More than an armful

Today has been a busy day. But before that, the latest cake, another carrot cake. Very slightly over baked but otherwise good. A few friends have had a slice and liked it. I have two friends coming over Friday, I have promised them the  Norwegian rhubarb cake for when they visit, a few carrot pieces for the dog. 

One of the three Elephant Garlic I planted ages ago is growing rampant, the other two slightly less so. But it’s hopefully going to produce a big bulb later this year. 

After the gym, it was off to walk the two dogs, I often take out Mondays. As we had more rain and time was tight, I decided against Henley. We went to Dinton Pastures, where we park at a nearby pub the Wheelwright Arms where I did take my friend Neville when he was alive. We are known quite well there, we often sit outside as it’s better for us and the regulars inside. But first we do a walk around Dinton, which is a series of gravel pits, now full of water, the gravel was used for the M4 and/or possibly the A329M. We walk around all of the lakes in a big circumference. Of course the Cocker went in the water as soon as he saw it, the Labrador was less keen this time. As I have said before they tolerate each other but are not super friends. We met several people on route, including another Cocker who tolerated having two dogs saying hello to them. Eventually we got to Sandford lake, which is where flooding was before. Unfortunately with the recent heavy rain, the flooding had returned and I was loathed to turn around so we carried on, the boots are in the airing cupboard now!

Back at the pub, we had our lunch, and the Labrador had a drink from the Doggie water barrel that my friend Neville drank out of years ago. 

It was time to go home for those two and for me to go to Reading, to give my first pint of blood since I left for Greece.  Before going to the venue, I wanted to buy some new sandals to replace the ones that  I was wearing, when the accident happened, one of the straps was now getting loose, so I wanted to change them. I was soon walking in my new ones, leaving the old ones in the shoe shop. The donation appointment was a new venue for me, the Salvation Army hall. The staff at the donations are always super kind and helpful. I knew because of what had happened I needed to have my facts straight, have evidence to show I had been discharged by the Fracture clinic and other things. I passed all the questions, and was ready to donate my pint. Unfortunately they had two fainting patients, it’s unfortunate but sometimes people do get lightheaded after giving blood and the team are very knowledgeable about how to deal with it. But soon I was on my way and the pint was heading into its bag.  As the waiting area had its fainting patient still being looked after, I had to stay in my chair, drinking my drink and having my chocolate biscuit. I think I am within a pint of fifty pints, which I want to reach, then I am going to switch to Plasma donations, modern treatments mean there is more demand for this and you can give it more often than blood, as they only take the Plasma. Reading luckily has a centre for Plasma donations which is great. Meanwhile I was soon on my way and being whisked off to Twyford on a train. My last job of the day, was to collect a friend who can’t drive at the moment, from a checkup appointment at Reading Hospital. Total distance walked, a nice round 10km.