More good weather had been promised for the 16th so, after we'd done our usual weekly shop, we decided to pack a picnic and head into Herefordshire. Firstly to Burford House gardens as in previous visits this had been very good. Not so anymore, it appears that a new owner might have taken over and the gardens and indeed the tearoom is not what is used to be. How disappointing! So, having had our lunch, we made for Berrington Hall (NT) nearby. We had a wander around the grounds visiting the old kitchen garden and tool 'shed'. Here we met Ivor Lottarubbish Volunteer Scarecrow and colleagues! Colin made use of his carry-along seat again and took in the views over the Herefordshire countryside. We finished off the day with an ice cream (Brrrgh!) from the shop before setting out for home.
The rest of the last fortnight has been a mixture of Colin's volunteering, and appointments, and trying to get to grips (as it were) with the weeds in the garden (no we haven't!). Colin has done two further volunteering days at Regents and has been continuing with sorting out books and magazines in the library after users, and helping sort some booklets into numerical order. He now has a bit of a break whilst the person supervising him is on holiday.
Colin has had two of his senses reviewed - had new spectacles to make him see better, and a review of his hearing aid which had more software installed on it and the ear mould temporarily taken away to 'sand it down'. This has meant it doesn't hurt anymore, but he spent a few days without it and it has been like the scene from Fawlty Towers! Sunday last week was an outing of a different kind - this time to the Malvern Hospital Friends' Mad Hatters Tea Party which, of course, involved lots of tea and cake! It proved a successful afternoon and many people to chat to and catch up with. And....the Friends' Committee members' hats were just sublime!
And finally, we had pleasure in visiting our friend and his wife of 'six-bypasses fame' following his last op on another part of his anatomy. We were pleased to hear that his consultant is very pleased with the outcome but Chemo is now on the cards for him as a precaution. So we wish them both well for the start and duration of this treatment and for another successful outcome.
Colin and Jane.