No Spanner in the Works

I awoke at the usual silly o’clock. Having stuffed a hot water bottle under my neck and shoulder, that seemed to put paid to the arm pain that has been troubling me. And I was soon back asleep until around 06.30.

I got my act together reasonably quickly to get myself out to SW, where I found I had managed not to put on weight over the last two weeks. I had even lost a nano amount.

I came home to gather up Heidi, and then, Minnie, so I could give them a bit of a run around. Both of them chased the ball for a bit under blue skies and a yellow blob, in the dry of Streatley Rec. It was frosty and the bleached reeds poking through silvery ice were picturesque, in a messy way.

Below: my crazy dog rolling in frost on the Astro turf.

I had to get a move on and leave for Reading for the Honda dealership, to get my car serviced. I did not want to see that bright orange spanner on my dashboard any more, or hear its warning beep.

I was a bit perplexed to find long queues of. cars heading westward at the A4 junction with the Pangbourne Road. All became clear- the motorway was closed – if you were travelling west. Memo to self: find another route home. And it was closed due to an accident, never mind scheduled bridge repairs at Chievely if you were travelling east. Not exactly a win win situation.

Things didn’t get easier because the Satnav was firmly telling me to follow A33 Reading /Basingstoke signs, and I forgot the Badingstoke bit was to be eventually ignored. And before I knew it I had ignored the Reading bit and held on to Basingstoke. It did not take me long to realise the folly I had imposed on myself, and I did a swift about turn.

The garage was efficient in servicing the car. Only one notification, one tyre was worn on its inner edge and I need to get tracking checked. Plenty of tread, just uneven wear.
Everything else was fine.

Before I knew it, I was travelling across Reading, to avoid any residual queues and I was on my way home. In different queues. In a nice clean car minus its orange spanner on the dashboard. This was replaced with a new beep and a new orange symbol – warning me of frost. Cars are so clever these days.

I feel for Ali and Dave, not only has someone driven into their golf, and severely dented a door panel ( and didn’t bother to stay to confess) but also it failed it’s MOT today. Something to do with a shock absorber. To be fixed tomorrow. It’s barely 4 years old, so very annoying I should think.

I sat down ready for this evening. I have lately taken to using the chair formerly occupied by T. Along with the footstool, it yields a very comfy upright sleeping opportunity. As I have discovered over the last few weeks.

This evening it is a month since T died. This weekend I have booked myself into a hotel near the Dorset sea at Eype. Just for a couple of nights, on my way to Devon for a few days with the Robert’s. Pen has been busy booking expensive treats and a spa day. Very exciting.
Ali is busy looking into a ceramics opportunity. Fun with a potter’s wheel and all that. There was a time when I threw my own teapots etc. Doubt if I can do that these days after all these years.
Dave has been rationalising their supplies of cereal…