You'll have read in the previous post of our long wait for Severn Trent to attend to the external stop-cock. Well, the very next day after we wrote it, they appeared! Naughtily they just appeared - they were supposed to let us know of the date they had scheduled the work - but no, a gang (as they're called in the trade) just appeared. Jane was out at the time - had she known, she could have re-arranged her morning. As it was, Colin had to deal with them on his own, which wasn't good and caused much anxiety. The gang didn't seem to know what they were supposed to do - work sheet just said 'look at problem' - helpful that! Colin couldn't 'get much sense' out of the gang of two and when Jane arrived, neither could she! As Colin put it, 'they are certainly a tap short of several washers! Work progressed and following knock on the door, gang leader announced they had replaced the stop-cock - but as the old meter would no longer fit the new pipe, they had taken it away! Seeing Jane's bemusement, she was asked if she really wanted the meter!! But.....our account with ST is for metered water! Jane could not really believe what she was hearing but gang leader convinced that maybe we really did want a meter they toddled off to Gloucester to fetch one and were back within the hour (GT ST!). Colin had a hospital appointment so we went to that, leaving them to it. When we returned they had gone leaving excavated front garden, and barriers to be collected by another gang! Water pressure now was abysmal leaving hardly any water coming from the kitchen tap when washing machine drawing water and the downstairs loo flushed! We were getting greater pressure from cold tap in bathroom (fed by tank in loft) than the mains pressure. Hole was eventually filled in some four days later, whilst we were out but, having contacted ST to find out why they hadn't let us know they were turning up to do the job, we are still waiting for the promised call-back to explain what 'went wrong'. Thankfully, our plumber was booked in again to 'do' the internal stop-cock, and after much turning on and off of both stop-cocks, the water pressure has returned to 'normal'.
The rest of the time has been taken up with, two Brain Tumour Support group meetings - one in Worcester where reps from the Brain Tumour Charity (http://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/) told us about the recent research which they are funding. This is one charity which funds clinical trials - much needed! The other at Cheltenham Maggie's yesterday which was a much more informal affair where we learned that some of the others which live in Gloucestershire and who have balance problems (as Colin does) have been referred to a Neuro-Physiotherapist, which they have found very beneficial. Colin hasn't had such luck! So, maybe something to persue.
Speaking of balance - we have tried to get out for a few strolls and went to Croome Park (NT) on Sunday to take in some sunshine. Colin did very well and managed to walk up to the Rotunda, down past the house, along the psuedo river to the gate leading onto the path taking us back up past the Orangery thru' the shrubbery and back to the visitor centre, for a warming hot drink. We did sit down at every opportunity!
A couple of weeks ago, we had lunch out in Ledbury with our friends - he of six bypasses fame and other unmentionables. This was at a little Italian place and one which we hadn't been to for years. It was really good to catch up over good food and good company, and we wish them well as he faces the last few dregs of chemo!
Colin continues to volunteer at Regents library - which he enjoys very much, and it continuing with his piano lessons. These are progressing although not always in the way he and his teacher had planned! The memory is a funny old thing - Colin can remember what he has learned some days later, but can't remember the note he should start a piece with a few moments having played it! Hmmm! The task this week is to exercise the fingers - to make them more supple and to play more smoothly. This is something which Colin finds tricky - dexterity is something which has suffered with the tumour or probably more as a result of the treatment. So, we'll see how this progresses.
And finally, two things for you all to do to support those with brain tumours:
One - collect your milk carton tops (the ones with a 2 in the recycle triangle) and give them to us for the Brain Tumour Support charity.
Two - get your bandana for brain tumours and wear it on 6th March!
Colin and Jane.
The rest of the time has been taken up with, two Brain Tumour Support group meetings - one in Worcester where reps from the Brain Tumour Charity (http://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/) told us about the recent research which they are funding. This is one charity which funds clinical trials - much needed! The other at Cheltenham Maggie's yesterday which was a much more informal affair where we learned that some of the others which live in Gloucestershire and who have balance problems (as Colin does) have been referred to a Neuro-Physiotherapist, which they have found very beneficial. Colin hasn't had such luck! So, maybe something to persue.
Speaking of balance - we have tried to get out for a few strolls and went to Croome Park (NT) on Sunday to take in some sunshine. Colin did very well and managed to walk up to the Rotunda, down past the house, along the psuedo river to the gate leading onto the path taking us back up past the Orangery thru' the shrubbery and back to the visitor centre, for a warming hot drink. We did sit down at every opportunity!
A couple of weeks ago, we had lunch out in Ledbury with our friends - he of six bypasses fame and other unmentionables. This was at a little Italian place and one which we hadn't been to for years. It was really good to catch up over good food and good company, and we wish them well as he faces the last few dregs of chemo!
Colin continues to volunteer at Regents library - which he enjoys very much, and it continuing with his piano lessons. These are progressing although not always in the way he and his teacher had planned! The memory is a funny old thing - Colin can remember what he has learned some days later, but can't remember the note he should start a piece with a few moments having played it! Hmmm! The task this week is to exercise the fingers - to make them more supple and to play more smoothly. This is something which Colin finds tricky - dexterity is something which has suffered with the tumour or probably more as a result of the treatment. So, we'll see how this progresses.
And finally, two things for you all to do to support those with brain tumours:
One - collect your milk carton tops (the ones with a 2 in the recycle triangle) and give them to us for the Brain Tumour Support charity.
Two - get your bandana for brain tumours and wear it on 6th March!
Colin and Jane.
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