Elsa and Oliver

Thursday,11th October.

Elsa from University days phoned yesterday. In Musselburgh for the day to babysit her grandson, Oliver, who is two and a half, so came down to see me. His mum is Spanish and teaches at Loretto two days a week.The wee soul was a delight. A gentle bairn with beautiful smile and huge brown eyes. He was fascinated by the butterflies on the fence and various wee animal ornaments in the garden, plus the fire engine and teddy bear in the house. Elsa went back to teaching one day a week at Armadale academy after her husband died two years ago.

I had stupidly told her to get the 26 bus, but realised when I was standing at the bus stop waiting that she might have taken the 26 to Port Seton instead of Tranent. Sure enough that’s what she did, got off the bus at Robertson Avenue, was directed up Coffin Lane and finally asked two women who said “Oh aye, that’s Betty McArthur, the singer, she jist steys roond there”. As she said when she arrived, “Well, if I didn’t know Prestonpans before, I know it now.”

We had a good laugh and she was saying she’s off shortly to China, which includes a visit to see the Emperor’s warriors in situ! She is also in a book group and they go every year to the Wigtown book festival, so she told me all about all the writers who were there.

Laughed how she used to come down when our families were young to go to the games which were held at Polwarh Park and they all stayed overnight, so we used to have a great time! The bairns all slept on the floor, so there was some carry-on! Her husband was a bit of an athlete, so he really enjoyed watching the runners. When she retired,they took up hill walking.

Today, I went to the doctor, as, apart from my aches and pains, I feel so sleepy all the time. He said it might be my medication, as the strength had been increased to help me cope last year, but now that I have patches for pain it may be too much. I’ve to reduce them gradually and phone him next week to see how I’m doing. Gave me flu jag. Bought a book “A Moment in Time” by H.E.Bates in surgery.Helen had given me a lift, then we went shopping for groceries and had our lunch out. Had a sleep in afternoon, caught up on my post.Margo phoned, so had a good chat.I always look forward to her phoning. Not much on TV tonight I’m afraid.