James' annual leave is nearly over but we've had some good days out.

Monday was class, but we decided to go to the gym before hand, which maybe wasn't the best idea I'd ever had as by the time the end of the morning came, I looked like I'd dipped my head in a bucket of water. Which wasn't the best look as after class we were heading off to Newcastle so James could go to his appointment at the limb centre to check his false leg.

That went well, and a bonus, they've put a liner into his stump cover so he only has to wear one stump sock now, instead of two. Why they didn't do that before I have no idea as it's much cooler for him.

Tuesday, we headed up north to Cragside which is a fantastic National Trust property. It was so beautiful up there and we had a lovely day exploring the house and grounds. I would have loved to check out more of the walks, but sadly, as the name suggests, a lot of the paths were very steep and rocky and no way would James have been able to manage them safely. But, we did walks to the lake and between the buildings and had a picnic in the sunshine before ending with a drive through the one-way Carriage Drive route through the grounds.

Wednesday we took my MiL out for the day. The carvery at Toby was on promotion again, so we went there for dinner before having a drive, ending up at a farm shop/cafe we like. Where there were donkeys to pet and highland cows to look at and very delicious cakes and cold drinks.

Thursday we headed a little south and ended up at Preston Park Museum and Butterfly world. I enjoyed both, and as we got there for opening managed to explore the museum while it was quiet, leading to a long talk to the man in charge of the iron mongers shop. Then a walk through the grounds to the Butterfly building where we spent a lot of time sweating in the heat and admiring loads of butterflies, and especially enjoying the meerkats who had just checked out and were basking in the heat. You can see them in my insta post here. The one in the tube still cracks me up.

Yesterday was a planned cinema day and we went to see F1: The Movie, which I enjoyed loads, even though it was nearly three hours long. Leaving there we called in to see Corey, then went on to Kayleigh's as I said I'd watch Bodhi for a bit as Kayleigh and Lucy first went grocery shopping, then picked up their new kittens, Millie and Mollie.

Today James picked up an overtime community visit shift, which means he's helping run the NE ambulance stall at Sunderland Pride. Last I heard from him he was having a great time, and sent me a picture of him beaming from behind a cut out of a rainbow decked cardboard ambulance front. Meanwhile I've been getting the house in order with Glastonbury as background viewing as I do so. So far, my favourite performance has been Lewis Capaldi, what a return.

I've also been waiting for two parcels, one of which was thrown into the back garden, which baffles me as it would have taken the delivery guy more effort to walk around the house than actually knock on the front door. While the Amazon guy knocked ridiculously hard and then was walking away before I even got to the door. Turned out he'd left the parcel on the front door step so it's good I was actually in being as I have no front garden.

During the week I also heard from Rosie and from the week coming class will be on a Wednesday at 9am, and has changed from one hour to two. She's also going to start running an exercise only evening class from August, which is great, but I must admit, I can't help be a bit intimidated from going from 30 mins exercise to 60, and with another class to come.

We're finally out of a run of 29c temps here and while it's warm today, it's nicely so. Poor James really didn't cope with the heat wave. His meds mess with his temperature regulation anyway, so he was like a wrung out rag for a lot of the time.

Things I've done in the last few days.

Went for a walk along the riverside to check out two new Ray Lonsdale sculptures. Photos on my insta if interested.

Went along the coast to go and spot seals at St Mary's island, and actually saw them, which was cool.

Walked at the Wetlands.

Went to class and my one to one check in with Rosie -- I plan on posting a flocked post about that later.

Went to Pauline's for tea.

Went with James to two hospital appointments in one day, hours apart.

Went to meet the in laws at an Italian restaurant for a birthday dinner for my niece.

Had a very frustrating Thursday.

Went to see Twenty Eight Years later, which I actually enjoyed despite me being a wuss. While it's not my usual genre of film I watch, a lot of it was filmed in my localish area, so it was fun spotting places I knew.

Tried to keep up with the garden, including making my own banana plant water, which is apparently good for the tomatoes. Sounds exciting, but it's just me shoving banana peels into water and letting them seep.

Okay, the Thursday ( cut for length ).

James' hospital appointments were both routine, one to check his new splint and take the old one in to be adjusted as a spare. The other to see his AMC consultant, which I also expected to be an in and out, but he was sent to x-ray to see why he still can't get his hand to his mouth. Apparently there's a build up of bone around his elbow joint, and she thinks it could help with the movement to get it chipped away, but only if the build up is at the front of the bone and not the side, so he needs a CT scan to find out which it is.

Honestly, I'm wary of him having the op even if it is in the front. It's his dominant arm and James has always said no more operations unless emergencies and while a minor op, this one would stop him driving for a while, which deeply depressed him last year. But, guess we'll see after the scan, and obviously, it's his decision.

To end this sum up, have some hot cats from yesterday ( behind here )