A very expensive week and a warning about Preston

I haven't had a good week.

I've had problems with my jaw and a couple of weeks ago had the start of root canal treatment which couldn't be completed as my dental anatomy was too complex. On Tuesday I spent a long time with my mouth open at the specialist dentist with the operating microscope getting the job completed. Quite sore afterwards and apparently it could take a while to settle.

So I didn't play golf on Wednesday as still sore and my hands and wrists, while more settled than they were, are still uncomfortable. I managed to complete all the work for our AGM on Thursday,  yesterday, so that was a positive.

The timing of my AGM meant that I would miss the bulk of my Thursday daytime sewing class. However,  I could go for 45 minutes to ask advice about a closure for the tartan full pleated skirt I'm making and then go straight to AGM.  I went to class for 45 minutes,but while reversing out of the parking space I was in (perpendicular to and off road) I crunched into a van parked directly across the road, partly on road and partly on pavement. I have no excuse. I didn't see it though I have mirrors and a rear camera!  I went to the house next to the van, assuming the driver might be there, as he was. Apparently they are ‘always’ being bumped into; they were grateful I had stopped to tell them. My insurance company is now dealing with the claim. My car remains driveable, though I'll need a new bumper and light set on one side.

I was a little shaken, only, and managed to drive for 20 minutes to the AGM which went well, though I think the sandwiches I had for lunch were partly at least to blame for my later nausea (which continues so perhaps not that at all). The AGM was more fun that expected; our retiring captain has a terrific sense of humour.

After that I had to go to my evening college course. I just had time to pop home, change out of my ‘uniform’, have a small snack and go. I wasn't feeling well but really needed to go to the class. The weather was misty and wet; quite miserable. Remember, remember, the fifth of November! Yes, yesterday was Guy Fawkes Day. (I often wonder how many people who celebrate it actually know what this celebration is about so for those of you who don't and who may not know, here I quote Wikipedia: ‘Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Firework Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London, and months later the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure’)

The traffic was appalling, presumably as a result of people making their way to fireworks displays (although many are this weekend) and the journey took me nearly 90 minutes. I was exhausted before I got there. I did get to see lots of fireworks and a surprisingly large number of huge bonfires,  which burned very well.

In class, we were working on plackets. It's clear that our coursework is going far more slowly than the tutor imagined.  Originally my course project was going to be Helen's wedding dress but everything is so slow in class that I've come to the conclusion this isn't going to work (and the tutor agrees). I'm going to arrange some individual lessons.

On my way home,  later, the air was heavy with smoke which worsened his I was feeling. I couldn't sleep last night, whether because of the continuing nausea or worry about the car or wedding dress or what, I don't know.

This morning I opened yesterday's mail and found a parking ticket from when I visited Abakhan in Preston! £75, reduced to £50 if I pay within the week (when I paid, they were going to add a credit card fee too;  I used a debit card instead). The (privately run, not council) car park there has a 1h 20m limit and I exceeded that by 12 minutes,  apparently. That's from coming through the gate on entry (and finding where to park) to going through on exit (after being temporarily blocked in and setting sat nav). I thought I was within the time (I was aware of the limit and tried to stick to it) but the evidence was included for me to see. I won't be visiting Preston again!  They didn't even have a toilet in the little trading estate I was in. The whole thing is not very welcoming to visitors. I'd much prefer to pay for parking by the hour than have free parking which is,  I would say, just not long enough. I guess if I'd been before I'd have known. On the positive side I and drivers like me perhaps keep it free for locals!

I thought Abakhan was okay but if I go again, it will be a different branch. It's a family run business and Love Sewing had an article about it in the current issue; perhaps I'd go to their original branch.

This week has been expensive!

Hopefully next week will be better! Monday evening (sewing bee) is earmarked for customising the dress form for Helen. I bought some materials today at a good price and my tutor is going to help. David is going to strip the old material from the frame as the glue has disintegrated into powder. This is going to be a do or die attempt! The existence under threat remains Missy‘s! I'm hoping that will remove my wedding-dress-block and allow me to move on. That and a couple of specific wedding-dress related classes. I feel things are looking up.