It’s broken

Ella checked up on me at 8am to make sure I’d done my Latin. Then shortly after she told me from RVI that her finger was broken, not dislocated, so she’s been strapped up and told no sport for 4 weeks. (This was due to an accident at basketball a few weeks ago). That won’t suit but she’s so like #1 daughter in many ways, being brave, stoical and positive.

Bathroom Chris came at 10.30 and left at 3.30. He’s done more tiling and hopes to finish it tomorrow. He has also had the bug so we kept clear of him.

We went over to Stanton Hall, a beautiful garden with a very well-cared section of plants for sale. I got a magnolia stelata for £20 and some plants for pots. Mr C got compost and rhubarb. Then we came home via Heighley Gate which is no longer Dobbies and has a much better selection of much better-cared for plants. We got some herbs to replace the ones lost in winter and sweet peas.

After lunch I took the car down to the village, being unable to walk the hill. I had two unwell friends to visit but how differently they are dealing with their pain. Marian, in her 80s, had a toe operation and it is tough. She sets a timer to give 15 minutes with her foot up, then another 15 to walk about. We discussed books, podcasts, Germany, Vienna, Glasgow, Pitlochry, train services, cooking and more. I took her an Olivia Laing to read. Linda, in her 60s, next (I took her a Tove Janssen book as she’s Moomin fan) and she has a lot to be miserable about - husband with Parkinsons, son with MS and now she has a very sore neck. Although we’d made a pact not to go there, illness was the main topic so after a while I asked to see her paintings so we went through her beautiful garden to her studio. She is very talented and is part of a 10 person exhibition at the Dovecote in the summer. She’s trying to decide which colour palette to go for as her 9 paintings have to have some cohesion. She can knock off 6 painting sketches in a couple of hours so despite all the problems I’m sure she’d get enough done. I wish I could afford to buy a painting. I like her style.

Heimat has still not arrived from EBay so tonight we’ll watch Race Round the World.