The last couple of weeks have been painful for the entire household (cats excluded!)

Firstly The Whale became ill during Sunday lunch and ended up in hospital with a urine infection. One of the symptoms of the infection is that his legs become stiff and it is difficult to bend his knees. He came home after a week on a drip and is only just beginning to get them moving again.

You may be thinking that his week away would have given The Bear and me some 'quality time' together but no, this was not to be, because the Bear has had his own knee problems for years, dating from the time he went out looking for one of the cats early one winter morning, slipped on the ice and tore his quadriceps. His right leg has never been the same since and following a left knee replacement here in France he often has whole weeks of hobbling around because of the pain. And, you've guessed it, this was one of the weeks when his legs decided to 'play up'!

Then Jay (my son) came home from his usual run at the gym complaining that he had strained his thigh (not for the first time). He went to the local physio for a massage but it didn't do any good so he is getting through loads of Nurofen until he goes to England to fetch his sister who has booked him a session with a masseur he knows.. . .

Finally, I've also been having  problems of my own. The doctor said it was water on the knee plus tendonitis and has given me cortisone tablets and painkillers and orders to rest. Huh! Some hope. Poor Jay has been very helpful despite his painful thigh but the Bear and the Whale have been as demanding as ever.

When I'm able to walk normally again I must remember to appreciate how wonderful it is to get around without having to limp and be careful how I move - and to have a bit more sympathy for the Bear, who has to put up with leg problems on a regular basis.