GOOD MORNING

Heidelberg castle view from below (duh!).Water feature in Heidelberg.
These two sculptures represent 'ignorance' above' and knowledge' below. Man asleep and Man awakening though knowledge. In Heidelberg centre.

As I arrived at the pool, I saw a woman who goes there regularly, stumble just like I do and all she was doing was standing by her car. I asked her why she stumbled and if she did it a lot. I already knew this woman has spinal problems like me. She said the stumbling is to do with the spine problem. PHEW! She was a nurse and this is what her consultant told her. She has had her spine operated upon, which I have not and doubt I would allow. Anyway, it is really a relief to know that my frequent stumbling is connected to my spine problem. I always feel better if I know what is what.

This morning's swim was challenging. The morning session has become rather busy. Unfortunately, the new people lack manners and common sense. They see all of us swimming laps and they decide not to, and do as they please, not caring whose way they get in. They also have the cheek to complain rudely if they get splashed or swum into! Most of these people have been on this planet a very long time from the look of them. You'd think they might have picked up a thing or two during that time. Or have they sleepwalked though life?

My hips are being a real pain, especially my right one. I need a new body, perhaps David Beckham's without the tattoos.

I have a dog show on Friday. Of course the weather has taken a turn for the worse. Not wet, just dull and cool. That will do. Dog shows and rain are not much fun.

FREE CHOICE LEFT BEHIND US

When we were in Heidelberg we met the above man. The only man I have ever met knitting. He was there for a demonstration, (G20 I think). He was a peace activist and had been all his life. He was married with many children. Nana gathered all this info as I do not speak German.

Nana took this picture of John and I. Despite the sunshine, it was cold. That is Daniel I am sitting on and you can make out his little joy stick on the left near my arm. I tell you, Daniel has been a real boon for us. I get out more now and John doesn't have the hassle of pushing me and I do not have to contend with being pushed. I hate it. I used to quite happily manoeuvre myself in the manual chair but now it is too hard on my shoulders.

I had strange dreams last night. Like I do most nights really. We were on an aeroplane to come home from Brazil. I know this part is because of the plane that disappeared yesterday en route form Rio to Paris. Anyway, I was uptight and I could not find my drugs. I was most concerned about my heart drugs. I asked John where they were and he said 'where you left them'. I said the last place I had seen them was on the settee at home. 'then that will be where they are'. he casually said. I was stunned! I told him that as he did all the packing, at his insistence, he was the one who forgot my drugs, He did not seem at all concerned and said, 'well you can take them when we get home'. The plane had yet to take off as it was still taxi-ing to the runway for take off, which for some reason was miles and miles. You know what dreams are. I was getting more and more flustered because I am afraid of flying, badly. Then I heard a voice waking me up and it was John telling me I had to get up to take him to the station. Of course I had the hump with him for forgetting my drugs!!!!

F**k knows what this dream was about. John is conscientious and would not forget and he would not be casual about my drugs.

We were in WH Smith's the other day and when we went to the checkout I paid using the card,. I was in Daniel. The woman looked at John and asked him,'does he want the card machine down there?' !!!!!!! Sometimes I think I should pull faces and drool.

Yesterday we went to Springfield's. We ate lunch there. They have a carvery in the restaurant and it is good. Just right for me, meat and veg, no carbs. We bought some shirts, John formal and me coloured Polo shirts. Very cheap too. The shops at Springfield's are all big name shops but outlets for the off season stuff or stuff that didn't sell for some reason. We also went into Gap. Ickety ick! Poor quality clothing. Really. We attracted by the colours and good window display but really the clothing was poor. No wonder we craft people who make excellent quality clothing can't get the dough for it if people think Gap is so good! (You don't think Gap could sue me do you for this opinion?)

After Springfield's we went to Morrison's, our favourite supermarket. We only go about once a month or less, and we do a big shop and fill our freezer. It is 27 miles from home. Pity it isn't closer. I'd choose them over Tesco any day but Tesco have a strangle hold over this country as far as grocery shopping is concerned. Funny, they say they give us choice. Actually all the supermarkets have taken our choice way from us. The small shops have all closed, the high streets are dead and we have to go out to the big supermarkets to buy what they have for sale, not what we want. That is not choice. The range of foods on offer at British supermarkets is abysmal. If they really wan to improve they should pop over the water to France and visit a Carrefour. That would show them what a supermarket ought to be about-choice. Instead, they only sell the basics here, with the odd 'special'. Juts one example. In salad dressings you can't buy yoghurt based ones. You have Helman's, light version of same, own brand same, Paul Newman's dressings. Most high fat and or high sugar. The selection of light is poor. Nothing for variety really either and if you want sauce you get to choose between various brands of tomato sauce and brown sauce. This is not choice. I can feel my blood pressure rising so I shall stop now.