Stage two of the garden project today, mixing concrete. Once again Karin and Dan have done a great job, half the foundation now complete. I'm feeling tired and frustrated as I just don't have the stamina to do this sort of work at the moment so all I can do is sit and offer advice, drink tea and eat cake, not all that bad then ;-)

Today we made a start on the raised bed that Karin has requested. Dan, Karin and Peggy began digging the foundation for the wall while I supervised! Lottie had some friends over for a sleepover so once again I was first to bed.

ey up me duck

Dan had volunteered to help the canoe club this morning with marshalling 1000+ plastic ducks on the Derwent. A miserable wet morning and I got roped in to team up in a canoe with Dan. However there was a little mix up with the communication of the times of the event and after paddling down to Cathedral Green for an expected start of 11am we were told the race didn't start until 2pm ! So it was back up stream to Darley Barn for a cup of tea and a new plan. In the end Dan ended up in a Kayak and as Dan didn't trust me in a boat by myself I got to help out in the Canoe. It was a little touch and go, if the wind had picked up I'm sure the ducks would have all gone up stream, but with some coaxing we managed to get them to the finish.

Home for a warm bath then Dr Who followed by the Eurovision Song contest although I didn't manage to last out to the end and had an early night.

A bit of a struggle getting up this morning, but whilst Lottie was doing her Physics exam I attended the Heavy Workshop. Despite feeling tired I felt as if I made a little progress this morning as I managed to keep my heart rate lower than last week. But I didn't get chance to use the BTE.
An afternoon in the garden sitting in the sun and advising Dan on the raised bed he is constructing for Karin.

Filled in a couple of probate forms with my sister this morning, how someone can charge 8k for this form filling I don't know!
Dan and I then went and placed our first geocache. It'll be a few days before its live but its reference will be GC29B4F if anyone's interested.

Went out this evening for a pint of Guinness at the Brewers Tap with Kade and Mole (who was passing through on a brief visit from Montserrat). Was in two minds about going out but although it took a while for me to sip my pint and it was a slow walk home after, they have some comfy sofas and it was great to get out and hear about volcanoes and life in the Caribbean.

Chemistry exam for Lottie this morning and last stroke management group this afternoon. Quick overview of the last 5 weeks and feedback. Even though many of the topics covered weren't directly related to my condition I felt it was still a useful group and hopefully we will all be meeting again in a fortnight to go sailing.
Evening walking the dog at Darley and popping into Kade and Linda's for a cup of tea while Dan was Kayaking on the Derwent.

Trip out this morning to Tinkinswood Burial Chamber. A very impressive limestone capstone, thought to be the largest in Europe shame about the adjacent electricity pylons which spoil the ambience. But the one and two finger pockets on the underside supported my view that its a prehistoric bouldering facility. Dan found an adjacent geocache and we picked up a travel bug that had come from Kansas. Then a short walk to the 'haunted field' and St Lythans burial chamber before meeting Karin and her Mum at Dyffryn Gardens.
Drive back to Derby with more LCD Soundsystem and The Black Keys new album Brothers.

Newton beach today, the other side of the river from Ogmore. Quieter and more sheltered so with the flat sea Lottie and Dan kept Peggy entertained swimming backwards and forwards after a ball.

Another day on the beach at Ogmore. Despite it being the busiest I've ever seen it, its still a great beach with sand, surf, rock pools, pebbles and even some bouldering at the trench. This visit was however spent mainly watching Lottie and Dan bodyboarding and getting sunburnt!

Back to Cardiff for a barbecue in the garden and Doctor Who .

A drive down to Cardiff identifying the influences on the new LCD Soundsystem album 'this is happening' - Bowie, Depeche Mode, Human League, Kraftwerk, & PJ Harvey ?
Then an afternoon on the beach at Ogmore. Fantastic weather and paddling in the sea brought a new sensation. My left side feels warm even though my right tells me the sea is still really cold.

I felt a little better at Heavy Workshop this morning than the previous few weeks although my OT remarked I was looking tired. Passed on the report from my consultant and tried out my new Heart Rate Monitor. Hopefully as suggested by the Physio's it will help me track my progress and give me a better idea of when I'm overdoing it.
Took delivery of the new BMC Eastern Gritstone - Froggatt to Black Rocks guide this afternoon, lots of inspiration for the autumn, reading and places to check out in the meantime.

A bit of a 'slow' start to the day, got up this morning convinced I had Heavy Workshop, it was not until I checked my diary before leaving the house I realised it was Thursday!
After meeting Rachel for a coffee and catch up I took the dog for a walk at Black Rocks. There were some shenanigans going on with some youths abseiling head first down the block and a couple suffering rope drag on a lone tree gully/groove hybrid.






How it should be done !







Then it was over to my sisters for another meeting about Probate. With quotes between £8,000 and £3,500 for form filling, I think we may try doing it ourselves.

Another easy morning, and at long last I'm feeling a little less tired and better than I have done for a number of weeks. Stroke group this afternoon was about benefits, again not all relevant but still interesting. No confirmation of our sailing trip yet but its pencilled in for the 2 June.
No kayaking for Dan tonight as he was visiting friends, so Lottie and I took the opportunity to take Peggy for a quick walk at Allestree Park.

A quiet day with a trip over to my sisters in the evening to meet a man from the co-op about probate. I came back with lots of 'interesting' reading.

Mum's Funeral today. Started with a well attended service at Matlock Methodist Church, followed by a drive over to Chesterfield Crematorium for a short committal service. Many folk opted to head straight to Lea Gardens. The Rhododendron gardens were a good choice, with an excellent spread of food and cake laid on.





Mum would have been very pleased to see everyone enjoying the food, sun and gardens which were in fine flower. Some photos


Isn't that the flamboyant, dandyish Wirsworth interior designer

you've got dead ears mate

Went to the cinema today to watch Robin Hood and I have to say Crowe's accent was a little Irish. Lottie commented there was too much fighting, but Dan enjoyed all 2 hours and 20 minutes of swashbuckling.

Back in June of last year whilst climbing in Pembroke Dave and I encountered some of the filming. Our first encounter was when after topping out at St Govan's Head Dave struggled to find a belay stake and was just about to give up when he spotted they had all been camouflaged! We were camping in Bosherston and that night a steady stream of horse boxes passed heading to the cliff top. Ma Weston in Ye Olde Worlde Cafe told us how Russell Crowe had been in earlier in the week and had posed for photos with some of the girls.







That days climbing was re-directed to Stennis and Huntsmans due to the number of horses and archers at the top of St Govan's. We did get given a smoothie whilst we waited behind the catering truck and merry portaloos whilst filming was finished. Much easier for them to paint out a stationary truck than a moving climber. Although after seeing the beach they managed to get at the foot of St Govans in the final movie its hard to believe anything you see on the screen. Like the giant chalk white horse on the side of Thorpe Cloud that also appeared in the final film!





After a quick search for arrows which surprisingly only turned up one, we headed over to Freshwater West where the beach scenes had been shot and the crew were all camped out.

Think I was feeling a little better this morning, although still not as good as I did 3/4 weeks ago. Took it easy in the morning then a short walk with Lottie and Dan to get rid of the large Travel Bug in the afternoon. This involved a walk from Little Eaton into some woods that were thick with blue bells. There was also an interesting footbridge that spanned the entrance to a quarry/garden shame about the quality of the sandstone in this area.

Heavy Workshop this morning was still hard work, The foam balance beam is still causing some problems! I did get to have 5mins on the rowing machine though. It felt good to be using my arms. The OT's will review my programme next Friday. Hopefully I should be able to do a little more upper body exercise and be feeling a little less tired.
Afternoon spent watching Heat

Had an easy morning before heading up to Starkholmes in the afternoon to meet my Sister. A few jobs around the house then we went for a walk up High Tor. Lots of nice Cow Slips on the top.

Stroke Group this afternoon was to discuss returning to driving and although I thought it wouldn't be relevant, it was still useful to check that I'd followed the correct procedure and didn't need to contact the DVLA. It was also good to find out that due to the Disability Discrimination Act it shouldn't effect my insurance premiums.

Next I had an appointment with Occupational Health which proved very useful. It seems I may now be entitled to disability leave rather than sick leave and I'll be entitled to 6 weeks of paid phased return. Its also recommended I extend it with annual leave that I've carried over to make sure I don't rush back too quickly. It also looks as if I may get an extra half hour for lunch to allow for my slow eating!

All this was very reassuring. If I'd been asked a few weeks ago I'd have said I'd be back at work by now on a phased return but this past two weeks have felt hard work, so it looks as if I may be off until July?



Dan was kayaking on the Derwent again tonight and took his first trip over the weir. I was quite jealous although it was a little cold last night, hopefully I'll be able to join in when the weather warms up.

Appointment with my Consultant today. Another long chat about how things are going and positive news in that although I feel I've had a bit of a set back in the last couple of weeks I should still see improvements beyond the six months target I'd been thinking. It was also felt that I could start some upper body exercise at the heavy workshop but no pull ups or climbing just yet. Still no idea what is causing the discomfort in my stomach so I'll keep some notes on when its worse, to try and pin down what the problem is. If its just odd nerve sensation then there are drugs I can take to address the changed sensation, if its damage caused by the NG tube then I'm on the correct drugs for sorting that out. Further discussions with the GP needed on this one. Forgot to ask about swimming but with the approval for upper body exercise I'd have thought it OK when I'm feeling a little less tired now my swallowing has improved.
For the time being I just need to take things steady, and look back a little further than just the last few weeks to see the massive improvements I've made.

Heavy Workshop this morning was heavy going, I didn't get to use the BTE and didn't get enough time to do the bolts. My balance seemed to be particularly crap.
Took it easy for the rest of the day and scanned a few more photos

Elms Avenue



Winning the egg and spoon race Aiton's Gala 1949



Holiday in Zermatt



Ipstones near Sharpcliffe Y.H.



Pear Tree Junior mixed class B1 1938

Everyone had a much needed lie in this morning. The only exercise today was a short dog walk for Dan and I, where we came across a rather unusual geocache container with a very large Travel Bug attached!

After taking Dan to Cricket practice on Darley Abbey Park in the morning, had a family get together at my Mum's house to sort a few things. Lottie started sorting through some photos with the idea that I'll scan a few for folks to view after the funeral. There are some real corkers and I'm sure I'll be posting a few on here over the coming week.

Here is one for starters; Dad, Mum and Brother in Dovedale. Ian doesn't look very happy, he must have been a little cold. We've still got the sledge but I'm not sure how much is still original and one of my early memories is riding on the back of my Dad's skis

Heavy workshop this morning felt hard work. I felt fine on the Balance Master but struggled on the foam balance beam, treadmill and had low scores on the BTE.
Headed into work to catch up with Paul before heading out with the dog to Raven Tor to sit in the sun and watch Dave climb Chimes of Freedom.

After voting a visit to see the GP resulting in another 4 weeks off work, still not 'fit for work' He confirmed my recovery would have its up and downs but the general trend is in the right direction.

Follow up Videofluoroscopy this morning, I was expecting great things but as ever Carol advised caution. I've certainly made lots of progress but I still need to use the dropped chin and head turned technique. With my head to the front I am still getting some residue hanging on the right side of my throat. However it was very nice to confirm that I am OK with normal fluids and to have the confirmation that what I'm feeling is what is actually happening. So for the time being its chew well, avoid crackers and digestive biscuits keep using the technique and remember it is still early days and more improvement is likely given time.

Lunch with Linda and Jackie at the Revive Cafe followed by 'Stroke Club' on exercise and nutrition.

This evening we all took Dan down to Darley for Kayaking on the Derwent.

Day spent in Chesterfield with my Brother and Sister sorting funeral arrangements.

Mum died peacefully this morning in Ashgate Hospice.

A short dog walk on Markeaton Park was followed by a Family gathering at Lea Rhododendron Gardens, before heading up to Starkholmes.

Thanks again to Kade and Linda for looking after Lottie and Dan, Jane for providing food and Karin for yet another trip to Hospital this time to take Dan to A&E to get his bruised thigh checked out.

Morning dog walk in the woods near Farley with Dan, Ian, Charlotte and four dogs. Then headed over to Belper to Julian and Keren's. On the way we received a message that my Mother's condition had deteriorated and that she may only have a day or two left. After a short chat with Keren and Julian, Karin and I headed to Ashgate Hospice to meet my Sister and visit my Mum leaving Lottie and Dan to go exploring up the Chevin.

A big thank you to Keren and Julian for looking after Lottie and Dan, and to Karin for getting me back to Derby then returning to Chesterfield to sit with my Mum during her last hours.

Arranged to meet a few folk at Cromford Mill at the Cottage Garden Plant Sale, including Olly and family who were down from Edinburgh for a party. If you take the Wirksworth Road 'because it'll be quicker' you can guarantee you'll be stuck behind a Sunday driver, caravan or as today cows crossing!






Anyway it was nice to catch up with everyone and to see Lottie score a direct hit on Olly's head with a water bomb fired with their catapult.










Curry and a glass of wine at Ian and Charlotte's this evening first alcohol in nearly 100 days seemed to go down well. Followed by Dr Who on BBC iPlayer then an early night for everyone.

The picture is of an unusual rubbery egg produced by one of the chickens, not a good sign for the chicken.