14 October 2009
My biggest excitement today was having my toenails cut at the Saffron Walden Community Hospital. The podiatrist is a kindly, personable young lady, who, during the cutting and filing, confided in me how much she would like to be married with a family. Apparently once one is past one’s teens and most of one’s friends […]
13 October 2009
It was the most perfect autumn day for a walk around the golf course with the geriatrics I managed the entire 18 holes without my shooting stick which I had left behind. I didn’t feel too bad at the time but I must admit that when I got home I was rather exhausted.
12 October 2009
Gavin from Able2 – such a kind helpful young man – called in today to adjust the articulated arm support which I use when I’m eating. It elevates my hand to my mouth which makes the whole process of eating less stressful. This arm support is, of course, an alternative to my own feeding frame. […]
10 October 2009
After consulting the film maker, Monti, I have decided to include his magnificent DVD of the dinner given in my Honour at the Atheneum in September. Apart from anything else it’s a joy of the photographers art. In addition there are four separate slideshows of conversation pieces between every guest but I’ve not included those […]
9 October 2009
A good day. Lunch with one of my oldest friends, 92 year old Geoffrey Hanscomb, at my favourite fish restaurant in London, Skeekey’s. When I say oldest I mean the one I have known longest. GAH gave me my first holiday job, 60 years ago and we have been good friends ever since. I started […]
8 October 2009
Horror of horrors, wisdom tooth extraction day. Went to Addenbrookes at lunchtime to have it yanked out. Not a happy experience particularly as they managed to break the tooth and leave a small part of the root behind, which meant a lot of poking, a certain amount of cutting and the loudest drilling that I’ve […]
7 October 2009
This evening I finished another long Chinese novel – The Brothers by Yu Hua – a strange story apparently shortlisted for the 2008 Man Asian Literary Prize. Described on the dust cover as a highly spirited comedy of society running amok in modern China, which follows two brothers riding the dizzying rollercoaster of life in […]
6 October 2009
I braved the wind and rain today for my weekly geriatric golf walk. I managed 16 holes before my legs started giving out but that was around two and a half hours walking, so not too bad. I kept reasonably dry but what does one do about a soggy kilt? It’s also getting a little […]
5 October 2009
My geriatric flu jab today but not swine flu. Apparently the vaccine will not be available until the end of this year. I just hope I don’t pick up anything in China or Thailand. Now my hands are virtually useless, permanently at right angles to my arms unless I am wearing a wrist support, I […]
4 October 2009
Out for a pub lunch at the Barleycorn, Duxford, with my lovely today. Sunny enough to sit outside; so a cigar.
D. Mark Cato
D. Mark Cato