The long dark tea-time of the soul

Saturday.

Kev was up at 5.30 am for work and did his upmost not to wake me. I did wake up before he went but languished in bed with Willow for an hour or more, then got up as my exercises and bladder were calling. 

I did all those, bike and revitive then had a leisurely breakfast before I set too and cleared my bedside table of the clutter that has gathered over the period of time since I came home from the hospital in Durham. Things I left in easy reach when I was bed bound. 

Now I'm toddling around it made sense to relocate stuff back to where it really belongs. 

I washed the pots and then started at my desk. I made a memorydex card and pages in my dyalog.

I stopped for lunch and watched a true crime programme while I eat. Cuddled Willow before tidying up the desk in plenty of time before Kev came home. The football was on so I vacated to the bedroom and watched TV. Thankfully Liverpool won so once it was all over I went back into the living room and we watched another couple of episodes of From. We watched those then a documentary on Kate Bush and her music ( she turns 64 today) the same age as Kev. He has all her albums. I think we both grew up listening to her stuff, my favourite is Hammer Horror... 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Friday.

Another day, another parcel to send, so we walked to the bus stop and got on to the village, the papershop near the methodist church is the only one that does Yodel parcel drop offs, so we have to go to that one. We then went to Sainsbury's to get my lunches for  the weekend etc.

I checked once home and that little trip clocks up just over 1,700 steps. Physio recommends no more than 1,500 at the moment and that only when it feels OK. So, slightly above but, I do rest up after. 

I got back home and we sat and watched some of the commonwealth games, then a series that Ian recommended us to start watching called "From" its on SciFi which is now part of Sky. It is a bit like the "Dome"  a cut off community that lures people in and then they can't leave. There's a dusk curfew and so long as they don't look outside or go outside, or answer the door they are alright. If they do any of the above they get torn apart by these vampire type creatures. They shape shift to look like people you know so you let your guard down and boom! You're a gonner... Different take on the myth, and I like how once you're in the town you're stuck. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Thursday. 

Exercised and showered. Got ready to go out because Sue and Pete picked us up and took us Halloween shopping at Homesense and then to Sainsburys so we could get our shopping at the same time. They had a lot in at Homesense and there were a lot of people around looking at the Halloween displays. I got some bowls to go with the new plates we got last week. With Witches cats on the inside and cobwebs on the outside. Also found another dracula nutcracker and a Vampire gnome. My other find was a matching Audrey to the one I already have, but this one has an eyeball rather than a tongue. 

We really appreciated being taken. 

When we got home I was done in. So obeying my body I sat and rested. We had to post another item I'd sold on Vinted so Kev pushed me in the wheelchair down to village. I've sold a few bits just lately so I am quite pleased as it gives us more room in the wardrobe and gives me something back to put towards other things. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Wednesday.

It was nice enough to put out the washing. So Kev was done early. We had to go to the post office again I'm selling some dies and a few bits of clothing through Vinted. Just to create some room. So we did did the same route as Monday. Today however, I struggled more. I have to remember that I'm going to have good days and bad. When we got back I rested up until I did my next round of exercises. 

The woman from Spring Medow came to give us more details on the Skegness trip organised by Metropolitan. She'll fetch the money next week and apparently the pick up is 9.30am. They'll pick up from here and have a chair lift in place. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Tuesday. 

Had a crap nights sleep but we got up at 9 am and showered after my exercises and got ready for Sue and Pete picking us up to go to the golf club for lunch. 

Totally different to the Sunday me and Charlotte went it was very quiet, not even many golfers. 

However, the food was lovely, and the service was good as always. It was nice to go somewhere different than The Roebuck, and so nice not to have to go in the wheelchair. 

It nice when somewhere is quiet as we can relax and chat better, not having to fight with babies screaming or loud people. It's always nice to spend time with Sue and Pete. She managed to eat some pasta, her mouth is still sore, and it must be awful finding softer foods. 

They dropped us back and the rest of the afternoon we had a relax, I had a little nap trying to claw back some of the sleep I lost. I did my pages and exercised then had a early night.

The long dark tea-time of the soul.

Monday.

I got up and exercised while Kev showered, I did the heel raises as I decided to do those just once daily. I went on the bike too.

We needed to post a couple of items and get something for lunch so got ready and walked to the bus stop. We went to the post office only to find their system was down and they could only accept cash so we left it and went to Sainsbury's. I pushed a trolley round the shop and was struggling by the time we were done. We went to the cash machine,  which wasn't working, we managed to scrape the cash together and went back to the post office and sent the items. A few people in front of us had no cash either and had to leave what they were posting too... Kev said it would help if there was a note on the door saying cash only rather than you queue up to be told. 

Luckily we got out and didn't have long to wait for the bus and by the time we had walked back from the bus stop my leg was shaking. We saw Isobel who was with her daughter coming back from the coffee morning along with the others. We had a quick chat to her, and I gratefully came in and sat down, my ankle wasn't painful, but it was uncomfortable by then and as I said shaking from the exertion. I guess its just something else that I need to build up. I rested for a while then went to the craft desk and did some work on my dyalog etc. 

After lunch we were looking for something to watch now we have caught up on Stranger Things, and decided to give Locke and Key ago, it's certainly a weird story, and dark and sinister. Not sure we will stick at it, It's not got the grab Stranger Things has... But there's bugger all on worth watching at the moment. That's why at weekends I don't have it on much, usually the hour I move away from the desk for lunch. I'd rather read or create personally, but if there is something good on, and I get into it, it makes a change. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Saturday 

Kev was at work and he took my not fit note in for me.

I spent most of the day stamping and cutting out images in my scan and cut making the most of it now its working again...

It needs a new blade but apparently Create and Craft no longer sells the accessories. So it looks like a smiley box people job. 

Other than that I did all my exercises and pottered around. It wasn't long before Kev came home and we had a fairly early night being as he was up early and another early start to come.

Sunday.

Much the same as Saturday.I showered, and exercised. Only the once as my right leg was quite painful, so I did what my body told me and pulled back. I'm sure it's the heel raises that are pulling on the muscles so I'll do them alternate days until they feel stronger. 

I did some memorydex cards and my dyalog. I watched the end of the tour de France, not really interested in the cycling, but I like seeing the scenery, they went past all the places we went to all those years ago... some 40 years ago... I wish we still had the photos. Such a shame that we lost them to the damp in Gedling Road. Never mind, I can still remember it all... 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Friday.

So, because the doctors didn't ring back lazy sods, I rang them to find out if they could be bothered or not to do me a not fit for work note. Surprisingly they had, with no quibbling this time. Due in no small amount to the in depth report that Clair ( physio) had taken in on my behalf. She actually took it in, in person. So that they couldn't claim it hadn't been received. So hopefully now they've read it they will have a better idea of my progress and limitations at this point in my recovery. 

So Kev went down to fetch it and get a few bits to keep me going while he is at work. 

Charlotte came round to cut his hair which looks much better. Ian dropped of our shopping for us ( good man, very kind of him to continue to help out like this!) 

In the evening we caught up with the last couple of episodes of Stranger Things season four. The last one being a two hour long one... Blimey what a season. Its going to take me a bit to get over all that... God knows where they'll take that to next season. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Thursday.

Busy day, First off Clair the physio came and assessed me, another set of exercises given and a walk round the circuit. Next steps are to walk to the bus stop with the walker and get on/off a bus. Still need another month off. So after she had gone I rang the doctor. Kev can pick the paper up tomorrow.

Then we had a lovely surprise visit from Sue and Pete. Poor Sue has had more surgery on her mouth, her teeth have always been a pain to her, and she gets abscess after abscess, she us so brave to go in the first place. I only go when I really have to. I felt so sorry for her as she was in a great deal of pain and managing on smoothies and soup at the moment.

Then my die came to cut my cards for my memorydex spinner. 

Kev helped me rearrange my desk after coffee, so that I can leave my machine out again now its working again. 

We went to Heron and got stuff for the weekend so that's all done. 

It's cooler out now which is nicer and rain forecast for tomorrow.

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Wednesday 

Definitely cooler, more like summer here. Kev did the washing yesterday so it left us free to go out. 

It was muggy... but not as oppressive heat wise, with a strong breeze. 

We had a few bits to get, undies from Primarni, and dilute and regular fruit juice to make lollies with. 

And a trip to TKMaxx to spot any code orange items. And yay we got some plates... Our witch ones aren't a full set any more. So we were looking to replace that set. And Kev has a cunning plan for the ones that are still OK. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul.

Tuesday. 

It reached 39° today in the bungalow. I did my exercises this morning but skipped the lunch time ones. I didn't do the stretches for my calves as I think that what made my ankle painful last night. 

We didn't do a lot, it was too warm Kev got the washing done in the afternoon so that if it's cooler tomorrow we can go out. My memorydex spinner came via UPS, great service from them as it was only set a couple of days ago. 

We watched the news and there are some wild fires in some areas and some people have lost their homes and everything they own. Scary as. We've had field fires at Tollerton before and it shows how quickly they can spread. 

I hate this heat. 

We even filled the foot spa with cold water and had a little paddle to cool us down a bit. It started raining at around 10 pm but it still read 28° on the weather app. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Monday. 

Blimey it was hot. So much so I did not do a bloody thing apart from exercise first thing and again after lunch. I sat on the sofa and read. It was too  warm to sit at the desk, I did my pages in my dyalog really early, and then gave up. We kept the blinds drawn and the chillers on. 

Physio rang and said she would not be coming tomorrow and will come Thursday instead if its cooled down. She advised me to not attempt walking in this heat and to limit my exercises. 

Which I did, as I didn't do my normal evening ones. In fact I went to bed at 10 pm because I didn't feel great, my ankles were both really swollen and the right one was painful. I also felt vaguely sick. I have drunk plenty of water but haven't eaten much beyond salad and ice cream. God help us if it gets any hotter. We are not built for this. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul.

Sunday.

Got up did my exercises and showered. All taking my time and slowly does it. I got dressed, did my pages in my dyalog then before I knew it  Charlotte was here and we booked a "comfort" uber and headed to the golf club. I walked to the car, a bit unsteady, but I managed. The sarcastic jibes from no.4 ringing in my ears. Why he has to comment at all is beyond me. 

Anyway we had a lovely lunch it was a carvery and the waitress kindly bought mine to me as we explained I wouldn't be able to manage. 

It was really busy, the busiest I have seen it. Once we had eaten we sat outside with drinks. Very hot,  we asked for an umbrella, then had to hang on to it as the breeze kept picking at it and almost tipping the table. We gave up and went to book an uber home. We couldn't get onto the app as the WiFi in there is crap. Kindly one of the staff was knocking off and offered to bring us home. 

We got home to a nice cool bungalow as the blinds were drawn and both chillers on... It kept the place comfortably cool. So that's exactly what we will do tomorrow and Tuesday while the temperature soars. However, I do think that the media and press are making too much of this red warning.

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Friday.

 Finally a day in. And even then we had to pick up a few bits from Heron for the weekend. I did walk to the end of the jitty but I started to hurt so, in the chair I went. 

My morning routine now takes an hour, I do 10 minutes on the bike, 10 minutes on the bed yoga, 10 minutes of knee pain exercise and 10 minutes calf and ankle stretches, add dressing etc it's around an hour. I then repeat the knee and calf exercises and the biking at lunch and bedtime. Hopefully this will build up strength and balance so I can walk further. 

The rest of the day was fairly quiet. Ian bought the heavy shopping round for us early on, so we have plenty of water etc to get us through the impending heatwave. We aren't being snobbish, but the tap water here is disgusting, we wouldn't even give it to the cat even she has bottled water in her fountain. Most of the time it's cloudy and even when it runs clear it tastes very metallic yuk...

On that note the two chillers are doing their job and the bungalow is much cooler and we are sleeping better. 

Kev made me a couple more Memorydex boxes and we have a file on the Scan and Cut for making the cards now... Plus a friend has found me one of the spinners in America at their equivalent of a car boot, which she is shipping to me... Win win...

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Thursday.

Up showered and went to the hospital to see Jack at Physio.

He was very pleased with my progress and delighted to hear all my little achievements. He said he can tell I've been working hard. So much so, that he doesn't need to see me again, although he does want me to continue with my home Physio visits with Claire to build my strength and balance. So another step closer to normality. However, he did say for now to build up my walking slowly, and still use the chair for long trips out, frequent rests until I've built it up to walk unaided altogether. No next phase... 

We went into town after and had food and then went into TKMAXX where I got a few more Halloween bits... 

We came home and I walked round the block without the walker. 

I've started my yoga again but on the bed so I'm not having to get up off the floor and I'm going to start doing the resistance bands exercises that I did before the fall. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Wednesday.

Another hot day. Waiting for the new a/c unit to come. It didn't cone until 6.30, so it was 7ish before it was up and running, but it fantastic. We've put the other one in the bedroom because that has a remote control which you need to turn it off/on when you are in bed. Hopefully we will feel the benefit because having the two on should bring the temperature down in the whole bungalow. 

Other than that a quiet day we went to the precinct and got salad etc.

Made a card, and did my dyalog. We even dug my scan and cut to check it was still working and to update it. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Tuesday.

After a dodgy night's sleep due to the heat. I got up and showered ( again unaided) we got ready and went into the city to meet Sue and Pete for lunch. Which as always was lovely. It's always great to meet up, and we never forget those awful weeks during 2020 when we couldn't. 

It was cloudy but still hot and dry. We got back and both of us were wiped out. 

Charlotte nipped round to show us her nails and have a catch up. 

Later on we watch a programme about the five Ripper victims obviously inspired by that book that I've read recently. It was OK, but I strongly recommend you read the book, because the TV programme was superficial and glossed over the women's lives, whereas the book delved right in. It did give a good argument however for these poor women not to be remembered for being prostitutes as at least three of them weren't. The misogyny of that age made it easier for them to be labelled as such, and almost "to blame" for what happened to them. In fact it's not so long ago it would have been the case with modern serial killers. Peter Sutcliffe's victims were ignored in the main at first because they were "just prostitutes" until he started killing "respectable" women. And in a way, you can say it was exactly the same with Dennis Neilson's victims. Dismissed as unimportant as it was only gays he killed, no actually he prayed on lost untraceable men and boys, who may or may not have been gay. That shouldn't matter, we should be horrified by the fact that all these killers take lives, no one deserves to be killed just because they are easy pickings. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul.

Monday.

Hot and very dry, I had my bone scan at the hospital so we got ready and caught the bus. We had to go in the buggy bay because a bloke was sat in the wheelchair bay and wouldn't move. Selfish git. The bus driver didn't say anything ( one of the regular drivers would have) so Kev parked me there and I held on for grim death. 

The tram was easier, as it always is. We got to the hospital and then got lost. We had to find the main reception and someone took us there just in time for my appointment. Even the lady who took us there said you wouldn't find it on your own. She only knew where it was by taking someone there a day previously. 

It wasn't sign posted only laminated sheets on the wall not on the main boards. 

The scan was fine. The ladies were very helpful. All done and dusted in about 20 minutes. 

Now the sad part on our way to the bus, we bumped into Isobel who lives round the corner we asked how her husband George was... Our hearts sank as she welled up and told us he had passed away Sunday morning... OMG we were shocked. We only saw him in the garden last week. Yes he was a big guy, and had lots of health problems, but still a shock. Poor Isobel. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul.

Sunday. 

I love a nice day, but who ordered this circle of hell? I woke when Kev did and almost got up. I decided to stay where I was and eventually I drifted off. 

When I woke again I had Willow on my knee and I was sweating like a paedophile at a school gate. So, I thought, I need a shower. No Kev here, so what if I try standing in the cubicle then turn the shower on so I'm not having to walk on the bottom with running water. Which I did. My feet firmly planted on the dry floor. I held onto the grab rail and only let go to wash my hair. It felt amazing. I stopped the shower and waited for the water in the bottom to completely drain away before venturing to step out. I had my call pendant hanging in easy reach just in case. But all was well. Another small step for Michelle's recovery, and another giant leap for Michelle's confidence. 

It was too warm to do anything at my desk beyond my pages.  So I had a quiet day pottering about and watching a bit of TV. 

Bone Scan tomorrow so we will see what they say. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Thursday. 

It started off cloudy but by late afternoon the sun had burst through. Forecast says its going to be warm and possibly oppressive for the next week. 

We did a bit of sorting out ready for the next week because it's going to be a busy one. Monday I have my bone scan, Tuesday we should be meeting Sue and Pete, then Thursday its back to Physio to see Jack and what he thinks to my progress. 

I've done my pages in my dyalog but I haven't done any more Memorydex cards or other cards. I'm going to leave those until I'm here alone over the weekend when I can get stuck into them 

Friday. 

Ian bought the shopping round nice and early so that meant we could go out when we liked. It started out the opposite of the previous days. Warm and sunny from the off. So we got ready and headed for Bridgeford. We got sandwiches and drinks and sat in the park. Watching the kids play and the adults walk about or like us picnic. There was even one group of ladies exercising under the shade of one of the older bigger trees. They had kettle bells and dumbbells. They were regular women too, not doing it to show off because they were  perfect. I liked thar, the fact that they were prepared to go for it with all their lumps and bumps. It gave me hope, and also reminded me that soon I can drag put my yoga mat and start again. I will ask Jack when I go Thursday if I can start some basic stretches. 

I pushed the wheelchair for a little bit, walking the path, but it hunches you over to push it ( poor Kev) for too long and I didn't get far. However, later on at home I did walk round the block using my walker on different terrain and up and down curbs. I actually did OK, and I still did my biking and exercises. I need to walk a bit more so I can leave that wheelchair behind me. I won't push it too far until I've seen Jack and what he has to say then. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Wednesday.

Wash day so up at 8. Today I noticed my ankle felt for the first time since before the fall like it was "mine" that might sound weird but I can't describe it any other way. It just felt like the structure of the metal implants had finally been accepted by the rest of my foot/leg. Yes there is still a little tightness around the muscles but, nowhere near as much as before. 

I've managed 20 mins on the bike and 30 mins on 36 on the revitive. I did my set of exercises and I can feel that I am starting to feel more balanced, and less weeble like. 

I made some more Memorydex cards today using tropical ephemera from one of the paper pads I had in my stash. 

I also did my pages in my dyalog and I made some Halloween cards because my card bases had come from Amazon. 

We went into the village to Heron, Kev pushed me there and back, I did consider walking some of the way, but decided it was too far and I didn't want to overdo it and possibly not manage, or even worse do some damage. It's only just over four months since the accident and looking at other blog posts and articles on line I'm doing great even by normal standards. To add in the limitations from my disability too, I'm doing very well. 

We watched another couple of episodes of The Midwitch Cuckoo's. It wasn't until I noticed the author of the book it's based on that the penny dropped why I thought I'd seen a similar plot... Village of the Damned! By John Wyndham... He of Day of the Triffids fame. Sometimes my brain registers details of movies and books and stores them, and then sort of teases me with familiar snippets until the penny drops.At least its upped the pace now and I'm enjoying it... 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Tuesday.

Not so good a night's sleep. Brain working overtime in overthinking. Little worry dolls in their bag have a lot to listen to. 

When we eventually got up I showered. Still have to have Kevs help, but I'm getting more confident in my right foot being able to grip and support me. I still revel in the luxury of a shower. That 8 days without one will be a hard period of time for me to forget. 

We went into town, I had a few bits and bobs I needed in order to make a memorydex box. I've been hanging my nose over a spinner for a while but not willing to spend that sort of cash on one. Then I saw some DIY projects on Pinterest to make a box rather than a spinner, and  Kev being the construction expert for craft projects soon worked out it could be done at a reasonable price and so we bought the components.

We went to TKMaxx as there is a few code orange items popping up in my news feed. I found some more coasters one set for us, one for a gift and a mug. 

We had Taco Tuesday as they've opened a new Taco Bell just on the outside of Vic Centre. It was very nice if you like Mexican food which we do.  Reminded us our happy times in Florida at the Mercado, after a long day at the theme parks we would always head there to eat. 

We got back and Kev put me my memorydex box together took him ten minutes if that, compared to the YouTube video which said at least 40!

We added it up, the box, dowels, and glue plus two pieces of construction board we already had cost a grand total of £1.50, compared to £40 from Heidi Swapp, and that's if you can find one... He also came up with a template for the cards, until I can get my hands on a die. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Monday. 

For a relaxing day we were quite busy. Started slow with a lie in, then the post came early. Bringing with it an appointment for a bone density scan next week.  I had to ring them to change it as it was for 8.10 am, we would struggle to get there by then so, it's now next Monday at 11.10. It says I can't wear metal jewellery a bra with metal in it or a belt... But what do I do about the metal in my ankle? Am I going to be like a metal dish in a microwave for God's sake? Giving off sparks...Lol. 

Then I had to ring about my bus pass it expires next month and I was told to ring back the first week in July. 

For the council they were very efficient and after the initial wait of ten minutes to get through it was pretty straight forward. I gave my details including my National insurance number and they had all the rest at their fingertips. The guy on the phone said, right no worries all done and I will receive it in the next two weeks. 

Then I did three circuits of the path round the bungalows with the wheeled walker. Kev says next time we should walk round the block and back, up past the shop and through the jitty. 

I managed 15 minutes on the bike today too and my exercises... 

Pages done in my dyalog and a couple more cards done. 

Ian bought the heavy shopping he'd done for us from Aldi, which is such a big help. 

Later because Sherwood has finished, we started watching The Midwich Cuckoos. Only a couple of episodes, intriguing, at the moment it needs to get a bit more oomph.

The long dark tea-time of the soul.

Sunday.

Kev went to work and I stayed in bed with Willow on my knee, after she had been exploring in the wardrobe, it's built in and I have hangers on the back of the door with my necklaces and bracelets on it. So you can hear her when she tries to go to Narnia. It's funny, because she thinks she hasn't been spotted, but you hear the gentle clunk as various bits of metal and beads smack the door as she opens it. 

So when Kev had gone she jumped onto the bed and settled down on my knee for an hour. The wax melt burner was on in the bedroom, throwing out a dappled light on the walks and ceiling directly behind it, and the peony scented wax wafted around by the little fan we have on in the bedroom. All conducive for at least another hour of relaxing and nodding off. When Willow decided she wanted breakfast I got up too. I got dressed, etc and put some of my handwashing in the sink. Then I had breakfast and fed Willow. Once that was sorted I went to my desk and began my pages and started to do some cards. Chatting online to Karen aa I did them before I knew it lunchtime crept up on me and I stopped and sat on the sofa. I had a Thai style salad, and watched a programme on the Hillside Strangler. Nothing better on a Sunday than a serial killer documentary. 

After doing my exercises and biking I went and finished the projects on the desk then tided up and hoovered. 

By the time that was done Kev was on his way home on the bus ( running for once!) 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Saturday.

After a week, off Kev was back at work. As usual, he left me well set up with drinks and my food was in the fridge. 

I had sushi for lunch. It was lovely, but I forgot and added wasabi and boy did that make my eyes water. I like it but I'm a bit heavy handed... lol

I was OK, plenty to keep me busy, I tottered around and at one point I had to sit down and have a rest I forget that I've only just started walking again and it takes it out of me. 

My ankle is behaving and I'm doing the exercises, biking ( now 10 minutes) and revitive.  I am still taking pain killers usually twice a day. Occasionally I get a sharp pain in the left side of the ankle where the graft area is... It feels like someone hitting a nerve with a needle ( and I know how that feels from my second op) it is sudden and catches me unawares and makes me catch my breath. But apart from that you can see daily improvement and although it swells up at the end of the day, the range of movement is coming along nicely. 

So a quiet day in all, doing my dyalog and a few cards. Chatting to online friends until Kev got home, he did OK for buses for saying there were a few missing, God knows what will happen tomorrow if they pull the same stunt they did last week. I dread to think. He'll walk knowing him rather than pay a taxi. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Friday.

We got up only because the gardeners woke us. I honestly think we'd have been in bed hours longer had they not been about. 

So finally we headed to the station on the bus, Kev pushed me down the towpath by the canal. It was overcast but warm. We wanted to go to Homesense and the new B&M mega store. We also went to the Castle Marina Sainsburys to get the food in for the weekend. Save Kev having to worry about it as well as the buses to get home. 

I manage to get some coasters ( code orange stuff has started to appear in TKMaxx and Homesense) which to non Halloween freaks means spooky home decor. 

The B&M is indeed mega in size and you could spend a lot of time and money if you wanted. 

We eat in the Maccy's down Castle Marina and then headed back via the towpath. 

There were a lot of barges about, and a lot going through the Lock. Really friendly too, and some gorgeously decorated barges. One absolutely festooned in plants, pots and foliage. It looked stunning. 

I really enjoyed the trip down there, a bit of a trek, and Kev was an absolute gem for pushing me that far and back. Not all the routes around the retail park were wheelchair friendly and he had to work hard to get us where we wanted to go. Again it highlights how little true access there is. To a non wheelchair user there looks loads, but we have both been shocked by how little there is in reality. High kerbs, bad pavements and narrow automatic doors, and even steps as you go into some premises. It's certainly been a wake up call to both of us. And will hopefully teach us to vote more proactively for policy's  where they push for better access for everyone. 

The long dark tea-time of the soul

Thursday. 

Quiet sort out day at home, Kev moved what we could move in the bedroom. There is still need for the wheelchair at the moment but now the commode and transfer board and walker are gone and the bed rail and raiser are now no longer there it means that for now things can go back to where they were before. Once we can get rid of the chair then we can look at shifting some more of the furniture around. 

Kevs new doc marten sandals came ( 2days not bad at all!) Early afternoon and he is well pleased with them. I'm sure they'll prove to be a good investment.

My glue came I buy a certain brand of wet glue and it hasn't been in stock... So finally I can cracked on with my cards, I have some catching up to do. 

I had a little walk with my walker around the path outside the bungalow. Two little circuits with Kev with me. We waited until the nosy gits were out, and Denise and Anne both came outside to cheer me on. I was knackered after, but my ankle behaved, only a slight pulling feeling on it as I moved. I'm sure with more work on it it will stop even that pulling sensation eventually. I also did ten minutes on the static bike as well as the exercises from physio. All heading in the right direction.