U.K. Duty Visit - Day 11

This day was largely dominated by those at the far ends of the age scale. We took the morning gently since none of us had slept particularly well, me because I had forgotten the cold/sleep aid pill. While Katy took the two little ones to see Mum-Mum, Pam & I sorted through the last of the picture pile, dividing duplications between us & assigning a great many more to the “to be scanned” pile.

Katy & the children arrived & largely dominated the rest of the day. After we had all eaten, Pam & Nick went out, primarily to visit Mum-Mum in the hospital. Luckily the children both took decently long naps so Katy and John were able to have some one-on-one “quality time”, during which we both learned a fair bit.

Pam & Nick returned, reporting that the outside was windy but bearable, so John, Katy, the kids and Pam as well went down to the front. Katy wanted to park on the level, near the bandstand which, of course, despite few other vehicles, was in the active “Pay & Display” zone – which applies to 90+% of all parking except way up the hill towards Mum-Mum’s flat. Having little change between us she negotiated with an adjacent car for the breakdown of a pound, we bought our ticket & set off. Pam & Anna went down the beach, staying close to the groyne to get a windbreak, while John, Katy & Luke in the pushchair went at warp speed along to the pier and back – Katy demonstrating that she would be in the championship class of mall-walkers! It was a great burst of exercise. The sea was really rough – just as Maria would have liked it.

Back at the flat more discussions followed, severely interrupted by the demands of the infantry; we all ate something, the kids were readied for bed then they, Katy & Pam took off for London leaving Nick & I in peace.

Before Pam left we got a call from the surgeon, saying that unless the nursing home would have a problem, he would discharge Mum-Mum tomorrow, and let her recover from both the operation & the urinary tract infection at the home.