Where did this week go?

The week's almost over and it's been all go. I don't know how I ever found the time to work.

It was the dentist and hygienist on Monday morning, then out for a 34kms cycle in the afternoon, before attending the latest Banchory Sports Village meeting in the evening, after which Jo, Ross and I had a beer and a chat about Ross' planned house purchase in the lovely new lounge/diner at the Douglas Arms Hotel:

On Tuesday morning, we met the lawyer who was putting in the bid for Ross. Offers had to be in by noon, but the other noted interests walked away, which gave more time to consider the matter. We arranged to meet my friend Gary Grant, local architect, on Wednesday morning to get his professional assessment of the state of the property. The conclusion was that it needed a lot more cash spent on it - and it could be a bottomless pit - so Ross has walked away for now. Something else will show up soon we hope.

Tuesday afternoon/evening was over at Inverurie as usual, and on Wednesday afternoon I went for another cycle - a mere 25 kms this time.

This morning I had my follow-up with my knee surgeon. I had been concerned about the frequent pain and discomfort I was still getting 4 weeks after my cartilage operation, but he told me not to worry - this wasn't uncommon. There's still a bit of swelling round the knee and I need to keep taking Ibuprofen and treating it with ice packs, but he also said I should get some physiotherapy - ultrasound and massage in particular. I asked if there was anything I should not be doing and he reassured me that cycling and walking were good for it, and - huge relief - golf was fine too. Just as well, as the season starts at Banchory on Saturday and then on Sunday I'm off to the Algarve for 4 days of golf.

After my appointment at Albyn, I met Jo at Costa Coffee in Union Square - she was supposed to be coming with me, but couldn't find her phone this morning, and I was late for my appointment at Albyn, so I had to dash. Jo eventually found her phone and managed to catch the bus in.

Our plan was to go to the Apple store and get our phones sorted out - tomorrow is my last official day of employment. I'm still technically on the payroll - although I don't get paid - and I've had all my benefits until now, but henceforth they stop - including our phones. I have to arrange car insurance from next week as well.

Anyway, we were shuttled from the Apple Store to the Vodafone shop, but it was the usual sharp intake of breath that we were met with. Transferring our phones from a company contract to personal ones was in the "too difficult" box for both these businesses. The short and long of it is that I think we're on track now and we'll be able to transfer over after I come back from the Algarve.

We popped in to see Colin and Johanne this afternoon and we took up the exercise bicycle I used last year to recuperate from my knee replacement - hopefully it'll help Colin recover from his hip replacement as well. Whilst we were there, Johanne brought out the Notre Dame 1970/71 Year Book, featuring Johanne (Joan) in Class III C and somebody you might recognise in Class III H:

I cycled up to the Legion tonight to meet up with Malcolm and Dick to discuss travel plans for Sunday's flight to Faro. Of course, the clocks go forward so it'll be an earlier than expected start for us - 7:30 is really 6:30 am.

When she's 64 - and beyond

Friday was hectic all right - Jo was at the West Church Coffee Morning then swimming in the afternoon before her birthday tea. I was out buying flowers in the morning and then played a few holes of golf before taking Johanne in to see Colin in the afternoon - he might be getting out today.

My camera failed at the crucial moment when the cake was lit and happy birthday was sung - the memory card was in my computer - but I got it working again by the time the chocolates were passed around - check this short video on my You Tube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd2ar0nzwNM

Luca had had a good week at school and had been given an award - check out the sticker:

With Mothers' Day and a birthday within a few days, the front room is full of flowers:

Yesterday (Saturday) was a lovely day so we went for a walk along the Dee to the other end of town. My knee was troubling me - could it have been the golf yesterday? - so we stopped on the river bank for a while, watching the multitude of Oyster Catchers on the bank opposite:

I've never seen so many of them together - what were they up to?

Back up the river a fisherman was casting for salmon, with the bumpy knoll of Clach na Beinne as a backdrop:

We eventually made it to Buchanan's and sat outside for our coffee and cake:

Soon it was time to walk home:

It was a struggle for me to limp home - my knee was very painful. I've had to cancel golf this morning (Sunday) and am sitting here with an ice pack on again.

I did manage to get yet another episode of my Chronicles done yesterday, so that's me up to the year 2000 now, leaving only another 7 years between that and the start of this Family Blog in 2007 - the end is in sight! Check http://renshawschronicles.blogspot.co.uk/

Tomorrow, I have the dentist in the morning and hope to cycle in the afternoon - if my knee's OK - it's less strain than walking or golfing. Ross has taken the day off work tomorrow because the house in Bridge St that he's interested in has suddenly had a closing date of Tuesday noon put on it. The main question mark is the adjacent land, which is, or was, apparently up for sale - we're waiting for more information on this.

I go back to Albyn on Thursday for my follow-up visit with my knee surgeon and we will probably go in to the Apple store to get me a new phone - all my old company contracts etc come to an end this week. Need to get my winter tyres removed as well.