Happy families

Sleep in until eight, the fine weather continues and after our usual full English, we wend our way to Cherry and collect Dolly and Teddy. Norman is in high spirits and runs happily through the woods when let off the lead, but can't keep pace with Teddy as he tears after any rabbits or squirrels foolish enough to get in his way. There is a slight Northwesterly breeze, so it's slightly cooler than yesterday, but still pleasantly sunny and mild. After dropping the dogs off, we drive to North Bar and walk to the Poppy Seed for tea. Felicity and Hannah are there, and I bring Felicity up to speed regarding her walker from eBay, it cannot be collected until Sunday, as the seller is on holiday. Rosemary arrives after fifteen minutes and we all chat for a while and then I aid Felicity back to Albert Terrace. She tells me, en route, that Hannah has lost the sight in one eye this morning, but won't go to the hospital. Getting older is a one way destination into declining health, but early treatment always makes sense. Having delivered Felicity safely home, Norman and I retrace our steps to the car and drive back to Tickton for noon. When we get in, I tenderise and then coat yesterday's pork chop with breadcrumbs after first removing the bone. Schnitzel, salad and chips are on the menu, after swimming, for lunch. I arrive in the pool for a quarter to one and the "wave machine", are bouncing up and down to the Human League's "don't you want me baby!" I hated it when it first came out and it hasn't grown on me since. I warm up in a double lane, with two other swimmers, on 400m backstroke and then switch to 8 x 50m butterfly. Today I experiment with single stroke breathing, which I need to do for distances beyond 50m. To be exact, I swim three strokes at the start to establish my rhythm before switching to single stroke and two strokes on the return length. The trade off between streamlining and oxygen intake, changes in favour of more air for me at 50m. It is impossible to maintain good technique if you are in oxygen debt and lactic acid builds up in the muscles. Enough technical information, I manage to maintain my time and stroke count on single stroke breathing, but can feel that I am having to work somewhat harder. Otherwise I repeat yesterday's session, 2,400m in total. After showering and changing, drink a pot of tea in the cafe, where I receive a text from Andrew. He wants to meet me in Costa coffee bar in town, Sarah has some problems he wants to chat to me about. When I get there he gives me some bad news, my daughter has some financial problems arising from her degree, and we discuss ways forward. I leave at half past three and we arrange to talk later. I am starving by the time I get home, but it doesn't take long to make lunch, which we eat in the garden, sat in the sun. After lunch, I give Norman his dinner and then walk him down to the bridge and back. A text from Clement arrives, he wants to meet me in the Rose and Crown, the pub a few doors down from Sarah's house to sign some documents to complete his rental agreement. Sarah is playing at being invisible, but Andrew and Pip phone to say they are on their way to see her to sort out her financial problem. I meet them at Sarah's, but she runs out of the house and drives off, so no solution is possible this evening. I take Louis to bed and tell him a story before handing over to Clement. There isn't much anyone can do this evening so everyone goes home. Perhaps a night's rest and reflection will produce calmer heads in the morning. Families! Love them or hate them, you can't ignore them. To bed at ten.