Super siblings

The sun has shone all day today and it's been up to 17C too. A lovely day to be out and about. I left the back door open for Bilbo while I was out as the neighbours were in all day. It made me feel better about leaving him again.

I went straight over to Oxford to visit cousin K, who's in the private Manor Hospital having had a knee replacement. I was hugely impressed with the place... free car parking under the building and plenty of it; a huge airy atrium reception; clean, wide corridors; a spacious private en suite room; not to mention free hot drinks on tap. And visiting hours are all day, until 10pm. Marvellous. I've never yet had to use my private health care insurance but when I do I hope it's as good...

K had lots of flowers and I added a vase of faux flowers so she can take them home and enjoy them for years to come too. She seemed to like them. I found her with an ice pack on the knee and struggling with the pain. She wasn't in the best of spirits when I arrived but I am pleased that she perked up considerably while I was there. I stayed a couple of hours then left her to it. I must say I was saddened to hear that neither of her sisters had been to visit her and her mother had had to be brought up by a friend rather than by one of her sisters. What selfish and insensitive people. It really does make me thankful for the closeness of our family.

Then I made the half hour scenic trip to pop in on C and the bubs for cuddles and to enjoy their new patio. It's nice and large and will get plenty of sun so they've made a good decision there. I only stayed an hour to get back to the mutley. We'll have a walk tonight and then I'll be chilling out some more this evening.