Friday didn't turn out as expected

 I woke shortly after four this morning. I tried to get back to sleep, but after tossing and turning for about an hour, I gave up and got up.

The house was chilly, but there were a couple of logs in the hearth and there was a reasonable bed of embers in the log burner. Using these, I managed to coax the fire alight and soon the room started to warm. 

And so my day started. It was bitterly cold today. An icy wind was blowing in from the East and sleet was forecast for later. It was definitely a day for staying indoors. 

My only ventures outside were to let the chickens out and collect logs from the shed. I did also pick the last of the leeks.* These gave me the excuse to spend the morning in a warm kitchen making leek and potato soup.  

Unfortunately we were out of potatoes, so I needed to head out to the village shop for the aforementioned spuds. I decided to kill two birds with one stone and stopped off at Pete the Beekeepers house. I needed to drop off a honey bucket and, hopefully, order another, as supplies are running very low.

Concerningly, Pete shouted from a window that he was not able to come to the gate. I managed to ascertain that he was OK and that he did not need any help. He promised to call me later ... I really hope he is alright.

Back at home soup was made, the fire was fed logs on a regular basis and I curled up on the settee with a book.

Late in the afternoon 30% headed off for a physiotherapy appointment and returned with a worried look on her face about an hour later.  It seems that the Physio was concerned that she might have a condition where nerves at the base of her spine are compressed. He had referred her for immediate attention at the Accident and Emergency department in Worcester.

And, so we found ourselves sat in the waiting area of A&E. 30% was triaged quite promptly, but it was a long wait to see the Consultant. With her agreement, I returned home to feed the dogs and shut up the chickens. She eventually called at around half past nine to advise that she had been seen. It was the Consultant's view that all was well and there was no need for MRI scans or emergency surgery.

It is fair to say that she and I were both incredibly relieved.

Friday, most definitely, did not pan out as expected.

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* Planted 13th August '24, var. Bleu de Solaise