Pub in the afternoon. We take the camera with us in anticipation of capturing some spectacular views of the snow-clad mountains on the other side of the Bay. We thought you might like to see them rather than just relying on my rather inadequate descriptions. However, it was not to be.
We turned on to the prom. The vista opened before us. It was a brilliantly bright day. Everything in the near distance had an intensity of colour rare at this time of year. But the fells across the way were a different matter.
As I said on Sunday we have been having a phase of freezing fog. Although it had disappeared from the immediate vicinity, the distance was still very soft. You were hard pushed to make out the land on the other side, especially the higher fells a bit further away. All was a soft mistiness.
We decide to return home later along the prom. You never know things may have improved. We were nigh-blinded by the brilliant golden ball of sun low in the sky. It was too early for a sunset but expect there was a good one later on. Across the Bay the layers of recession were softly delineated but again no real picture.
So much for taking our camera! The scenery is obviously as camera shy as so much wildlife is..
We'll be off along the prom again today. This time it will be for the food shop. I doubt we'll take the camera this time. That will probably mean the view will be spectacular once again. At least we can enjoy it even if we can't share it with you all. You'll just have to rely on my verbal powers of description.
We turned on to the prom. The vista opened before us. It was a brilliantly bright day. Everything in the near distance had an intensity of colour rare at this time of year. But the fells across the way were a different matter.
As I said on Sunday we have been having a phase of freezing fog. Although it had disappeared from the immediate vicinity, the distance was still very soft. You were hard pushed to make out the land on the other side, especially the higher fells a bit further away. All was a soft mistiness.
We decide to return home later along the prom. You never know things may have improved. We were nigh-blinded by the brilliant golden ball of sun low in the sky. It was too early for a sunset but expect there was a good one later on. Across the Bay the layers of recession were softly delineated but again no real picture.
So much for taking our camera! The scenery is obviously as camera shy as so much wildlife is..
We'll be off along the prom again today. This time it will be for the food shop. I doubt we'll take the camera this time. That will probably mean the view will be spectacular once again. At least we can enjoy it even if we can't share it with you all. You'll just have to rely on my verbal powers of description.
Monday 6 February 2012
Going American
I seem to have an enormous bag full of small bags of leftover turkey stuffing in the freezer, which I'm trying to use up at the moment. I only have one tried & tested recipe to use it up in - Turkey Croquettes. I've tried varying the meat content from turkey to goose to chicken, but they still remain essentially the same - turkey croquettes.
The Fox moaned when I suggested yet more croquettes. This particular batch of stuffing seems high in meat content which makes the resultant croquettes rather dry. So I say why not look on the net & see if you can find some other recipes using up stuffing. I've got plenty of options for using up turkey. He duly looked. The next morning a dozen or so recipes appeared on the kitchen table for me look at.
So today we're trying one of these recipes - Casserole of Turkey with Rice. It's more of a pilaf really with some curry powder thrown in to add a bit of spice. My problem is that it is an American recipe. All its measurements are in terms of cups. I haven't stored my cooked meats & stuffing in cupfuls. I tend to put them in bags according to weights. In bags the meat has frozen in all sorts of odd shapes, impossible to measure into cup portions. I'm having to guess what the quantities should be.
Anyhow the meat is now out of the freezer thawing out. I'm hoping the bags of turkey, turkey stuffing & ham will all thaw out in time for me to be able to measure into cups in time to get a bit more out if necessary. I won't actually be cooking until this evening. I'm noting down the weights for future reference in case I either keep this recipe or try some of the other recipes the Fox has found.
Wish me luck.
The Fox moaned when I suggested yet more croquettes. This particular batch of stuffing seems high in meat content which makes the resultant croquettes rather dry. So I say why not look on the net & see if you can find some other recipes using up stuffing. I've got plenty of options for using up turkey. He duly looked. The next morning a dozen or so recipes appeared on the kitchen table for me look at.
So today we're trying one of these recipes - Casserole of Turkey with Rice. It's more of a pilaf really with some curry powder thrown in to add a bit of spice. My problem is that it is an American recipe. All its measurements are in terms of cups. I haven't stored my cooked meats & stuffing in cupfuls. I tend to put them in bags according to weights. In bags the meat has frozen in all sorts of odd shapes, impossible to measure into cup portions. I'm having to guess what the quantities should be.
Anyhow the meat is now out of the freezer thawing out. I'm hoping the bags of turkey, turkey stuffing & ham will all thaw out in time for me to be able to measure into cups in time to get a bit more out if necessary. I won't actually be cooking until this evening. I'm noting down the weights for future reference in case I either keep this recipe or try some of the other recipes the Fox has found.
Wish me luck.
Sunday 5 February 2012
Anticlimax
We waited and waited. They reckoned we would have snow. It's still not arrived. The slight patina of white of yesterday morning was quickly washed away as rain set in. By the evening yet more rain came. We ventured to the bins to discover a layer of ice coated the ground. By this morning a freezing fog had appeared, blotting out any view in a different sort of whiteness.It's all a bit of an anticlimax.The ground is just as treacherous underfoot but we have none of the prettiness which virgin snow brings.
I suppose if it had come, I would be moaning about the problems of making my way through inches of the white stuff, its slipperiness, its slushiness. I gather most of this country is under a blanket but not so here. We remain just cold, at -7C, rather grey now the fog is evaporating, & damp, oh so damp.
No, I think I would have left the moaning until Monday, when the snow has been mauled by cars & feet & looking filthy as it so quickly does. At first I would have rejoiced in its prettiness & the transformation of the world, especially as Sunday isn't a day we have to go out on.
The one thing today I have done is make sure there is plenty of food for the birds. Snow or no snow, it's very cold out there for them. I wouldn't like to be out, day & night, at the moment. They will certainly need some internal fuel & the ground's too solid for them to find many grubs & worms around.
I am, though, looking forward to going out tomorrow. I suspect the view over the Bay will be spectacular. I suspect the rain that fell here will be snow over there, emphasising all the drama & beauty of the scene.
I suppose if it had come, I would be moaning about the problems of making my way through inches of the white stuff, its slipperiness, its slushiness. I gather most of this country is under a blanket but not so here. We remain just cold, at -7C, rather grey now the fog is evaporating, & damp, oh so damp.
No, I think I would have left the moaning until Monday, when the snow has been mauled by cars & feet & looking filthy as it so quickly does. At first I would have rejoiced in its prettiness & the transformation of the world, especially as Sunday isn't a day we have to go out on.
The one thing today I have done is make sure there is plenty of food for the birds. Snow or no snow, it's very cold out there for them. I wouldn't like to be out, day & night, at the moment. They will certainly need some internal fuel & the ground's too solid for them to find many grubs & worms around.
I am, though, looking forward to going out tomorrow. I suspect the view over the Bay will be spectacular. I suspect the rain that fell here will be snow over there, emphasising all the drama & beauty of the scene.
Saturday 4 February 2012
Getting sorted
The chicken is on. Hopefully, after over 7 hours in Big Ears, our slow cooker, we should have a fabulous roast chicken. It certainly should be tender. I'm not expecting the skin to be much. I've rubbed some paprika in to give it a false tan to kid us the bird's been in a normal oven.
I've also popped over the way to bring in some red wine to drink with our meal. It's another cold day, so it will need a good warm up. It's already been sleeting a bit. I got the wine before anything settled on the ground - now there is a thin veneer of white everywhere, though it does seem to have ceased falling for the moment.
The Lady, our car, finally got back to us at around 9pm. Fortunately the mechanic had warned us it might be nearer 6pm, so, as we were feeling hungry just before 5pm, I had got on with cooking our meal. Usually we wait until the car is returned so we won't be interrupted mid-meal by her arrival. As it was, when she still wasn't back by 7.45pm, I rang the garage. We were beginning to think he was keeping the Lady for the weekend - we know the mechanic loves her truly. I didn't really expect anyone to answer. But no, he was still there working away. He assured us he would bring her back as soon as he could. Apparently he normally employs a second mechanic but the latter is off sick, with the result this one was doing two men's work & has been for the last fortnight. He's ended up working12-13 hours a day as a result. We told him he was working too hard. Still it is good to see the Lady once more in the drive if we should want to go out. She did fail her MOT, but is now repaired & roadworthy for less than last year's MOT & service. That's another thing sorted.
I've also popped over the way to bring in some red wine to drink with our meal. It's another cold day, so it will need a good warm up. It's already been sleeting a bit. I got the wine before anything settled on the ground - now there is a thin veneer of white everywhere, though it does seem to have ceased falling for the moment.
The Lady, our car, finally got back to us at around 9pm. Fortunately the mechanic had warned us it might be nearer 6pm, so, as we were feeling hungry just before 5pm, I had got on with cooking our meal. Usually we wait until the car is returned so we won't be interrupted mid-meal by her arrival. As it was, when she still wasn't back by 7.45pm, I rang the garage. We were beginning to think he was keeping the Lady for the weekend - we know the mechanic loves her truly. I didn't really expect anyone to answer. But no, he was still there working away. He assured us he would bring her back as soon as he could. Apparently he normally employs a second mechanic but the latter is off sick, with the result this one was doing two men's work & has been for the last fortnight. He's ended up working12-13 hours a day as a result. We told him he was working too hard. Still it is good to see the Lady once more in the drive if we should want to go out. She did fail her MOT, but is now repaired & roadworthy for less than last year's MOT & service. That's another thing sorted.
Friday 3 February 2012
Catching up
We're carless today. It's gone for its annual service & MOT. I'm left hoping the bill at the end of the day won't be too high. It will not be back till this evening which means a quiet day at home for us. I don't think the Fox could walk as far as our village pub these days & I'm certainly reluctant to freeze on the Mean Machine, my electric scooter.
With this is mind, we ventured down to the Pub with PD yesterday. On the way back, the sky was gently blushed with pink. It was still too early, now the daylight hours are longer, to have become a full sunset.
Once home we saw Fran, our neighbour, on her way back from walking the dag. We asked how Dave was. What a tale! It's getting her down. He's been taken into Blackpool hospital. It seems there's been a change of specialist & the new man can't understand why Dave wasn't given an angiogram & other tests when he was in hospital before Christmas, let along last month's visit. So Dave is in for tests.
What gets to Fran is that the hospital he's had to go in is at Blackpool. That means she has a one-&-a-half hour drive there & a further one-and-a-half-hour drive back. She's only allowed to seem him for exactly one hour. They're very strict on visiting hours there. She feels she's spending half her life in the car. Some other visitors, who live even further afield, are staying B&B as it's cheaper than the cost of all the travelling. But what really gets to her is that Dave himself feels fine after his last couple of hospital visits, better than for years. They only seem to be doing about one test per week. He's already been in 3 weeks. Why, she wonders, couldn't he come home & just go in for the days of the tests & get the results before coming home, say one overnight stay per week. That would liberate the bed for someone else, save the NHS the cost of feeding him all that time, improve the morale of Dave & save her a lot of driving & give her time to get other things done. It does seem odd.
Meanwhile the world has become even icier. Yesterday we bought our weekend chicken. As our fridge is rather full at the moment, we decided we would put it the garage. It should be cold enough. I thought I'd have a look at it today & do what I could to prepare it for Saturday. It's going in Big Ears, the slow cooker, so I'll have to get it cooking by about 10 am. I brought the chicken over to find it's lightly frozen. It took a bit of manipulating it to get some flexibility to remove the string & cut off the wing tips so the bird will fit in the cooker. It's back in the garage now, but I think I will get the Fox to bring it over tonight so it's something more like room temperature for the morning.
It certainly must be cold out there to have done that! Usually a frozen bird gently thaws in the garage during the winter months. Freezing a fresh bird in this way is ridiculous.
With this is mind, we ventured down to the Pub with PD yesterday. On the way back, the sky was gently blushed with pink. It was still too early, now the daylight hours are longer, to have become a full sunset.
Once home we saw Fran, our neighbour, on her way back from walking the dag. We asked how Dave was. What a tale! It's getting her down. He's been taken into Blackpool hospital. It seems there's been a change of specialist & the new man can't understand why Dave wasn't given an angiogram & other tests when he was in hospital before Christmas, let along last month's visit. So Dave is in for tests.
What gets to Fran is that the hospital he's had to go in is at Blackpool. That means she has a one-&-a-half hour drive there & a further one-and-a-half-hour drive back. She's only allowed to seem him for exactly one hour. They're very strict on visiting hours there. She feels she's spending half her life in the car. Some other visitors, who live even further afield, are staying B&B as it's cheaper than the cost of all the travelling. But what really gets to her is that Dave himself feels fine after his last couple of hospital visits, better than for years. They only seem to be doing about one test per week. He's already been in 3 weeks. Why, she wonders, couldn't he come home & just go in for the days of the tests & get the results before coming home, say one overnight stay per week. That would liberate the bed for someone else, save the NHS the cost of feeding him all that time, improve the morale of Dave & save her a lot of driving & give her time to get other things done. It does seem odd.
Meanwhile the world has become even icier. Yesterday we bought our weekend chicken. As our fridge is rather full at the moment, we decided we would put it the garage. It should be cold enough. I thought I'd have a look at it today & do what I could to prepare it for Saturday. It's going in Big Ears, the slow cooker, so I'll have to get it cooking by about 10 am. I brought the chicken over to find it's lightly frozen. It took a bit of manipulating it to get some flexibility to remove the string & cut off the wing tips so the bird will fit in the cooker. It's back in the garage now, but I think I will get the Fox to bring it over tonight so it's something more like room temperature for the morning.
It certainly must be cold out there to have done that! Usually a frozen bird gently thaws in the garage during the winter months. Freezing a fresh bird in this way is ridiculous.
Thursday 2 February 2012
On the up
I'm beginning to think things are looking a bit brighter. Maybe it's just we've managed to beat the letter to the bank into a shape I think we can both agree on. Maybe it's the return of blue skies cheering up the scene before me. Maybe it's the flashes of gold & white of crocuses & snowdrops that have appeared in the garden Maybe it's the lengthening days. When we get home, usually around 5pm, it's once more light, even if it does still rapidly darken. Maybe just admitting there is a problem is half the solution. Whatever the cause I am definitely feeling brighter.
Other worries remain. The benefit tome hasn't arrived yet. It probably won't for another month or two. The uncertainty over the benefits doesn't help deciding on holidays as it makes it difficult to know when to go (we will need to be here once the process starts) or how much we can afford (especially if they reduce the benefits somehow). But I am settling down once more to looking at brochures & dreaming - a holiday in itself.
I am also definitely looking forward to the fox's culinary experiment for tonight's dinner, Bonfire Night Sausage Hotpot.
Other worries remain. The benefit tome hasn't arrived yet. It probably won't for another month or two. The uncertainty over the benefits doesn't help deciding on holidays as it makes it difficult to know when to go (we will need to be here once the process starts) or how much we can afford (especially if they reduce the benefits somehow). But I am settling down once more to looking at brochures & dreaming - a holiday in itself.
I am also definitely looking forward to the fox's culinary experiment for tonight's dinner, Bonfire Night Sausage Hotpot.
Wednesday 1 February 2012
The Birdwatch
While I was on-line yesterday, I put in my bird observations for the RSPB Garden Birdwatch.
On Monday, at the Pub, Al, our gardener, had commented that he'd done the birdwatch. He sat for an hour & in that time all he could see in his garden was 3 house sparrows. He'd found it frustrating as he could hear tits, even a woodpecker, nearby but no sighting. His garden is adorned with feeders. The problem is that he also has a cat who sits hungrily watching the said feeders. The birds are too scared to visit.
By way of contrast we had no fewer than 16 starlings, 4 magpies, 4 blackbirds, a blue tit, a great tit, a house sparrow & a collared dove. The number of coloured doves in particular has gone down this year. I have noticed a pile of pale grey feathers on the edge of the flower bed. I suspect that's the last of that dove. There is no sign of a body but I suspect it was the falcon that sometimes visits. The other great loss is in the number of house sparrows. We used to regularly have double figures, but no more it would seem. Is that the consequence of last year's vicious winder? Indeed it is mainly the smaller birds that have reduced in number. Or is it that the increased number of bigger birds is intimidating the little one? I wonder.
On Monday, at the Pub, Al, our gardener, had commented that he'd done the birdwatch. He sat for an hour & in that time all he could see in his garden was 3 house sparrows. He'd found it frustrating as he could hear tits, even a woodpecker, nearby but no sighting. His garden is adorned with feeders. The problem is that he also has a cat who sits hungrily watching the said feeders. The birds are too scared to visit.
By way of contrast we had no fewer than 16 starlings, 4 magpies, 4 blackbirds, a blue tit, a great tit, a house sparrow & a collared dove. The number of coloured doves in particular has gone down this year. I have noticed a pile of pale grey feathers on the edge of the flower bed. I suspect that's the last of that dove. There is no sign of a body but I suspect it was the falcon that sometimes visits. The other great loss is in the number of house sparrows. We used to regularly have double figures, but no more it would seem. Is that the consequence of last year's vicious winder? Indeed it is mainly the smaller birds that have reduced in number. Or is it that the increased number of bigger birds is intimidating the little one? I wonder.
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