Today's blog may appear in several parts, as we are still suffering the after effects of Monday lunchtime's attack by a gang of masked men who cut through the gates and fencing around the power cable bridge at Dartford Creek, poured petrol over the four major power cables and set them alight. The explosion and subsequent fire cut off supplies to 100,000 consumers. It is said (not sure if this is true) that the bridge was the only point at which all four supply routes come together. We got power back late afternoon yesterday, but are now supposed to be on a rolling "three hours on, six hours off" schedule and are supposed to loose power in twenty minutes time. We did not loose power the last time this was scheduled today, so I was a bit over confident, but the bungalow at the end of the garden and all other houses down to Bexley village were plunged into darkness ten minutes ago. The problem seems to be that alternative power lines are limited in capacity and cannot serve all consumers at the same time. Most shops are shut, cash points turned off, petrol stations closed and most traffic lights not working. BHS and Marks & Spensers apparently have their own generators, and today Iceland also opened. However I had to drive to the other side of Sidcup to get Isobels incontinence pants yesterday. The situation might be sorted out tomorrow but Thursday seems more likely.

We were late again to the hospice this morning, following another wet bed incident, but Isobel's walking was a little better today. Her speech however has been very poor. Iona had been in school this morning and picked her mother up from the hospice on the way here. I spent half an hour on the phone to Maidstone Hospital without sorting out the neurologist's apppointment.

Isobel specially requested Chicken Kiev for dinner (well, she is descended from the Grand Dukes of Kiev), with boiled potatoes and peas. She was again rather tired and had a fairly early night.