August Bank Holiday

Phil and I drove together to the GP flat on Friday morning.  The plumber Blue had been in on Thursday evening and had fitted the power shower, the bath panel and the chrome glass shower enclosure.  It looked good and although he charged us a small fortune, I have to admit he has done a good job.  As has Phil with the boxing in and all of the tiling.  I’d go as far to say that this is probably our best bathroom yet.  Of course, it is not finished but it’s not far off.  I left Phil in the flat to wait for the electrician and went off to Newport to get my hair cut.  I stopped off at the tip, checked on Sue’s and got petrol before back to the flat.  The electricians were still there just finishing off and I was really surprised to see that Phil had cleared all of the tools.  I found him hovering the lounge which is a rarity but once I turned up he handed the hoover over to me.  I did a bit of clearing up and cleaning and then it was time to drive over to Oxford to see Sue.

The traffic was heavy but I suppose that was only to be expected seeing as it was a Friday and a bank holiday.  It worried me a little that the ring road and the M40 were really busy going out of Oxford.  Since I saw Sue on Wednesday she had moved wards.  I knew where to go because she was in the same ward that she was in a month or so ago.  When I got to the ward Sue was dressed and sitting in her day chair which a nice surprise and a big improvement from when I saw her on Wednesday.  She is doing great, obviously still very sore and tired but her doctor is very pleased with how things went. 

Whilst I was there Sue got moved to a private room because they needed her bed to keep close observation on a poorly patient; Sue didn’t mind and it meant that that she got to get her own bathroom.  I didn’t stay too long; about an hour and a half I guess which was probably long enough for Sue.  It gave her time to have a rest before dinner was served.  The roads were really busy and it took me 2 hours to get back to Overstone but I guess it could have been worse.  I was expecting to take Phil out for dinner for his birthday but when I got back to the caravan he was already in his pyjamas.   Harriet had taken him out for lunch so at least he had eaten.  They went to The Nags Head but Phil said the food wasn’t as good as it normally is and poor Harriet couldn’t her hamburger. 

We were up bright and early on Saturday morning because we had lots of things to do. Phil went over to MK before me because he had meet Jon the removal man and van at the storage unit in Fenny Stratford.  I wasn’t far behind and my first stop off was Sue’s. She called me on the way and I returned her call once I got to her house.  I was expecting her to say that she wanted me to come and fetch her but her doctor has recommended that she stay in hospital until Tuesday so she can see the cardiologist.  This makes sense as the waiting list is 6 weeks and by staying in, hopefully she can be sorted more quickly.  I think she has made the right decision and also it gives her chance to rest.  Once back home there will be the temptation to do stuff and there is a chance she may over due it.  I am going to try my best to not let this happen but whether she will listen remains to be seen.

I went to the flat to meet the carpenter who turned up a little early.  I wanted a quote for the stairs which really are in a bad state.  Unfortunately he reckons that it is going to cost as much to patch up as it will to replace the steps.  I thought this might be the case and we are waiting on his written quote which he thinks will be in the region of 2k.  We seem to be haemorrhaging money at the moment and its time I sat down and put together a spreadsheet to tally up money spent so far. Another job for my ‘to-do’ list. 

Phil turned up with the removal van whilst the carpenter was still measuring up so it was fully busy in our little cul-de-sac.   I had given Phil a list of things that I wanted from the storage unit and he got all of what was on the list plus a few extra bits.  I hadn’t seen my stuff for nearly a year and it was nice seeing it again.  Sad I know.  There is a temptation to go out and buy new but this would be a waste of money.

After Jon and the removal van left, Phil put together the bed and I made the bed up.  In theory we could actually sleep at the GP flat but it is still missing some vital creature comforts so I think not.  Although saying that, Phil is intent on staying on Wednesday night.  We shall see.  Phil put the backs on the sofa and hung mirrors and pictures up.  It really is beginning to look like a home now.  We still need to get removals from the caravan sorted but first we need to get a digital aerial installed and sort out a landline and broadband.

We couldn’t decide where to go for lunch on Saturday and in the end we chose The Giffard because it was close.   The food was alright and I guess it filled a whole.  The plan was to go to IKEA and revisit the storage unit but we were knackered and decided to go back to the caravan.  I don’t know what’s wrong with Phil & me these days but by mid afternoon fatigue sets in and we are good for nothing.  This was the case yesterday. I did suggest to Phil that we go out to the club house in the evening but he wasn’t keen.  We watched a film and I fell asleep on the sofa at half seven. 

I woke up at 5am on Sunday morning and decided to get up leaving Phil to sleep. And sleep he did and I was glad he was able to have a lie in.  It gave me a chance to catch up with emails and do some cleaning.  I did think about going over to MK to drop some things off but decided to go and do at food shop at Tesco’s at Weston Favell instead.  All this eating out is not doing us any good and its got to stop. Not only is it expensive but it’s mostly crap.  I put together a chicken casserole and switched on the slow cooker and then Phil & I drove to Oxford to see Sue.  She wanted a couple of bits taking and it gave Phil a chance to see Sue.  I am pleased to report that again she is doing really well.  Her sleep pattern is a bit sporadic even though she has own room but hopefully that will sort itself out once she gets back in her own bed.  Soon 3 hours passed quite easily and hopefully between the pair of us, we alleviated some of the boredom.

We had a good run back and although petrol was low we hit the caravan about 5pm so that was good.  What wasn’t so good was that I though I had switched the slow cooker when we left from high to low but I’d actually switched it to off so that meant no dinner.  We decided to hit the club house and managed to catch the last of the Sunday roasts.  Phil said he enjoyed his but there were no veggies left aside from peas which spoilt it for me.  My weight is plummeting to such levels because I have eaten so little of late and I am positive my stomach has shrunk.  I’m afraid it can’t be said of Phil’s tummy and his appetite is the same.  

Sunday evening was quiet and boring.  Same old really, collapse in front of the telly then bed. I know the bank holiday isn’t over yet but we have a very full day tomorrow so I decided to post today.  Unfortunately I have't taken any or photographs and Phil is reluctant to share his so I will take some tomorrow and post after the event.