What are you all up to

"…posts it seems as if many give up using the aids they purchase so perhaps I might just not bother with them, should they not be an absolute necessity."

Nellie, if you go for private aids, I recommend searching out a truly independent supplier. It seems all the high street audiologists are hand in glove with manufacturers and may not have access to all brands/models of aids and may push certain brands at you. I found NHS aids helped but they were clumpy and didn’t perform all that well. I’ve had my privately supplied aids for 2 years now and they turned my life around. Not only do they help the wearer but make life less frustrating for those around us.

I found my independent supplier by contacting the website linked below and you can read loads of useful info there too. In my opinion, if you need aids, go for it. 👍🏻

https://www.hearingaid.org.uk

Well done WN, so good to hear that you are one more step on the road to recovery. Millie sorry to hear that you have shingles, not nice. I’ve had it twice and it really does take it out of you, couldn’t wait to get my jab for this. You seem very fortunate with your GP, our practice hasn’t made a Home Visit for anyone in 20 years. When I was very ill in bed with a chest infection last year the Critical Care Team at our Drs phoned insisting that I needed to be admitted straight away to hospital, OH said he had never heard me refuse anything so vehemently. I was never even seen by our GP or even a nurse, just prescribed lots of antibiotics, no wonder Devon hospitals say they can no longer cope.

We went for a day out to Exeter yesterday. It was free to visit the Cathedral as they were doing extensive work to lay new heating pipes, so we took advantage of that. We visited the Christmas market, which was nice. Bought lunch from one of the food stalls, a nice ‘French’ style lunch and we found a space at one of the trellis tables in the marquee and had a chat with various other diners. The apple juice mulled drink was lovely, I’ve never thought of making that before.

Back to leaf clearing of our garden today, two large green bins already filled and more to come.

Can't answer that. But my brother, who hit 65 in October, was told by his GP practice that he wasn't eligible 🤣🤣🤣.

I did look at the NHS page, but I can't remember because I don't think I'm going to have it - see my earlier post

I too was surprised to read David's (DSB) post as well as both of us were told that shingles was a once in a lifetime jab. I have come to the conclusion that no-one, not even the GP surgeries, know who is eligible for the jab but I do know of a number of people who have been told that once you are 80 you are not eligible.  

Interesting post David K . I didn't realise that those cows we see are not the original ones.  That sounds a very interesting museum

Yes, I wondered if somehow she was too old.

We came up against the postcode lottery that can be Clinical Commissioning a fortnight ago. A chat with Doctor gave us hope that some of the expensive food supplements we buy for Mum might be available on prescription (I add that she’s on no other medicines bar Lansoprazole, so we aren’t being greedy). He thought they might be, but when dietician phoned us, he said no, our area CCG don’t prescribe them, not even for Cancer patients. Six mile away, Sheffield area, they do. Luckily, it’s no big deal for Mum, we can buy them, but goodness knows how some folks go on. I suppose the GP groups have to prioritise their patients needs in their particular area.

I suspect OH will be deep into the vagaries of some sort of hearing aid search after his hearing test in December. He’ll look at all sorts of options.

We booked a lovely cottage in Wales yesterday, not far from Caernarfon. A whole week to ourselves hopefully. The castles are open, we have one or two houses in mind to visit, and hopefully will get up into the mountain areas, as well as some beaches, for a bit of walking. Getting a flyer on the evening before, booked a Travelodge for a night, so we can get bulk of drive over early, enjoy a look around somewhere on our first day before we get to cottage. £38 for Travelodge, bargain👍 

My best friend (whose husband died just before Christmas) arrived round this afternoon with her 'Meals on Wheels'. She had made a cottage pie for us. Such a lovely surprise. I was just wondering what I had the energy to make for tea.

How wonderful. A true friend. 

Hope you're resting or at least slowing?

It's jolly hard I know from personal experience....

Our carpets have all been fitted, wardrobe arrives tomorrow. And I've been on a go slow for a couple of weeks. Took some getting used to but I could like it 🤣. I think that's it. Plumber still unable to work so refits look likely to be well into the new year. That really will be everything done 🤞🤞🤞

Been glorious here today, very mild. So pottered in the garden, think it's ready for winter now.

Sparrowhawk visited Tuesday morning. Revisited Wednesday. I was by the bins and wondered what all the starlings moved so fast for. They shook the hedge, there are generally lots at feeding time 75-100. Plus lots sparrows. Heard terrific screaming, one starling had been caught 😪. Clapped my hands and it was released - phew. Mind you it was a beautiful bird and it needs to eat but not my birds.....