We had glorious weather this past week, and of course, everyone was talking about it, either enjoying it or complaining about the heat!!! As they say over here, we Brits love to complain about the weather.

Work is progressing nicely, and of course, that is always a nice thing to say! I think that everyone is now adjusted and accutomed to the new building and enjoying it.

Friday I was out with Paul Cain, Rachel Addison and Richard Kirby. I had to go home first, and when I walked into the Red Lion, there was Paula Downing! I had no idea she would be there, and she said she had come there after work in the hopes I would be there. We went outside and joined Paul and Rachel, and then Matt Gillies arrived and joined us for one. He was off with his lady friend, Kerry, to the Lake District for a week. Eventually, we went inside, as it became a bit chilly....well, to the others, not to me. Ran into Lawton Henry and Louise Meek, and we joined them and all had a good visit. Then, in came Richard Kirby, and he was followed by Karen Whiteley and Mike Kendall. We all visited for a bit, and then Paula left, followed by me.

On Saturday the plumber arrived in the morning, and I got my shower back!! How wonderful to have a shower again after over 3 weeks of just a bath!! I couldn't believe it. How happy one can be over the simple things in life. After he left, I walked into the city to get a gift voucher for Rachel, whose birthday was Sunday, as well as to do some other things. I got back home, and I was supposed to be joining Paula, Nigel Naylor, John Coulson and Kate Addy for dinner that evening. However, I knew that I was out on the trot again on Sunday for Rachel's birthday, and I told Paula I just wasn't the youngster I used to be, and 3 days on the trot was too much for me. She certainly understood. So, I stayed home to get myself rested for Sunday.

Unfortunately, on Sunday when I awoke, I had a bit of pain in my back. I just thought I would work through it, but I turned to pick something up, and there was a sharp pain in my back!! I could hardly get out of the chair, and eventually I made it to the kitchen where I was able to take a pain killer. I then struggled to get back to bed. I called Liz Kirby, as she and Richard were coming into town to meet for the party. She came by, fixed some sandwiches for me, straightened things up, etc. I had called Karen Whiteley to find out who I called to get a doctor to come out and visit me, as I knew it was impossible for me to get to the walk-in center. Karen came through like a champ, and before long, the doctor was here. Liz had waited until his arrival. He agreed with me that it was a muscle seizure, and he gave me 2 prescriptions for a strong muscle relaxant and an anti-inflammatory. She went to the chemist's shop to get my prescriptions for me, set me up with a big jug of water, juice, etc. I was heading off to the land of nod when she left. Later, the phone rang, and it was Kevin Iresome calling to see how I was. When I told him I was bed ridden, he came over and brought dinner, refilled the water jug, stayed and visited, etc. Nice to have people taking care of you!! Thus, this week's edition is late by one day, because I couldn't get to the computer!! We watched Euro 2004, and of course we were gutted (British expression for sorely being diappointed) in the loss of England in the last couple of minutes to France, after leading 1-0 for most of the game. Well, we will just have to pick it up against Switzerland!

I was able to get to my doctor's office today, and he's told me to stay home and rest tomorrow and to continue the medication. Fingers crossed it all works. I am much better, but not 100%.

Best to you all.

Love,

Denny