2010 — 3 August: Tuesday
Another cloudy start with a few patches of blue sky and some sun. It's 08:11 and, for a rare change, I've been listening to the UK's morning "news" on BBC Radio 4 while patching the two XP systems. Haven't done that1 for a long, long time. Apart from one Freudian slip ("bad" banks, where he meant to say "big" banks) there's not much entertainment value, is there? But why would anyone wish to pay to watch the rubbish that is put out by ITV, even in high-definition? And would I wish to visit the world's latest heritage site (Bikini Atoll)? Amazing. Quick, make me another cuppa!
Today's the day dear Mama moves into the care-home — I'm predicting busy, and long, but (I hope) not too traumatic. We shall see. [Pause] Back to the music tinkling from
BBC Radio 3 — a chap can take only so much reality in one concentrated dose, and I've now reached my limit for the day.
[Pause] This Interweb malarkey brings only equally depressing tidings. (Source.)
[Pause] Not that I'd last two minutes in Iran, either. (Source.)
[Pause] This is much more fun. How far is it to Byker Bridge?
Alderley Edge
Browsing that children's stories museum reminds me, inevitably, of Alan Garner and his first novel The Weirdstone of Brisingamen — last mentioned, when last re-read (quite recently), here. And what nicer way to cheer myself up a little (while the breakfast plums stew in the microwave) than by reminding myself of a family holiday tour when I dragged them round (technically, Christa drove us round) some of my childhood homes and haunts?
I took this on a path on the edge of the Edge. Christa was handing Peter a tissue in which to deposit his bubble gum. Their smiles now help take some of the edge off being on edge while I await my summons to the care-home. It's only 10:23 so there's a while to wait yet.
I've transferred...
... enough money to pay for dear Mama's first two weeks in her care-home from a savings account to a current account (just in case for whatever reason I'm the muggins who ends up paying that first eye-watering invoice I mentioned2). My late "lemonses" cuppa has been drunk while admiring the darkness of the early afternoon clouds. Indeed, I've also changed the mode on the new central heating system to warm the radiators at six o'clock tomorrow morning should it drop below 17C. Think of it as a late System Test.
Dagnabbit!
A few minutes ago I heard Lauren Laverne say this, which I'm 99.99% sure is from Walt Kelly's "Pogo" character. But not only is the copy of the book Carol gave me currently offsite in one of the 178 storage cartons, it is — more alarmingly — not in my current books database on the second of my patched XP boxes. Dagnabbit!
Capable niece #3 phoned from...
... Wombourne just before they set off on what I frankly doubt dear Mama understands is going to be her last major UK trip. It would, I suppose, be a poignant occasion except that it's fair to say the ol' dear has never been happy there in the last 33 years. Her choice, mind you. Claire confirmed my checklist of "house shutdown" actions has been carefully worked through — I was sure it would be. I still have to handle various bits of NHS shutdown separately (which I was already planning to). So the elderly little package at the unwitting centre of this maelstrom of activity, cool as a cucumber, and complete with paperwork and some fragile bits 'n' bobs, is now a front seat passenger en route in large BMW luxury down to her new home.
I shall be over at the care-home, complete with screwdriver, when she arrives to meet and greet. Later, if the timing works out, it will be my delight to treat the nieces to a meal,3 though I know they have to be back in London for about 20:00. Long day. Peter and Peter's g/f are also planning to host them for a meal, I think this week. It will be interesting to hear how they all gell.
As for me: this evening I shall have a stiff drink (two winegums in a bucket of water) and relax a bit. To quote my oenophile sister-in-law: LOL.
I have some letters to draft ready for dear Mama to sign. Too many parts of this country are still mad keen on their paperwork. Good job I got my printer back online. It's 14:49 and the sun is now breaking through the clouds.
All done!
And, at 23:17 I'm just about all done in, too. Bed!