Wednesday and I wake up in the hotel in York after having dinner with an old colleague and friend in a pub somewhere in the wilds of the outer York environs. My meal was substantial and by the end of it I was sunning out of spoons very quickly. It was very good to catch up with my friend who I had not seen for year and hear about how she was juggling living in the new supported living estate with keeping her own interests and activities going. It is clearly not an easy juggle and there are inevitable peaks and troughs, some more distressing than others.

I am woken by my phone alarm and get myself dressed and off to breakfast. Once again I just wonder into the dining area and pick a table. Although still full from last nights pub meal I go for a full breakfast to keep me fuelled for the day. While feasting I check my messages and do some basic banking admin. Apparently my household missed putting out the recycling bin last night despite my promptings so for the festive period it seems we will be bagging recyclables and soaking cardboard to go on the compost heap. I’m trying to be calm but really I’m just unbelievably miffed. So having dealt with breakfast and it attendant admin I return to my room and catch up on the blog drafting. I’m planning another trip to the York market to see if there is anything I missed.

My trip into York was brief and there was still nothing to tempt me and disappointingly the placard man declaring we were all going to burn was not there either. I return to the hotel and catch up on some writing before showering and then going for dinner at a friends house. We ate and chatted mostly about recovery and juggling things, before leaving I promised to send some copies of my poetry collections once I got home. Back at the hotel I readied myself for bed, took my meds and finished drafting the blog before dropping into sleep. Tomorrow will be the drive home and picking up the run up to Christmas.