"The Ol' Boy"

Well he has been just that for the past month. His entire body seems to be being "bashed" and he is so tired. Ever since the doctor who is in charge of his case told him "your body is standing up to the treatment very well", it hasn't. We went to Toulouse yesterday with a view to starting cycle five, knowing that if he still had traces of his "English Cold" they would not give it to him. You've guessed it, he didn't have the injection. However I was extremely pleased that they are taking steps to revitalise his body. More iron, Human protein (the stuff the cyclists in The Tour de France take illegally) all with a view to boosting his red blood cells so that he has a bit more "go". This morning miraculously he feels OK - we'll see if it lasts until after lunch.

Our friends Judith and Simon joined us for Christmas Day and Boxing Day and we all enjoyed ourselves eating, a little bit of drinking, playing cards and being friends. John and I slept in the two thirds completed bedroom and we were delighted that we were lovely and warm despite the very low temperatures over the holiday. Viva la insulation!!

In England

We've just spent the past 5 days in the UK. Guy was very keen for us to attend his graduation ceremony for his Master's Degree so we flew over on the Tuesday in time for the ceremony on Wednesday.

It took place in one of the halls of Manchester Uni, and Guy was very proud of his achievements.

We were fortunate not to be stuck in England by the snow, but Ryanair flew out with no delay. Warmer here in the Lot.

The Mad Gardener

She's at it again! We're currently enjoying a small weather front which is passing through. We've been experiencing temperatures up to 13 to 15 degrees for the past 2 days and it should last till tomorrow afternoon. Then it's forecast to rain with the temperatures dropping to -1 overnight. We're then back to temperatures of max 4 degrees with the chance of snow showers. Soooo ....out she went and then I have a request to help her start up the lawn mower. This did involve cleaning the spark-plug, but I felt that she didn't have to look so surprised when it started up ok!

She'd obviously got a bee in her bonnet about the weeds and tall clumps of grass in the 'new' lawns. Not any more!

Owl Sighting

This morning, at 6 am, we were about to set off for Toulouse for the start of my 4th cycle of Chemo. We were pleasantly surprised that the temperature was between 1 and 2 degrees. However, it had snowed a little in the night and, as I brought the car to the front door, it was a gentle mix of rain and snow. And then ..... in the house lights I saw a barn owl fly into the pigeonnier. We were so pleased to see that he is still using it. I say 'he' as we had always assumed that it was a female, but last summer, we watched a falconry display and they played the mating call of the male Barn Owl; we realised that 'our' owl was a male calling for a mate! Let's hope he finds one for the Spring!