I had a chat by telephone this morning with Sarah Parker from the Ellenor Trust. She confirmed her view that Isobel's condition has deteriorated to such an extent that she will never be able to be cared for at home again.

I went in to visit Isobel at 5pm. She had just started tea and was feeding herself bacon sandwiches very effectively. For afters there was jelly and cream, she was not able to feed herself this so I helped her. Isobel drank a mug of tea by herself, using a feeding mug. I had brought in a box of blackberries, Isobel demolished these very quickly.

I noticed that Isobel had chocolate on her clothes and bedclothes. What Isobel did not tell me, and had presumably forgotten completely was that this had occurred when Jacquie visited earlier in the afternoon. I did not find out that Jacquie had visited until she e-mailed me later. Jacquie did not find Isobel's condition encouraging, this was not encouraging as she had seen Isobel in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital less than two weeks ago and was well placed to judge changes.

Isobel's language became more vague before I left. I left early at 6.30 as Iona was coming over for dinner with Euan and I.

After our meal Jess phoned to say that Isobel's mother had been advised by her doctor not to undertake at present the journey to see Isobel.