Following telephone call yesterday offering earlier appointments, got myself to the dental hygienist twenty miles away. She'd cancelled two so this change of tack was a novelty, one not to be missed.

Met an old friend for a quick lunch he invited me to; yet again, he had forgotten bring money (same thing happened a year or so ago). I think he was genuinely well-meaning, just a bit distracted. Anyhow, as lunch venue took cards and he had one of those, the treat was still on him. I treated him to a luxury Belgian chocolate drink, an overload of cholesterol on top with baby marshmallows and a shake of cocoa and I had a black coffee. I felt saintly!

Next, tootled off down the town and bumped into a very old acquaintance who was looking really well for the first time in twenty years. Main reason, he's had a new hip, (he's still young-ish) the other is to be done. Next time I see him, I guess he'll be minus his trusty walking stick and be able to rush off in the opposite direction. ;)

Visited a couple of ladies, the eldest fell asleep after the exciting part of the discussion had passed. Said she'd been listening in all the time.

On my way back to the car park, couldn't resist the best little jeweller in the county. At this time of year the shop takes in a whole range of original gift ideas. I couldn't think of anyone for the beautiful wooden magnetic chess set, nor for the multi-coloured solitaire marbles on a lovely circular wooden board. I did get two items though, both metallic gift wrapped with bow flourishes for Xmas pressies, at no extra cost.