The lovely MsY had a couple of new items on her list today both ice cream related - the first 99s and the second lollies. The first was the Co-Op own brand tea bags; which she was trying for the first time.

With the second we agreed that I’d ring from the Co-Op but I knew what she’d want as soon as I saw the options Rowntrees Fruit Pastille ones. The response when I called ‘Oh yes, get those!’

After getting mild curry powder last week as Mr J said his wife couldn’t cope with anything too hot, it was all change today. Hot Madras Curry Powder was on the list today. Arrow’s Hot,Hot, Hot has become an earworm as a result - makes a change from the Half Man Half Biscuit song that’s been lurking in my head most of the week.

The rest was pretty straightforward apart from lugging back a month’s supply of protein shakes from the chemist for Mrs J.

A while ago we went through the lovely Ms L’s record collection and reminisced about its contents and remember her going a little dewy eyed about Paul Michael Glaser, or was it David Soul, from Starsky and Hutch. Today it was the turn of CDs - there were a fair number of Radiohead albums but Thom Yorke didn’t elicit the same sort of response. They were put into a box for a friend to take to a charity shop.

The cassettes were a different matter thought, quite a lot of self help ones and some relating to her Dad. We talked about ways she might be able to play these which she could cope with despite her MND - she might try a very simple old school player which her carers could put tapes in for her,

We also sorted a few things out so she can make some calls on some things relating to her Mum and I watered her plants for her.

The first time I've been to the wonderful Wildcat Wilderness in Catford for ages. My task for the session was removing a fallen tree that was partially blocking a path, dragged down by ivy and decay. I was told that only hobbit could get underneath, but being smaller than a hobbit hadn't noticed it on my way in. It took ages but was eventually cut down and cleared away.

Today was a GG first for me - a successful joint visit with a Social Worker, to the lovely Ms S. Her ability to cope without support due to her MS has been diminishing rapidly. I’ve been using GG’s safeguarding processes to feedback my concerns.

(Subject to her manager’s approval) the Social Worker agreed a care package and a referral for sheltered accommodation. Ms S was so happy with the outcome.

I stayed on for a bit afterwards to bin some black bags and clear the fridge and surfaces of out of date food. For the first time in 2026, I left Ms S’s home full of hope.

There's always an abundance of weeds to tackle at Luxmore Garden, whether its alkinet, bindweed, grass or other weeds invading the flower beds! This evenings task was to tackle the grass growing amongst the ornamental grass.

A little brain power was required to ensure that the ornamental grass didn't accidentally get dug up! There was a very similar looking weed as well which didn't help matters.

We got stuck into the task and wasn't long before we had a bright green visitor seeing what was going on. We made sure it safely went into the grass rather than getting accidentally tramped.

The flower bed was looking much tidier than when we started and after some potential confusion that we might've been fly tipping we made our way back to Glass Mill!