i went back to the conference in the nippy autumn sun and met more old chums.

was out-networked by an ex-colleague who was in voracious networking mode.

i then trotted off to admit myself to hospital.

but realising that it was full of old and/or sick people, decided that i would rather sleep in my own bed tonight, reporting back at 7.30am tomorrow for the chop at 2pm.

after chatting to the anaesthetist, am feeling less scared about the anaesthetic and the possibility of err...not waking up again...but more scared about the pain that will ensue from having one bit of me stapled to another. apparently the first 24 hours are the worst so i expect to be dosed up to the eyeballs.

i'm looking forward to the first bit of sedation because after that i wont have enough brain left to care..

we are four ladies in my room - two hips and two shoulders. us shoulders ladies get our turn tomorrow. the other lady was in her nightie by 3pm, having decided that if she was in hospital then she'd better look the part.

by a strange turn of events found myself rescuing a lady who'd taken a strange turn in the library. she lives up the road and i will enjoy discovering her - she owned a junky/antiquey shop which she has closed but she seems to have taken most of it home. she is also a crystal healer. not bad for 70+

my reprieve earned me a sunny walk home. the sandstone seemed to absorb the light.

i am now going to bed and try not to dream