What a lot of blog

As you can see from the previously posted photos I have been making progress, drinking wine and picking up small pieces of kindling.  It was great to see Margie and Ralph, the day after we went to Riverside we decided to go to the Powerhouse on Sunday for lunch at Watt.  The scallops were the pick of the day. Jacqui arrived late Sunday so we commandeered the visitors waiting room aka the visitor's waiting room.  On Monday Val Jacqui, Margie and Ralph attended my physio session which turned into a extended game of balloon tennis, although I treated it more like soccer with all the headers that I made.

It was great to catch up with everyone.

On Wednesday I made it to the Norman Hotel by 11:15 a mere fifteen minutes for the scrabble tournament.  Sixteen of us played six games I lost all my games in the morning had a schooner of James Boags apple cider and won all three afternoon games.  The tournament was such a success that we are planning more in September and October.

Darrel arrived late on Friday night so I didn't get to see him until Saturday.  Darrel's mum and stepdad Joan and Col had made the trek form Pt Augusta with their caravan and joined us for a barbecue lunch on the veranda.  As always Darrel outdid himself and we feasted on mackerel, salmon sausages, prawn Popsicles. There was so much food i simply didnt have room to open the 1.1 kilo box of Whitmans chocolates (a gift from Joan and Col). We also received unexpected visits from Brendan Duffy and Shane and Celeste.  I hadn't seen Brendan since per 2004, it was great to catch up on all his news.

On Sunday we took Joan and Col to the Norman for lunch we left them at the pub for an hour and snuck off to say hello to everyone at the Queensland scrabble championships a block away from the pub.  I think overall between the pokies and ponies Joan and Col came out ahead.  A great day was had by all.  When Darrel and I got back to PAH we sat on the veranda until the sun went down it w so relaxing that I fell asleep.  Darrel had to come and wake me up as my loud snoring was disturbing the other inmates and visitors.

Om Monday it was back to the regular routine .  Darrel was due to fly out on Tuesday and Joan and Col head back to SA so we shared a farewell lunch at Cafe Essence.

Wednesday was a jam packed day.  I was actually out of bed at 9:45 which was a miracle. So I went down to the physio gym and persuaded the staff to set me up on the leg bike for 40 minutes.  The bike pedals itself but at least it gets your muscles moving.  After that they got me on one of the beds to practice some forward bends and hamstring stretches, I managed to get my head to my knees and then between my knees and then had to call for help to get up.  After that we practised sitting with my arms behind propping me. I lasted half an hour before my right arm gave way a landing me in a tearfu.l heap, fortunately no lasting damage other than to my pride.

After all that I felt I deserved a coffee so Norm and I went to the cafe for a coffee we made it to the veranda just as Karen and Alistair Richards arrived.  Alistair acted as my hands and s also kind enough to point out my mistakes :-). Martin arri.ved slightly later and I managed two games with him as well all done by quarter to four.

As it was so early Norm and I went to Buranda shopping centre for supplies and a manicu,re and pedicure.  The nurses can feel safer walking near my feet :-).  We were also able to get my glasses adjusted at the optometrist.  Then it s back to the tv room for the circulation booster hand ranging and a visit from Sam bearing huge quantity of prepared meals to stave off any malnutrition.  The foot section of the booster worked worked so ll I could actually feel my calf muscles being worked in BOTH legs, a first.

A repast of Darrel's crayfish lasagne followed by a punnet of raspberries and some large strawberries topped off a very satisfying day.