Day 244 – Wednesday 28th December
It was a lovely Xmas’y scene when I got up this morning 
We were due a visit today from the Social Services to means test kp to see how much she has to contribute towards her own care. This meant an early start for me, in order to get everything (including kp) ready for her visit.
When I got back from the dog walk (in the thick snow), she had left a message to say that they were not making any house calls today because of the bad weather ! Grrrrrrrrrr!
kp was pleased as she was knackered and didn’t want to get up anyway. She is at the end of her pain patch and for the last day or so has had increased pain from all of the walking she has been doing. I told her I was going to Sainsbury’s for some shopping and she was happy to snooze on.
By the time I had been shopping and got back it was nigh on 11.15am, but I managed to persuade kp to get up to have her Fentanyl patch changed.
We had a fryup for breakfast and kp went back to bed. Any movement was causing her grief and bed seemed like the best place.
So, I am writing the blog early…………
Here is a photo of our house taken a few minutes ago…………
Ronnie, you should come up here this week, bring your ski’s, you’re laughing !
I have also uploaded the photos from Xmas Day. There are more on the way from Susa when she emails me them.
kp with her presents (sorry, it’s dark)
Dad, Susa and Simon
Mum
Dad said a few words before the meal
Here he is still speaking !
The kid’s end of the table
This is the view kp and I woke up to on Xmas Day from Mum/Dad’s house
December 28th, 2005 at 2:18 pm
Hi David and Karen
Greetings from us Londoners and Wiltshirers (not sure if that is how it is spelt but what the heck).
Simon and I drove back safely yesterday – it tooks 5.5 hours and lots of snow but we got back to London safely and Mum and Dad had no delays in flying back to Bristol – just for once the Pennines were useful and kept the snow to the east of the country.
Just to let you know we had a fantastic Christmas and hopefully it will be the first of many with all the family together. I know it meant a lot to my Mum and Dad to meet up with everyone and catch up on news and play with the grandchildren. Given that they are both nearly 80, it was much easier to fly them up that Dad struggle with the driving.
I have taken the instant cameras into Boots today to be developed onto CD rom. Unfortunately most of my digital camera photos have got red eye on them so I will drop them into Snappy Snaps tomorrow and get them to erase the red eye and I can then get reprints for everyone. I am going to produce albums for you and Karen, John and Ann, my mum and dad and Jane and Guy. Give me about a week and I should be able to send everything up including a cd with all the reprints on them (touched up of course).
If you want to get in touch – details are:
Susan and Simon Yates
syates@hotmail.com
Tel: 0207 700 0910
Have a great new year and look forward to catching up in 2006.
Susan and Simon
December 28th, 2005 at 2:21 pm
Sorry David
Suddenly realised that my e-mail address is wrong – here is the correct one:
susayates@hotmail.com
Love
Susa and Simon
December 28th, 2005 at 6:28 pm
Hello Dp,
, 
, tell the farmer on the hill, opposite the bungalow, I’m on my way, ski’s over shoulder I just feel like I could walk to the top and simply point the ski’s down – most probable ending up in front of your drive – but it would be such fun. Trouble is I may knock down a sheep or two, knowing my lack of skill. The pictures looked bloudy marvellous with all the snow, but I bet driving was no joy for either of you. Sorry you both had to go through that, after what looked a brilliant Christmas. It was great to see all the family together.
Karen, you sound tired so I won’t ring tonight, I’ll catch up with you tomorrow, hopefully by then you will have a new patch and be relieved of some pain.
Dp – did the dogs love the snow?
Our Karen called today, I can’t believe the family skiing holiday is disintegrating into a disaster. Her spirits where high, she’s back to the hospital tomorrow and has decided to stay in the Alps, the medical care she is getting is brilliant so I said she’s best there for the time being. She was rescued off the mountain, Alan stayed with her, trouble was the rescue team missed them twice, so she has a long wait layed in the snow, down some ravine. Never a dull moment, I only hope everyone else takes it easy.
Great to see pictures, spoke to Jane last night, she survived the festive season with Norma’s injuries. It looks like I’m at Karens looking after her next week, as Roy will be away. Any tips Dp.
Speak to you both soon.
Take care
Lots of Love
Ronnie