…I knew my work here was done.

Of course I’m not going home yet. I’m looking forward to a few days of rest, relaxation and being waited on hand and foot (joke, obviously) before going to America next week.

On Monday morning I knew that Mum was pretty much better. The previous evening I she’d climbed the stairs with me standing at the bottom. But she had promised me that she would wake me so I could escort her down the stairs in the morning.  Of course, when I went to see if she wanted a cup of coffee first, she was already downstairs.  When I told Sally about it later Sally said “she’s just so disobedient!”.

We figured out how to put trousers on without bending too far (walking stick down the operated trouser leg and then the foot slides easily into the trouser leg without catching).

Mum had developed a loose crown on Sunday.  As it had taken 2 phone calls  and a lot of persuasion to get the dentist’s receptionist to give us an appointment on Monday, I made sure to remind Mum to hobble very slowly and gingerly on her way into the surgery!

By the time we arrived home the decorator had arrived to start fixing the damage resulting from a leaky toilet in the newly renovated cottage.  He climbed his ladder to examine the wallpaper on the ceiling. As he’d prodded the paper the large pool of water which had collected under the paper had deposited itself on his head.

After the trials of Monday, Tuesday was better all round.  The plumber came and sorted out the leaky washer in the cistern. I lengthened Mum’s sticks so she could walk more upright.

Every morning we take Meg out to the top field and throw the ball for her. If Alan has left the gate locked, I have to lift her over the wall as it’s too high for her to jump over.  This morning I turned away just for a second and the next thing I saw was Mum heaving Meg over the wall herself!

The rest of the day was full of very welcome visitors. I was dispatched to the driving range with a pocket full of pound coins while Mum’s dog walking friends called in for a cup of tea and a gossip and to see when she’ll be back with them walking round the woods.  I don’t think it’ll be long!