Mum is in love with Otley.
She really wants to bring Dad here when the house finally sells. Her only worry is getting him across London. They have to come into one London station and leave from another, and although Undertoad recognised that the signage on the Tube is excellent - and Mum knows it better than the back of her hand anyway - it's
hard getting a man with mobility problems and dementia on and off trains and platforms while juggling a case and bag and tickets.
I said if money isn't an issue (not megabucks, but enough not to be scared of small bills) I'll come down early and meet them at Marylebone to travel back up. I've always been more patient with Dad than Mum, just because he is my Dad and not my life partner. I can get them across London. I'm not saying it will be easy, but it will be less stress for Mum that way.
She came up first class. Never travelled on an Inter-City train before, and never first class. Don't get me wrong, the 'rents have been all over the world. You may remember that Mum went literally half a world away (Australia) on her own. But Dad was a driver until recently, so any significant distances in the UK were by car. And there is no first class between Aylesbury and London because the trip is too short (so why would you?)
She loved it. She said Dad would love it. She said she felt so important and so spoiled. And it was the weekend, so all she got was a sandwich, a muffin and a cup of tea! And we would get a taxi from Leeds because the buses are shit (her words).
Anyway, she says that Otley is perfect for Dad because you only have to walk 50 yards in any direction to find a bench, a pub, a tearoom etc. All on the flat (in the town centre at least) and lots of places are OAP friendly and accessible. And he would love seeing the planes take off from Leeds/ Bradford airport - they suddenly appear from over The Chevin. Far lower and closer than he is used to.
He gets so tired now. Possibly because he isn't eating.
One of those little individual packets of Kelloggs is two breakfasts for him these days. He gets up, showers and dresses, finds the kitchen and has a few mouthfuls. Then he has to go and sit down for a while
Anyway. I'm glad Mum came up on her own.
It would be wonderful if Dad comes up too, because if he does at least Mum will have an idea of what there is for him and where it it etc.
Farmer's Market yesterday.
Didn't get any useable photos because there are so many stalls packed into such a small space. No room to stand back and take a pic. This stall specialising in mushrooms was on the edge of the market. I was fascinated by the shapes and colours. The pink ones look like offal.