This should have been THE week

Easter monday - I had anticipated this being the week I was frantically sorting out my last minute arrangements for Cuba. And being me that would have been everything, since I leave everything to the last minute all the time. If only I had sorted out my travel insurance as soon as I signed up for the trip - that would have been handy. Oh well........

So, what have I been doing instead? Last Monday I had a post-op appointment at the fracture clinic but that turned out to be have been too soon after the op for them to take out the stitches etc. I did have a last-ditch effort at persuading the doctor I could fly to Cuba in 10 days time but he convinced me it really wasn't going to happen, and deep down I think I always knew it. I'm now in negotiation with Cuba Solidarity Campaign to transfer at least part of my sponsorship money to next year and aim to go then (hopefully Vicky will want to do it again after this year) Having said that, if anyone reading this feels I have had their money under false pretences as I am not now going to Cuba, please get in touch and I'll refund you. Otherwise be assured that all money I have raised will be used by CSC for their projects over there. 

On Wednesday we were surprised to find 4 ducklings hatched in the incubator. We'd put 6 of our Indian Runner duck eggs in with the hens eggs that hatched last week, not being sure if it would work as they take longer to incubate and need different humidity. We have had to make a seperate brooder for them as they have very different habits from the chicks, but they are equally adorable and even more amusing, jumping in and out of the water and turning their food to a revolting looking slurry before retreating to preen themselves and fall asleep in a heap. 

day-old ducklings

 week old chicks

On Wednesday we also went on a pre-arranged trip with friends to visit King Edward chapel at Ripon college near Oxford. This chapel had featured on the same BBC Songs of Praise in January as St Nicholas church here in Radford Semele, and was a lovely outing, even with me confined to a wheelchair. What a different perspective that gives you.

Busy day, Wednesday, culminating in the arrival of Vicky and her 3 grandchildren. Glorious chaos for 3 days with 2 three-year olds and a 9 year-old, and on Friday their parents Kate and Dave who stayed on after Vicky had left to sort out her last minute items ready for the off. Here she is with her new bike and borrowed bike bag

I get to wear the t-shirt

If I hear from her how she's getting on I'll let you know. Living vicariously.

Friday was Roz' birthday and we had a family meal, all catered by our visitors. At last I've found the upside to my accident.

I'm also using my 'can't get out in the garden in this lovely weather' time to get on with my contribution to the peace scarf being organised by Wool against Weapons who are aiming to make a 7 mile long scarf: This is what it says on their website: Back in October 2012 I (Jaine Rose) hatched a plan with Angie Zelter from Action AWE to get a huge crowd of knitters and crocheters together to knit a massive, and I mean SUPER LONG knitted Peace Scarf  to run between the Women’s Peace Camp at Aldermaston and Burghfield (the other Nuclear Weapons Establishment site) in Berkshire. It will be one big old woolly protest against the U.K’s ongoing involvement with nuclear weapons, and the money our Government is intending to spend in 2016.
In our little 'threads' group that Caz started, we are using our friend Cathy,who died last year, stash of wool to make our own contributions. Caz has crocheted granny squares (her speciality), Judy is knitting stripes, Ali's piece has cables, and mine is made up of little woven squares made on a weave-it loom which unfortunately now need sewing together (I hate sewing up) 

colour a bit off as my camera seems to have got stuck on the wrong lighting setting