Malawi & More

In the knowledge that A was probably getting wet in a field I enjoyed the warm bath and mum helping once again to wash the bit of hair we could manage. Then to change the dressing and see what lay beneath. Beautifully gross. A lovely pal popped in for a cuppa as I let the air get to it before being recovered. He was as impressed by it as I was. Long! Wonderful S then came over and 4 of us went out for lunch. My longest trip out after returning home. Just around the corner. Odd how tried it made me feel to hold my head up. And confirmed I was not ready to go to the wedding reception we'd been invited to later that evening. Although I did make it round the corner for a drink in our newly refurbished pub the Elmhurst. It's been done nicely - lots of parents in their late 30s with prams though.  I've been making sure I take a walk each day to get out and avoid cabin fever. Highlight being getting to Fieldseat - one of my favourite local cafes and then excited to visit a differe...

As you know I was discharged home and have been being loved and looked after all week.  The non linear process of recovery is a strange one, never quite the same as the last.  It was great to have my big sister there on Saturday morning but I wasn't much company and my visitors mainly saw me asleep.  The pattern of my week has been moving from one not quite comfortable position to another but as the days go by I feel more like myself and finding the different bits of me healing.  The girls have had a lazy week, I don't blame them after all the pressure and stress of exams.  BigA is in a limbo with his work - I don't know how he puts up with it all. M less so as she has secured a new job as a waitress at a dumpling place. She's pleased about it. Her first full time job. But of course the moment of the week was A turning 18. I am now the proud mother of an adult! We did our jump on the bed tradition to do morning presents - I didn't jump - and she was thrilled and...

I made the most of my weekend, starting with a trip to The Summer exhibition with one of my most lovely pals. We had coffee and saw the huge range of art, some was fantastic and some, really not my taste. I could appreciate almost all of it, so much that I'm sure you could go several times and see something you hadn't noticed before. One piece, which I thought would look lovely in our hall, was only £35,000. We followed this by standing and watching part of the pride march and then a more gentle walk, some delicious food in one the smallest restaurants ever, tiny and perfect. Once home I did the ironing - I know, how very exciting and then BigA and I spent the evening together, him cooking something we'd never had before.  We met with D and Er on Sunday for a delightful brunch and chatted happily all morning. The sandwich was massive and I could only manage half. Then home to make a veggie shepherds pie for the returning festival goers. So wonderful to see them and their pi...

 I met mum and J out of church and popped to the high street to get a couple of best tops. The air was warm but the breeze made it bearable. After a bit of reading in the garden we went for lunch by the sea. A quick catch up with my sister and K over tasty food and then mum and I went for a paddle.  Jo had organized a lovely 'outdoor eating experience' not a BBQ at hers and I happily spent a beautiful evening with my family. Mum and I wandered home in the very warm evening air. The sea air was so welcome compared to the stifling heat of London. The next morning I went to church, as I often do, feeling the familiar comfort of the happy memories of my youth. The demographics have changed but some old (really old) faces said hello. I was delighted to be mistaken for mum's granddaughter. Then there was a meal in the church garden which was nice, the feast day of St Peter and St Paul. I narrowly avoided a seafood stir fry. It is nice to know so may people intend to pray for me....

  I have woken up in my childhood home, ready for a weekend of cuddles and love. A rather noisy gull has insisted I wake up.  As you know in London we had a weekend of lovely sun and hot nights, how we miss the rain. Of course this means all washing is dry within an hour or so and some plants in the garden are thrilled to have so much sun. Both girls were at work all day on Saturday and I set about doing a bit of life admin while BigA made us a lovely cooked breakfast. That evening we went out for a pal's birthday meal. London really is a fantastic city, although pricey the food was great and walking distance from home.  Sunday was my roller derby day. I wasn't sure I was going to get through the 2 very hot hours, but I did, although I fell quite hard and have a bruise on my knee.  Choir was great too, such a tonic to my thunderous mood, which had been improved by a delicious meal cooked by M. Now the girls have finished I am very h...