I heard from the brother & ma that my Great-Aunt was getting worse at the end of last week, so on fri after work (where had a VERY positive PDA, making me feel right happy!) shot down to one bloody large hospital in Brum. Saw the GA, looking tired & worn out on her ward. We know it’s terminal cancer, and there’s not long left, but she was on good form considering. High morphine dosage, but she’s full of fight & is as sharp as ever! She really wants to see my Gran (her sis) again, but it’s unlikely to happen – Nan’s in hospital herself at the mo and may well be in there for a while yet.
Back to Ann’s later that night, grabbed a couple of pints in their local then crashed out. Next day took breakfast, bade farewell and headed up the local hill where my Nan used to live (her dad farmed the area), as the weather was ace, so charged around taking pictures of the whole area, incuding the ‘monument’ – a tall construction where we scattered my Grandad’s ashes a few years back. Had a chat to him up there, then headed back.
Hit the road & back home before too long. Quick sort out, then over to Southport to catch Folkport, Southports first folk festy outing. Saw Brass Monkey (Martin Carthy et al), Dervish, a session by the Bothy Folk Club and then the Oysterband. Oysters were on form, but unfortunatly the sound was crap. Very quiet, mix was all over the place, and they were a bit slow all the way through. With all these issues it was really hard to get the place moving – the band tried a few different tricks to get people bopping, but it was a really wierd crowd in there. Plus Dan was leaping about, pretty wasted on Stella and making everyone else stand back. Hey ho.
Following morning headed up to the Lakes, taking the Network walking in the Langdales. Stunning weather, so took in Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell (via scramble on the links), then down to Angle tarn and off. Really nice day out, wore some people out I think, all very good! Met with Matt and Carrington + 2 who’d been up there the previous night kipping out – top weather for it. Back to the ODG as it got dark.
Today, been into Ormskirk Hospital for Maxiofacial surgery. Is as nasty as it sounds, and now have about 6 stitches in my gum after an op which involved peeling back of the gum, scalpels and the grinding down of the root of my tooth. Dropping some more pills now, but expecting massive swelling tomorrow. Oh, and a world of pain no doubt.
