Thanks for all your messages of sympathy. Dad's funeral went off as well as could be expected.

My mother's health concern turns out to be a new secondary cancer in her spine. She has had some treatment and is currently in hospital waiting for any resulting reduction in the swelling which had caused the loss of feeling and movement in her legs. She will then receive physiotherapy to maximise ability to move which will lead us to knowing what her chances of living at home successfully will be.

I am only home from Wednesday to Friday and the time has rushed past already. I will be going back with Charley to continue visiting and supporting my mom on a daily basis. I have managed to sort out a number of problems that had occurred in my absence including a leaking toilet, not to mention rushing round to buy replacement electrical equipment that had been trashed in a recent electrical storm. I can tell it will feel unreal that I will have been back at all and I haven't even left yet! I could have done without the additional stress, not to mention all the driving, but it has been worth it to spend some time with his majesty. We both miss each other terribly but try to talk on the phone every day.

The stress and exercise etc has meant that I have lost 10 pounds in weight in just three weeks which I could stand to lose though I'm sure it's not the ideal way to lose it.

Hope you are all well and I will try to catch up with all your exploits the next time I have internet access (though I'm not sure when that will be).

Toodles!