First, let's get the medical stuff out of the way. That photo shoot wasn't so bad (and thank you so much for your good wishes which really did help), in a 'it's not what I'd choose to do to while away an afternoon and these paper knickers are enormous, I hope they don't fall down' kind of way.
But it's done. Yes, everyone was lovely and yes, I could have watched the camera's journey on the screen in front of me but I prefer to think of my insides as an Operation game board, complete with bread basket and butterflies in stomach, and kept my eyes firmly shut. This wasn't, erm, a deep dive (for peace of mind I sort of wish it had been) and thankfully nothing nasty was discovered lurking (though I'm not sorted yet and have a further appointment next week). I dunno, you think you're doing okay and then something else drops off.
Of course, the accompanying mister, who passed the hour and a half I was otherwise occupied flicking his way through the biggest pile of National Geographic in the reception area, could be relied on to make me feel a whole lot better when I was ready to go home. 'Oh', he remarked rather too loudly, 'I expected you to be walking like John Wayne.'
Charming.
And so to the rest of my week:
Choosing from the substantial book and chocolate stashes
Buying yarn and getting stuck into another blanket which is looking remarkably like every other blanket I've made
Shaking up meal times a little with a couple of new lentil based dishes and a flourish of parsley (a soup from February's Country Living for me and this one for the cheese eating non vegans)
Treating the hall to the first bunch of flowers of the year
Starting a plank challenge. The aim is to strengthen one's core by holding the position (I do the straight arms version) for as long as possible, gradually increasing hold times over 30 days. Yep, I'm a planker
Chopping up the Christmas cards to make gift tags. There's nothing like being prepared
Walking down the lane past the church, relishing the view of the local high spot and being greeted enthusiastically by a very muddy and ever hopeful of a tasty treat Bob