IN BRIEF

Monday 4th June

The start of a new week and completely on my own with Lucy back at school. Needn't have worried as first up had a phone call from my sister (rare occurrence). After the formalities of establishing that I had had the operation she offered to visit me on Thursday as she is in Matlock for the day 'doing' a workshop.
Weather very pleasant, so spent a very happy half hour weeding in the allotment. Made more pleasant by bumping into a neighbour en route, who offered the immortal words: "don't over do it" ah, somebody cares...
Graham was also seen to care today, when an enormous bunch of purple and yellow flowers arrived at midday, complete with trendy gift box and helium balloon with the words "I love you" inscribed on it, ah thanks Graham...
Realised that I had not let my 'old neighbour' know of my predicament, so sent an email last thing at night.

Tuesday 5th June

True to fashion, Judith had replied while I was still asleep and offered to come and see me this afternoon. Excellent - some company at last! Managed more weeding in the allotment, unearthing baby lettuce and parsnips which then needed to be transplanted. We spent the afternoon catching up on news about children, holidays, mutual acquaintances, and she brought me a bunch of flowers. We walked up to collect Lucy off the school bus, still trying to increase the frequency of short walks.
Lucy helped me with the watering of the allotment later. Disappointed to see that everything I had so lovingly transplanted, had wilted beyond recognition in the heat!

Wednesday 6th June

Another day at the computer and hey presto another phone call from an infrequently seen school friend. Geraldine, (my name sake) and I were at school together and for the first few years were best friends and always sat together. (Much to the consternation of teachers) We eventually grew apart in the fifth form, when it became increasingly obvious than in my country bumpkin ways, I could no longer compete with a highly intelligent teenager (or is that an?) who always managed higher marks than me. I left after 'O' Levels and went to my local grammar school, where the pace was much slower and I could be 'top swot' ( I don't mean it quite like that, but the pressure was definitely reduced) We had no further contact until I noticed in an 'old girl's' magazine at my mum's, that she was now living about 20 minutes away - so I made contact and after initial fervour, to establish old links we have seen little of each other in the last couple of years. I have to say I was overjoyed at receiving this phone call and to see her again after all this time, even if her exact words were: "I was keeping this week free to go to Australia, but as that has fallen through, I thought I'd visit the sick instead"!
Thanks for the delicious strawberries!

Thursday 7th June

A Red Letter day. As part of my rehabilitation, Lucy offered to take a break from her 'A' Level revision to escort me to town for a meal at Nandos. I was so tense about the whole thing...first bus ride, no escape route, seeing people...Anyway it all went much smoother than expected with Lucy the perfect escort and morale supporter (as long as I paid for everything!) We even saw someone on the bus on the way home that I'd not seen in ages, so more 'catch up' achieved. Again, time spent on feet was too long, but if you don't push the boundaries you will never get better (I keep telling myself through gritted teeth) Hoping to seek sanctuary in bed when I got home was short lived after listening to a message on the phone announcing the imminent arrival of my sister. She arrived from Matlock having spent the day 'teaching' bereavement counselling to a group of local volunteers.

Friday 8th June

Lucy missed the school bus, having left the house and returned three times for essential items. It was her 'Leavers Do' and with me not driving, had made the decision to stay at 'the boyfriend's' to get ready, rather than coming home and me taking her. (She wasn't at all happy with this arrangement, but there wasn't a lot I could do about it...) Busy day on the website. Great weather, so lots of walks.
Was very privileged to witness the first flight of our Blue Tit fledglings. (See above) Felt sorry for the scruffy one as he (she) only managed to fall out of the nesting box and land directly underneath it, leaving itself worryingly exposed to attack. Decided to intervene by popping him back in the box for another 'go'. The box was definitely empty by the following morning and I thought I saw him hopping from branch to branch in the plum tree, but no sightings since...