Coal mining

I drove south to Crook this morning to visit friends Pauline and George.

On the way I spotted this sculpture of a miner near Castleside, so I stopped to photograph it on the return journey.

Travelling was slow on the A68 because a lot of large farm vehicles are on the move at this time of year. It was a pleasant drive.

We had lunch together. George had to go out to sit with a friend this afternoon, so his wife could go to a hospital appointment. Pauline and I knitted and chatted. It's ages since we saw each other but we are very much at ease when we do meet.

Pauline had some super patterns for knitted hats. I'm knitting plain khaki hats for Ukrainian soldiers. Boring but quick. I did notice that the online pattern I'm using is on a site for Israeli soldiers. Who knew that so many people are knitting for their troops?

I enjoyed a quick shop in the Crook Aldi. It's like ours but much bigger. Lovely.

I had a quick meal and then drove to Newcastle to see the other Marjorie who is in Coronary Care. She needs changes to her medication so she is quite happy not to have been transferred to the Freeman yet. We had a good chat and I had taken in a few things she needed plus some treats. I hope she enjoys them. At the moment she does not have much interest in anything, which is very unlike her.

Now it is well past wine o'clock!