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When we woke there was another thin covering of snow outside and as it was sunny we got some shopping in Stanmore, and I bought myself a blue fleece top.

On Sunday we went to The Man in the Moon and had a roast Sunday lunch which we enjoyed and lingered over. the barman let us buy several bottles of the wine which was very nice, and we took them home for another day.

Later Florence called and chatted, and I called Poppy who is starting a new job tomorrow.

On Monday I went off early to have a blood test at the hospital, and then I walked up to Hampstead looking at the shops, and getting some stamps at the post office. On the way home I bought two fresh herrings for my lunch ( Mas does not like herrings as they, inconsiderately, have too many bones; the cat enjoyed the leftovers (minus the bones).

Today I went back to the Royal Free Hospital where I saw the specialist with the smiling eyes. He said my blood tests were all normal, and reminded me that I must walk each day, and not gain too much weight. Further appointments were set up for me, which makes me feel very secure in the knowledge that they are looking after me so well.

I hurried back home as we had planned to see Avatar in the late afternoon. It was a beautiful film, the scenery was amazing, and the love story good too. I was surprised that they had made such an obviously political statement, without any use of subtlety, which I think would have made the message more meaningful, instead of using crude stereotypes.

It did make a change for us to go to the cinema, and go out after feeling so confined by bad weather.

Reasons to be Cheerful

When we got up we watched Salty romping on the grass with the Tabby, and then they began chasing each other in circles. Clearly they are friends which is a relief.

Later we did some gardening to keep the place from being swamped by a tsunami of vegetation, and we both tried to catch up on various things that we had been putting off. Toby phoned talking about the wonderful holiday they had in Argentina which was very cheering.


Today I had to go to the Royal Free Hospital for a blood test, and afterwards walking up the hill towards Hampstead in the sunshine I felt really happy. It also seemed comforting to know that my grandparents, parents and aunties would have also walked up this street many times, looking at the same architecture, although the use of the various shops has changed.


When I got home Mas said we needed some shopping from Stanmore, and that we could have lunch at The Man in the Moon while there, which we did. We came home and watched a 'Monk',
Florence phoned, and I called Pete to see how he was. In the evening we watched a Wallender.

Fleas and worse.

We went off to Borehamwood to research and buy some flea treatment for Salty; he hasn't got them yet, but unless we take precautions it is inevitable. Later I walked to Edgware and bought myself some new trousers. The weather is grey and it has been raining on and off all day, so Salty has been sleeping indoors instead of on the shed roof.


















He does have other places to sleep, but likes sprawling on top of his bed, until he falls off it.

In the evening we were watching TV, with the curtains drawn between the sitting room and conservatory, and Salty burst through with an alarming meow as he usually does, but his head was covered in a big smear of blood. When I cleaned it, I found it was not blood, but some kind of water based paint, thank goodness, and he was not hurt.

Today the weather was better, and after Mas and I carried out our strategy of putting the flea drops on the cat while he was asleep. I went into the garden to do more weed clearing and putting grass seed down. Mas spent all day struggling with the computer and AOL. I had to work in the garden to remove myself from the problems, if left to me I would throw the computer away after violently destroying it first.

hospital visit and head sitting

Today I had to go to hospital and had the usual blood test. As I had to wait for an hour till it was time for my appointment I left the hospital and walked down to Southend Green, and then to the pond.

When I saw the doctor she said that they were going to discontinue the drip medication now, as my blood was not recovering quickly enough, she did say that the chances that I would make a complete recovery were very good. I still have to take two weeks of pills, then go for another blood test. At this rate I should be finished with medication by the 24th of December.

Picture sent by Joan from Ontario

I took the train back after collecting the pills from the pharmacy, but felt really tired by the time I got home and had to have a rest, and the kitten came too, but had to be persuaded from sitting on my head!