I was going to talk about Jane in the Land Army, but I'm distracted today by hearing about the daughter of friends, a girl about Ro's age who got married a year or so ago, who is heavily pregnant and quite ill. The baby is due at Christmas, but the mother-to-be has a thrombosis which can't be treated fully until the baby has been delivered, but they're reluctant to operate because of the extra risk incurred with the DVT. But she's feeling so exhausted and unwell that her mother hardly feels she's capable of going through labour. I can only begin to imagine how anxious they must all be and I'm so sorry for them.
I did my normal ineffectual-blue-arsed-fly impression this morning, though all started well. Elle was planning to go to Norwich with a friend, but Sie (you see, Elle's name starts with L and Sie's with C. Clever, eh?) has been ill with a stomach bug the last few days so it seemed unlikely to happen. So I said I'd take Elle and she could get the bus back. But we were just about to leave when we got the message that Sie was better and would come after all. So I relaxed and didn't do anything for a bit. I was just about to leave for church when another phone call came. Sie couldn't find her way through Yagnub, because the road was closed for the annual Christmas Fair. It was simpler to take Elle into town than describe how to get through it (round the roundabout, down Bridge Street, left into Nethergate Street, left into Broad Street, right into Popson Street, across the junction into Scale Street, left into Outney Road and turn right over the bridge). We went out and I locked up. Oh! I'd forgotten the milk and biscuits. I unlocked and went back for them. Driving into town, I remembered I'd forgotten my clarinet too. So I had to go back after dropping Elle off and fetch it. Arriving at the church (the adjoining church rooms are used in the winter to save on heating costs) at 10.55 for an 11 o'clock service when you've coffee to prepare for and music to set up is cutting it fine, but people always help, don't they? And one of the hymns had a tune I wasn't expecting and had never played (I was mixing it up with another one), so it might have been a good idea to look at the music in advance. Still, no matter. I may not be much of a clarinettist these days, but I can sight-read a hymn. Aberystwyth, if you're wondering. I'd rather play it than spell it, in truth.
And then I made coffee and someone else washed up while I dried and we debated whether anyone would come to the 8 o'clock service next week and whether to cancel it. Enquiries will be made and I'll be told.
We said goodbye to Anthony and Sally, who are moving to Devon. They are lovely friends and we'll miss them a lot. I know few people as kind and can't imagine anyone kinder. I've never heard them say a disparaging word about anyone.
*I know, it's not a quote.
I did my normal ineffectual-blue-arsed-fly impression this morning, though all started well. Elle was planning to go to Norwich with a friend, but Sie (you see, Elle's name starts with L and Sie's with C. Clever, eh?) has been ill with a stomach bug the last few days so it seemed unlikely to happen. So I said I'd take Elle and she could get the bus back. But we were just about to leave when we got the message that Sie was better and would come after all. So I relaxed and didn't do anything for a bit. I was just about to leave for church when another phone call came. Sie couldn't find her way through Yagnub, because the road was closed for the annual Christmas Fair. It was simpler to take Elle into town than describe how to get through it (round the roundabout, down Bridge Street, left into Nethergate Street, left into Broad Street, right into Popson Street, across the junction into Scale Street, left into Outney Road and turn right over the bridge). We went out and I locked up. Oh! I'd forgotten the milk and biscuits. I unlocked and went back for them. Driving into town, I remembered I'd forgotten my clarinet too. So I had to go back after dropping Elle off and fetch it. Arriving at the church (the adjoining church rooms are used in the winter to save on heating costs) at 10.55 for an 11 o'clock service when you've coffee to prepare for and music to set up is cutting it fine, but people always help, don't they? And one of the hymns had a tune I wasn't expecting and had never played (I was mixing it up with another one), so it might have been a good idea to look at the music in advance. Still, no matter. I may not be much of a clarinettist these days, but I can sight-read a hymn. Aberystwyth, if you're wondering. I'd rather play it than spell it, in truth.
And then I made coffee and someone else washed up while I dried and we debated whether anyone would come to the 8 o'clock service next week and whether to cancel it. Enquiries will be made and I'll be told.
We said goodbye to Anthony and Sally, who are moving to Devon. They are lovely friends and we'll miss them a lot. I know few people as kind and can't imagine anyone kinder. I've never heard them say a disparaging word about anyone.
*I know, it's not a quote.
7 comments:
How awful for the girl and her family. It's awful how things just stack up against people sometimes.
Sight reading in public! Very impressive.
And the skies certainly weren't cloudy today (to misquote slightly). .We were so sorry to hear about your friend's daughter. What a nightmarish time to have to go through. Ann says "lots of prayers". I take it the girl is in hospital? Seems the safest place. Any way, as Ann says - she's in our thoughts and prayers.
So Elsie was a conglomeration of European personal pronouns?
It's completely unexpected, she's in her 20s, neither over nor underweight, no previous health problems. She's not in hospital at present, she is getting a lot of rest at home though.
I have no shame, that's the main thing. And it's just hammering out a tune, no big deal.
I'm saving Elsie for the next girl I talk about. After that - how's your Italian?
So sorry to hear about your friends' daughter. I'll be thinking of her. Please let us know how she gets on.
I have a friend who's nearly 40 so an elderly 'prima gravida' (as I was). Her baby was due at the end of January but 10 days ago she was admitted with pre-eclampsia and within 36 hours she'd had an emergency section at 4am. The baby's not feeding very well but otherwise ok.
All of my children were early, all by section, two were in special care, my womb is clearly not such a good place to be!
Medical care has got so much better now that I'm sure she'll get the best possible treatment.
And the skies are not cloudy all day. Is that the next line?
I think Mrs miniver may be morphing into Mrs Feather - both great gals:)
Everything crossed for the expectant Mum.
I will, as soon as I have news.
It's struck me that antenatal care is more casual than it was in my day. When I was pregnant, I went to the doctor and the hospital alternate fortnights, and now months go by without routine appointments, so problems may not be picked up so quickly, or so it seems to me.
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