Despite the schedule for power cuts, we seem to be the only part of Bexleyheath enjoying continuous power supplies. The shopping centre was still like a ghost town today, we were told that the Nat West Bank was operating a skeleton service from a table on the pavement. By the end of the afternoon the power seemed to be back on in the centre and I was able to get cash from a hole in the wall and fill up with petrol. However all the houses south of us again had their power turned off a short while ago. Power supplies are supposed to be back to normal some time tomorrow.

Isobel was very tired and slept until half nine this morning. Our friend Jane came round in the morning, she lives north of the Broadway and has only been getting three hour periods of power a couple of times a day - two of her sons have gone to stay with relatives as they can't put up with having no television or Internet. Isobel's speaking this morning was much more lucid, and Jane confirmed it was greatly improved over a couple of weeks ago. A new district nurse called and was, I think, reassured to find the situation was not as desperate as when her colleague last called, she is going to sort out a supply of incontinence pants now that their usage has increased to such large numbers.

Iona came round at lunchtime, bringing her dog to amuse Isobel. I spent another fruitless half hour on the 'phone to Maidstone Hospital; their appointments section seems to have been unstaffed all week. I have agreed with the Oncology Department (who have done their part OK) that if it can't be resolved tomorrow they will kick people at their end. We left Euan in charge of Isobel for a hour while Iona, myself and her dog went over to Sidcup to buy more compost, lawn dressing and vermiculite - I had expected the load I bought a couple of weeks ago would last all summer, but I have at last got more work done in the greenhouse and garden than anticipated. By the end of the afternoon Isobel's speech was as bad as ever, I do not understand why it varies so much. The District nurse reappeared with a pack of incontinence pants - prompt service!

Euan made us spaggetti bolognese for dinner. Afterwards Isobel had apple crumble and ice cream. She went to sleep well after 11pm.