A nearly normal week. Well normal in that no one is wearing masks. It’s as though we’re not going to revert to the covid years. We will brave it out.

Hospital has rebooked the MRI now that I have reset the implant. The email from the Consultant in charge of such things received a response from Dipstick. Well I say response it was just 👍 That’s all. FFS. at least say thanks, you Dippy Stick.

I also still seem to have other scans on the Eric software. But am ignoring them on the advice of radiology lady.

Meanwhile the, new gp surgery lost my last culture so bunging in antibiotics at random is my only strategy. Argh.

Then a long overdue( postponed three times) dinner at one of the Oxford Colleges. An invitation received pre covid from Cambridge. So out of practice am I my overnight bag had to be dusted off, random items thrown in and off I set with my friend and colleague JES. We arrived in good time. Satisfied the strange porters lodge lady that we were two in two rooms and not three. No idea why she thought we needed three rooms. Three breakfasts Three keys. Oh well. So we . Grabbed a drink. Rushed to change or do ‘beauty’ and made it to the meeting on time.

*’beauty’ here we decided enroute means hairbrush,clean mask and a jewellery of sorts. I realised my ear rings had parted company with their backs so abandoned that idea.

A great evening had by all. Such luck I found myself sitting opposite an orthopaedic surgeon who looked all of 12. Next to me was a lady in fluorescent blue who didn’t talk . But on my right was a mad vicar. JES nearby. Why do we always end up at the noisiest end? We discussed covid rules or behaviour psychology. Ie masks. We discussed the weird mausoleum for Shelley in the college. Famous poet that he was and is. He was sent down for writing a pamphlet on the Necessity of Atheism. Not withstanding that his relatives bequeathed the college with cash on condition they erected his rather andrologous ( is that an urology word?) statue /mausoleum /thing.

Then we discussed anti vaxxers, the right to live, the right to die. Turned out surgeon and JES had mutual friends. He, the young surgeon was awesome, clever, eloquent and so so sensible. Wow if I ever need a knee I’ll find him. As for the vicar he was absolutely hilarious and surprised us all throughout. For reasons of philosophical atheism. I’m not sure if that is a word either.

Anyhow, such is the nature of these dinners we were soon ushered out and JES and I found our stair cases to get to our rooms .

FinallyI need to tell you….as we bade each other farewell I suddenly realised why I’d felt so uncomfortable all evening. In my haste to get ready I’d thrown my dress on back to front. Yes. Really. Honestly we thought the vicar was bonkers. Whatever did he think of me! Next week I have been invited to the Nursing Times Awards dinner in London. An app I advised on is a finalist. Note to self. Sort beauty! And dress… appropriately.