In Between Days

Monday.

Cooler, and more cloud cover, but when the sun did peep out from behind its grey curtains, it was still fierce. 

Charlotte came round, and we went down by the canal. We took it steady, as her knee has been painful of late, the heat probably hasn't helped. I know it affected Kev's. Ive struggled a little, but more with my balance more than anything. My CP tends to have good and bad days. Some days I can go further than others, without much discomfort, others I'm a little unstable on my feet, clumsy if you like. My stick helps more than I like to admit, and I can still tumble easily even with it on those days. 

Anyway we took a steady walk down by the canal to the retail park. We had a coffee at Costa (not great service, and they have a limited choice) We much prefer Black Sheep. 

We looked in Homesense and they had a few code orange items in, nothing I lost my heart to. Not teally looking for much to be honest, I won't say that I'm not going to buy anything this year, because we know I will, but now I have what I have I'm more picky we have limited space, so it means I'd have to get rid of something we already have. So, it's going to have to be something bloody special. 

We then went in B&M for Swedish Fish. I bought a few packets, they are rare over here, we bought some back from Florida, but they went ages ago. I don't allow myself a lot and share with Kev, but its nice to have a few stashed in the sweet jar. 

I got a bigger citronella candle for outdoors, even if the heatwaves over it'll keep. Kev's ordered a fold down rattan table too, so that we can fetch that out in future outside. Again, we might not use it again this year but like the chairs they are always there if we do. We dont want permanent garden furniture outside as you have to keep moving it when the gardeners come, and covers for it in the winter. So stuff we can fold down and put in the shed suits us fine. 

We nipped to Sainsbury's to get the hydrolife cat food for Miss Willow and then had an uber home. 

In Between Days

Sunday.

Thankfully a little cooler. It was around 24° at its highest, so a bit of a drop with cloud cover and a good strong breeze. It'll take a few days of lower temperatures to bring the residual heat down in the bungalow, so leaving the fans on we went for the bus at Lone Ranger time ( 10 to 10) you might not get that reference I know if you aren't from our era or older. But hey, you go with what you know. 

It was lovely at the bus stop, the best I've felt in days. We had an eventual trip as again the bus was full of cricket goers. We got a laugh as they to a man parked locally in Cotgrave, but didnt know the area, route or the fact that the buses here finish early on a Sunday. They all didn't ring the bell at Trent Bridge, thinking the bus would just stop at every stop. Lol, they had to all get off at the embankment. And when they asked the driver ( who himself didn't know what time the buses finished) we were able to say 6.20 from the city, there was a chorus of well how do we get back to our cars in Cotgrave if the test match goes on beyond that? Lol. Taxis mates, like those those of us that live here have to do if we don't make it in time. 

So having had a good chuckle, we went to black sheep for iced coffees and air con. By the way the staff on a Sunday are a bit slapdash, Kev had a cake and they bunged it in a bag, instead of a plate, and when Kev asked for one, the lad serving was a bit frosty. Still the coffees were still good. The staff normally in there are lovely, and know us by sight, so often do we go in. 

We went to Boyes, I wanted a citronella candle for tonight, when we sit outside when it cools down. 

I finished We Solve Murders by Richard Osman in paperback, another Works bargain, and am getting to end of my Rivals re-read. I've been reading the paperback in the day and my kindle at night. Much to warm to do anything crafting at my desk. 

While we were out shopping, I found a nice linen waistcoat style top to go with my linen shorts, black naturally. Kev got some pots to do jelly in, sugar free, and good for hydration. I got some more hand wash, and some scent boosters for the pot in the bathroom. Found a candle, and some aloe vera gel as I'm almost out. 

We couldn't find any hydolife cat food for Willow, so Kev will nip out tomorrow to get her some. We came back home on the 12.20 bus, had sushi for lunch, then we took the washing over as no one was using the washer by then. We pegged it out and it was dry by three pm. 

For tea, Kev did stuffed mushrooms and salad, neither of us fancied much, and that was a nice and light change. 

We did sit outside but came in around 8.30pm as it had gone decidedly chilly. The bungalow is still warm, these places hold the heat, and the fact we are in full sun all day being on the end means its never truly cold. Great news for the energy bills, but, makes the summer a complete misery. 

In Between Days

Saturday.

We went to Bridgeford for the Proms in the Park. With picnic basket and two chairs, we found a large tree to park our chairs under. Kev went to fetch us an ice cream. 

We were quite a way back from the stage, but that didn't bother us as we could hear the bands perfectly, and enjoying people watching. We tucked into our picnic and bottles of ready made cocktails from M&S. I had a day off from my diet, but still managed to choose well, sushi and egg bites and mushrooms in cream sauce and flaky pastry. It was warm, but not as hot as the day before, and the shade from the tree kept us cooler. We listened to several bands, some good, some bad, and some just okay. But it was good fun and we both enjoyed it. 

We came away when it started to get humid and stormy. We packed back up and got the bus home. 

We sat outside once we had got home, Charlotte came round and we chatted, until we felt spots of rain. We carried on watching a series on Paramount called The Agency. 

In Between Days

Friday. 

After a patchy nights sleep we got up fairly early to go to the village before it got too warm, we walked down and by the time we had shopped the temperature was rising and hit 37°later on. We walked to Colston Gate and caught it there. We came home and apart from doing a bit of a tidy up and chuck away session we did little else. Ian very kindly bought us the heavy stuff, water, pop and Willow's cat litter. Very kind of him to help us out especially in this heat! I hand washed a few bits and put them out, it didnt take long to dry. Kev went in the shed and got out the camping  chairs. Not just for tomorrow, but, also for the evening. As it cooled down outside last night, we thought tonight we would sit outside. We did, once Charlotte had come round and it was lovely and cool. We used the old rack as a table, we did say we need a citronella candle to drive the bugs away. I'll  see what I can get hold of tomorrow. 

In Between Days

Thursday.

We went into the city early, defrosting the freezer and chucking what was in there meant we needed to replace quite a bit. 

We got on a very busy bus (test match at Trent Bridge) so many people had to stand. Once we got to Trent Bridge we had an almost empty bus.

We went to Black Sheep for a cold brew and an extended sit in the mega air con. 

We went to Victoria Centre to go to Tesco, bought bacon and broad beans for tonight. My favourite summer meal of baby new potatoes, broad beans and air fried until crispy bacon with mint sauce. Nom nom. 

We had another cold drink in Maccy's again hogging air con as long we could. 

We went into Waitrose but all the fridges and freezers were down, so we gave up and went for lunch. We went into KFC again for another rice bowl. We walked back to the bus stop and came home. 

It was bloody hot again. We have both fans on full tilt. Then it was just a case of trying to keep cool, trying to keep Willow hydrated and cool. She has started to let me cool her down with a cold damp cloth. That is when she ventures out at all from her bottom bunk in the cat tower. Bless her, if it's bad for us it must be worse for her. She does liven up a bit at night when it cools down, I hear her padding around in the dark, and when I get up, she comes for a cuddle or at least sits next to me. 

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Another blazing hot summer day. We decided to have a rest day. Neither of us did our exercises, you were dripping with sweat just sitting there. 

Kev did put the freezer outside to thaw out fully it meant we lost all of the freezer stuff, but not too much. It needed doing and today's temperature was perfect for that. 

We didnt eat much and certainly nothing cooked. I waited until late afternoon to take the washing over. It was only a bags worth, but pj's, t shirts and shorts, all stuff we will need over this hot spell. Now we are both at home full time, it doesnt hurt to do less washing more often. 

The picnic coffin basket came from Dunelm and my faux crocs bag came today. Kev and I are going to the proms in the park on Saturday and it will be perfect for that. The crocs style bag will be useful for our holiday next month. 

All in all, a lovely day spent hiding from the extreme heat, I read, Kev started putting the "lego" roses together. 

I put a hydration foot mask on, the aloe vera was absorbed really quickly by thirsty feet. 

In Between Days

Up early so we could be up and out before the heat became unbearable. We got the first bus we can when our respective passes kick in at 9.30. It was nice to walk to Black Sheep before the city was too busy. We got cold brews and sat right under the industrial air con in there. We then walked up to Victoria Centre so Kev could go in the Works for those fake lego roses he wanted. 

While we were in there we spotted where the unit for Bath and Body Works will be. It's not opening until the autumn, but hopefully will have some of the Halloween candles in when it does fingers crossed. 

We nipped to Tesco, but they didn't have what we were looking for, leaving there we went to grab more cold drinks from Maccy Ds, I treated myself to a Mcflurry just a small one. We sat outside as that one very rarely has seats available inside. We had a quick look in TKMAXX before grabbing some lunch at KFC. I had one of their rice bowls. I hadn't realised you  could customise them by removing the ranch dressing ( I hate most dressings, but especially ranch) with that gone and choosing the vegetarian one it bought the carbs down and it was very tasty. We then made our way back to the bus, and home. 

Willow is being a clever girl in this heat, staying in her tower at the bottom where it is coolest. We bought her some of that new hydration food in pouches. She at least has half a pouch which is better than we thought She would. She does have a fair bit of water to be fair, but in these extreme temperatures it doesn't hurt to help her supplement her intake a bit. I know I've upped my 1.5 litre a day to 3 while it's hot. 

Kev watched England play in the evening while I read, he said they played abysmally, but then he isn't a big international football fan. He much prefers Premier league matches, He will still watch any match that on, but doesn't hold out much hope of us winning anything. 

We went to bed not long after, and I managed a couple of hours, but was back up at around 2am as I really struggle to sleep when its warm. We leave the fans on naturally, but I guess I'm not built for these temperatures. The thing is, as hot as it was in Florida they have always had great air con, sometimes almost too cold, and our resort rooms at French Quarter were perfect, the ac was easy to control and very quiet. I slept like a baby out there. Like they say, there ain't no tired like Disney tired. A day round the parks will wear you out, combine that with Jet lag and rope dropping parks and you will drift off quite easily. This time we also learned that rest days ( or part rest days in our case) are the way to go. Rope drop until just after lunch, go back to the Resort for an hour or so 

round the pool chill out then go back to the Park late afternoon/early evening. Especially when you are staying on property nipping in and out of parks and your resort is a breeze. 

In Between Days

Sunday.

Having had a nice relaxed day in on Saturday. We decided to venture out on Sunday, although it was Father's day, we took the risk of it being busy and headed to the city. 

We had a leisurely iced coffee in Black Sheep, nipped into H&B for low carb wraps, so Kev can come up with low carb pizzas for me. My weight by the way has stuck now for the last couple of weeks. Not unexpected if I'm honest. I was expecting it to grind to a standstill a few weeks back.

We went to Boyes as Kev wanted some cable pins to hold the camera cables in place. We passed a couple of homeless guys, one who Kev used to see regularly outside the Arnold store. We bought a couple of extra bottles of water when we went in Poundland, and gave both of them one as we passed. The thing was the guy outside Poundland was quite rude, saying he couldn't drink water  and wanted milk. Still took the water mind,  the guy who Kev knew by the way, was exactly the opposite, and was very nice. Lesson learned. 

We went to M&S to get a few food bits and bobs. Salad mainly, and while we were there I got sushi and strawberries for lunch, Kev bought a wrap for his, and shared the strawberries with me. We got a bench in the new park opposite where they are building the new NHS centre, to eat our lunch. We went to the bus station ( while we still can, as soon it won't be going in there!) 

We got the loud jolly driver both ways, He is friendly enough, but drives Kev mad because he is very loud and goes too fast down the A52 and the road into Cotgrave. 

Once home, Kev did his exercises and then he had a nap while I read. 

We caught up with our favourite YouTube channels. 

Later on we watched the Isle of Wight festival because The Cure were headlining. As always they did an amazing set. I've never seen a poor gig from them, live or recorded. Robert looked like he was enjoying himself bless him. I always liken his wandering about the stage to someone's lost nana, but his voice is still as good as it was when I saw them at 18. The band are just as tight, non of it looks like hard work, they gel so well together. They've always been my favourite band and always will be. As I've said before the soundtrack to my life really. The "happy-sad" music that's always accompanied me at every stage. 

In Between Days

Friday. 

Really sunny, hot and dry. We headed for Bridgeford and went to the park in our usual part near the register office. We sat there with cold brews. After which we went to M&S to get salad ingredients for tea. We are having what was a festive salad recipe with spinach, walnuts, oranges rocket, and pomegranate 

We got back and I did what washing we had as it was a perfect drying day. 

I also had a Temu order arrive. Just stuff for Willow, a bag to keep her toys in, which she can also climb into if she wants to. And some new chews to help keep her teeth clean. 

A storage bag for the handheld air ram 

 and a personalised bat clip for my new Stanley style cup. 

In Between Days

Thursday.

We were rudely awakened by someone drilling. It sounded like it was on our outside wall. We got upand Kev got dressed and went to see what if anything had been done. Turns out it wasn't here, but at the flats at the back of the car park. Shows how strange sound travels. 

I showered and we headed into the city. We went into Black Sheep, for our coffee fix, then up to TKMAXX in Trinity Square. We found a blanket, one big enough for the bed. That bought, we went to Tesco for some more ready made cold brew. 

After we walked back to the market square to get a bus to Broadmarsh. We wanted to try that Shamrock Social for lunch. The food wasn't bad, nothing amazing, just regular pub fare. It was a bit on the pricy side, so it won't become a regular haunt. But, nice to go somewhere new for a change. 

We got the bus at Broadmarsh home and as I'd found another paperback in The Works again for a fiver I set to and made myself another magnetic bookmark. Its another Richard Osman "We Solve Murders" a different series, but hopefully as good. 

Finally Iplayer has Traitors US on, so something decent to watch for the next week or so. There is very little on at the moment, plenty for Kev with the football. No wonder I am reading a lot.

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Kev went to fetch his prescription. I will put his first drops in tonight before bed. 

Charlotte came round and we headed for coffee in Bridgeford ( Caffe Nero) and then to Portello Lounge for lunch. I had a vegan sausage brioche bun and it was lovely. 

Later on we came home and Kev's neck massager had come, so he was like a kid at Christmas. I must admit though it is very good.

Later on England were playing I took my kindle into the bedroom, wore those headband headphones and left him to it. 

I put the Epcot Luminous soundtrack on which is very upbeat but relaxing. They also have that sound track on from the area around Walt the Dreamer statue which I absolutely loved. I am re-reading Rivals at the moment as I read it back when it came out. It's still a cracking good read, and Jilly Cooper was a good writer. They used to call them Bonkbusters back in the day, there was her and Jackie Collins who wrote that style of novel, but as raunchy as they may be the actual storyline are actually very well written and entertaining. And let's face it, that's why we read, to be entertained. Anyway, it shows what a great job they've done of the Disney + series. 

In Between Days.

Tuesday.

Our Tuesday to meet Sue and Pete for lunch. We went into Black Sheep Coffee first, and then Superdrug as I needed a few make up bits and a refill for my wild roll-on, I've recently swapped to that from the solid deodorant as it doesn't stain my clothes, and more importantly doesn't  irritate my armpits, the scents are delicate too, and don't clash with my perfume. During the summer I wear either Body Shop's Fig and Pomegranate or the copy of New West that Jubilee do. They do dupes of discontinued scents. I love New West, and was gutted when Aramis stopped making it. This copy is bang on and you really can't smell a difference. Sadly, they don't do a copy of Midnight Poison by Dior( another favorite) but I never give up hope!

We went in TKMAXX and I bought a basket for under my desk, which because I had a little bit left on an all for one gift voucher from Christmas I only paid £1.25 for, instead of £5.99. Its black mesh with wooden handles and will fit perfectly under so I can put various card making stuff away that I can access readily. 

We then met Sue and Pete by the lions and then headed to The Roebuck. Lovely to see them both. 

We already had what we needed and headed home after we left them. 

Kev put the other camera up in the hall facing the door. Just another security idea. 

I was thinking (in my case overthinking) about how many conversations you have where you are convinced the other person isn't really listening. I sometimes start conversations and then give up halfway through when I realise I'm not being heard. Not because I'm being "funny" but because I just think what's the point. It's very true about people only listen to answer and steer the talk to them. What triggered this line of thought was listening to a woman at the bus stop. She was having a very one sided chat to another woman, obviously they'd met up, every time she said something the other woman completely overran her, interrupting her and totally ignoring her point of view. I did think at the time, that if that was me ( and it has been quite a lot of times in my life, my Mother was world champion of talking over you) i would just shut up and stop paying attention to what they are saying. I have like an off switch, developed over years of being talked at rather than talked too. I bet that lady went home thinking why do I bother. 

In Between Days.

Monday.

It was dry and quite close, cloudy with that hazy glow that says the sun is going to break out. 

 Perfect then for our walk down the canal. We took our time and had a sit on the seats as you get near the retail area. 

We went to Homesense first, found nothing but spooky pillows and throws so no summerween this year. Perhaps, it didn't sell last year... 

We went in B&M got a few things including new storage for the kitchen cupboards. 

Yesterday we got cameras fitted in the bungalow so that we can keep an eye on Willow when we are out. Its good because you can also talk to her through it. We tried it out today while we were out. She could hear us and lifted her head looking for us. It will give us peace of mind when we are away. 

We got an uber home. It was a tesla. I was impressed, thinking it wouldn't be comfortable but it was. 

In Between Days

Sunday.

We slept until 8.30 am. Obviously we needed it. We didnt need to go out, we had everything we needed for lunch. I did my treadmill walk. I showered and had a full pamper session, face mask, scrub, foot check and massage with the foot cream. 

We had lunch and after I made my tag for this month's challenge. 

I had my tablets to organise for the week, so I got that done. 

Then I read some more of my book,  I am enjoying reading a physical book, but I do catch myself pressing the corner of the page expecting it to turn, lol. 

It was a nice relaxed day, as we are going down by the canal all being well tomorrow. We no longer need to do a "do eff all day Monday"  any more now Kev is not at work, so we can go and see what homebase has on offer for summerween/halloween. We also want to nip to Castle Marina Sainsbury's to get a few bits. Hopefully it won't be to cold or wet to walk down. 

In Between Days.

Saturday.

We went into Bridgeford. It was cold and very windy. There was a farmers market on in the park, just at the front near the shops, we had a bit of a mooch aroun, grabbed a coffee from Little Green and headed for our usual seats near the flower bed opposite the registery office. They never did replace the crown sadly, but they have replanted it. It wasn't the kind of weather to sit around for long. But we got some fresh air for a little while. We then went to M&S to get food for the weekend. Kev picked up a pork joint, jersey royals, runner beans and carrots for Sunday. We had already got sweet potatoes and that chicken cottage cheese salad he made the day before. 

Typically we got home and the sun came out! We watched some YouTube content we like watching, once we got home. I finished off my steps for the day on the treadmill. Then I sat reading until Charlotte came round. Then we started watching Outlast on Netflix.

I got a gift from Kev earlier in the day, he's found me a larger Wood witch. I have a smaller one that he found me last year. But, I was hankering for the bigger one from Cracker Barrel. He kept looking and found me one... I love her and named her Winnie... 

In Between Days

Friday 

A very muggy heavy day. The odd sprinkle of rain but nothing much. We went out to the city just really to get us out. We went to Black Sheep Coffee, for cold brews as the bus journey was very warm and stifling. We then walked down to Savers, Kev wanted some vitamins and we needed some fabric softener ( I used the last on Tuesday) 

Then we went to Tossed to try the food there. We bought their plant power protein bowls. We bought them home with us. We walked to Broadmarsh bus station and got the bus back to Cotgrave. I came home Kev carried on to the hub to call in at the doctors to see if they'd had his eye drop prescription in yet. They had, by the way, but the doctor hasn't looked at it yet to authorise it! Bloody useless bunch. So much for starting to use them straight away! 

We eat the bowls when he got back and they were lovely. We will definitely go back for more. You can eat in, which gives us the choice if we are in town on our own. 

In Between Days.

Thursday.

A soggy day. The rain settled in earnest early on in the day. The clouds a blanket of grey, constantly spilling their contents. 

We needed food for lunch ( we were going out to eat, but decided against it yesterday, when Charlotte told us the forecast) Rain doesnt usually stop us, but sometimes better judgement prevails. 

We did go on the bus to Sainsbury's in the Village, and got a few bits. We decided on Jacket potatoes, sweet for me, and I'd found a cottage cheese chicken salad recipe to go on top. Very nice, and enough left for tomorrow too. 

I did a fair bit of reading, I'm now just about halfway through that Thursday Murder Club book I bought at the Works yesterday. It is definitely as good as the others. 

We also watched a movie called 'The Rite' quite an old one from around 2011, with Anthony Hopkins in it. About an exorcist. Very good. I love finding a gem hidden on Netflix on a rainy day... 

In the evening Kev watched the start of the world cup and I continued to read. 

In Between Days

Wednesday. 

Overnight the temperature dropped so much so that the quilted throw didn't stop me from shivering. I grabbed the blanket from on the laundry hamper. ( It was washed, but I hadnt got round to squishing it down in a space bag yet!) And put that on the bed. Problem solved, slept in past 8am... 

Kev had his physio phone consult, theyve sent him some exercises by email. I sat and read while listening to a gig on YouTube by the Cure... Kev put it on last night, but I was too tired to listen properly. So we put it on again this morning. Until we had a storm. 

The rest of of the day was chilled out, did my treadmill walk Animal Kingdom today, someone has done an updated walk through now dinosaur and that whole area are gone. Zootopia show under the tree of life is now open. It was definitely my favourite park. 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

We had to go out to Kev's eye appointment at 2pm. Same clinic across the road from the Savoy cinema in Lenton.

Before that we had lunch in M&S cafe. I had egg and cress sarnies and some watermelon chunks. Kev had a flatbread. 

When we came out we noticed there's a new place across from M&S called Tossed. They do poke bowls salads and wraps. So we might give that a go next time. You can pick everything in them yourself and they do protein bowls and cover quite a few dietary requirements. Might be worth a try. You can eat in or takeaway, so we could just go in, order and bring it home if we want. 

We then had some time to kill so we went for coffee at Black Sheep, Kev had a free one to claim. While we were in there the heavens opened. 

So we went for a wander round Primark, and then The Works. I bought a physical book from the latter as it's the latest Richard Osman Thursday Murder Club one. It was cheaper in there than Kindle, so I thought I can read it and pass it on. They aren't re-read type, so I'm happy not to keep it. 

We then got the i4 round on Friar Lane which takes us to the stop in Lenton we need. We got to the clinic and it started Thundering, hail, you name it. Luckily for me it was all over in about 10 minutes. 

Kev cane out and we caught the first bus that we saw which took us to Broadmarsh bus station. We got on, and Charlotte was just on her way home too. 

Kev has to have drops for his right eye as it has the early stages of glaucoma, hopefully the drops will retard the advance of it, and they say its more about prevention these days. The sooner they detect it the better. 

In Between Days

Monday. 

Early start as I was at the doctors at 9am for my bloods, thankfully no fasting, just to test my iron levels. I was late going in, but it was done quickly and then we went for the next bus at the stop over the road from the hub. It was raining, but we had the brolly. 

We went to Black Sheep for a coffee and then a toddle to Boyes to get some stain remover for my Gertie T-shirt ( Goodness knows what I've got down it! One more reason never to buy non black tops) 

Those bought we then headed to M&S for pickles as we are using up the pork from yesterday by having mashed potato ( in my case sweet potato) and pickles. Nom nom nom one of my faves. 

Then we headed home, with another bag full of shopping, even though we "didn't want much"...

In Between Days

Sunday.

Quiet day in. Sundays are difficult to navigate going out as the buses are only one an hour, and even then as we know only too well, from our working days they can be removed altogether with little excuse. So unless we really need to, staying in is always a good option. As I said in the previous blog we had all the fixings for a Sunday roast dinner, so I did the washing. Bloody Malcolm took my stuff out the washer to put his in no bloody patience!) They were done thankfully, just creeps me out as the load that was in was mainly undies. I was literally just walking over there as he came back to see if the dryer was empty. I gave him a baleful look and said its empty now.

"Oh He said, didn't know it was yours I moved, I can't read so I didn't know." Sorry but I call BS, if you can't read, why had you signed the list Malcolm then? You'd put an X surely? I'm not a pancake expert, but I know a lying tosser when I meet one, and the only time he isn't lying his mouth is shut. 

I told Kev when I got back and Kev says its BS, uses it as an excuse. 

Anyway that done, we had lunch and I did my treadmill walk. Targets met, Kev had a nap while I read. Im reading So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison. Typical Vampire fare, but with a few a couple of good twists. The narrative reminds me of The Strange Practice novels. 

In Between Days

Saturday. 

If Kev had been working, he would have been on holiday this weekend, but now like me he is on holiday full-time! 

So we got up at 8am, and got ready to head to the city. We went for our Black Sheep fix. It was raining and that made it perfect for a cosy coffee morning sat in our favourite cafe. Great to be in there first thing, before the rush. 

We went in Boyes, bought a new umbrella ( and lo and behold, the rain stopped!) We got the batteries we needed for the watermelon stack.  We went to Waitrose and got a canvas bag and cocktails ( cans) inspired by rivals... Spicy pineapple daiquiris, very strong, but lovely. 

We bought stuff for a roast pork lunch tomorrow and salmon salad for lunch today. All from Tesco. A quick peek in Tiger, but nothing summerween in there. 

We nipped into TK Maxx, no summerween in there either, and  then went down to Market Square to get the bus home. 

Later on we eat and watched some YouTube. The soundtrack today was Rainy Day Calvalcade, its what they do at Disney when the weather is too wet for a parade, cheers up a soggy day no end. We both giggle as we remember the lyrics! A song for everything as we've said before about Disney, but fun to remember... 

In Between Days

Friday.

We got up at 8, as we were expecting a guy to come look at the attic ready for us having solar panels fitted. Not our doing, Metropolitan's idea. 

Anyway, nice chap, was very chatty and pleasant. Once He had been, and Ian had dropped off the shopping we headed for Asda West Bridgeford. And yay! They had the summerween I was looking for. I could have gone mad, but I got what I planned on getting. Watermelon jack o lantern stack and a single one. Both light up. I also bought Willow a new blanket pink with ghosts and summerween icons on it. A new sipper for me ( I thought it was plastic, and wasn't going to bother, but its stainless steel, so I did get one!) I didn't buy a mug or the bedding, or the wooden signage, so I was good really. Summerween pink is the new black... 

We then went to The Wolds for lunch. It was OK, not as good as it has been before. It filled a gap, but I don't think we will go back. It wasn't cheap, and just passable. 

We went on the number 10 back to the Cricket Ground to get the bus home and were sat there for just under an hour. There was only two running apparently. We got home eventually. 

I put all my stuff out, the watermelon stack in the unliving room, the single one next to my tier tray and the blanket replaced the one out, which can go for a wash then be squished down in a space saver bag for autumn. Willow appeared to like it snuggling down as soon as I put it on my knee. She does love her cuddles. 

The sipper is perfect and will hold my entire days worth of water. Which means I won't need three bottles lined up each morning. I will have to use two flavour tablets as one would be too diluted. No problem as I was using three before in three separate bottles. 

In Between Days

Wednesday.

Charlotte took us in the car for a wander round Bingham Aldi, Bingham, and to see Dorothy at Fosse View. We got a few bits for us and to treat Dorothy,then we headed to Bingham itself to have lunch at The Butter Cross. Wetherspoons have in my opinion good and bad pubs and this one is a good one. Mary Shelley in Bournemouth is up there along with The Mulberry Bush near the University area. 

We left there and went to Fosse Way. 

Dorothy looks well, perhaps the best I've seen her look, she does look like she is enjoying living there, the staff we've seen seemed friendly and helpful. There always seems to be something going on, art classes, exercise classes and entertainment. They even had a day trip the other week, only to Skegness, but still it gets them out a bit. Possibly the best outcome for all of them, Dorothy has company and round the clock care, Ian and Charlotte get to relax a little and not worry so much about her. 

In Between Days

Tuesday.

I had an "unfortunate" day, starting with me sending a text before reading it, I had typed "up for"

which ai had changed to read unfortunately I'd sent it to Sue before I read it. It could have caused a row, but Sue has a sense of humour and I was quick to explain what I'd done. So unfortunately became the word of the day. 

I knocked my drink over in O'Neil's, another unfortunate incident. I tell you, once I start I can have a hell of  day.

We went to Asda at St Anne's, looking for the summerween stuff, but unfortunately they hadnt had it in, or more accurately they hadnt put it out yet. 

There's one more place we can try in Bridgeford, but if they don't have it I'll give up. 

Today was the first day I've felt myself after a bad migraine on Sunday. I haven't had one in a long time, and they really knock me for six. The aftermath is sometimes worse than the actual migraine. I feel fog bound in my head, like I'm watching "outside" myself, I am clumsy and struggle to coordinate my limbs, hence the spilled drink, and conversation is hard, like I can hear what's being said, but I'm not registering it fully. It can take me a couple of days to shake it off. 

I've not read for a couple of days because I know I won't take it in properly. I can rectify that tomorrow evening. 

We had a small thunderstorm this afternoon, not much but I did get chance to try out the sleep headphones and eye mask idea. To be fair, it did work, I was able to block out what was going on, a bit like sensory deprivation almost, but quite effective, so as long as I remember to charge the headphones regular it should be my go to way to keep me calm during a storm. 

In Between Days

Monday.

So we went to Arnold so that Kev could take his paper in from the Doctor and hand his notice in. He can't go back, as he can't stand for one hour let alone 8.

He took his uniform in, and locker Key. And his letter. While he was sorting all that out, Charlotte and I went round the shop. I bought some PJs and some bits we needed. We went to Starbucks, and waited for him there. When he caught up with us and got a coffee for himself. He filled us in on what happened. 

While we were shopping I saw a few old colleagues that I used to work with. 

We then walked to B&M as I was looking for some refills for the bathroom diffuser. Those found and some more lix e lix for Willow, we went to the Ernale for lunch. Bad move really as they didn't  have what I wanted and its gone downhill since we last went in. I don't think we will go back anytime soon. 

We came home after. At least Kev won't have that trek again

now. I'd forgotten what a ballache it is getting there and back.