A Hospital Visit

On Monday I thought I had a return of the dreaded kidney stones. I was playing nonchalant, but Susan decided that action was needed. She phoned 15, and spoke to an online doctor who agreed with her, made an appointment for me at Loches hospital, and off we trotted.

Dialling 15 is the approved route for getting to Emergency (Urgencies, in French) at a hospital. The idea is that you will be directed to an emergency room that is (a) open, and (b) has the appropriate staff and equipment. She was given a choice between Loches and Tours. We chose Loches, because it's closer, and easier for Susan to visit me if I should happen to be admitted.

Waiting for the scan. Susan wanted me to look wan and unwell. I was uncooperative.

Anyway, I was put in a very empty room on a trolley, and Susan perched on a stool. I had a saline drip attached, and then we waited for the machine to be free. Eventually I had my scan, and the good news was delivered. No stones. I do however have a UTI, which is now being treated with antibiotics.

Picking up the Pieces

On Friday I headed off to work. We had a storm warning for Storm Austen and it was rather wet and windy. I was scheduled to meet Los Angeles based artist Lauren Mendelsohn-Bass and her mother for a guided tour of Azay le Rideau. But I didn't get very far before I had to stop. A tree had come down just outside of Preuilly. Jacques from the organic market garden had been cycling to work (!!) and come across it minutes before me. He and another bloke had just managed to lift the tree off the road. I took care of clearing up the smaller stuff scattered all over the road. Then we all went on our way.

A Glimpse Inside a Restaurant Coldroom

I had lunch at the popular Amboise restaurant Chez Bruno last week. I happened to manage to snap a glimpse of the interior of their coldroom, showing a chilly 5.4 degrees celsius. Mostly I think the contents were cuts of meat.

Reflections

I took this photo on a walk the other day. I don't remember it being this calm.

Since the photo was taken, the level of the Claise has dropped. Moulin de Chanvre are having work done on the weir.

************Weather************

The tempête didn't arrive. 

The Mighty River Seine

We all have to start somewhere, and in the case of the River Seine it's near Châtillon sur Seine. It's that dry bit of roughly mown meadow in the middle of the photo. This photo was taken during the golden hour, after dinner, in August.

And just to prove it is the Seine, here's one I took earlier in the evening.

**************Weather Alert*************

It's supposed to be very windy tonight, with gusts up to 90 km/h. Of course, this advice may change.

Jabbed!

Last Friday Susan and I had our COVID and Flu vaccination. The recommended schedule for the flu jab has been brought forward slightly because flu season has already started. I had my COVID jab in the left arm and flu into the right. I was hoping I was going to get both in the same arm, but they don't do that any more.

I don't look impressed. I don't know why, it didn't hurt.