suzeanna

Owl, maybe even if her symptoms have gone might it be as well to keep the appointment? If it's anything like having a toothache and then it goes so you cancel the dentist and then..bam..it comes back..you might find she starts having problems again and you'll have to wait for another one? Griff, on the subject of rats..I imagine that fancy rats which some people have as pets and find very friendly and clever were originally bred from wild rats? Or am I wrong there? We thought of getting a couple of rats rather than a hamster, but then thought that it might stretch Candy's tolerance a bit too far!

Yes, I hope you get a quick sale at the price you want, blackmagic. I thought our ratty neighbours in the garden had moved on, but Philip saw one earlier mooching across the patio. He said it was really glossy coated and obviously living its best life! Ah well, it's entitled to it. So long as it doesn't try to come indoors, that is.

Blisteringly hot here then about half and hour or so thunder and torrential rain. Cooled it down a bit, but still reading 27 upstairs. Glad you don't have to pay anything Owl.

Hot here already. Anyone want to take bets on how many idiots are seen walking their dogs at midday? I've got to the age where I don't care who I offend (as long as they aren't waving a knife around!) if I see anyone, I'll ask are they trying to kill their dog? All these new pockets of Covid are in towns or cities with a high non white population. Has it occurred to anyone in Government, local or otherwise, that many of them don't read or speak English and don't have a clue about social distancing? They should be printing up tons of posters with all the info in the language that will be understood. Apparently there are thousands, mainly older women, who have been here for decades and don't speak a word of English.

Meant to be 31 here tomorrow. Thankfully we've got a very good aircon in the car, and they have aircon in the waiting area at the hospital. Hadn't realised you hadn't got your refund yet Yantan, that's not good. My daughter is still waiting for refunds on a couple of flights they had cancelled, but it's nothing like the amount you must be owed. We could do with a gardener to try to knock some of it into shape, but they charge £20 to mow a small lawn round here, dread to think what it would cost to get a general clear up.

Good morning Owl. Another trek to Sheffield, I think the car should be able to get there on it's own by now! Meant to be a warm sunny day according to the chap on tv but it's wall to wall cloud here at the moment.

Yantan, can Ruby complain to whoever is senior in the chemo department about the over officious bloke in the car park? Yes, he has a job to do, but he should be wearing a mask and keeping his distance, and surely he must realise unless Ruby is akin to Usain Bolt, it's going to take her time to go and get the permit? Oh dear Owl, that's not good. Hope you can get it sorted in your favour. Griff, are they parking quite innocently thinking that it's their right, or are they being deliberately awkward? I know it must be aggravating, but if it's not being done with malice probably best to try to keep things civil if not friendly until they give you cause to do otherwise! This rt is reacting more quickly than the first lot did, feels as if someone is giving me electric shocks! Three more to go and to liven things up a bit, I've also got a CT scan on Monday, different hospital but luckily with enough time to get home, change (no zips or anything else metal allowed to be worn) and get a quick lunch before the scan. Honestly, it's never ending. Hope Ruby doesn't feel too horrible Yantan, and there aren't many more for her.

I must look up when Candy's booster is due..don't think it's until the end of August, but it might be sooner. I wasn't keen on the radiotherapy, unlike other machines which are above you but nowhere near touching, this one is actually pressed quite hard against your skin, and the top of it was just under the hollow of my throat, it felt as if someone was choking me. Only takes five minutes to do, thank goodness. I don't think I could stick that for too long. Yantan, there's a t shirt I'd love to get. It's got a cute dragon on it saying eww, people! Not a fan! My daughter is crossing everything in sight that Greece won't suddenly be added to the list of places you aren't meant to go, their flight is Wednesday of next week. A lot depends on the airlines of course, if they announce they aren't flying there won't be much she can do apart from swear.

We like the Fever Tree ginger beer, much better than other brands. Well done getting the shopping unscathed! Philip spoke online to his manager...he's told him to take all the time I have to go off. Philip argued that he could work before and after appts and was told basically to shut up and do as he's told! Can't be too many companies who would be so accommodating.

Obviously crossed fingers don't work..five flipping treatments, not one. Oh well, could be worse. He does make me laugh, I was called to his room where he was waiting at the door and he literally gave me this great big bear hug..I was flattened against his chest...then let go, patted me on the shoulders and said I can't hug you, we have to keep a distance. Er yes Virgil...never mind, bit late now! They were hoping to do the first treatment today but the x machine whatever that is had been switched off and won't be on again until tomorrow. We now have to break the news to Philip's manager. edit to say V had to measure round the area he wants treated and then he drew a nice purple pen mark ..I look as if some drunk half blind tattoo artist has attacked me! Right in the middle of my chest, where it's impossible to cover unless you wear a polo neck.

To be honest, we don't watch many actual programmes, unless they feature dogs, we mostly use it to watch films or series like NCIS LA and New Orleans. Can't stand the soaps, or reality tv. Another date with the oncologist tomorrow, see if I just need one or more radiotherapy treatments. Keep fingers crossed for just one!

Nothingy sort of weather here..not sunny but not raining either but still warm. Moto GP on today (motorbikes for those who don't know) and they certainly look good on the tv. It's a smart tv with a "magic" control, the thing now is to find out who is smarter, the tv or us? We've worked out some things but there are menus and submenus, think it will take a while! Philip already has work mates asking can they come round and watch the cricket. Sadly for them, no..he doesn't like cricket or football!

Been showery here rather than pouring. I agree, Owl. A lot of people seem to regard the countryside as some sort of theme park, where they can go where they want and do what they like. I read about the lifeboat shore crew being assaulted, and the young lad who challenged day trippers about leaving rubbish and was attacked for his pains. I think the virus must be affecting some people's brains! As for the DJ who blocked a motorway for a car rally of some sort and the police just stood by and watched, words fail me! We don't want a police force like the USA, who seem ready to draw guns at the drop of a hat, but honestly ours are completely useless unless they are on a tv programme. Apparently to put the new tv through it's paces, we're watching Deadpool tonight. Nice jolly film...not! Funny though if you don't mind the language..and blood...and guts...

He was gorgeous, thirteen years is a long time, but nothing is ever long enough. So sorry for your loss. x

I'll look too. The new tv arrived, two guys put it in the sitting room for us, still boxed of course. First thing to do was get it onto a table so the base could be put on..good grief that thing is heavy! I don't think my back will ever be the same, I was waiting for a crunch as my vertebrae gave up! Philip is downstairs wrestling with the connections between the tv, the BT box and the DVD player, I'm keeping well out of the way! Someone from radiography at Weston Park phoned me earlier to ask how I was coping, I said fine thank you. She sounds very nice but I don't like being called too often, ungrateful of me I know, but one of the breast care nurses phoned earlier in the week to see how I was doing, I don't think they expect me to be so bright and breezy! The one today did say that Virgil has said that it might be five fractions of rads rather than the one he told me, I really hope not. I know Philip's boss is very good but there must come a point when he says you've had too much time off. Let's hope once they get everything moved in the new neighbours will turn out to be lovely, Griff. They couldn't be any worse, let's face it!

Love the story, Owl. Queen are one of my favourite groups though I don't think the new singer can hold a candle to Freddie. That's great news about Henry, Yantan . Good that he's so well behaved with the children. I said I fancied the idea of the Viking longship funeral, set alight to sail into the sunset. Philip looked thoughtful and then said how about a rowing boat on the canal? Not quite the same!

Hope all goes well for the dogs tomorrow! Eve, don't know if it makes a difference but Philip works for the technology side of BT not the phones...maybe their managers are nicer! Our tv has been threatening to die for a while now, big dark patches in the screen when it should be a light background and flickering. Last night it flickered its last! We had it repaired a couple of years ago and they said if it does it again, that's it, curtains. Philip has ordered a new one...I know they say men have a thing about size but 55 inch?? I'll have to sit out on the front lawn to watch it! My daughter came round today and we had a very uplifting conversation...where would you like to be to die, Mum? Home, hospital or hospice? It's important to get these things sorted out. I winced a bit and said I hadn't really put a lot of thought into it, but anywhere except the middle of Tesco would be ok.

Fingers crossed for Owl! After my onc telling me I wouldn't need a scan on Monday..straight on to treatment..I had a phone call from Weston Park radiography with an appointment for a scan! I told her I was confused, as he'd said not necessary. I'm waiting for her to get a sensible answer out of him tomorrow. Philip had a Skype one to one with his manager this afternoon and told him about the appointment and he insisted that Philip take the Monday and Tuesday off! Not as part of his holiday entitlement, but because BT like to care for their employees health, mental and physical. Can't fault them, or Nick (manager.)

That was a nice surprise for you Eve. The only time my son dropped in on us unexpectedly was years back, when we were living the other side of Chesterfield. He was on his way to Manchester and decided to drop in...we'd gone shopping, so he climbed in through the kitchen window. Our dopey dobe Topaz was so scared by the intruder she peed all over the floor, we came home to find him mopping up. He was lucky it was her in the kitchen and not her brother...Mark would have mopping up blood!

Sorry Griff, but ugh! fried onions! I can't eat onion at all, it gives me the most awful stomach ache! I'm surprised you didn't live on Greek salad. I know we were served one in Zakynthos and I said why no olives? The waiter said because the customers don't like them. We said well we do, and moments later were presented with a huge bowl full of them. Oh well Eve, at least you liked a bit of the meal. How is Richard's ankle these days, is he completely recovered?

First chance to update...yes it was fine. Virgil was very positive about the new lump..he prodded it a few times and said yes, I can treat that. One bout of radiotherapy should do it. I was so relieved, I was dreading chemo being mentioned. I did say what if you zap this then more pop up and he said he'll zap them too, no problem. One thing he was annoyed about was the stalemate on my aorta..he showed me the scan and it's very very much bigger at one point than it should be. He said it definitely is a vascular department case, not cardiology, but the two departments apparently had a meeting and decided nothing needs doing. He was fuming and said no one will put their signature to this, no one wants to take responsibility. If it's worse on the next scan he doesn't intend to let them just ignore it. He's a big genial bear of a man but I could see when he was talking that he wouldn't be someone to mess with. Glad you saw Steve and Molly Griff, and your dad's car was sorted at minimal cost. Oh, how exciting Eve..a non cooking night! I hope you have a lovely time. Owl, I can't say I've even heard of a tawny pipit. Is it a native bird, or a visitor? If it stays dry tomorrow, I think we have an appointment with the lawn mower, there was a blackbird mooching across the grass earlier and I could only see its head! Heaven knows what is lurking in there!

Hope everything works out well this time, blackmagic and you manage to find the perfect place for your future. It's meant to be hot tomorrow, and I've got the oncology appointment..wonderful! The MacMillan Centre has floor to ceiling glass all across the waiting area, I just hope they've put some aircon on or I shall be on the point of passing out, especially as you have to wear masks in the building now. Are the eye drops unopened, Jazz? Your best bet is to phone one of the opticians and ask their advice, they may just say bin them. If they are prescription no one else should use them anyway.

It's going to seem terribly quiet after Edinburgh, blackmagic...or will you relish that for the time being at least? Owl, I was reading an article online saying there are fears for the safety of that vulture, as birds of prey are being poisoned or shot in that area. I hope they'll leave the poor thing alone, but it's a nice big target and as they eat carrion, a poisoned rabbit carcass would be easy enough to plant. I see some brain dead types are still insisting that Covid is being spread by the 5g network. It does make you wonder, they can't all have been dropped on their heads as babies!

Philip is mostly sorted..just got to get Chrome reloaded, but he needs permissions for that. He was at the office for about an hour and a half, then came home and went back to collect the offending article this afternoon. I wonder how many of these lifestyle changes will actually work out? When I'm bored, I watch Escape to the Country sometimes and I can't help feeling a lot of people have unrealistic ideas of what life in the country is like. You hear too often about town dwellers moving to the countryside, then complaining about church bells..cows mooing...dogs barking at kennels...that sort of thing. Philip went to agricultural college when he left school and his first job was on a farm. Some new houses had been built quite near, and one of the residents rang his boss and said could your man call the cows in more quietly please? Much hysterical laughter all round at the farm. Oh, and they didn't like him taking a tractor home either, but he said the 5am start up might not have helped! I was reading today that the costs for HS2 are spiralling ever higher and a leading financial body are saying it should be shelved. Considering how many people are happily working from home, it shows you don't need to commute but I bet they won't admit it's a mistake and should be abandoned.

I've been known to do that in my knickers, Jazz, but not fully clothed.