Friday 10th April 2026

Friday.

Its the end of the week. Again.

We don't know where the days and weeks go, but they fly by.

And yet here we are, in the second week of April, Spring, maybe, has arrived, nights are shorter than days, birds are on the wing, as are butterflies.

Jools, obviously, was up at five so she could be out of the house shortly after six for yoga. I went back to sleep, and was awoken once when Cleo jumped on my legs to make a nest, and second when Jools drove off in the car.

There was the bins to do, make coffee and then check on the world, which hasn't got any better.

I had a slow start before I would follow Jools in walking up Station Road into the village, with she going for her "Knit and Natter" group, and me off to the doctor's for a blood test.

It was a brighter, warmer day than expected, but the walk up the hill was fine, stopping to take shots of various wild flowers in bloom.

In the village, the post box has been upgraded to one of them modern scanning ones, and I had wondered how the knitted toppers would cope with the change, to find a knitted garland draped around the box.

Then up the back lane past the school to the surgery, and once checked in I find appointments were running slow.

I had an appointment for half ten, I got in at quarter past.

I found I have lost a further 6 Kg, not as much as I hoped, but progress is steady and I am feeling better than ever.

I was 79Kg when I joined the RAF some 36 years ago. I might not see those weights again, but that is 24 kilos gone since last summer, that's 52 pounds, or close enough. I was doubting I was losing any more, but I was, so I will keep on keeping on.

My blood was red, but reluctant to come out, so both arms were jabbed, the right three times. Maybe not enough for all tests, but we shall see.

The nurse is pleased with my progress, so I left the surgery light of foot and spirit, for the short walk to the village shop for an ice cream.

Which I ate sitting on the bench judging people's parking abilities.

Once the ice cream was gone, I walk back down the hill, then up the other side to home, where ten minutes later Jools joined me on the patio for a brew and some shortbread.

Through the afternoon we watch the last two episodes of Beatle Anthology, which detailed the final two albums and the break up of the band, and finally the part reform and the recording of Free as a Bird.

Even as things were falling apart, the four of them continued to make amazing music, quite the achievement. And legacy.

I do the music quiz and win. As I was quickest on the keyboard.

Yay me.

Before we drove Steve from next door and our former colleague from the LFB, Brian to the village for a charity pub quiz. Though was in the village hall rather than a pub.

It was a fun night, we do OK, finish sixth, but our knowledge of modern TV show themes ultimately let us down.

We drank beer, ate snacks and laughed a lot, and had much to ponder as Brian told us of his battles with cancer over the winter, which he seems to have won.

Back home for ten, pooped and tipsy-fart. We soon go to bed.