Today I didn't get up till nearly nine -- I haven't done that since I can't remember when.

I don’t usually plan on getting up much before 10am. That’s the time I see dad go from his bedroom to the bathroom. He walks with his zimmer but has had supervision after 3 falls in 3 months starting at the tail end of last year. I’d like to think he could go back to being independent with this but he can walk well for a few days and then we’ll have an outing where he just doesn’t seem safe…

It’s a nice gentle start for me. I get the papers in, and do a couple of other bits and then see dad to the living room. I then do a few puzzles and try to work out what I might want to achieve (by plodding) during the day.

Yesterday I did a bit of mowing and strimming and spent a few hours in the field round the back with mum. She is really struggling with mobility at the moment but managed this trip with the help of the wheeled walker. She even got into the pig sty we call the BBQ shed and we made a cup of tea on the stove in there.

It might lead to another little job for me. A few well placed grab rails outside on the house and/or pig sty walls might make some access easier. I’ve ordered a couple and mum (who was a physiotherapist who worked a lot in elderly rehab and care) should be able to advise me as to the best places to fit them.