Gardening

Had a productive afternoon in the garden.  I potted up 36 plug geraniums (bright red) and also planted two packets of leek seeds.  Ian shredded a pile of woody bits which went on the compost.  We then had room to put the two small raised beds which we bought last year.  We think we will put the broad beans there once they are grown.  We then put the third small raised bed at the back of the vegetable garden area where we think we will put the leeks.  Its a bit shady there but we think leeks won't mind it too much.  I weeded the area where the gooseberries are growing and put some manure on them.  They are just beginning to green up.  That area is quite dry in the summer so must remember to mulch and keep watering.
Went to Witham this morning.  Ian had to go to doctors to have INR tested for his Warfarin intake, also put in a new prescription.  Been a bit of a cloudy day today but not too cold... which is good!  I am feeling better with my cold a bit more energy but still can't taste or smell anything!

Wisdom of the Saints

Paul Aurelian was a 6th century Welsh saint, who became one of the seven founder saints in Brittany, France.  Paul was the son of a Welsh chieftain named Perphirius/Porphyrius ("clad in purple"), from Penychen in Glamorgan.  He was the brother of three saintly sisters, Juthwara, Sidwell and Wulvela.  Paul became a pupil of Saint Illtud at Llantwit Major and on Caldey Island, like the Saints Samson of Dol, Gildas and David.
He later visited King Mark of Cornwall and founded the church at Paul, before moving on to Brittany to establish monasteries at Lampaul on the island of Ushant, on the island of Batz (where he later died) and at Ocsimor, now the city of Saint-Pol-de-Léon in Finistère. He was consecrated bishop there under the authority of Childebert, King of the Franks. Paul was a vegetarian.
He was first buried at Saint-Pol-de-Léon but his relics were later transferred to Fleury near Orléans.  His bell is still kept at Saint-Pol however Gilbert Hunter Doble thought he might be the same man as Saint Paulinus of Wales. His feast day is 12 March.

Intravenous chemo

Went to the hospital today.  Spoke to the oncologist and we have decided not to go ahead with the intravenous chemo today as I am suffering with this horrible cold and cough.  The first thing he said was that I look very washed-out, which I was hoping he would say as I really didn't want the IV.  I think it would have totally knocked me out.  He has given me a prescription for antibiotics to help get rid of the cold, cough.  I think I will just go to bed this afternoon and take things easy.  If I stay downstairs I will be distracted by so many things....
So I will have my CT scan next Monday and the deferred intravenous chemo will be next Tuesday.  Hopefully I will feel a lot better by then.  They said it was perfectly OK to defer IV if necessary.  So no problem there.
I am so pleased I didn't have the IV today.  It gives me a week of freedom, once I have got rid of the cold.  Hurray.... things are looking up!

Review of the week

Having not put anything on my blog since Tuesday,  I have decided to do a 'review of the week'.  This is what I can remember of it........
Wednesday we went to Senior Screen at the Odeon Cinema in Chelmsford.  Its quite good because they now do it at Chelmsford which is a lot closer than Colchester - so we are happy about that.  The car parking is also cheaper which Ian is particularly happy about!  We saw "The Help" which is about the relationship between the middle class white Americans in the 1950s and their black maids.  It was quite emotional but quite good.
Anna came over on Thursday and I met up with her in Chelmsford for a chat and catch up.  In the evening we went to the Rectory for the start of our Lent Group course.  It was all about being rooted and what that meant.  Is it about living in the same area for many years?  That definitely does not apply to Ian and me.  Perhaps it is about being rooted in tradition, or for Christians it might mean being rooted in our faith and belief.  Many people said that it was about being in a fellowship and support, especially when you are going through hard times.  I can concur with that!
Friday - woke up feeling like I was getting a bit of a cold and cough.  Hope this does not mean  that I cannot have my IV on Monday??  Anyway, we were invited to our neighbours for coffee which was very pleasant with lots of chat.  In the afternoon I went to Chelmsford and bought some clothes as Wendy had sent me a 20% off coupon for M&S.  Seemed like a good opportunity to buy some clothes.  Then onto Broomfield Hospital to have my blood test ready for Monday morning.
Saturday - and off to Charlotte a nd Scott's to help get their garden in order.  Lots of plants needed cutting back and weeds dug up.  After two car loads of greenery to the tip, it is now beginning to look a bit more respectable!

Colchester

Had a mooch around Colchester today and spent a couple of hours going round Colchester Castle.  Learnt a lot about the Roman occupation and Roman life.  Very interesting exhibition with masses of Roman finds from around the area. Also learnt about Bodica leading the Iceni tribe in revolt against Roman rule and practically destroying the whole of Colchester - but that was a long time ago - 60AD!  It says in the guide book, "Leaving Colchester a smouldering ruin, Boudica led her army to destroy the Roman settlements at London and St Albans before being finally defeated.  Boudica escaped but later committed suicide and was buried in a secret location by her people."  Apparently a film has been made about her.   Had our picnic lunch on a bench in the park.  Weather overcast but no rain.  I am sure I have been to the park before but it must have been a very long time ago.  There's a lot to see and do in Colchester.  Will have to go back again sometime.

Tonight there is a talk about the history of Great Totham at the Friends Meeting House in Maldon - we thought we might go along and find out more.....

Sunday

A quiet day today.  Ian not feeling well again.  We think the bladder infection has returned again.  It may be that he was not on the right antibiotic.  Anyway, we will be phoning the surgery first thing Monday morning to make an appointment.  It seems to be very debilitating.  We went to church and stayed for coffee.  I did the intercessions this morning.
Weather has deteriorated somewhat.  Some snow and the temperature has fallen to 3 degrees!    Oh well, lets hope for something better next week.
Have just discovered that they now do Senior Screen at Chelmsford on a Wednesday.  This will be much better for us as it is  lot nearer than Colchester.  So hopefully Ian might be well enough to go on Wednesday.  Its "The Help" that is showing which I believe comes with very good reviews.
Went to staff meeting at the Rectory to catch up on what's happening at church.  

Time to update the blog

Yesterday we went for a walk along the River Chelmer starting at Paper Mill Lock.  There is a little cafe there so we walked one way for a  while and on our return stopped for a coffee, then walked a bit further along the river the other way.  It was positively delightful with the sun gradually burning off the morning mist, the birds singing and otherwise lovely and quiet, except for a couple of moorhens.  It really pepped me up.
Came home for some lunch and then out in the garden to do some planting.  The border that runs down the left hand side of the garden looks better.  We have made it wider and planted a few more shrubs, although still could do with more.  Ian has been weeding the bit beyond the pond so that we can plant raspberries and the rhubarb we brought from Chatham - still in pots.  It feels like Spring.

Today we are going to see Wendy and Gary and going to have lunch at The Bell in Hordon-on-the-Hill, the village where they live.  We have been threatening this for some time - possibly since we first met them! - so its finally happening.  Should be good.