Perhaps it would have been wiser if Euan and I had not stayed up until after 5am talking. However, now that a respite from very demanding tasks is in sight, and as the work of caring for Isobel has become easier as a result of the mild sedation, we have begun to relax for the first time in many months. It was therefore my own fault that I felt very tired when awakened by a loud bump at 6.30am to find Isobel had fallen onto the floor. It took a lot of effort to manhandle her onto the commode and then back into bed. Isobel slept on until almost 10am.

It is now usual for Isobel to spend the day in bed, as the stairs have become in the last couple of weeks a challenge that we do not tackle unless there is a very good reason. Isobel says that she feels more comfortable lying flat, she has certainly begun to have difficulty in holding a sitting posture. Breakfast passed uneventfully; a lot of effort was expended in repeatedly moving Isobel onto the commode and back into bed. Iona arrived at lunchtime and stayed until 5pm. Dallas dropped in during the afternoon bearing a large home made walnut and coffee cake; for a change we failed to eat all this today! When Iona left, she took Euan who is staying overnight in Gravesend. Dallas left at about 6pm. Isobel dozed for a short while before dinner.

Isobel had corned beef, mashed potatoes and baked beans for dinner followed by rice pudding. She fell asleep about 10.30pm.