Dear Readers, my cat, Willow, has been most peeved since the disruption to her usual surroundings. As I’m sleeping in the living room at the moment she sees this as an opportunity to visit during the night, just to make sure that I’m still breathing (even though it’s now my husband who feeds her). For preference, she will drape herself across my poorly leg, and look most perturbed when I dislodge her, sometimes without due ceremony.

Still, it’s nice to have some company during the night when the pain kicks in but it’s till two hours till my next painkillers. I am still reading ‘Cold Kitchen’ by Caroline Eden, about the author’s kitchen in Edinburgh, and the dishes that she cooks there that remind her of her travels. Last night her dog, a Beagle named Darwin, died, and I howled so much that the cat had to come over again to express her concern. Who says that they don’t care?

Anyhow, after Darwin’s demise we were off to Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, where Eden lives through a revolution following the downfall of the government. What a brave woman she is! I recognise that urge to globe-trot and to find out about other people and other ways of living, but she definitely takes it to another extreme. I am thoroughly enjoying the book, which is so much more than just another cookery manual.

And thank you to everyone who has commented, shared their experiences and thoughts on pain management and looking after my fracture. I will get back to you all at some point, but at the moment I’m a bit low on energy. I have read every single comment, here and on Facebook though, and I am so appreciative of your love and concern. The last few days have been quite the adventure, and I hope to stay curious and learn as much as I can as I go through it.

I have had some really lovely cards, but this one is probably the most ingenious so far. Did I tell you all that my favourite animal is (probably) the giraffe, largely because I was such a tall, gangly child that I was nicknamed ‘giraffe’. See what you think of the card.

The Cover of the Card

So lovely, and such a surprise!