Light at the end of the tunnel

My day started very early when I awoke and could not get back to sleep again. By 6:00am I had put two loads of laundry through the washing machine, hung it all up outside to dry, and brewed a cauldron of tomato, pepper and basil soup. Forty minutes later, I headed up to the station for my day trip to Northumberland.

My journey went very well. I managed to make an extremely tight connection at Newcastle and arrived bang on time in Hexham. My middle sister and her husband met me at the station, having driven there from Holy Island. By this time we were all ready for a second breakfast, so we returned to the Wentworth café, the venue of our meeting with our not-so-little sister last Wednesday, for our meal. My eggs florentine were delicious.

Soon afterwards it was time to drive up to Mummy hazelh's house for (yet) another day of house clearing. My main role was to move boxes and boxes of my not-so-little sister's belongings into the garage. In some cases, I also had to pack the boxes. In addition, I helped lug furniture from one place to another (and on occasion back to its original position - aargh!), and work with my middle sister to ensure that the not-so-little one is ready for the auctioneer again tomorrow, the clearance staff on Thursday, and the cleaners on Friday.

I really wanted my sisters to pose for a selfie with me for my blip to mark the (likely) last time that we will be at the house together. They weren't so keen, so instead I sneakily photographed the pair of them wandering around the garden auditing the urns. I like to think that their figures are caught in the light at the end of the tunnel.

There was room (just) for me in my middle sister's car for my return journey by road as far as Berwick, then by train back to Waverley: see the extra.

It's been a physically demanding day with all the running up and down stairs carrying boxes, and the furniture lugging. This has resulted in an impressive step count for a day spent mainly indoors. I'm pleased that I was able to contribute to the effort, but I do hope that I have not unknowingly damaged my neck/shoulder in the process.

Exercise today: fetching and carrying; walking (19,357 steps).