Friday 26th Apr

There’s a particular book I want from the library but it’s not in my local one, so I jump in the car and drive a couple of miles to where they have one according to the online library system. Having looked with no luck on the shelves where it should be, I ask a librarian, who very slowly checks on their system that they do have it, then walks slowly to look at the shelves I’ve already searched. Fair enough at this point, as I may have missed it. She then shows me a display of similar books, which I’ve already seen and then decides she can’t find it, and so it must have been put back in the wrong place, so I’ll have to order/request it! We go back to the main counter where she spots a pile of books under the counter, apparently awaiting consideration for display, and there is mine on the top. Why I ask myself remove a pile of books from the shelves to hide them under the counter just in case you want to display them, surely they are already displayed, up to a point, on the shelves? That’s 10 minutes of my life I’ll never get back!

The afternoon brings hospital visiting, and having dropped mum off at the ward, I decide to take a wander around the hospital to see if I can find the main reception and any information and café’s it might hold. The hospital is very well maintained but is actually two hospitals on one site, and is large and sprawling, nevertheless I manage not to get lost and eventually return in one piece. The ailing one is in good spirits although he could be waiting a week or so yet for his operation. Funny thing about being in hospital, you soon settle into the rhythm of everyday life there.

After feeding the family, jay-le-taxi drops the youngest off at cricket practice. The eldest is off to a party and we’re picking up two of her friends on the way. Feeling brave I decide she can drive which means of course I need to not make too many jokes about the other drivers on the road. Despite lightly grazing a kerb (not her fault to be fair), she does a great job, all designed to boost her confidence. Her friends are very impressed that she never stalled the car. Stalling is a habitual practice for the learner driver. Jay-le-taxi then collects the youngest from cricket and heads home for a cup of tea.

The youngest is off on his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award hike this weekend, so I help him pack his rucksack as he will be out early in the morning, then settle down in front of the TV. At this point Mrs P produces a box of Celebrations she has been hiding since Easter, and needless to say we eat too many, but that’s par for the course.

Yours in chocolate overload

Jay