Slow, slow. Quick, quick, slow

More complaining from me again.

My back was so sore and stiff and movement so ridiculously difficult and painful that I took some of the painkillers Richard was given (and never used) when he cracked his ribs. Unfortunately they gave me really awful stomach pains and didn't help my back at all. It was like really bad hunger pangs with claws. I had a horrid night. Because the pain's so low down it affects almost every move.

Feeling tired and sore, I tried to stay in bed this morning, but it was a beautiful morning and we'd been promised our solar panels today so I rolled out of bed and crawled to the bathroom. After some good old reliable paracetamol and muscle rub I got a bit of movement back and asked Richard to take me shopping.

It took me ages to get going and ages to get in and out of the car and ages to walk around the supermarket, but I did it. And I stocked up on pain relief - and none of that tummy-hurting stuff.

When we got home we found the solar panels hadn't arrived after all. Shame.

After experimenting with some different topical pain relief I was rewarded by a spray-on one that helped, and I found I could sit on the floor and wrap a few presents. I even coped with sitting at the desk and sorting out the holiday pay and paying some invoices. Sitting in chairs isn't fun though.

Just as night was about to fall Richard said he was taking the dog to the beach and I knew I had to go too - however difficult it might be. I've spent far too many days being stuck indoors for one reason or another recently.

The light was really poor and all my photos came out dark blue and grainy but the surf was big and noisy and it was great to be out. As I stood taking this shot, the tide decided to hurl itself at me and I couldn't move away fast enough because of my back pain. So I backed off slowly, hoping I wouldn't get wet.

I'm feeling really guilty about Richard having to be around for the workmen all the time, and about him having to cope with my ailments on top of everything else he's worrying about recently. His mum's moving house in 2 days and he's been on the phone regularly too her to asking what he can do to help, and really I know he would have just loved to have gone surfing today.

Tess has been really sweet and keeps saying she hopes I feel better soon. I apologised for being a boring mum.


Fingers crossed that things go smoothly tomorrow and we get our solar panels...