Slight progress

The day started, cloudy and slightly damp, but the cloud broke up as the morning went on and the sun shone, warming the air, making it feel like a proper summer day.  A visit to our GP surgery mid morning for a wide ranging blood test, five samples being taken in all, My blood pressure was taken and it's still worryingly high. The doctor came down for a brief consultation me in the treatment room, which was so much better than the phone conversation I'd been waiting for. 

Thankfully the ECG taken a fortnight ago revealed a few minor anomalies, but nothing of concern, similar to when the one I had in Ibiza, no need to refer me for an ultrasound heart scan. I am, however being referred to a hypertension specialist at Llandough. When that'll happen is anybody's guess. Meanwhile my doxazosin dose is doubled. from the original prescription. I hope it makes a difference, as the symptoms I'm experiencing raise anxiety and distract me from doing new things. The first half of the day is worse than the second. I always seem to be feel better after I exercise, and in the evening. It's a puzzle in need of a solution.

I walked into town this afternoon, and visited John Lewis store, which is once more open for business,  so far with few customers, no need to queue outside. Like a kid, I challenged myself to ride the elevator up to the top floor and down again without holding the handrail - insanitary things. Nothing to worry about there, my balance is as good as it needs to be! More customers wearing masks in there than in the SD2 mall next door. 

There are some good tech bargains at the moment especially Chromebooks, but nothing new I really need. There is, however a used Olympus OM-D in the window of Cameraland, half the price of a new one. I'm tempted by this as I'd like to find out what's so special about Olympus Micro Fourth Thirds cameras, often highly praised by enthusiasts, not least for their portability it seems. Well maybe, maybe not. Hard to justify. I wish I could borrow or hire one to try out.

After supper, Clare and I relaxed and watched an episode of 'Vera' together. It doesn't happen that often and it's nice when we do. One or other of us is often busy with some task or other, or we want to watch different things, at the same time. Clare in the lounge, me on the bed on a Chromebook.

The imposition of precautionary quarantine on people returning to UK from countries showing spikes in rates of infection is wreaking economic havoc during this holiday month. Unable to go to Spain, many Brits are going to France instead, but infection rates are rising there again too. It may not be long until France joins the list. I feel for Emma the diocesan locum secretary visiting family in Brittany. In an email last week she said how shocked she was by what seemed to her a total disregard for precautions in the general population where she stays, quite apart from holidaymakers. It's as if people have already forgotten just how frightening the events of recent months were.