The first visit of the day was made early in the morning by Iona and Jon. Iona left her car in the car park for later collection. Although Isobel had apparently (I forgot to check the food log later) had her usual breakfast of a couple of rounds of toast she had gone back to sleep by the time they arrived just after ten. They stayed for a short while but Isobel showed no sign of waking so they left and came to our house. After a short while Jon left for his parents' hose and Euan and Iona started on the preparation of the Christmas dinner. This required them to go and sit in the bed watching an Indiana Jones film while I re-organised the kitchen and peeled a mountain of potatoes.

I went in to see Isobel, arriving at twenty to one. This was a flying visit, as Euan was convinced the dinner would be ready in forty five minutes. I was disappointed to find that Isobel had already had her dinner. As expected she had not left her bed. I saw the group who had dined in the lounge on the way in and it was much less than half the residents - there are a lot who do not move out of their rooms and some are much more dependent than Isobel. Isobel said that she had enjoyed her dinner. She was in a cheerful mood and her speech was much better than yesterday, even though not as good as at the start of the week. We opened a few more of Isobel's presents, mostly edible but there were two interesting pairs of angora socks which might be useful for wear in bed when she lies on the bedsheets, although the room is usually very warm (and was positively tropical today). I left at just after 1pm.

At home there was a flurry of activity, but the dinner did not appear for an hour. It was worth waiting for. The fillet steak, from "Dennis of Bexley" who have a very high reputation was the best I have tasted for many decades; beautifully flavoured but almost dissolving in the mouth. The roast potatoes were as near perfect as can be imagined, cooked in butter with fresh Rosemary. The baked peppers were merely very good, the green beans and baked beans just made up the numbers but it was overall an exquisite meal, a real pleasure to eat. Euan was the chief cook with Iona as his assistant. the only drawback was that Iona and I were unable to do justice to the very good St Emilion which accompanied the meal.

After a necessary period of relaxation after the meal I went back into the Centre at just after five. Iona felt the need to continue her post-meal lie down and watching of another Indiana Jones film! Isobel was sitting up in bed watching television. Soon after I arrived, Isobel had tea. I fed her cocktail sausages, a scotch egg, a piece of pork pie pie, a cheese and pickle sandwich and a salad sandwich. This was followed by a huge helping of trifle and cream. While she drank her tea she also had a few chocolate biscuits. I gave Isobel details of the various telephone conversations I had since my previous visit. I left soon after six to collect Iona.

I returned with Iona at just after seven. Isobel was thirsty and had two beakers of squash. We sat and chatted for a while, opening the last of Isobel's presents. I am very pleased that everything she has been given will be eaten or used. Isobel said that she was happy with the way the day had been. Iona left just before a quarter to eight, she was going on to festivities with Jon's family at one of his aunt's houses in Swanley. Today snow and ice has finally cleared from most low lying areas but there were still substantial piles of ice in the Centre car park.

Isobel and I watched Dads' Army together. She opened a small pack of rather superior chocolates my brother had given her and graciously gave me one before eating the rest! Isobel had touched her head several times during the evening and when the nurse arrived to give her the evening dose of medicines we cross examined her and established that she did have some discomfort high on the right hand side although she would not admit it was a headache. This is the same spot suspected earlier in the week. Tonight she had two Paracetemol tablets, in the past these have been completely effective at controlling headaches, but the problem will have to be watched carefully as Isobel is not willing to admit when she has pain. I am concerned that these two instances have been at the same point on the head, away from the surgery site where previous headaches have been centred. I left Isobel just before a quarter to eight, she was showing no signs of tiredness.

Finally, one piece of good news that made Isobel happy. Iona is expecting a baby. It is not due until August.