7.10: nurse's arrival wakes me. Oops, forgot to stock the toilet with loo rolls last night and it's Normacol day so totter down to cupboard and put three spare rolls on holder.

7.15: let cats out,  feed them and clean out litter tray.

7.20; do a mile on exercise bike.

7.30: shower and dress

7.45: make tea/coffee and distribute to people in bed. Whale (having emerged from toilet) informs me that Holly has been sick on the bed.

7.50: clean loo and change Whale's bed sheets etc.

8.10: decide it's a good time to wash his hair. (This is a trick the nurse taught me for washing his hair while he's in his wheelchair: slit a dustbinbag halfway down one side and drape round neck on top of a towel. You can then shampoo and rinse using one jugful of water and catching it in the binbag. My problem is disposing of said water without spilling it all over the floor - but I am clumsy sometimes.

8.20: put washing machine on and check on Bear. He's looking a bit miserable. I ask what's wrong and this leads to another 'hate' session directed against everyone else. The main cause seems to be that I said I wouldn't have time to go into town for lunch today because we're getting ready for visitors tomorrow - five friends from Norfolk. Row ends with Bear threatening (or is it a promise?) that he'll ask if he can go back with them because he can't stand it here.

8.55 Whale reminds me he hasn't been fed yet so give him his breakfast and take Bear a second cup of coffee

9.00 check emails and find that a message from one of the friends due to arrive tomorrow is being blocked because of a virus. Try to phone her but no reply.

9.15: settle down to write this post despite having a million and one more pressing things to do.