16 November 2001

‘My lovely’ left early this morning to catch the train to London. She had organised everything in advance like a military exercise, so much so that I asked how many weeks she was going to be away! As soon as the two carers appeared at 7.25 she was off. First stop was Olympia, Earls Court for the Antique Trade Fair to which she is invited each year, either because she happened to buy some small object years ago or she is invited through son Miles’ gallery. In any event, all one can do at this fair is to go around like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory admiring the magnificent items on display and realising how relatively poor one is!

Following that visit she then met my daughter-in-law Kimberly for lunch at the V & A (Victroria and Albert Museum) in Kensington. Apparently they do very nice meal in the cafe there.

In the meantime I followed my usual pattern except that Sarah, one of my early morning carers, staying on until Jane’ the sheep, arrived at 9.30. It was my plan to put poor Sarah to work assisting me printing out the latest batch of my blog but sadly we could not find the ink cartridge which ‘my lovely ‘had somehow spirited away.

One of my readers very kindly alerted me a new Apple product in which she knew I would be interested , a voice activated telephone. I telephoned the Apple Store in Regent Street and they confirmed that their latest phone, the IP4 (?) is indeed able to be used by voice, either by saying the telephone number or the name of the person you wish to speak to (provided you have already listed them under contacts on that telephone) and it will dial the number and, of course, you can then speak to the person, hands free. Whether one will be able to link it to broadband and just buy the telephone or get locked into some sort of annual fee, I have yet to find out. It will also read out text messages (not that I ever indulge in such things,) plus one or two other useful apps. according to the sales person to whom I spoke. Apparently this is newest and latest telephone and costs £500. So this is not the right time to buy it. Give it three months down the line and the price will come down dramatically and, no doubt, one or two of the other people in the business will have produced a clone. Having said that, it’s nice to know that it exists and when I really need one. there is such a thing that I can readily buy. It is usually me giving advice to my readers but on this occasion it worked the other way round, which is a demonstration of one of the main purposes of this blog, sharing ideas.

Those readers who have been with me for some time. Will recall that I had a period, after my broken leg ,of getting about with a walking frame with what they call gutters at the top on which one can take the weight of one’s body through your arms. I took one of these frames and bought some 4 1/2″.rubber tyred wheels and had them fitted in place of the little plastic ones and thus was able to use this frame outside for a few months. Unfortunately, we had these frames taken away some time ago, when we no longer had a use for them but now I would like to recover that one and hand it onto another patient who could benefit from it. But how to get it?

Another thing I need to work out is how I can strap a pen onto either my left or my right hand, in order to make a small tick and perhaps a number as I will shortly have some examination papers to mark from my Chinese students, as a result of the recent lectures given by my friend Paul Mitchard. I shall speak to Lynne my occupational therapist, who is brilliant at dreaming up new ideas.

As it was going to be an extra long day and Jane’ the sheep’ and I do not get on over the lavatory problems, ‘my lovely’ arranged for someone from Ross nursing to pop in, mid-afternoon to give me a pee, which they did and then I lasted until Alice got home around 6.00 and relieved Jane ‘the sheep’. It has been a successful experiment which means that ‘my lovely’ will be able to plan the more days in London in the future without worrying too much about me ,which I am very pleased about. It is terribly important that carers have regular time off when they can really relax knowing that everything is being taken care of by others.

15 November 2011

As I sit here as I sit here looking out of my study window I see a beautiful blue sky and the sunny autumn day. I feel cheated as today is Tuesday, my geriatric golf day. I did a five-day weather forecast last evening specifically for the postal address of the golf club and it […]

14 November 2011

Jane’ the sheep’ was still indisposed today so Paul’ the computer’ stood in once more for her. Of course, as much as I like Jane, at this stage of cleaning up my computer, it suits my book to have Paul here. As usual we spent three happy hours tinkering with the computer and I think […]

13. November 2011

Today, being Remembrance Sunday (As opposed to Remembrance Day-11 November) Many of the programmes on the television had some sort of wartime connection. Firstly, there was the magnificent ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, laying of wreaths by the Queen and other members of the Royal family; the heads of armed services; the clergy and […]

12 November 2011

Barton (W-P) came round for a chat at 2.30. From my point of view this is a good time for such visits. I will have finished my blog entry and dealt with my e-mails, had my lunch and still feeling a little perky. Much later in the afternoon I will begin to feel a little […]

11 November 2011

Remembrance Day (aka Poppy Day or Armistice Day) is a day observed in the Commonwealth countries since the end of World War 1..to remember the members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty. It was in 1919 that George V decreed this memorial day. be observed on 11 November each […]

10 November 2011

A technician from Holly’s wheelchairs came yesterday to fit the chin control to my wheelchair. It’s only a tiny little saucer shaped piece of, metal, about 2 inches in diameter and I just wonder how difficult it will be to navigate safely with it., Certainly on very uneven surfaces, such as the pavement from here […]

9 November 2011

I’m glad to say that I am suffering from minimal night pain in my joints since the injection in my shoulder.. Why on earth that should affect my knees and hips . I am still at a loss to fathom.. The thing that is given in most pain is getting this laptop to log-on to […]

8 November 2011

I was a bit of a wimp. today, as the weather didn’t look at all enticing. It was grey, overcast and drizzly with a chilly wind blowing. Much as I love going to the Tuesday, geriatric golf day. I did not fancy driving around in my electric wheelchair in the light rain and getting soaked., […]

7 November 2011

A footnote to the tragic story of the multiple car crash near Taunton yesterday. It has now been is now been confirmed that dense smoke from the bonfire allegedly, lit by the local rugby club, adjacent to the motorway, was certainly the principal cause of the accident. Presumably the unsuspecting motorist went from totally clear […]