Mon 12 – Sun 18 Oct 2026

Sometimes I think ‘This looks like a nice relatively empty week ahead’. And then I look back and think ‘Wow, that was a very full week’. The week gone was one of the latter. I would love days where nothing is happening and I can wake up without anything that needs to be done. Every day last week had stuff going on.

I know many people have a far worse life than mine. But I didn’t really expect my life to be like this and perhaps one day it will be depressingly empty and lonely. But at the moment, the good thing is that next week doesn’t look as intense (famous last words) and the week after I’m going to Manchester for a few days just to do nothing.

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” Mahatma Gandhi

Remember This

• The Pope is diagnosed with lung cancer and has a small part of his lung removed

• Trump and Musk seem determined to ensure Russia wins the war with Ukraine. Clear Trump is punishing Zelensky for not showing him ‘respect’ plus he’s always had a soft-spot for dictators.

• Riots in France led by students protesting about education standards and the cost of living

• The trial of Russell Brand begins

• Jeffrey Donaldson gets 15 years in prison

• Severe drought declared in some parts of southern England

• Revelations about officials and elected councillors from Reform expressing hardcore racist and sexist views

• Israeli settlers in the West Bank on the rampage

1. Family and Friends

Mum’s relatively quiet week

I waited with her on Monday afternoon for the man to come and service the gas boiler. He’s slightly strange (I think he’s quite shy) and mum finds him a bit unnerving – though she generally doesn’t like any people coming to the flat. We waited all afternoon with no show. Then bumped into him at around 6.30 when I went to take the rubbish out. Asked if he could do the next morning which wasn’t possible. So he did the servicing 7pm at night.

The reason he couldn’t come the next day was because on Tuesday morning I took mum to the chiropodist. Actually a bit of a ‘double-date’ as we both had our feet treated. It’s been a while that I’ve been meaning to get my feet cared for and made sense to take mum as she’s also having a problem with an ingrowing toenail. Uber there and back which made it a bit less frenetic than using the buses.

That was our excitement for the week. The rest of my time with her was just spent ‘being there’ often while she slept during the day. Though I did have to do a massive shop for her on Friday afternoon – she definitely won’t starve.

Patrick’s limited mobility

My week feels so full and busy whereas poor Patrick feels a bit isolated now as he has no carers going in and his mobility is limited. Dave saw him twice during the week and I went on Saturday morning (Dave was feeling under the weather). Lots of bringing him shopping, tidying up the flat, and sorting out laundry.

But we always try to take him on a short walk to his local shop or pub which is about as far as he feels able to go. I’m really not sure he will ever be able to go out on his own again.

“In the darkest place, shed the brightest light.” Cyndi Lauper

Dad is better but the decline continues

The hospital had promised daily updates on dad but I had heard nothing on Monday or Tuesday. So phoned on Wednesday spending quite a while on the phone just to find someone to talk to. Turns out dad’s regular doctors are both away. He hadn’t forcibly removed canula so they were still giving him IV antibiotics and he had eaten a tiny amount. Definite improvement on the dire situation of the same time the previous week.

His proper doctor phoned me on Friday. His infection does seem to be under control but she stressed how very ill dad is. The plan is to get him back to his nursing home and basically care for him there till he dies rather than keep bringing him into hospital which is distressing for him. I’ve also started thinking and talking with my brothers about what happens once dad passes.

Beryl in trouble whilst Joyce is away

I’ve spoken before about a couple of old ladies I meet with in one of my local coffee shops, Beryl and Joyce. Joyce has been visiting family abroad. No sign of Beryl on Monday or Tuesday. Turned out that she had fallen ill and been taken to hospital by her family on Monday.

She turned up at the coffee shop again on Thursday morning. She was bored and wanted to come out to see people. OK though shaken as she also had a fall in the street the previous weekend. Her daughter was looking after her over the weekend and they both came to the coffee shop on Sunday. I know Beryl is definitely looking forward to Joyce coming back next week.

Me and Brian looking forward to the perks of getting older

Met up with my old mate Brian in Soho after the gym on Wednesday and before going to spend time with mum. He’s having real problems with his shoulder and a postponed appointment. Funny how we are both looking forward to some of retirement perks. First thing will be turning 60 meaning free travel on public transport in London and not having to pay for prescriptions – yippee !

2. Health and Efficiency

Good gym but with the Dave’s shoes on one day

Went to the gym on the mornings of Mon, Wed, Thurs. Funny incident that I stayed at Dave’s place one night and accidentally wore Dave’s shoes to the gym the next morning. Really strange that he is a couple of sizes bigger than me but I didn’t notice for a while and it didn’t feel strange. Also bumped into an old work colleague on way back from the gym on Thursday. She lives in Scotland and we haven’t seen each other for about 6 years – a lovely chance happening.

115 London gym sessions divided by the annual membership = £4.78 per session

Chilled swim

The cure to a full week is to try to find an activity that gives you a break and helps you escape. My swim on Friday morning did that. Timed it so that the pool wasn’t too busy then just chilled into a nice slow up and down swim. Simple alternating of front crawl and breast stroke. Ended up doing 24 or 26 lengths – lost count. Followed by a nice sauna before off to do mum’s shopping.

My new normal jog-run time

All good for my Sunday morning 5K. As with the swim, part of my answer to feeling overwhelmed by a full on week is just to lose myself in a run. Time of just over 32 mins which is pretty much my new normal. I would say that was previously 32 mins and 30 seconds so I’m happy. Can I get it lower? Legs felt good afterwards, no major aches or pains.

Bloods again

Turns out not enough blood was taken the previous week – see my previous blog here. So back up to the hospital for more bloods to be taken on Tuesday after the chiropodist. The hospital is a bit of a trek with limited transport links. And for a relatively quick procedure. Though I could rest assured that they definitely took sufficient blood to do the required tests this time.

3. Books and Reading

Just one book completed (perhaps a signal that it was a very full on week?) with the full review here.

• ‘The Dragon Waiting’ by John M Ford. Been reading this on my kindle for a while and it’s a good book. A classic mix of fantasy and alternative history set in late Middle Ages Europe.

4. Art and Culture

QPR slipping backwards

A great home win on Tuesday night when we beat lowly Derby 4-1. But then back to earth with a bump on Saturday when we got a full on 3-0 beating at Birmingham. They’re a good team and exactly the sort we need to be able to hold our own against if we are serious about getting a play-off spot.

The London Gay Symphony Orchestra

A nice bit of culture on Sunday evening. The LGSO perform quite regularly but up at the Barbican that isn’t that easy to get to and from. Whereas this concert was at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea – much easier for me and Dave. It was a celebration of their founding 30 years ago. And what a great evening it was. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and got lost in the music.

We were treated to pieces by Tchaikovsky, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff as well as a newly composed work. There is something quite lovely about watching an orchestra playing together – all the pieces performing separately but together. And it’s even more special when it’s a community performing together for their love of their instruments and the music.

You can find out more about the orchestra and future concerts at www.lgso.org.uk

Looking Ahead

• As said earlier, next week shouldn’t be so full on as the one gone. There’s lots of empty pages in my diary and I need to resist the temptation to fill them.

• Obviously I will be waiting on news about dad. But there are no major things relating to mum and so hopefully we’ll just be able to spend time chilling together. Me and Dave have committed to do a pub lunch with Patrick on Saturday.

• Usual exercise routine: 3 gym, a swim, and a jog-run

• Still reading ‘They Saw Tomorrow. Seers and Sorcerers from Delphi till Today’ by Charles Neilson Gattey. And I’ve started the Booker longlisted novel ‘The Vivisectors’ by Missouri Williams on my Kindle.

• QPR at home against league leaders Swansea next Saturday, another defeat me thinks.

And Finally…